Bill looks to balance power in Alaska’s judge selection process
A bill introduced by Senator Mike Shower (R-Wasilla) would significantly change the process by which district and appellate judges and magistrates are appointed to their positions. Currently, the Alaska Judicial Council, made up primarily of attorneys, gets
OPINION: Is Alaska’s method of selecting judges unconstitutional?
By MICHAEL CHAMBERS – Alaska Freedom Alliance “All political power is inherent in the people. All government originates with the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the people as a whole.” –
Alaska’s chief justice denies only rural applicant and person of color from spot on Supreme Court
Chief Justice Joel Bolger, like many lawyers, is good with words, but the words have no real meaning. This is the lesson I learned during my first official session on the Alaska Judicial Council. I read the Chief Justice’s June 8, 2020 letter. Justice
Public testimony unanimously favors changing how Alaska chooses judges
Public testimony in a recent Senate Judiciary hearing was unanimously favored altering how Alaska selects appellate and district court judges. The Feb. 15 hearing dealt with Senate Bill 14, introduced by Sen. Mike Shower (R-Wasilla). The measure looks to curb
With Alaska’s chief justice to retire in 2021, judge selection process must be fixed
Chief Justice Joel Bolger will retire from Alaska’s Supreme Court on June 30 next year, creating yet another vacancy on Alaska’s highest court, which only has five members. On Nov. 30 Bolger announced his plan to step down five years before reaching the
Alaska’s judge selection is ‘shrouded in secrecy’
The upcoming November elections are among the most consequential in American history. The outcome may well determine whether the American experiment continues or dies. In Alaska, there are state elections that are also of the highest importance for democracy
Sen. Sullivan praises Trump’s ‘historic’ transformation of judiciary
Sen. Dan Sullivan is among those praising President Donald Trump for nominating an historic number of conservative judges to the federal bench. Last week the president had his 158th judicial nominee confirmed. This includes two Supreme Court justices, 44