Judges, Money, and Politics: The State of Judicial Elections in Minnesota

I participated in a League of Women Voters of Minnesota Study Committee a couple of years ago regarding the issue of judicial impartiality. Reviewing the numerous cases nationwide of increasingly expensive judicial races funded by special-interest monies, we questioned whether Minnesota's historically fair and impartial courts may be at risk. The conversation continues today, amongst member groups of Minnesotans for Impartial Courts, who are hosting the following panel discussion this week to illuminate the issue and proposed solutions for maintaining the integrity of Minnesota's courts.

Judges, Money, and Politics – The State of Judicial Elections in Minnesota

Thursday, November 18th, 2010
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Panel discussion
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Reception
Free and open to all

Cowles Auditorium
Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
301 19th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455

As a result of recent U.S Supreme Court decisions, judicial campaigns are becoming more partisan and expensive every election cycle. Many fear Minnesota’s courts are in danger of becoming the next battleground of big-money campaign contributors and partisan operatives. In response, proposals for changing the way Minnesotans elect judges have been put forward as a way of maintaining an impartial judiciary. Please join us for a lively conversation about the state of judicial elections in Minnesota and the proposed solutions at the Humphrey Institute. The event will be moderated by Professor Larry Jacobs and panelists include:

• Eric Magnuson, former Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court
• Gary Borgendale, Local Ministry Director for AM980 KKMS radio
• Sarah Walker, Chief Operating Officer at 180 Degrees, Inc

This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP at http://impartialjustice.eventbrite.com.

For parking and directions please go to: http://www.hhh.umn.edu/contact/parking.html.

To request disability accommodations, please call 612-625-2530 or e-mail cspg@umn.edu.