May 6, 2017 4 min read

Is it possible we care more about the NFL draft than who will be the newest Common Pleas Court judge in Washington County?

The unqualified answer is football captures our attention and the local judicial election does not.

Many bright individuals make it their life’s work as scouts and prognosticators to evaluate talent for the NFL draft. Countless hours are dedicated to reviewing game film, talking to former coaches and developing psychological profiles to determine who will succeed in the National Football League. Each year, books are written on the qualifications of eligible players. Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers, which are more numerous than voters, eagerly follow the draft on social media, in the sports pages of newspapers and on television news. When the final picks are made, the names of the newest Steelers are quickly committed to memory by the public.

Contrast this football frenzy with electing a judge in the May 16 primary election. The candidates who win the popular vote in the Democratic and Republican primaries – all candidates are permitted to cross-file for both contests – will face off in the November election to decide who will serve the citizens of Washington County for years to come.

Candidate forums have been sparsely attended. Those who make it a point to attend are, by and large, supporters of one of the candidates. The uninformed voting public is nowhere to be seen.

In addition to this lack of interest, is the fact that the primary election is being held in an odd-numbered year when there are no other significant contests on the ballot. Moreover, judicial candidates are not permitted to take positions on social issues that invigorate voters, so the campaigns tend to be low-key affairs. Ironically, the lawyers most qualified to serve as judges are often not polished politicians or campaigners. The stellar candidates would prefer practicing their profession to fundraising and other campaign activities.

I challenge anyone who is not a local lawyer or media person to name the five individuals running for judge. I further challenge anyone who knows a candidate to explain the background or legal accomplishments that qualify the individual to serve as a judge. When one considers an elected judge may easily serve for 20 years or more and pass judgment on thousands of matters affecting the citizens of Washington County, this lack of knowledge and urgency in choosing the best candidate becomes, in my view, an affront to the democratic process.

So what is to be done? The bad news is that, unlike the 2016 presidential freak show, during which voters were bombarded with information on the candidates 24/7, performing due diligence on the judicial candidates takes some work. The good news is each voter’s investigation will be rewarding and result in a well-reasoned vote.

First, the League of Women Voters forum, highlighting the judicial candidates, is available on YouTube. By spending an hour watching this commercial-free debate, voters will gain insightful information on each candidate’s background and qualifications. Second, the Washington County Bar Association has published the results of a survey of its membership, rating each of the candidates. Attorneys who work with the candidates on a daily basis are best able to inform the voting public on which candidate will make the grade as judge. These results were published in the April 26 edition of the Observer-Reporter and can be found on the WCBA website.

Third, each candidate has a Facebook page and website which expands on personal information and credentials permitted under the rules of professional conduct. Most candidates will include a telephone number, permitting voters to call and ask questions, also as permitted under the rules.

Voters are understandably burned out after the 2016 election. But choosing the most competent candidate to serve as judge is too important to ignore. So, after the NFL draft is in the rearview mirror, watch, read and ask about the judicial candidates. Most importantly, vote in the primary May 16.

Gary Stout is a Washington attorney. He also serves on the campaign committee for judicial candidate Kristin Clingerman.