There has to be a better way to elect/select judges...

[KarmicCurse]

I agree that it's ridiculous to be electing judges. We kind of do that anyway by electing representatives who appoint judges. There should be one branch of government that is not beholden to the often nonsensical whims of the electorate, or to special interests, but only to their own judgment and principals.

It's absurdly difficult in 2014 to simply find information about most of these races. I try to be an informed voter, look at the ballot early on mi.gov, try to find out something about these people, visit websites. It's nearly pointless to visit candidates' official sites since they're usually so neutral and noncommittal that they're interchangeable. So you love your country and you have a wife and kids. That makes 95% of the population qualified. There is so little out there. The best source of information I have found is the League of Women Voters website. It must have been really difficult before the internet. If I can't find enough information I just leave that part of the ballot blank. For that reason alone a lot of positions, especially important ones like judges, should not be on the ballot.

[Wesley Mouch]

I agree that it's ridiculous to be electing judges. We kind of do that anyway by electing representatives who appoint judges. There should be one branch of government that is not beholden to the often nonsensical whims of the electorate, or to special interests, but only to their own judgment and principals.

It's absurdly difficult in 2014 to simply find information about most of these races. I try to be an informed voter, look at the ballot early on mi.gov, try to find out something about these people, visit websites. It's nearly pointless to visit candidates' official sites since they're usually so neutral and noncommittal that they're interchangeable. So you love your country and you have a wife and kids. That makes 95% of the population qualified. There is so little out there. The best source of information I have found is the League of Women Voters website. It must have been really difficult before the internet. If I can't find enough information I just leave that part of the ballot blank. For that reason alone a lot of positions, especially important ones like judges, should not be on the ballot.

Once upon a time, voters looked to impartial groups like the "League of Woman Voters" for good advice on judges. Unfortunately, we've allowed our parties and networks to seize the debates and get the impartial folks out of the way.

But there still are good organization to guide you in choosing candidates who deserve your vote. The local papers are a great start. Or your Union or trade association. Many more good people out there endorsing and sharing. Toss aside the partisan Fox News sorts, and follow the advice of someone who has the time and experience to endorse. Read a lot. Take their endorsement list to the poll with you. And vote.

The current system sucks. But not as much as other appointment systems where the insiders can make all the deals in smoke-filled room. The pendulum has swung a little too far towards populism and direct democratic engagement -- but when the pendulum was the other way towards appointments and insider control it was just a different kind of bad.

btw, isn't it fully that so many are calling for ending voting for judges while bitching about the removal of Detroit elected officials by gubernatorial appointment?