Unlike virtually every other country in the world, the United States uses popular elections to select or retain many judges. This practice has long been controversial, often due to the tension between independence and accountability. However, there are many other issues that this system raises, such as informed voting. Research shows that many people who cast ballots for top-of-ticket political offices, such as president and governor, fail to vote in judicial elections – even though they are included lower down on the same ballot. This phenomenon is called ‘roll-off’.

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