Proposed bill would create a system where judges compete for South Carolina judicial election

From the Brennan Center:

If passed, a bill recently prefiled in the South Carolina legislature could establish partisan elections for the South Carolina Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Circuit Courts, writes Michael Smith for myhorrynews.com. House Bill 4406 proposes an amendment to the state constitution that would allow voters to elect judges in partisan elections. It also “calls for eliminating the Judicial Merit Selection Commission.”

Smith notes that “South Carolina is one of two states that elects its judges in the General Assembly” and that “H. 4406 could face an uphill battle.” Sen. Larry Martin (R-Pickens), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Judicial Merit Selection Committee, said the current system “helps keep the bench relatively free from political influence.” He added that the Judicial Merit Selection Commission allows for selection of the judge or justice “who’s most qualified” rather than just “who can get the most votes.” Former Chief Justice Jean Toal also spoke in support of the current system, stating that “[n]o judges will be shielded totally from politics,” but that appointments “should be insulated from the kind of targeting most judges are vulnerable to.”