Senate Republicans Open Judicial Nominating Process

Oklahoma voters will make the final decision next fall on reform of the Judicial Nominating Commission.

The Oklahoma State Senate voted late Tuesday to send Senate Joint Resolution 27 to a vote of the people. If approved by voters, SJR 27 will bring several reforms to Oklahoma’s Judicial Nominating Commission.

“As part of the Senate Republican reform process, SJR 27 creates more accountability within the Judicial Nominating Commission while providing more than just attorneys to have a voice,” said President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee. “This is another significant step towards reforming government and making it more open to the people.”

The reforms in SJR 27 will be on the 2010 General Election ballot and will include the following:
- Membership of the Judicial Nominating Commission will be increased from 13 to 15 members.
- The two new at large members can not be attorneys and one each will be appointed by the President Pro Tempore and the Speaker of the House.
- Any person who has an immediate family member who has been admitted to practice law in Oklahoma or any other state will be prevented from serving on the Judicial Nominating Commission.
- No more than two of the three at large members can belong to the same political party.