Backers of Judge Amendment Expect Last Minute Fight Over Popular Elections

A proposal that would allow legislators to confirm appointed judges is alive for next year’s General Assembly. House leaders also expect one last try to create a completely different system.

The House approved Republican Jon Lundberg’s proposal for a constitutional amendment. It would allow the governor to appoint, and the legislature confirm, appellate judges. To be on the ballot beforeTennessee voters in 2014, the legislature would have to approve the amendment’s language again next year.

But Representative Lundberg told his colleague that the he also expects to see a push next year for a system that would mandate the direct election of judges.

I would expect the next session, several bills to be introduced to change the way we do this, right now, election….

A bill to enact popular election of appellate judges died of neglect in the House this year.

But election of judges is a key rallying point for conservatives, and is expected to be used as an issue in Republican legislative primaries this August.

WEB EXTRA

Senate Joint Resolution 710 has been much amended. This is the final version is this amendment.

The measure passed in the Senate 22-9 and in the House 70-27, with one not voting.

If it passes by similar numbers in 2013 or early 2014, the question would be on the general election ballot in November 2014.