Election time is near once again. Since the start of the American political process, there have been a vast amount of reasons why voters choose their political parties. No matter one's affiliation, after reading Andrew Cohen's interview piece with Wallace B. Jefferson, a retired Chief Justice of Texas Supreme Court, few would deny changes should be applied to the political process of choosing Texas judges. The changes suggested to improve the election process will help maintain the most important character trait of a judge, moral integrity. The changes suggested carry the running theme, removal of the political view of judges. A judge is defined as an official appointed to decide cases. One would need to display high moral character …show more content…
Yet, in a time when fairness and integrity is in short supply, we have to be honest with ourselves: some voters may take a shortcut in our voting system. Getting acquainted with all judges running for election can be a daunting task. This is an example of the next glaring problem we can change to help our system: straight ticket voting."These votes are not based upon the merits of the judge but on partisan affiliation and if its not party affiliation it's the sound of your name(Cohen2)" As stated earlier, judges do not have a need to have their political affiliation known; this, along with straight ticket voting seem to go hand and hand. The need to have an open mind when choosing our leaders should be clear no matter whom a voter chooses to elect. Yet, voters who do not take the time to educate themselves may take this "cheat sheet" to elect persons affiliated with their party. Partisan voters may feel they are doing the greater good for their party, but to what expense? Blind faith to one's party may move along votes for either party, but for judges it does not work the same. Voters should be able to differentiate among candidates by the merits of their career