Measures in several state legislatures this year have called for new approaches to weaken the power of judges.
In Kansas, GOP leaders have long been frustrated with state Supreme Court rulings forcing them to spend more on public schools, overturning death sentences, and protecting abortion rights. They’re renewing a push to change how justices are selected.
The governor now chooses a justice from among three nominees put forth by a commission controlled by lawyers. Voters get a say every six years on whether the justice may continue serving.
Senate President Ty Masterson of Andover said he and others want to cut the influence of lawyers and have voters choose justices, as they did in Kansas before 1960, and as 22 other states do.
If lawmakers approve the idea, it would go before voters.
Fred Logan, a lawyer and former Kansas Republican Party chair, said during a legislative hearing that shifting to elections will make raising money for a campaign the key skill for potential justices, instead of their legal knowledge and experience.