League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
State of Ohio November 6, 2012 Election
	Robert R. Cupp Answers Questions Candidate for Justice; Ohio State Supreme Court; 6 Year Term Starting 1/2/13

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. Do you support or oppose the election of judges and why?

There positive and negatives aspects to both the elected and the appointed methods of selecting judges. Although the appointed method eliminates campaign contributions necessary in an elected system, citizens also lose their right to vote, at least in the initial selection. In Ohio, voters have on several occasions opted to keep judicial elections by defeating constitutional amendments which would have created an appointed system of judicial selection. One reason is that selection by appointment does not eliminate politics but merely drives it behind closed doors where it loses transparency and public accountability. Judicial election campaigns serve an important purpose of helping to remind and educate the public about the essential role of the judiciary in our three-branch constitutional system. On balance, I believe the elected system, although not without drawbacks, is an open process which has the advantage.

2. What changes would you recommend to reduce the perceived influence of money contributions in our courts?

The key word in this question is "perceived." I don't believe the limited amounts permitted to be contributed to judicial campaign committees have any actual influence on the outcome of any individual court case. Civic organizations, the media, bar associations, and judicial organizations can help reduce any unwarranted perceptions by a sustained effort informing the public that the Code of Judicial Conduct, which regulates the conduct of judges and judicial candidates, provides important safeguards, including (1) strict limits on the amount of any money contributions, (2) a prohibition on judicial candidates personally soliciting another for a contribution or personally accepting contributions, (3) a prohibition on promising or appearing to promise to decide specific cases or issues in a particular way; (4) that public disclosure of all contributions is required by statute; and (5) that judges whose impartiality may reasonably be questioned are required to recuse from a case.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Answers will be cut off if they exceed a word limit, if present. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 13, 2012 08:37
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