Ch. 6

Missouri Bar Plan

A method of judicial selection that combines merit selection and popular control in retention elections.

Dockets

Listing of cases to be heard by a court.

Senatorial courtesy

Custom in the U.S. Senate that requires the president to clear judicial appointments with the senators of the state wherein the appointment occurs when the senators are of the president's party.

Partisan elections

Election in which candidates endorsed by political parties are presented to the voters for selection.

Nonpartisan elections

Election in which candidates who are not endorsed by political parties are presented to the voters for selection.

Judicial reformers

Individuals and groups who stress the need for change in the American judiciary.

Gubernatorial appointment

Method of judicial selection in which the governor appoints a person to a judicial vacancy; does not involve an election.

Merit selection

Method of judicial selection involving a judicial nominating commission, selection by the governor, and typically a judicial retention election.

Retention election

Part of merit selection in which the incumbent judge runs for re-election without an opponent.

Judicial conduct commissions

Official body that investigates allegations of misconduct made against judges.

Incumbent

The holder of an office or a position.