Lawsuit says Iowa judicial retention vote was illegal

[davidinalameda]

Three Des Moines-area attorneys believe the retention vote that ousted three Iowa Supreme Court justices was illegal because the Iowa Constitution mandates the votes for judges be "on a separate ballot."

They have filed suit to keep the three justices, who participated in last year's unanimous ruling that legalized same-sex marriage, from being tossed off the bench.

The ballot used Nov. 2 included the names of the justices standing for retention on the back of a single sheet, "combined with other elections, nonpartisan offices, Constitutional questions and public measures," the lawsuit says.

Thomas W. George, John P. Roehrick and Carlton Salmons are asking for a temporary judicial order that would bar the justices from leaving the Supreme Court when their terms end Dec. 31.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20101215/NEWS09/12150361/Lawsuit-says-Iowa-judicial-retention-vote-was-illegal

[DoBotherMe]

1. Good!

[pgodbold]

2. Great news... looks like any and all victories we win will be in the courts. nt

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. Without a retention vote in their favort are they automatically off the bench?

or do they stay until one is held? This could cut both ways.

[davidinalameda]

4. I'd guess that they'd still be on the bench