Alaskans for Fair Courts

Alaska Common Ground hosted Alaskans for Fair Courts for a discussion of the judicial selection and retention processes embedded in Alaska’s Constitution. They shared the vision of those who framed these processes, how that vision has manifested today, why it continues to be relevant, and made the case for why it is important to retain high-quality judges who are not beholden to partisan, political or other outside influence. Speakers also addressed the role that the Alaska Judicial Council plays in performing rigorous, nonpartisan, comprehensive evaluations of judicial applicants and judges who are eligible to stand for retention, and potential risks to the integrity of Alaska’s judiciary.

Presenters were retired Judge Elaine Andrews; Donna Goldsmith, Co-Chair, Alaskans for Fair Courts; and Tom Begich, Senior Strategic Advisor to Alaskans for Fair Courts.