Bender comments on controversial ballot proposition

The Associated Press quoted Paul Bender, professor of law and dean emeritus at ASU, in response to a controversial ballot proposition.

If approved by Arizona voters in November, Proposition 115 would allow Gov. Jan Brewer more power in selecting judges in certain counties.

Opponents fear the changes would inject politics into a judicial system that should remain impartial. They believe it would allow “the governor’s people” to run the nomination process and nominate politically favorable candidates regardless of merit, Bender said.

Those who support the proposition say the State Bar of Arizona has too much power in the judicial selection process. They believe elected officials are more accountable for the opinions of the public, according to an article written by Michelle Ye Hee Lee, in the Arizona Republic.

Bender teaches courses on U.S. and Arizona constitutional law, and has argued more than 20 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, and actively participates in constitutional litigation in federal and state courts.