Goldwater Institute files petition seeking to allow all state voters to consider judges’ retention
The Goldwater Institute filed a special action petition seeking to allow all Arizona voters to weigh in on retention for Arizona Court of Appeals judges, not just those in their jurisdiction, and alleges the current residency-based retention system sows voter disenfranchisement and violates the Arizona Constitution.
Early election results show voters reject three judges’ bids for retention
Initial results reveal voters rejected three judges’ bids for retention in the Maricopa County Superior Court.
Panel finds judge unfit for the bench
The state commission that vets the performance of judges has found one judge they say isn’t fit for the bench.
Critics worry about impact of ban on books with sexually explicit materials in schools
A new ban on books containing sexual content is impacting Arizona public schools, and critics worry self-censoring will add further stress to already overburdened teachers.
Long list of judges can tax a voter’s attention
Mail-in voting has a little known advocate in Arizona — and for this group, it’s about giving voters time to finish the ballot. With nearly 80 judges up for retention, and as many as 40 in Maricopa County alone, the state commission tasked with evaluating all of them hopes their findings won’t be skipped or overlooked.
Arizona Supreme Court pulled into political fray
The Arizona Supreme Court’s integrity is under attack by supporters of the defunct Invest in Education Act who accuse the justices and Gov. Doug Ducey of collusion.
House Republican offers plan to deal with “rogue, non-elected” judges
A far-reaching proposal by Rep. Warren Petersen, R-Chandler, would allow lawmakers, with a two-third vote, to remove any judge from the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals or any Superior Court judge from Maricopa, Pima or Pinal counties. And HCR 2006 would not require that legislators have any reason at all.
School freeze – Educators push for delay in test repercussions
Arizona public schools would get a one-year freeze on consequences from a new high-stakes learning test under legislation the state Department of Education plans to offer during the next session.
Retiring Pinal County judge is termed unfit to remain on bench
The Commission on Judicial Performance Review found itself in a quandary June 27 when it came time to vote on the qualifications of Pinal County Superior Court Judge Janna Vanderpool.
Pollster calls evaluation survey of judges ‘dangerous’
Nineteen judges who are up for retention this year went before the Commission on Judicial Performance Review on June 15 to explain themselves for bad marks they got in surveys on their performance.