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Safeguarding U.S. Democracy: The Quest for a More Diverse Judiciary

The League of Women Voters continues to work to promote the importance of fair and impartial courts nation-wide. During the next two years, 2009-2011, the League will focus on promoting diversity at all levels of the state judiciary to enhance the legitimacy of our system of justice in the eyes of an increasingly diverse public.

Contact: Zaida Arguedas, Director or David Ward, Specialist on the Judiciary and the Courts

*To Contact the League, please use the Contact Form. Choose Safeguarding U.S. Democracy from the Subject pull down menu

Learn more about the Safeguarding U.S. Democracy project.

The Latest

The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin Setting the Basis for Reform on Recusal
The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin is at the forefront of recusal reform for judges. Since the Caperton vs. Massey decision was handed down by the United States Supreme Court on June 8th, courts in several states have been trying to figure out how to apply the decision in their states.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Candidate Debate
The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania is co-sponsoring a Pennsylvania Supreme Court candidate debate on October 22nd.

100 Turn Out to Help Launch Quest for a More Diverse Judiciary
Safeguarding U.S. Democracy: Quest for a More Diverse Judiciary launched its campaign Saturday, October 17, 2009, in Topeka, Kansas, with keynote speaker the Honorable Rebecca Love Kourlis, Executive Director of the Institute for the Advancement of the Legal System. There were 100 attendees – including Kansas Supreme Court Justice Marla Luckert, several Supreme Court Nominating Commissioners and Kansas State Representatives -- who showed up to discuss and learn about the need for a more diverse judiciary in Kansas.

Resources

Chart Outlines Diversity Numbers in Kansas State Courts
This document outlines the gender and racial diversity in Kansas state courts as of June 2009. It includes the amount of women, African-American, Latino, Asian, and Native-American judges compared to the total population of Kansas.

Chart of the Kansas State Court System
Here is a chart of the Kansas State Court system

Resources

» Find more publications and media on a Fair Judiciary.

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American Bar Association

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Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System

Justice at Stake's GavelGrab

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National Center for State Courts