Iowans need to protect model judicial system

While there are many election races of interest this year, don't forget to look at the back of the ballot, and vote yes to retain Iowa's Supreme Court justices.

There is a concerted effort, fueled in large part by out-of-state dollars, to vote out Iowa's Supreme Court justices.

This is driven by how one case - regarding the constitutional status of a law prohibiting same-sex marriage - was decided. The decision was unanimous: All seven justices, appointed by three different governors (Republican and Democratic), declared the bill unconstitutional. The decision had nothing to do with political views on the case at hand. The law simply didn't pass constitutional muster. The justices did their job.

This kind of national, systematic effort to unseat Iowa justices because of political disagreement with one case is unprecedented. We must not allow it to be successful. Our appointment system based on merit and voter oversight has made Iowa's courts a national model, and it should not be jeopardized by a damaging and divisive one-issue campaign.

While there are many races of interest, the vote you cast on judicial retention will have major implications for the entire state for many years to come. Please vote to retain.

Bob Libra

Mary McMurrer

Iowa City