Partisan Elections Research Paper

Words: 584
Pages: 3

Texas is the one of few states that uses partisan election to select their judicial judges. Partisan election and large amount of campaign money are used to win elections or reelections. Influences of partisan elections on electorates places consistency on the voting process of party labeling. In addition to ticket splitting, the voting of electorates’ party is simply possible. Most judges are appointed initially, however, the governor fills vacancies with confirmation with Senate. Often, appointees are reelected without antagonism. Removal of judges are very limited but problems with the Texas judiciary is vast due to partisan elections of judges. The results of voting in circumstances of ticket splitting, long ballots, or favor of a familiar face, substantial campaign contributions to obtain a place on bench, and low representation …show more content…
Lack of campaign contributions creates, as L. Tucker Gibson said, a “philosophical and political battleground.” More money that one has results in greater possibilities of being appointed as judge for the upcoming six year term. Concernment with the “the impact of money on the impartiality, integrity, and independence of their judges” develops among the public (Domino). The decisions of selecting judges are affected by contributions. The obligation of contributions are to be neutral and unbiased. Due to the increase party competition and expensive cost of partisan campaigning, judges reluctant to have involvement with individual with the interest and intention to donate in result to influence high court and justice decisions (Domino). Candidates beneficial to corporation are more likely to receive donations (Collier). For instance, studies have analyzed the influence of money by the collection of data through the 1994 and 1998 elections. This lead up to $12.8 million in campaign funds in which more than half provided by lawyers and law firms