PHOENIX (AP) — A state Senate committee will consider asking voters to ditch the state's merit selection for judges this week.
Supporters says a move to the federal-type system of nominations by the governor and confirmation by the Legislature would prevent judicial activism.
But supporters of the state's current system say changes would politicize the system.
Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is one who backs the current merit system. She's been trying to persuade other states to adopt Arizona's system of selecting judges, which aims to remove politics from the judiciary.
State voters approved it in 1974 and would have to OK any change.
State Sen. Jack Harper says he's sponsoring the measure because the current system leads to judges who are out of touch. He says judges are too liberal and activist.
