How do you know which judges to vote for?

[live love laugh]

There were so many on the ballot that I had to set some parameters. First, they were D’s (damn autocorrect 😂‼️) ; second, they were already seated as D’s and up for re-election; and third, if new I Googled them as I voted early enough that I had the luxury of time to do so at the booth since no one was waiting.

With Google, Ballotpedia was the overwhelming result—which made me distrustful of the source.

How do you make your selections?

[onecaliberal]

1. See who appointed them. The state party usually releases recommendations.

If all else fails, Google and read about cases.

[live love laugh]

2. Good info.

Thanks

[Hope22]

3. Search your local League of Women Voters for info.

They should have bios and possibly signs available.

[catbyte]

4. Check with your County or State Democratic Party office.

My local Democratic Party mailed a flier to me which included all of their non-partisan endorsements which was extremely helpful. I'm in Michigan, but I imagine that Illinois does the same

[multigraincracker]

9. That's what I've learned to do.

First go to some meetings to develop some trust then you’ll trust them. I use to just leave them blank. I feel better now knowing my vote counts.

[sunflowerseed]

5. Wikipedia lists the governor who appointed them.

I chose based off of that.

[Demanchor]

8. I'd be careful of that method.

Governor Polis appointed a judge who should not be on the bench. He can make mistakes and voters can give him another chance to appoint someone more suitable to the bench.

Democrats do make mistakes once in awhile.

The judge I’m voting to release from a non suitable career may find a better fit in a different profession.

This is just an encouragement to look a bit further than simply who made the appointment.

[cate94]

6. The Chicago Bar Association

Had a list of Cook County judges to be retained. Only two were not recommended- 1 because he didn’t want to be retained.

The other judges were a much shorter list. They were all D’s.

[frazzled]

7. There are Bar Association ratings

For State races/retention you might check the Illinois Bar Association:

https://www.isba.org/judicialevaluations


If you live in Cook County, as I do, you can consult the following, which aggregates a number of bar association ratings of judges. It’s invaluable:

https://www.voteforjudges.org/

Otherwise, check to see if there is a local County, city) bar association guide that applies to you.

[deRien]

10. I read their

statements in the voter's pamphlet. You can get a sense of where they are by what they do or don't say. Also, who has endorsed them. Look for republican or democratic key phrases.