During my time as mayor of Augusta, a simple belief guided my thinking on every issue. It is the simple belief that the best solutions do not belong to Democrats or Republicans, but rather that the best solutions are grounded in doing what is right.
I have always prided myself on identifying as an independent. I believe most sincerely that finding common ground and focusing on solutions rather than subscribing to the label of a political party. In our current political climate, there seems to be an easy tendency to turn every issue into partisan warfare. Despite that, I remain convinced of two things: that we have far more in common than what our politics would have us to believe and that even in our current hyperpartisan climate, we still can
accomplish significant things together.
During this year’s general election, Georgia voters will have a prime opportunity to demonstrate that. There are three proposed constitutional amendments on the November ballot. One, Amendment 2 asks, “Should the Georgia Constitution be amended so as to require that all probate court judges be elected in nonpartisan elections?”
To me, the answer to that question is a resounding yes.
That proposal is not a Republican or Democratic proposal. Simply put, this is a proposal that recognizes that our judicial system should pay no mind to partisan influence and those who serve in our judiciary should not be forced to align themselves with any partisan labels. The concept of nonpartisan judicial elections is not a radical idea.
In fact, most of Georgia’s 1,600 judges are elected on a nonpartisan basis, and this includes Georgia’s Supreme Court justices, Court of Appeals judges, superior court judges, and state court judges. Recently, legislation passed that will allow magistrate judges to run in nonpartisan elections beginning next year. Probate judges remain the exception. But why?
There is no compelling reason why probate judges should not be elected in nonpartisan elections like every other judge in Georgia.
Probate judges handle wills, estates, guardianships, conservatorships, conduct mental health hearings, issue marriage and weapons licenses, and have a myriad of other administrative and judicial responsibilities. There are no responsibilities that are in the jurisdiction of a probate judge that are fulfilled more ably by being affiliated with a political party.
Amendment 2 will still allow voters to hold their elected probate judges accountable. It will require judicial candidates to articulate their understanding of the law, discuss their relevant legal experience and knowledge, and identify if they have a judicial philosophy that is grounded in fairness, integrity, and possessing the requisite judicial temperament. A party label is not a sufficient substitute for being ethical, competent, or fair.
One unfortunate development of our politics is that we have been conditioned to glean so much from so little: a party label. Republican. Democrat. Conservative. Liberal. Red. Blue.
During my time as mayor, I had the privilege of serving everyone in our community irrespective of whether any of them voted like me or even voted for me. The challenges that Augusta confronted while I was mayor did not arrive in my inbox wrapped in party labels.
One way to counter the current grip of hyperpolarization is to strengthen institutions like our courts. The courts are only as trusted as our ability to have public confidence in them. Amendment 2 is a significant step in enhancing the public’s confidence in our judiciary.
Recently, I was happy to join a group of 70 Georgia leaders, led by former Georgia governors Roy Barnes and Nathan Deal, who came out publicly in support of Amendment 2. This group of leaders consisted of current and former members of Congress, current and former state legislators, current and former mayors, faith and civic leaders, and public policy organizations. This group of leaders is emblematic of the notion that consensus on matters of public policy is still possible.
This November, when you arrive at your polling location to vote, I encourage you to make it to the bottom of your ballot. When you get to Amendment 2, please know that a ‘yes’ vote is not important because it helps Democrats or Republicans, but because it will strengthen the expectation that justice in Georgia belongs to all of us. Certainly, that is something that we can all agree on.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Former Augusta mayor urges Georgia voters to back Amendment 2 | Column
