You are crucial to keeping Iowa’s courts one of the tops in the country. It is important that you learn about the judges up for retention and make an informed decision.

While there is no perfect model of judicial selection, merit selection reduces the influence of politics in choosing judges and produces quality judges.

The purpose of the retention election may not always be clear to voters. Retention elections are a safeguard for extraordinary circumstances. Judges are asked to use their expertise to interpret the law and constitution, not to represent the current political sentiment or factor in political ramifications. Retention elections were not intended to serve as referenda on the outcome of specific court decisions.

The following non-partisan criteria may be used to determine if a judge should continue to serve:

• Integrity – is the judge honest, upright and committed to the rule of law?
• Professional Competence – does the judge have a keen intellect, extensive legal knowledge and strong writing abilities?
• Judicial Temperament – is the judge respectful, composed, decisive and impartial?
• Work Ethic – is the judge prompt with rulings and decisions?
• Service – is the judge committed to public service and the administration of justice?

For a more in-depth analysis of the role of retention elections, click here. ( Document A, Dean Vestal’s document)

How do you know if a judge meets these criteria?

By clicking on the state of Iowa to the right, you can access:

1. The list of judges up for retention from your county, and
2. Biographical information about the judge

In addition, we encourage voters to explore other sources of information about the judge, including:

1. The results of a survey of members of the Iowa State Bar Association, which asks attorneys to rate the judges on twelve different questions. You can access this information at www.iowabar.org. The results will be available in early October.
2. Ask local community leaders about their experiences.
3. Contact your own attorney and ask for that attorney’s perspective on the different judges up for retention.
4. Contact anyone who has interacted with each particular judge. Even those who do not prevail in legal actions are aware if the judge was civil and articulate