SC H3526

Proposes amending the South Carolina Constitution to change how Supreme Court justices, Court of Appeals judges, and circuit court judges are selected from election by the General Assembly to appointment by the Governor with advice and consent of the General Assembly

Supreme Court justices would serve 10-year terms, Court of Appeals judges would serve 6-year terms, and circuit court judges would serve 6-year terms under the new appointment system

Eliminates the requirement for recorded votes in contested judicial elections since elections would no longer occur

Modifies vacancy procedures to allow the Governor to fill all judicial vacancies with General Assembly consent, removing the previous limitation that only allowed gubernatorial appointments when unexpired terms were one year or less

Repeals Section 27, Article V, which requires the Judicial Merit Selection Commission to screen and qualify judicial candidates before General Assembly election