The Utah Supreme Court has ruled to uphold a decision that voided Amendment D, a controversial ballot measure that would have changed the way judges are appointed in the state. The court’s decision, which was announced on Friday, effectively puts an end to the amendment that had faced legal challenges since it was passed by voters in 2020.
Amendment D sought to alter the process by which judges are selected in Utah, moving from a system of gubernatorial appointment followed by retention elections, to a system of merit selection through a nominating commission. Proponents of the amendment argued that it would lead to a more transparent and impartial selection process, while opponents raised concerns about the potential for partisan politics to influence judicial appointments.
In a unanimous decision, the Utah Supreme Court sided with the challengers of Amendment D, ruling that the way the ballot measure was presented to voters was misleading and failed to adequately inform them of the full implications of the proposed changes. The court’s ruling effectively nullifies the amendment and returns the state to its previous system of judicial selection.
The decision to void Amendment D has been met with mixed reactions in Utah, with supporters of the measure expressing disappointment and concern about the future of judicial selection in the state. Opponents, on the other hand, have praised the ruling as a victory for transparency and accountability in the judiciary.
Overall, the Utah Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the voiding of Amendment D represents a significant milestone in the ongoing debate over judicial selection in the state. It remains to be seen whether lawmakers will propose new measures to reform the system or if the status quo will continue for the foreseeable future.
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