‘A bad idea’: Switzer disapproves of measure which drastically change how State Supreme Court justices are nominated
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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Former member of the Judicial Nominating Committee Barry Switzer says a new push to change the way Oklahoma chooses appellate judges “is a bad idea”.
Officials say Oklahoma Senate Joint Resolution 34 would remove the people from the judicial selection process and allow for the governor to choose new judges with politicians’ approval.
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According to Switzer, he was on the Judicial Nominating Committee as a non-lawyer citizen. On this committee, he worked with 14 other commissioners to interview the applicants for a judicial vacancy before selecting three for the governor to choose from.
“Despite having the best system in the country the legislature now wants to throw out that system and add politics to the process. SJR 34 will remove the people from the judicial selection process and allow the governor to pick the new judge and have politicians approve the choice. There is simply nothing good about that idea.” Switzer said in a news release.
SJR 34 will make its way to the capitol to be voted on by lawmakers. Switzer says he is hopeful lawmakers will vote no on SJR 34.
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