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LWV LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

Smart Voter
Ohio State Government November 7, 2000 Election
Judge; Supreme Court; 6 Year Term Starting 1/1/01

Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Ohio and asked of all candidates for this office.

See below for questions on Campaign finance, Appointment of Justices, Backlogs on lower courts

Click on a name for other candidate information.


1. Would you support public financing for judicial candidates? Why or why not?

Answer from Deborah Cook:

I would favor a fair, constitutional public financing plan. That is my personal view on a subject that is in the province of legislators and the executive branch to initiate and implement. I suggest that voters avail themselves of newspaper editorial opinions around the state. This information is accessible through the Internet. Editorial staffs have the resources to evaluate a candidate's record and merit. By reviewing an assortment of newspapers, one is able to obtain a reliable editorial assessment.

Answer from Timothy S. Black:

We need to reduce the perceived and real influences that financial contributions from special interest groups can have over the election of judges. Also, judicial candidates should not need to be millionaires.


2. Would you support a voluntary system in which the Governor would appoint Justices to fill vacancies from a pool of qualified applicants selected by a bipartisan group? Why or why not?

Answer from Timothy S. Black:

Yes. The chief executive should fill vacancies based upon merit, not politics.

Answer from Deborah Cook:

If the Governor were to initiate a lawful system for filling vacancies, of course I would support it.


3. What do you see as your role on the Supreme Court in reducing the backlogs on lower courts?

Answer from Timothy S. Black:

The Supreme Court should be pro-active in requiring lower courts to reduce backlogs. The Supreme Court can address the backlogs through its supervision of lower court judges and by appointment of visiting judges if and when necessary.

Answer from Deborah Cook:

Increased and compulsory use of alternative dispute resolutions [also referred to as "complementary" dispute resolutions] procedures is an important available approach. The Courts Futures Commission, on which I serve, will issue proposals that will address the backlog issues.


Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League, but formatted for Web display. Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits for answers are 100 words for each question. Direct references to opponents are not permitted

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.


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Created: January 25, 2001 02:41
Smart Voter 2000 <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
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