LWV interviews WA Supreme Court candidates

All 10 Supreme Courts candidates, provide vital — nonpartisan — information for voters

||| FROM AMY PELOFF for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS |||

With a majority of state Supreme Court seats in play on the Nov. 3 ballot and controversial issues likely to come before the justices, the League of Women Voters of Washington has created an online tool that provides insights into the candidates’ thinking.

“At our core, the League is about educating voters,” President Karen Crowley said Friday. “With five of the nine seats being contested, we believe it is vitally important for voters to be informed.”

What’s more, all 10 candidates agreed to participate in the feature, “Washington Supreme Court Candidate Interviews: Four Questions,” which puts six-minute, individually conducted interviews at voters’ fingertips.

As candidates for various offices across the country increasingly shy away from forums and debates, such participation is noteworthy, League officials said.

“We think the League’s reputation for nonpartisanship for 106 years now is among the reasons all 10 candidates agreed to be interviewed,” said Executive Director Amy Peloff. “Candidates know the League will provide a free and fair foundation for each of them to make their views known.”

The interviews feature the candidates responding to four questions designed to provide voters insights into their backgrounds, philosophies and manner of decision-making.  Responses are not edited.

“There are good indications that the Millionaires’ Tax, and matters related to parents’ rights and girls and young women participating in school sports, will come before this court,” said Crowley, the president.

“The decisions the justices make could have major ramifications for many Washingtonians. That’s one of the reasons we’ve made this readily accessible feature available,” she added.

These questions were posed to each candidate:

• What are the benefits of being — or not being — a judge before running for the Washington State Supreme Court?

• How would you approach a case in an area of law with which you have no knowledge or experience?

• When is it appropriate for the judiciary to overturn a statute or voter-approved referendum?
• Is there a judge or justice, from history or today, whom you most admire, and why?

The League reminds every eligible voter to return their ballot by Tuesday, Nov. 3. Ballots may be deposited in any official ballot drop box in Washington through 8 p.m. on Election Day. Using one of the 542 official ballot drop boxes across the state is the best way to ensure your ballot reaches its proper destination in time to be counted.

Voters who mail their ballot should ensure it is postmarked no later than Nov. 3. If mailing a ballot after Oct. 26, a voter is advised to take it directly to a postal clerk and request a hand-applied postmark at the counter to help ensure it receives a timely postmark.  

The League of Women Voters of Washington is a nonpartisan, grassroots civic organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. With over 100 years of experience, the League is one of America’s oldest and most trusted civic nonprofit organizations.