A selection committee on September 1 narrowed the number of prospects for the recently expanded Arizona Supreme Court.

The Commission on Appellate Court Appointments cut two of the 11 applicants – Judge Randall Howe of the Arizona Court of Appeals, and Robert Schaffer, an attorney in private practice.

That leaves six Republicans, two independents and one Democrat the commission will have to choose from in sending a politically balanced slate to Gov. Doug Ducey, who will make the appointments.

The commission can send no fewer than three nominees per opening, and no more than two can be from the same political party. If the commission sends four or more nominees, no more than 60 percent can be from the same party.

Supreme Court spokeswoman Heather Murphy said the commission can send one large group to cover both vacancies, so long as the constitutionally required minimum of three per slot is met.

Commission member Jonathan Paton said the commission intends to send a single slate of nominees.

The commission is working on filling two new slots the Legislature created for the court this year.

The commission will interview the nine remaining applicants September 30.