NCJ Number
38137
Date Published
1976
Length
150 pages
Annotation
STUDY OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS OF JUDICIAL SELECTION FOCUSING ON THE FIRST CONTESTED ELECTION OF A CHIEF JUDGE TO THE NEW YORK COURT OF APPEALS IN 57 YEARS IN 1973 AND THE ELECTION OF 2 ASSOCIATE JUDGES IN 1974.
Abstract
THE AUTHORS TRY TO PRESENT A BALANCED RECAPITULATION OF WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED DURING THE 1973 CHIEF JUDGESHIP RACE AND THE TWO YEARS WHICH FOLLOWED. THE PROJECT STAFF FOLLOWED THE 1973 CAMPAIGNS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS, COVERING SUCH ELEMENTS AS SPEECHES, MEDIA COVERAGE, ADVERTISING, AND FUNDING. A PUBLIC RESEARCH FIRM WAS COMMISSIONED TO CONDUCT A POLL OF VOTERS AS THEY LEFT THE VOTING BOOTHS ON ELECTION DAY. QUESTIONS WERE KEYED TO FIND OUT WHY THEY VOTED AS THEY DID, HOW MUCH THEY KNEW ABOUT THE CANDIDATES, WHAT THEIR SOURCES OF INFORMATION WERE, WHAT ISSUES THEY CONSIDERED IMPORTANT, AND WHETHER THEY PREFERRED AN ELECTIVE OR APPOINTIVE METHOD OF SELECTING JUDGES. A SIMILAR STUDY OF THE 1974 ELECTIONS WAS ALSO UNDERTAKEN. LEGISLATIVE ACTION TAKEN ON REFORMS DEBATED DURING THE 1973 CAMPAIGN IS ASSESSED TO PROVIDE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PUBLIC'S GRASP OF JUDICIAL FUNCTIONS AND NEEDS.