If passed, Proposition 137 would amend the Arizona Constitution to remove voters' ability to hold justices and judges accountable by eliminating the judicial retention process for state Supreme Court justices, Court of Appeals judges, and judges in Coconino, Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal counties. This would allow judges to receive lifetime appointments, reducing transparency and making it harder for the public to ensure judicial accountability.
If passed, Proposition 137 would retroactively apply to this November’s election, potentially overturning voters' decisions not to retain certain justices or judges. This move appears aimed at protecting judges up for retention this year who upheld the 1864 pre-statehood abortion ban.
For over 50 years, Arizona's constitution has allowed voters to hold judges accountable through retention elections. These elections are a vital democratic tool, ensuring judges serve the public interest rather than personal or political agendas. They help prevent the courts from becoming overly politicized by ensuring decisions are grounded in law, not outside pressure.
Currently, the governor appoints judges from a nonpartisan list of nominees, and those judges must stand for retention after their first term. Trial judges face voters every four years, while appeals and Supreme Court judges face voters every six years. Proposition 137 would eliminate these elections and grant judges lifetime appointments. Under the new system, judges would only face removal if convicted of a felony or after a negative performance review by a commission, stripping the public of the ability to vote them out.
In 2016, then-Governor Doug Ducey expanded the state Supreme Court from five to seven seats, consolidating a conservative majority. Since then, the court has made several politically charged decisions that have threatened public school funding, voting rights, and workers' protections.
Eliminating retention elections would weaken Arizona's judiciary by removing a key mechanism of accountability. Preserving these elections is essential to maintaining judicial integrity and upholding democratic principles.
Arizonans deserve a judiciary and political system that remains accountable to the public, not special interests. A No vote on Proposition 137 will ensure that voters continue to have a say in who remains on the bench.
If passed, Proposition 137 would amend the Arizona Constitution to remove voters' ability to hold justices and judges accountable by eliminating the judicial retention process for state Supreme Court justices, Court of Appeals judges, and judges in Coconino, Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal counties. This would allow judges to receive lifetime appointments, reducing transparency and making it harder for the public to ensure judicial accountability.
If passed, Proposition 137 would retroactively apply to this November’s election, potentially overturning voters' decisions not to retain certain justices or judges. This move appears aimed at protecting judges up for retention this year who upheld the 1864 pre-statehood abortion ban.
For over 50 years, Arizona's constitution has allowed voters to hold judges accountable through retention elections. These elections are a vital democratic tool, ensuring judges serve the public interest rather than personal or political agendas. They help prevent the courts from becoming overly politicized by ensuring decisions are grounded in law, not outside pressure.
Currently, the governor appoints judges from a nonpartisan list of nominees, and those judges must stand for retention after their first term. Trial judges face voters every four years, while appeals and Supreme Court judges face voters every six years. Proposition 137 would eliminate these elections and grant judges lifetime appointments. Under the new system, judges would only face removal if convicted of a felony or after a negative performance review by a commission, stripping the public of the ability to vote them out.
In 2016, then-Governor Doug Ducey expanded the state Supreme Court from five to seven seats, consolidating a conservative majority. Since then, the court has made several politically charged decisions that have threatened public school funding, voting rights, and workers' protections.
Eliminating retention elections would weaken Arizona's judiciary by removing a key mechanism of accountability. Preserving these elections is essential to maintaining judicial integrity and upholding democratic principles.
Arizonans deserve a judiciary and political system that remains accountable to the public, not special interests. A No vote on Proposition 137 will ensure that voters continue to have a say in who remains on the bench.