From the President of the Idaho State Bar Commission, Robert T. Wetherell
In 2003, the membership of the Idaho State Bar passed a resolution allowing Idaho lawyers and state bar members to rate candidates for judicial office. I know for a fact that Idaho is the only western state that allows such attorney input into the judicial selection process. As far as I know, Idaho may be the only state in the Union that provides attorney input to be shared with the public to help inform the public how the practicing lawyers of Idaho rate judicial candidates.
The form you received is straight forward and is tabulated and presented to the public without comment. It is important we only rate those candidates based on our knowledge to ensure the integrity of the process. However, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE, AS MEMBERS OF THE BAR, EXERCISE THIS VALUABLE RIGHT! The fewer lawyers who participate, the less value this information has to the public and the Bar itself. Often we do not know candidates for election here in Idaho. Please send in the form even if you must say you do not know the candidate well enough to provide an evaluation. OUR NUMBERS MATTER. Please complete the survey by April 28 so your Bar leaders may say the lawyers of Idaho care about the judicial system and have taken the time to assist voters in the election process.
Thank you, RTW