Wish you had more resources to learn about candidates in the last election?
For the Nov. 5 general election, the Florida Bar has launched “The Vote’s in Your Court,” a reference guide to the remaining judges in the race on ballots.
The voting resources include the website www.TheVotesInYourCourt.com, which has a downloadable voters guide, an updated landing page (https://www. floridabar.org/public/faircts/votes010/).
The Florida Bar says the new website and guide are aimed at making the Bar’s voter education tools and resources more engaging, relevant, and accessible for Florida voters and community and civic groups.
In merit retention elections, judges are on the general election ballot every six years as they near the end of their terms. When there is a vacancy, the governor fills the term by appointment. The person who fills the vacancy serves the rest of the term and must then be reelected to remain on the bench. In merit retention, judges, such as appellate judge, do not run against other candidates. Voters simply decide if the judge should remain in their role based on their performance.
Hence, here’s why judicial elections are important: In Florida, judges are either elected or retained by the voters, giving the public the power to choose who holds these critical positions. Judges make decisions on a wide range of issues, both large and small, including traffic violations, small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, personal injury cases, criminal matters, death penalty cases, probate, guardianship, and more. Voting in these elections ensures that judges are selected by residents of the communities they serve.
