HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2018-013 Resolution opposing a change from election of judgesRES- 2018 -013
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION
OPPOSING A CHANGE FROM ELECTION OF JUDGES
WHEREAS, the North Carolina State Constitution [Constitution] established three branches of
government: Executive, Legislative and Judicial; and
WHEREAS, the Constitution also established the roles and responsibilities of each said branch
of government, and how individuals seeking to serve in each branch is to be elected; and
WHEREAS, this delineation of separate branches is essential to the maintenance of a balance of
powers that ensures the unfettered and effective function of our democratic form of government;
and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina General Assembly currently is debating the merits of amending
the Constitution so as to allow the appointment of judges rather than the historical and
Constitutional method of electing judges by a vote of the people; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners [BOCC] believes that members of the
judicial branch of government should continue to be elected by the voters, as opposed to being
selected by members of the legislative branch or by some other process that may be established
by the legislative branch; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners supports maintaining the current
Judicial District System, and opposes division into sub - districts; and
WHEREAS, forcing judges to run for election on a frequent basis, such as every two years, has
the potential of politicizing their decision- making, thus undermining the independence that is at
the heart of a free and fair judiciary; and
WHEREAS, at its regular meeting on March 8, 2018, the BOCC voted unanimously to send this
resolution to its state legislative delegation as well as to the boards of county commissioners of
all other 99 North Carolina counties;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of County
Commissioners herewith opposes any amendment to the North Carolina Constitution that would
abridge or impinge upon the right of the people of North Carolina to elect their judges; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of County Commissioners
affirms its position in favor of an independent judiciary, as now provided in the North Carolina
State Constitution.
This the 8th day of March, 2018.
ADorosin, air
O range County Board of Commissioners