Who is “behind” Arizonans for an Independent Judiciary?
AIJ was formed by a bipartisan group of Arizona lawyers and a retired Arizona judge — three Democrats, two Republicans and an Independent — in order to resist the politicization of our state court judiciary and support our judges whom the JPR Commission has found meet applicable standards. Together with a third Republican, these founders make up the PAC’s Steering Committee, and are listed in the Contact page.
I’m a Democrat, why should I vote to retain a judge appointed by a Republican governor? Or vice-versa for Republicans?
Because of merit selection, Arizona governors appoint judges from both parties as well as independents. So rejecting judges based on who appointed them doesn’t work in Arizona. Plus, partisanship has no place in the judiciary, and voting in a partisan way will only encourage partisan activists to apply to serve as judges in the future.
Why shouldn’t I vote “no” on a judge if I didn’t like how my case turned out when it was before that judge?
The result in almost every case is dictated primarily by what the law is, rather than how the judge interpreted and applied it. Apart from the (centuries-old) common law tradition — in which judges make decisions, informed by precedents from earlier cases, to fill in gaps left by other law — judges do not make laws. In Arizona, the legislature and governor enact most laws, though sometimes, the people do so through initiatives. For the most part, judges merely interpret and apply the law.
What’s the harm in voting “no” for no reason?
Every single Arizona judge gave up a career in order to serve the public by becoming a judge. Often, these individuals took a pay cut in order to do so. If these fine people who were willing to make such a sacrifice to enter public service are voted out of office on a whim, fewer people with the qualities we want in our judges will make the decision to change careers in order to engage in this public service.
Aren’t judges usually retained anyway? If so, why should I bother to vote at all?
Just by making a decision in a case, the judge will make at least one person unhappy — the party that lost. It is up to the rest of us to make sure the judges are protected from losing their jobs precisely for doing their jobs. We do that by voting “yes.”
How can I get involved?
Contact any member of the Steering Committee at the coordinates listed on the Contact page for more information. And, of course, your donation is welcome.
If I make a donation, how will that money be used?
At a minimum, your contribution will support further developing this website as an information source for Arizona voters in November. Depending on the amount of money ultimately raised, the PAC may also devote monies to raising public awareness in other media or through special events.