CBA Record

Virtually each case is disposed of properly, efficiently, and fairly. A few bad results get all the attention. Those few should not cast a cloud over the entire judiciary. Perhaps more troubling than this slanted media coverage is the fact that in every election cycle, almost half of the voters who take the time to go to their polling places and casts votes for the high- profile elected offices, don’t even bother to vote in the judicial races or for the retention candidates appearing at the bottom of the ballot. Some of the stated reasons are, “I don’t know anything about judges, so I am not going to bother voting.” Or, “There are too many names on that ballot. I don’t have time to go through all of them.” These are not explanations. They’re all just excuses for voter apathy. Yet, when comparing the lesser of two evils, I suppose that this practice of “skipping” the judicial ballot is a better course of action than the one taken by about 20% of voters who vote “No”, across the board, for each judge seeking retention, regardless of his or her qualifications, bar ratings, or service to the community. These voters are not simply

apathetic. They are overtly antagonistic to our judicial system. Maybe the blame for this apathy and antagonism lies with us–the practicing lawyers. Maybe we need to tell our neigh- bors that almost all of our judges have been thoroughly vetted, and are qualified public servants who do a good job. Maybe we need to remind these folks that they should not complain about our legal system unless they take the time to learn about candidates, act as educated voters do, and actually influ- ence the election of the judiciary. Perhaps we at the CBA need to do a better job of making people aware of the work done by the dozens of lawyers who serve on our Judicial Evaluation Com- mittee (JEC). Each election cycle, the JEC devotes thousands of hours to rate each judge appearing on the ballot. Those ratings are published in the CBA’s “Vote Smart” guide which is available for free at www.chicagobar.org. Our 2016 “Vote Smart” voter education campaign also fea- tures public service radio announcements, CBATV, the internet via Comcast.net, and various social media outlets.

MARKET YOUR LEGAL PRACTICE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

Check out the CBA’s social media resources and

see how you can stay in touch with colleagues,

current clients and reach newclients online. Find

valuable social media tips at www.chicagobar.

org under the Resources tab.

But we need your help too. As lawyers, we must be advocates for our judicial system. Download our “Vote Smart” guide and share it with your family, friends and neighbors. If you know people who truly “don’t know anything about the judges,” give them this guide to take into the polling place to help themmake educated choices. Remember, America has always had the greatest justice system in the world. The only way we can maintain that system is if our citizens participate in the process.

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CBA RECORD 9