Tag: judicial
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U.S. Supreme Court begins March argument sitting
This week, the Supreme Court of the United States (“SCOTUS”) begins its March sitting. The court will hear cases remotely and provide audio livestreams of oral argument, continuing its safety protocols implemented at the start of the term in accordance with public health guidance related to COVID-19. This week, SCOTUS will hear three hours of…
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New Jersey Governor announces nomination of state supreme court justice
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D) announced on March 15 that he would nominate Rachel Wainer Apter to the New Jersey Supreme Court. She will replace Justice Jaynee LaVecchia, who is retiring on Aug. 31. Wainer Apter has served as a director with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, a counsel to the New…
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SCOTUS releases April argument calendar
On March 12, 2021, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) scheduled its April argument sitting for the 2020-2021 term. The court will hear 13 hours of oral argument in 15 cases between April 19 and April 28. To date, all cases that have been accepted for argument during this term have been scheduled.…
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Michigan/Ohio Judicial Selection Method yields most visible partisanship
The Michigan-Ohio method of judicial selection manifests the most signs of partisanship out of any of the eight methods used across state supreme courts, according to Ballotpedia’s recently-published study on state supreme courts. There are three broad categories of state supreme court selection: Assisted Appointment, Direct Appointment, and Election. Within these three broad categories, there…
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Biden made no federal judicial appointments through March 1, same as previous administrations
President Joe Biden (D) has not yet made any Article III federal judicial appointments through March 1 of his first year in office. This is equal to the number of Article III judicial appointments through this point in all presidencies since President Ronald Reagan (R). Both the average and median numbers of federal judges appointed…
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Ballotpedia releases federal judicial vacancy count for March 1
Suggested headline: Ballotpedia releases federal judicial vacancy count for March 1 Type: Monthly update In this month’s federal judicial vacancy count, Ballotpedia tracked nominations, confirmations, and vacancies to all United States Article III federal courts from February 1, 2021, to March 1, 2021. Ballotpedia publishes the federal judicial vacancy count at the start of each…
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Federal judge blocks Maine’s ban on out-of-state initiative petition circulators
On Feb. 16, U.S. District Court Judge John Woodcock blocked Maine from enforcing provisions of its state constitution and a 2015 law requiring petition circulators to be registered voters, and, therefore, state residents. Woodcock ruled that “the First Amendment’s free speech protections trump the state’s regulatory authority.” Secretary of State Shenna Bellows could appeal the…
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Justice on Missouri’s highest court schedules retirement
Missouri Supreme Court Justice Laura Denvir Stith announced on February 2, 2021, that she would retire from the court effective March 8. Stith stated she planned to do pro bono work following her retirement from the court. Justice Stith joined the Missouri Supreme Court in 2001. She was appointed to the court by Governor Bob…
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Ballotpedia releases federal judicial vacancy count for January 2021
In this month’s federal judicial vacancy count, Ballotpedia tracked nominations, confirmations, and vacancies to all United States Article III federal courts from January 1 to February 1, 2021. Ballotpedia publishes the federal judicial vacancy count at the start of each month. HIGHLIGHTS Vacancies: There have been 11 new judicial vacancies since the December 2020 report.…
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President Biden has not made any federal judicial appointments through February 1 of his first year in office
As of February 1, 2021, President Joe Biden (D) had not appointed any Article III federal judges. The average number of federal judges appointed by a president through February 1 of their first year in office is zero. Through the first year in office, President Ronald Reagan (R) made the most appointments with 41, and…