Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Should Supreme Court Justices be elected or appointed?
Position1 of 2›

Supreme court justices should be elected

Elections are the basis of direct democracy. They ensure that citizens have choices from all spectra of judicial leanings instead of one-party nominating like-minded justices. Elections avoid the possibility of a politicized judiciary.

Supporting arguments · 3

  1. An elected Supreme Court would be more diverse
    Judicial elections give citizens a variety of choices across the spectrum of judicial leanings and backgrounds. Judicial appointments yield power to a small group of elitist White male lawyers.
  2. An elected Supreme Court yields higher judicial accountability
    Judicial elections make justices more accountable for their decisions to the public. They allow people to ensure that the Constitution remains aligned with public opinion.
  3. Judicial election is a requirement for democracy
    Basic principles of the democratic theory suggest that public officials should be selected by those over whom they hold power. Judicial elections are a part of direct democracy.