I was delighted by the totem graphic on the cover of the State Elections Pamphlet that arrived in my mailbox last week. Like many book covers, it intrigued me to read more. We should all be pouring through this pamphlet these next few weeks to help make candidate, ballot measure and judge retention decisions and to figure out where our polling site is or if we need to vote early.

We all need to get interested and educated. Let’s be careful, and not be lazy and vote for whoever so-and-so says to vote for or, not vote due to apathy or, most alarming, vote “no” on all judge retentions because you didn’t know anything about them. Ads and campaign signs can be informative but also misleading. Be on alert to disinformation/misinformation and gaslighting — these are very popular methods used today to confuse voters. Our democracy works best when voters use critical thinking, research and listen to all sides.

About voting to retain judges — this is part of our civic duty and our right; learn about it. The Alaska Judicial Council, an independent citizens’ commission, was established by our state founders in Article IV of Alaska’s Constitution. They screen judicial applicants, then nominate and make recommendations to the governor for appointment. The members include three public members who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Legislature, and three attorney members who are appointed by the Alaska Bar Association Board of Governors. The chief justice of the Alaska Supreme Court chairs the council, but only votes when there is a tie. The council evaluates Alaska’s judges, per law, and reports on their performances. Surveys from jurors, law enforcement, social services, attorneys and court employees, and other data are reviewed and judges are recommended for retention based on this data. Voters are then given the task to cast a “yes” or “no” to retain.

You can review each judge up for retention in the Election Pamphlet and you can dive deeper in depth at ajc.state.ak.us/retention/current.html. Please check this out. Don’t just cast a “no.” Take the time. They did, through their education and public service. Voters can also learn more about our judicial system at alaskajudges.info/. Be informed, be an educated voter.

Therese Lewandowski has lived in Homer for 42 years, is currently retired and enjoying life with family and critters on her hobby farm while keeping herself educated on civics and political topics.