The Woodward News

Local News

October 26, 2012

Judges also on Nov. 6 ballot

Gary Engel Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. — OKLAHOMA CITY - Along with partisan voting, citizens are being asked by the Oklahoma Bar Association (OBA) to mark their Nov. 6 ballot for uncontested judicial seats.

There are 4 state Supreme Court justices and 8 appellate court judges who are being considered for judicial merit retention, according to OBA President Cathy Christensen.

Christensen explained that the judges are initially appointed to their posts by the Governor, based on recommendations from a 15-member Judicial Nominating Committee. This committee investigates, interviews and thoroughly evaluates the candidates. They are seated for a 6-year term, after which they are retained for their offices "on merit" by a majority of citizen votes.

The merit voting system was approved by voters as the result of a 1967 Constitutional Amendment, officials said.

The Supreme Court Justices on the retention ballot are Justice Norma Gurich, District 3; Justice Yvonne Kauger, District 4; and Justice James Edmondson, District 7; and  Justice Douglas Combs, District 8.

In the Court of Criminal Appeals, the following are up for retention: Judge Clancy Smith, District 1; Judge David Lewis, District 4; and Presiding Judge Arlene Johnson, District 6.  

For the Court of Civil Appeals, the following are up for retention: Judge P. Thomas Thornbrugh, District 3, Office 1; Judge William Hetherington, Jr., District 4, Office 1; Judge Kenneth Buettner, District 5, Office 1; Judge Robert Bell, District 5, Office 2; and Judge E. Bay Mitchell, District 6, Office 1.

Combs in the Supreme Court, Smith in the criminal appeals court, and Thornbrugh and Hetherington in the civil appeals court are all being considered for unexpired terms ending in 2017.  The remaining judges are being considered for full 6-year terms.

"These judges do not have a political party affiliation," Christensen said. "They must be free to rule independently without fear of retaliation for their decisions."





WEBSITE OFFERS MORE INFORMATION ABOUT JUDGES

To help enlighten voters about the seats on the 3 courts, OBA has established a website, www.CourtFacts.org, which is designed to explain how the merit process works and to give background information on each judge who will be voted upon.

Christensen said she hopes voters will use the website to glean information about the offices and the judges "from a source that is not tied to a political decision, unlike (voting) matters that are influenced by lobbyists."

"I believe the voters of Oklahoma are smart people, and that they can use the information that is available from CourtFacts to make an informed decision when they cast their ballot," she said.

CourtFacts.org features several lists of frequently asked questions about judicial merit, links to opinions each of the judges have written and to OBA itself.

Text Only
Local News
  • Amateur radio group hosting field day

    Area amateur radio operators will be putting their radio skills to the test this weekend as part of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Day.
    And the public is invited to come participate and learn more about the important communication roles that ham radio play in our society.

    June 19, 2013

  • Fanning leaving commission

    After serving the City of Woodward for more than 12 years, former Mayor and Woodward City Commissioner Bill Fanning stepped down from his post Monday evening, stating “family matters” as his reason.

    June 19, 2013

  • City approves rezoning, agreements

    A rezoning request for a proposed residential community for seniors was approved during Monday's regular Woodward City Commission meeting.

    June 19, 2013

  • County OKs agreements

    Woodward County Commissioners approved a renewal contract between Oklahoma Juvenile Affairs and the county during their regularly scheduled meeting Monday morning.

    June 18, 2013

  • Infrared camera can help with safety

    Ever since Spencer Albracht can remember, he has been taking things apart, curious about just what made them work.
    "Back then, when I was a kid, I mostly couldn’t get them put back together,” Albracht joked.

    June 16, 2013

  • Celebrating with American Cancer Society

    Teams at this year's Relay for Life in Woodward had a party.
    A birthday party that is, as they celebrated the 100th anniversary of the American Cancer Society (ACS).  They also celebrated how ACS seeks to help all cancer patients celebrate more birthdays.
    So during Friday night's Relay birthday party, the guests of honor were, as they are every year, the many local cancer survivors.
    The News visited with just a few of these brave battlers who shared stories about their individual journeys to overcome cancer.

    June 16, 2013

  • Commission to take up contracts

    Approval of the annual contract with the Woodward Industrial Foundation is one of the major topics Woodward City Commissioners will discuss in their regular meeting on Monday.

    June 16, 2013

  • 6 arrested on felony methamphetamine charges

    A single search warrant recently led to the arrest of 6 people on serious drug charges including intent to distribute and endeavoring to manufacture methamphetamine.

    June 16, 2013

  • Students to benefit from bond issue

    Days after the Sharon-Mutual Bond Issue passed, school officials are still celebrating on the inside, said Jeff Thompson, Sharon-Mutual superintendent.

    June 16, 2013

  • School board hires BWA Architects

    While the actual size of a bond issue proposal for the Woodward School District is still being determined, there is an architectural firm on board to go along with the already-hired construction manager Joe D. Hall.

    June 15, 2013