Board conceptually approves judicial candidate questionnaire.

The idea of a Bar-sponsored questionnaire to educate voters about candidates for trial court judgeships has been approved in concept by the Board of Governors, although exactly what questions should be asked is still being studied.

The Program Evaluation Committee recommended the board, at its April 3 meeting, approve the proposal by the Judicial Administration and Evaluation Committee for a "self-disclosure" form for judicial candidates. But committee Chair Frank Walker said the PEC wanted more time to study the specific questionnaire proposed by JAEC, which includes an essay-type question on why the candidate wants to be a judge.

The board approved the PEC recommendation by voice vote.

"It is in my opinion a no-lose situation," said Ninth Circuit Judge John Kest, chair of the JAEC. "It is a win for the candidates. It is a win for the incumbent judges. It is a win for the public. It is a win for The Florida Bar. The only downside is if some candidate runs and the information disclosed is unfavorable to her or him."

He said his committee took the form to the Citizens Forum, which enthusiastically endorsed it. Forum members recommended including an essay-type question asking the candidate why he or she would be a good judge, and giving more prominent play to a question about military background and health, Kest said.

"They looked at it as an opportunity for the Bar to provide information to citizens about the candidates who are running," he said, adding, "It's really for those who are running, so the public knows their background. The focus is on the public, to get information to the public on candidates. They just do not have information."

Walker told the board that it was being asked to approve the idea of a Bar-sponsored form only, and that a subcommittee headed by board member Eugene Pettis would be reviewing the JAEC's questionnaire and reporting at a future board meeting.

Board member Diane Lyn noted that Kest had mentioned a letter from 51 residents from a small community in the Fifth Circuit, who said they had been unable to get information about judicial candidates in last year's election.

Lyn, who ran for a Fifth Circuit judgeship last year, said that surprised her because she found a lot of voter apathy when it came to judicial races.

Lyn said she campaigned...

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