To the editor:

On August 4 we will vote — we all need to vote — on a proposed amendment to the Kansas constitution that would make Supreme Court judges elected rather than appointed. This is a callous attack on our judicial system. Why are the Trumpists in the state Legislature promoting this amendment? It’s simple. They want to place partisan politicians on the court. They want to control the court.

To be sure, I want to vote for members of the executive and legislative branches. I want them to assure us they hold particular beliefs and will work for particular issues. We want judges, however, whose allegiance is to the law, to the Constitution. They should examine the facts of cases brought before them without the influence of a political party or any other group or individual.

Since 1956 we have had a very effective merit-based system for choosing Supreme Court judges. A commission representing the four congressional districts and chosen by the governor and by Kansas lawyers evaluates all applicants. They refer three to the governor and the governor selects one. This works well. Why change?

I will vote NO for judges who are beholden to political parties or other groups or individuals.

I will vote NO for outside billionaires trying to buy elections for the Supreme Court.

I will vote NO for judges distracted by the need for campaigning for reelection.

Joe Douglas,

Lawrence