# California Voters: any Judges deserving extra scrutiny?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-voters-any-judges-deserving-extra-scrutiny/378764>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [November 1, 2006, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-voters-any-judges-deserving-extra-scrutiny/378764 "2006-11-01T19:04:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\
**Post date:** [November 1, 2006, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-voters-any-judges-deserving-extra-scrutiny/378764/1 "2006-11-01T19:04:24Z")

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Part 1 is kinda GQ, but since Part 2 is definitely GD I thought I’d post here. However, I am hoping for a GQ/GD Hybrid kind of an answer:  
Part 1  
So, there are a bunch of Judges on the ballot in California for this election.

First I thought, as I thought in previous elections with Judges on the ballot, that I was voting these Judges to their seats. With so many Judges on the ballot, I was worried that, in order to make an informed vote, I would have to research each and every one of them! Aaargh!

Now, according to pg 113 of the California Voter Information Guide, I see that I have completely misunderstood.

> [@](#):
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> Following confirmation, the justice is sworn into office and is subject to voter approval at the next gubernatorial election, and thereafter at the conclusion of each term.

Now I understand that these Judges are already appointed and that we are simply voting to confirm. **GQ:** Do I now understand this correctly? If not, where am I going wrong.

Part 2  
Since we live in a _representational_ democracy, I don’t see a lot of sense in nullifying the decisions of our elected officials, even those officials with whose politics I disagree, unless said decisions amount to abuse, corruption, or irresponsible disregard for the public good.

Feeling this way, I am inclined to vote “Yes” for each of the judicial appointments.  
I am comfortable voting “Yes” even without in depth research to inform myself about each individual Judge.  
**GD.1:** Is this an irresponsible way to vote?

**GD.2:** Given that I am inclined to vote “Yes” are there any justices to whom I should apply extra srutiny, appointments that might fall under my above mentioned concern for “abuse, corruption, or irresponsible disregard for the public good”?  
[California Justices to be confirmed by “Yes” or “No” vote in the General Election](http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_justice.htm)