Missouri Plan

Definition

The Missouri Plan is a method of selecting judges that combines appointment and election, involving a nonpartisan commission that nominates candidates, from whom the governor appoints one, followed by retention elections without opponents after a judge has served for a set period. This process aims to reduce political influence on judicial appointments while ensuring judges are both qualified and accountable.

Related terms

Judicial Appointment: The process by which judges are selected by a government official or body, typically used at higher levels of the judiciary or in systems without electoral input.

Retention Election: A type of election where an incumbent officeholder faces a yes/no vote rather than running against opponents, often used within systems like the Missouri Plan to decide if a judge should remain in office.

Nonpartisan Commission: An independent body composed of members from both legal communities and the public that evaluates and nominates candidates for judicial positions, intended to minimize political bias in selections