All Alaskans – no matter who you are or what you believe in – benefit greatly from the judicial nomination, appointment and retention processes that the state constitution establishes. Why? The constitution creates a nonpartisan, independent, seven-person body known as the Alaska Judicial Council, comprised of three non-attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Alaska Legislature,  three attorneys chosen by the membership of the Alaska Bar Association, and the Chief Justice, who chairs the council but votes only in those historically rare instances where there is a tie vote. The Council is responsible for thoroughly vetting and forwarding to the governor the top judicial applicants so that the governor can choose from those applicants who to appoint to the bench.  The Council also conducts a deep, comprehensive dive into a judge’s performance and behavior when that judge comes up for retention by Alaska voters.

This remarkable system was created by our constitutional framers and has served Alaskans well for almost 70 years. It protects everyday Alaskans from political corruption on the bench and ensures that those who serve as Alaska’s state judges are the “the best of the best.” I have become increasingly vocal about the importance of protecting the independence of Alaska’s state judges, which shields them from partisan and other political winds. Let me share with you why I believe this is so important.

Alaskans want –  and deserve – to have absolute faith in the outcomes of judicial decisions affecting them, regardless of the issue being decided, whether it involves child custody, health care access, contract disputes or constitutional rights (to name but a few.) We all want to know that if we must walk into a courtroom to settle a dispute of any kind, we are not disadvantaged because the “other guy” in the courtroom has a larger wallet and was able to give money to the judge to help with campaign costs. We don’t want judges who owe political favors to anyone.  

I understand that at any given moment, someone – anyone – might not like a decision that a judge makes – it happens. Someone wins in court cases, and someone loses. But when the decision is grounded firmly in the law and issued by a judge who is independent from political pressures, we can feel good knowing that the decision came out of the judge’s commitment to the law.  That’s a judge’s job – to follow the law. If we allow our judges and courts to become politicized like every other aspect of our lives, even the decisions of our courts will no longer serve us well.

Every single aspect of our lives today has become increasingly politicized – health care, cost of food, religion, even what news sources we read or watch. Do Alaskans really need (much less want) yet another level of politicization imposed on us? Do we want our judges to be beholden to either an elected official or wealthy controlling donor? No, we want judges who remain above the political fray.

For these reasons, I urge you to join me – help us protect the political independence of Alaska’s state courts. Get to know the judges in your region and learn more about our fantastic judicial appointment and retention system. Your future, and the future of your families, depends on it.

– Joelle Hall