AR HJR1015

Proposed constitutional amendment allowing the General Assembly to determine by law whether Supreme Court justices, Court of Appeals judges, circuit court judges, district court judges, and prosecuting attorneys are selected on a partisan or nonpartisan basis.

Amends Section 17 of Amendment 80 to allow circuit and district judges to be elected on a nonpartisan basis by majority of qualified electors in their respective circuits or districts.

Amends Section 18 of Amendment 80 to allow Supreme Court justices and Court of Appeals judges to be elected on a nonpartisan basis, with option for General Assembly to refer merit selection system to voters.

Establishes that upon effective date, all covered judicial offices and prosecuting attorneys shall default to partisan basis selection unless General Assembly enacts law providing for nonpartisan basis.

Amendment becomes effective January 1, 2017, and does not affect terms of judicial officers currently in office; amendment requires voter approval at next general election for Representatives and Senators.