Vote yes on justices, no on convention

Two very important decisions this election will be on the back of the ballot: Supreme Court justices and a Constitutional Convention.

It is a testament to our state judicial system that the Varnum v. Brien marriage lawsuit was an unanimous decision. The justices, with varying backgrounds and beliefs, were appointed by both Republican and Democratic governors. They were vetted and recommended by the Judicial Qualifications Commission - a commission whose goal is to promote professional qualifications and remove the judicial selection from partisan politics.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce ranks the Iowa court system fifth in the nation on its fairness and impartiality. This means our judicial decisions are based on interpretation of law, not threats of power, partisan politics or special interest groups.

Some think that Iowans should vote against the three Supreme Court justices on the ballot because of this one vote.

On a separate but related issue, the same people who want to vote against Supreme Court justices also want a Constitutional Convention, with the hopes of changing our Constitution to ban same-sex marriage.

Let's keep our judicial system and Constitution out of politics.

Please vote yes to retain Supreme Court justices and no on a Constitutional Convention.

Robin Butler

Iowa City