CaraM, no its not a stupid question, like myself- top down ignorance imposed by a state govt system coupled with
the fact that no blogger or web site exists that tells us
the scoop of these judge positions.
To answer your question, i think the Governor (Nixon) appoints the judges - now be careful also as there is
something on the ballot (i voted a month ago)that gives
the Governor more power to select judges without input from
the required citizen panel instead(i think ) the panel would be all lawyers if passed.
You will know what i am talking about it when you see the ballot on Tues. I voted NO on it.
Thanks for the reply.
I have a sample ballot here, and I see what you mean:
Constitutional Amendment #3
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to change the current nonpartisan selection of supreme court and court of appeals judges to a process that gives the governor increased authority to:
a) appoint a majority of the commission that selects these court nominees; and
b) appoint all lawyers to the commission by removing the requirement that the governor’s appointees be nonlawyers
I agree with you, I don’t want to give the governor any more power, especially if there is a high chance we will be stuck with Nixon again.