League of Women Voters of Alaska support merit-based judicial selection and retention process
Over the past several years, Alaskan organizations, newspapers and individuals have come out in opposition to proposed constitutional amendments that would politicize the state’s merit-based judicial selection and retention system. Organizations in opposition include the Alaska Federation of Natives, (AFN), the Alaska AFL-CIO, the Tanana Chiefs Conference and the ANCSA Regional Association (which represents the CEOs of the 12 land-based Alaska Native regional corporations and the president of AFN). Newspapers publishing editorials against proposed changes to the state’s judicial selection and retention system include the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman and the Ketchikan Daily News. On Jan. 11, 2016, after a several month study, the League of Women Voters of Alaska adopted a position statement supporting Alaska’s merit-based judicial selection and retention system as established in the state constitution. For more information on why Alaskans support the current system, considered one of the finest in the U.S., visit our Opinions & Resources page.