Texas Supreme Court Clarifies Exclusive Jurisdiction of Fifteenth Court

The Wisconsin Supreme Court race has become a focal point for political spending and partisanship, with $100 million poured into a contest that reflects a growing trend of costly and contentious judicial elections across the U.S. This escalation raises concerns about the appropriateness of electing judges for roles intended to be nonpartisan, particularly as state high courts increasingly influence critical issues like redistricting, abortion, and voting rights. A recent decision by a Republican-majority appellate panel in North Carolina highlights the politicization of these contests, as they seek to overturn thousands of ballots from the previous election. The Brennan Center's Douglas Keith argues that while elections were meant to enhance transparency and accountability, they have instead led to divisive campaigns that do not achieve those goals. Some states have opted for merit-based selection processes for justices to mitigate these issues, resulting in courts that are less predictable along political lines. The trend towards more partisan judicial elections continues to challenge the integrity of judicial impartiality.