Midstate lawmaker behind latest Merit Selection push

(Harrisburg) — A bipartisan group of state lawmakers is behind the latest effort to replace statewide judicial elections with a system known as merit selection.

Lancaster County Republican Bryan Cutler and Philadelphia Democrat Brian Sims are sponsoring the would-be constitutional amendment in the House. Cutler says it would ensure integrity in the justice system.

“For far too long I think that we’ve relied on an entirely political process that has rewarded voter turnout, name recognition or the ability to raise money, more so than perhaps prior legal credentials or terms of service in those areas,” he explains.

The bill would create a nominating commission to vet potential justices and submit a list of qualified candidates to the governor. The governor’s nominees would be subject to Senate confirmation.

No action has been taken on a similar plan unveiled in the Senate earlier this year.

Constitutional amendments must pass in two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly before being put to the voters in the form of a ballot question.