Emily Schultheis and Will McCarthy, Politico
Assemblymember Gail Pellerin is looking to amend the constitution to allow California Supreme Court judges to extend their terms without an election. But in addition to pitching it as a good-government reform that will free judges from unnecessary politicking, Pellerin is hoping penny-pinching legislators will see her ACA 8 as a chance to save money.
Pellerin’s proposal would change the default for incumbent judges seeking an extra term, allowing them to file a declaration of candidacy and putting the burden on voters who want to force a retention election to collect signatures. Drawing on her experience as chief elections official of Santa Cruz County, Pellerin argues most voters either rubber-stamp or ignore judicial contests altogether. Since 1932, 794 of 797 judges facing a retention vote have been reelected.
The amendment was referred to the assembly committees on elections and appropriations late last week, although no hearing date has been set. Pellerin is likely to make the case that her bill will save the state election-administration costs at a time when Sacramento is looking for creative budget solutions.
“It’s a lot of time, money and prime real estate on the ballot for an issue that doesn’t benefit voters,” she told Playbook.