Montgomery County Republicans will host an informational meeting this Saturday in Independence to discuss judicial selection reform in Kansas.
The purpose of the meeting will be to provide information about the amendment to the Kansas Constitution that will be on the August 4th ballot. That amendment would change the way Kansas chooses its supreme court judges, by providing for the direct election of those justices by voters at staggered elections and abolish the existing Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission.
Currently, the seven justices are selected through assisted appointment and must stand for retention at the next even-year general election following their appointment and every six years thereafter. The nominating commission is responsible for providing the names of nominees to the governor, who must then select a justice from that list. The commission is made up of nine members, one lawyer and one non-lawyer from each congressional district, and one additional lawyer who serves as chairperson.
The informational meeting will take place on Saturday from 11 to 1 at the Civic Center in Independence. The public is invited to attend.
