League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
State of Ohio November 6, 2012 Election
	Yvette McGee Brown Answers Questions Candidate for Justice; Ohio State Supreme Court; Unexpired Term Ending 12/31/14

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. Do you support or oppose the election of judges and why?

I support the election of judges as long as Ohio's constitution requires it. In 1986, the voters resoundingly rejected a proposal to allow merit selection of judges. 25 years later, it may be time to revisit the question. That is why I participated in late Chief Justice Moyer's conference to look at the way Ohio selects judges. Other states use various models like citizens commissions and retention elections. While the current system is not perfect, I would want to carefully examine any proposed alternative. The chief objective of any system must be to find the most qualified judges. We must also guard against the danger of placing judicial selection in the hands of a few selected individuals who may not truly serve the interests of the people.

2. What changes would you recommend to reduce the perceived influence of money contributions in our courts?

Any change to the current system will require a constitutional amendment that changes the way judges are selected. With the current system, the Ohio Supreme Court has established limits on individual contributions to combat the perceived influence of money in judicial elections. Judges are required to present their qualifications to the electorate and in a state as large as Ohio, television and other paid media is the best vehicle for conveying our message. We also rely on groups like the LWV and the State and local Bar Associations to support and endorse candidates they find credible. I encourage voters to trust non-partisan endorsements, and not just TV advertising, as another way to reduce the perception of the influence of money.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Answers will be cut off if they exceed a word limit, if present. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 13, 2012 08:37
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