To the Editor:

Much has been written by others in this space about the upcoming constitutional question concerning Kansas Supreme Court judges. Here are some points that have not been touched on.

First, the amendment, which takes up one entire side of a 17-inch ballot, is strangely silent as to how the elections for supreme court judges will be conducted. Are they to be partisan (Democrat, Republican, other) or non-partisan? This is important if one considers the district courts which currently select by elections.

In Wyandotte County, every single judge has been elected as a Democrat. In Sedgwick (e.g. Wichita), every single one is Republican. In Kansas, which is always considered to be a deep “red” state, what do you think the result will be? Second, are the elections to be conducted statewide, or by districts? It is very expensive to run a statewide election, even in a state like Kansas. If districts are drawn up, the concept of merit will be replaced by one of ZIP code. It is a fact that most attorneys live in the six largest counties. What of the other 99? Finally, the elephant in the room is money. Since the U.S. Supreme Court has removed any meaningful limits to campaign contributions, will the Koch brothers be able to buy the Kansas Supreme Court like they have bought the Kansas Legislature? Or, will Elon Musk step in?

So, in the interests of justice and fairness, on this question the only reasonable vote has to be NO!

Jeff Southard,

Lawrence