Judges’ ruling follows precedents on rights

I reread the decision in which the Iowa Supreme Court decided the Iowa Protection of Marriage Act was unconstitutional. Before you vote whether to retain our Supreme Court justices, I hope you read it, too.

It is a thoughtful opinion that explains clearly how the equal protection clause of the Iowa Constitution has been used many times to protect minority rights. For example, even before Iowa was a state in 1839, our courts decided that equal protection of the law must be extended to escaped slaves. It applied this analysis again in 1869 to allow women to be admitted to the practice of law.

The marriage case just follows the precedent set by the Iowa courts. Our courts are required to protect the rights of minorities and the rights of each individual citizen, to do what is right.

I used to live in a state that elected judges through political campaigns. It was a dirty business and resulted in a corrupt system. Iowa has the cleanest legal system and most competent judges in the country.

Do what is right and vote to retain our judges.

Kathryn Coulter

Cedar Rapids