Behind the Republican scheme to rescue Arizona's anti-abortion justices from voters

I am often surprised — I know, I shouldn’t be — about how often politicians who have been elected to office by voters try to take away the people’s votes.

That could happen again when it comes to your ability to fire two of the Arizona Supreme Court justices who decided to uphold a draconian 1864 abortion ban for the state.

For now, Arizona law requires judges to periodically appear on the ballot in order to be retained — or not — by voters.

Justices Clint Bolick and Kathryn King, who sided with Justices John R. Lopez IV and James P. Beene to restore the barbaric 19th century law, will both be on the ballot in November.

Senate plan would keep justices in their jobs

If the Republicans who control the Arizona Legislature have their way, however, the same voters who could kick Bolick and King off the court will have a chance to save their jobs.

And not only that, but save the jobs of every judge going forward.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 1044, already through the Senate and waiting passage in the House, would give judges lifetime terms with no more periodic review from voters.

The exception would be if a judge commits a crime or seriously screws up in some other way. Only then would they face a retention election.

Lawmakers most likely to be booted: Over abortion ban

Not only that, but the resolution has a provision in it that makes it retroactively effective to Oct. 31, 2024, meaning that any judge voted off the bench on Nov. 5, 2024 — Hmmm, whom might that be? — would be able to keep his or her job.

After abortion ruling, voters' say should stand

Hard no.

It is not very often that a judge isn’t retained by voters. It takes a lot to get our attention.

In this instance, voters more than deserve an opportunity to have their say, as much as Republicans who control the Legislature appear to hate that notion.

I could see the same people behind this scheme cooking up a resolution to give politicians a job for life after being elected.

Although, given the number of gerrymandered districts we have in Arizona, it’s just about that way already.

Reach Montini at [email protected].

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Republicans have a scheme to rescue anti-abortion justices