Learn About Judicial Candidates Before You Vote

Voters are going to the polls in less than two weeks, and most do not know anything about the judges on the ballot beyond name recognition. Just like learning about office seekers and issues on the ballot, knowing about the judicial candidates is just as important.

Knowing about judicial candidates is important

The Missouri Plan, otherwise known as the Non-Partisan Court Plan, was proposed and adopted to the state Constitution by Missouri voters in 1940, it continues to be right for the people of Missouri because it attracts high-quality judges in the least political way and ultimately gives the people the final say.

In the City of St. Louis, and in St. Louis, Jackson, Clay, Platte and Greene counties, judges apply for their positions on the bench and are selected on the basis of merit. This process is transparent to the public and accountable to the people.

In this judicial process laid out in the state’s constitution, judges who serve under the Missouri Plan have been nominated by a judicial commission and then selected by the governor. After their first 12 months on the bench and the end of each term, nonpartisan judges must go before the voters in a retention election. Voters are asked whether each of these judges should be retained. To be retained, each judge must receive a majority vote.

Voters can learn more about the performance of the judges who will appear on the Clay County ballot HERE .

Voters can see if a judge “meets” the review committee performance standards, read survey results from 2020, and find out about each judge’s background.

The Missouri Plan website provides voters with accurate information about the judicial process in Missouri, and is maintained by and paid for through the Missouri Bar Association.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story