Buying Time—2010: Nevada
Analysis
Two judges on Nevada’s Supreme Court will seek re-election in 2010. Because both of the judges — Chief Justice James Hardesty and Justice Ron Parraguirre — are running unopposed, Nevada citizens are not likely to see the kind of expensive, hard-fought campaigns for state high courts that are unfolding in other states.
On the November ballot, however, is a question that may have more impact on judicial elections in Nevada than the results of any single race. After a comprehensive investigation by the Los Angeles Times demonstrated numerous cases in which judges in Nevada’s lower courts ruled in cases in which they had conflicts of interest, the Nevada legislature voted twice, in 2007 and 2009, to place a question on the 2010 ballot, in which voters will be asked whether they wish to replace Nevada’s contested judicial elections with a merit selection system. Under the proposes system, judicial candidates would screened by non-partisan nominating commissions and appointed by the governor, and judges, once appointed, would sit for retention elections. One group, Nevadans for Qualified Judges, has begun a campaign to persuade voters to vote “yes” on the initiative, in order to “reduce the influence of money in the courtrooms” and ensure that all judicial candidates are thoroughly vetted in a transparent, nonpartisan process. The Nevada Kudicial Appointment Amendment was ultimately defeated.
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Leading up to the November 2010 election, the Brennan Center is releasing real-time reports on television advertising in state Supreme Court elections, presented here at “Buying Time — 2010.” These reports continue the groundbreaking analysis first conducted in 2000 examining the sponsorship, content and costs of televised state Supreme Court campaign ads.
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News
September 15, 2010- MY4News Segment Regarding Proposed Constitutional Amendment to Change Judicial Selection in Nevada
Interview with Neveada Supreme Court Justice Bill Maupin, Chair of Yes on Question One.
Martha Bellisle, Judicial change is up to voters, Reno Gazette-Journal, October 25, 2010;
The ballot questions, Las Vegas Sun, Oct. 18, 2010
Jane Ann Morrison, As The Campaign Ads Begin To Multiply, Let The Voter Beware, Las Vegas Review-Journal, October 11, 2010.
Jane Ann Morrison, Ethics Panel Finds Fault With 'Magnificent Eleven' Fundraiser, Las Vegas Review-Journal, October 09, 2010.
Ray Hagar, Former Justice O'Connor Wants 'To Keep Cash Out Of' Nevada Courtrooms In Push For Ballot Question, Reno Gazette Journal, September 23, 2010.
Jane Ann Morrison, Process for picking judges gives turkeys, crooks chance, The Las Vegas Review Journal, June 8, 2010.