LWVLL Participates in LWVUS Federal Judiciary Study

Nine LWVLL members—Kristen Anderson, Kate Borchman, Katie Bradshaw, Diane Freese, Carol Hinkle, Judy Kelly, Linda Lannin, Jean McGuire, and Janice Walker—participated in the national Federal Judiciary Study as part of the process of establishing a new League position. The League of Women Voters bases our advocacy on positions that are established after members have studied an issue and achieved consensus on policies and practices that would best serve the public interest.

Studies are the basis of our positions, which make our actions possible. Studies also make League of Women Voters actions uniquely credible and respected.

Over the past several months, a group of League members from across the country have been part of a Federal Judiciary Study Team to develop a League of Women Voters position on the Federal Judiciary as an essential component of US democracy. The Study includes but is not limited to addressing concerns and clarifying judicial accountability, transparency, independence, and ethics. The scope of the study addresses the US Supreme Court and other Article III federal courts, which include 94 district courts—including bankruptcy court—and 13 circuit court of appeals.

The LWVLL met virtually to discuss issues previously identified by the Study Team. We talked about what principles of democracy were inherent in each issue, then we reviewed twelve Consensus Questions created by the Study Team. For each question, the LWVLL members determined if we were in strong consensus for, moderate consensus for, strong consensus against, moderate consensus against, or no consensus. The responses were submitted electronically to the Federal Judiciary Study Team to be considered with answers from Leagues across the country. See the LWVLL submission.

The final LWV position on the Federal Judiciary should be published sometime this summer.