Merit selection reduces the role of politics in selecting judges. Merit selection begins with a nominating commission of fifteen citizens, a chair who is the senor associate justice, seven of whom are non-attorneys appointed by the governor, and seven of whom are attorneys elected by attorneys.

When there is a vacancy on the court, judicial applicants submit their applications to this nominating commission. The commission reviews the applications, conducts interviews, and assesses the qualifications. The commission nominates the top two or three most qualified individuals.

The nominees are submitted to the governor, who appoints one person to a judgeship.

After appointment, the judge is then regularly placed on the general election ballot for a retention election in which citizens decide whether that judge will retain a seat on the bench.

Merit selection first ensures that only the most qualified candidates become judges and limits the influence of special interests. This frees judges from overt political influence and promotes a fair and impartial judiciary. Differently than states using judicial elections, Iowa judges do not receive campaign donations or seek political support. This removes direct political influence over judges and allows them to be accountable to the law, not donors or special interests.

To learn more about Iowa's method of judicial selection, visit: http:// www.judicialselection.us/judicial_selection/index.cfm?state=IA