Across the country, the judiciary – and the rule of law – are being put to the test. The importance of an independent judiciary is under ever-increasing scrutiny, both nationally and in Alaska. The Legislature, Executive and Judiciary form the three-legged stool that is our system of governance. Without an independent judiciary to protect Americans from the other two legs of government, this stool is at risk of collapse and our constitutional rights become meaningless.

In Alaska, the nonpartisan system by which we appoint and retain state judges is simply the best in the country. But Alaska’s system is under attack – actively, from those who want to politicize it, and passively, from those who take it for granted. Politicizing our judiciary, and apathy regarding retention of our judges, threaten the viability of our judiciary and the rule of law – the very guideposts by which we live.

AFC remains firmly committed to protecting the independence of our state judiciary. We will continue our work to remedy voter apathy through education, as voting data tells us that education remains the best way for us to counteract apathy. When Alaskans understand the benefits from our judicial retention system, participation in retention elections increases, as reflected by Alaskans’ increased participation in voting on judicial retention – even more so among more conservative members of Alaska’s electorate.

We will continue our efforts to shield Alaska’s state judiciary against efforts to politicize it. Alaskans want – and need – judges who serve with integrity, who will follow the law and refuse to succumb to the demands of partisan or other special interest politics.

Now, more than ever before in the history of our State, our state judiciary is the key to maintaining a civil society. A nonpartisan, independent judiciary will protect us from descending into chaos.

Fighting for Justice,
Alaskans for Fair Courts