BREAKING: Will Sen. Bolick Recuse From Vote Tomorrow That Could Protect Supreme Court Justice Bolick?

The Arizona State Senate is planning to vote tomorrow on whether to push a referral to the ballot that would do away with judicial term limits. The Republicans hold a 16-14 edge in the chamber, and one of them is Sen. Bolick.

On the November ballot for retention is Supreme Court Justice Bolick. 

The two are Shawnna and Clint, respectively. Husband and wife.

The ballot referral measure contains an unusual retroactivity clause. If passed, it will undo the results of Justice Bolick's retention vote. That retention vote is generally not an issue, but Bolick's position in the majority in the Opinion that reinstated Arizona's 1864 abortion ban statute made his retention much more contentious.

Beyond the Bolick/Bolick issue, the measure the Senate plans to vote on greatly changes Arizona's highly-praised process for appointing and retaining judges in the more populous counties and the appellate courts.

Changing the process from a straight up and down retention vote every four (Superior) or six (appellate) years to allowing them to continue holding office "during good behavior" is the biggest change.

Here is the Senate's Fact Sheet - which was revised today - summarizing the changes that would be made if the Senate and voters pass it. The House passed it today on a party-line, 31-29, vote.

This article was reported by AZ Law founder Paul Weich. 

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