MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – A coalition of over 20 groups is urging Wisconsin voters to reject a change in the way the State Supreme Court’s chief justice is selected.
“Democracy 2020” held a news conference Monday to speak out against the proposed constitutional amendment.
It would allow the seven Supreme Court members to choose their own chief justice, and throw out the long-time practicing of letting the justice with the most seniority hold that post.
The measure would not have a grandfather provision — and if it passes, there’s a chance that long-time Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson would be removed from that post. Abrahamson is one of just two liberals on the 7-member court.
Because of that, former Democratic state Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager calls the amendment a “partisan power grab” by conservatives.
Scott Foval of the People for the American Way says his group will have an aggressive outreach effort to urge people to vote no.
The amendment’s supporters say it would add Wisconsin to about two dozen other states in which fellow justices choose the chiefs.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
