Issue: Judicial Independence
29 posts found, showing 20 per page
Previous Next
Document Julie Archer October 24, 2022
Amendment 1 Letter to the Editor Toolkit
Background: Following reports of lavish spending on office renovations in 2018, West Virginia’s House of Delegates voted to impeach all four sitting justices on the state’s Supreme Court of Appeals. One of the impeached justices, Margaret Workman, filed a lawsuit to stop her impeachment trial, arguing legislators overstepped their constitutional authority. A panel of acting […] More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence
Amendment 1 Letter to the Editor Toolkit
Background: Following reports of lavish spending on office renovations in 2018, West Virginia’s House of Delegates voted to impeach all four sitting justices on the state’s Supreme Court of Appeals. One of the impeached justices, Margaret Workman, filed a lawsuit to stop her impeachment trial, arguing legislators overstepped their constitutional authority. A panel of acting […] More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence
Press Release Julie Archer September 28, 2022
Amendment No. 1 Would Destroy Checks and Balances in W.V.
Amendment No. 1 would make it so that no court in the state could intervene to protect the right to a fair hearing of a public official facing impeachment, no matter how frivolous the charge or constitutionally flawed the process. In the hands of a partisan majority, this new power could be abused to oust political opponents without cause, thereby eroding existing checks and balances between the three branches of government and undercutting public trust in the political process. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence
Amendment No. 1 Would Destroy Checks and Balances in W.V.
Amendment No. 1 would make it so that no court in the state could intervene to protect the right to a fair hearing of a public official facing impeachment, no matter how frivolous the charge or constitutionally flawed the process. In the hands of a partisan majority, this new power could be abused to oust political opponents without cause, thereby eroding existing checks and balances between the three branches of government and undercutting public trust in the political process. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence
WVCCE Blog Julie Archer April 11, 2022
WVCCE Comments on Anti-Bias Rules for WV Intermediate Court and WV Supreme Court of Appeals
At a time when the code of conduct for the U.S. Supreme Court is under increased scrutiny for lacking such procedures and leaving it the Justices themselves to decide whether to recuse, the West Virginia Supreme Court has an opportunity to adopt strong anti-bias rules that will increase public confidence in the new Intermediate Court of Appeals, as well as in the state Supreme Court itself. More
Issues: Dark Money, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, WV Supreme Court
WVCCE Comments on Anti-Bias Rules for WV Intermediate Court and WV Supreme Court of Appeals
At a time when the code of conduct for the U.S. Supreme Court is under increased scrutiny for lacking such procedures and leaving it the Justices themselves to decide whether to recuse, the West Virginia Supreme Court has an opportunity to adopt strong anti-bias rules that will increase public confidence in the new Intermediate Court of Appeals, as well as in the state Supreme Court itself. More
Issues: Dark Money, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, WV Supreme Court
Alerts and Updates Julie Archer December 22, 2021
The Foundation of Our Democracy
We must keep the pressure on our Senators to pass bold democracy reform at the federal level that will protect and strengthen our freedom to vote, while continuing the fight at the state level to ensure that our courts are free from political and special interest influence and can protect our rights and guard against abuses of power. Can you make a donation so we continue fighting for free, fair, and safe elections and fair and impartial courts? More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights
The Foundation of Our Democracy
We must keep the pressure on our Senators to pass bold democracy reform at the federal level that will protect and strengthen our freedom to vote, while continuing the fight at the state level to ensure that our courts are free from political and special interest influence and can protect our rights and guard against abuses of power. Can you make a donation so we continue fighting for free, fair, and safe elections and fair and impartial courts? More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights
Alerts and Updates Julie Archer June 24, 2021
TODAY in Charleston: Black Voters Matter #FreedomRide2021
Voting rights are under attack nationwide! If you are in or near Charleston, WV this evening come on out to get informed, inspired, and energized to protect this most basic right of democracy. #FreedomRide2021 More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights
TODAY in Charleston: Black Voters Matter #FreedomRide2021
Voting rights are under attack nationwide! If you are in or near Charleston, WV this evening come on out to get informed, inspired, and energized to protect this most basic right of democracy. #FreedomRide2021 More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights
Press Release Julie Archer June 21, 2021
Virtual Town Hall on Protecting Our Courts and the Freedom to Vote
The West Virginia Citizens for Clean Elections coalition will host a statewide virtual town hall with representatives from the West Virginia AFL-CIO, Brennan Center for Justice TONIGHT, Monday, June 21, at 7 p.m. to highlight how state-level attacks on judicial independence are interconnected with the fight to protect the freedom to vote. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights
Virtual Town Hall on Protecting Our Courts and the Freedom to Vote
The West Virginia Citizens for Clean Elections coalition will host a statewide virtual town hall with representatives from the West Virginia AFL-CIO, Brennan Center for Justice TONIGHT, Monday, June 21, at 7 p.m. to highlight how state-level attacks on judicial independence are interconnected with the fight to protect the freedom to vote. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights
Alerts and Updates Julie Archer June 18, 2021
You’re Invited to a Democracy and State Courts Town Hall
Join us for a conversation about fair courts and the For the People Act featuring state and national experts. This virtual town hall will highlight how state-level attacks on judicial independence are interconnected with the fight to protect the freedom to vote. We’ll also discuss how these attacks impact the rights of West Virginia workers and families. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights
You’re Invited to a Democracy and State Courts Town Hall
Join us for a conversation about fair courts and the For the People Act featuring state and national experts. This virtual town hall will highlight how state-level attacks on judicial independence are interconnected with the fight to protect the freedom to vote. We’ll also discuss how these attacks impact the rights of West Virginia workers and families. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights
Alerts and Updates Julie Archer June 16, 2021
Join Us for WV for the People Days of Action!
It's important for everyday West Virginians to be engaged in the fight to strengthen our democracy and pass the For The People Act. This week is West Virginians for Democracy's For the People Days of Action! We aim to show the widespread, bipartisan support across the state for the For the People Act through a series of online and in person events. Please join us! More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights
Join Us for WV for the People Days of Action!
It's important for everyday West Virginians to be engaged in the fight to strengthen our democracy and pass the For The People Act. This week is West Virginians for Democracy's For the People Days of Action! We aim to show the widespread, bipartisan support across the state for the For the People Act through a series of online and in person events. Please join us! More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights
Press Release WVCCE June 3, 2021
West Virginians Need to Know Their Judges Are Being Picked for the Right Reasons
Precious little information has been released to the public about the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals, which is set to begin operations in July 2022. Among the omissions is a clear criteria for how members of the court will be selected. West Virginians deserve to know when and why judges are being picked for their jobs. A public set of criteria will help prevent any direct or indirect political favoritism, safeguard the integrity of the court and preserve public confidence in our judiciary. More
Issues: Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Transparency
West Virginians Need to Know Their Judges Are Being Picked for the Right Reasons
Precious little information has been released to the public about the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals, which is set to begin operations in July 2022. Among the omissions is a clear criteria for how members of the court will be selected. West Virginians deserve to know when and why judges are being picked for their jobs. A public set of criteria will help prevent any direct or indirect political favoritism, safeguard the integrity of the court and preserve public confidence in our judiciary. More
Issues: Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Transparency
Press Release WVCCE May 27, 2021
West Virginians Deserve Full Transparency on Intermediate Court
Courts can only be considered fair and impartial if they are created and staffed in a fair and impartial manner. To ensure the public’s trust and confidence in the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals, it’s imperative that the governor’s office provide a public calendar or schedule outlining the appointment process along with clear criteria for potential appointments. More
Issues: Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Transparency
West Virginians Deserve Full Transparency on Intermediate Court
Courts can only be considered fair and impartial if they are created and staffed in a fair and impartial manner. To ensure the public’s trust and confidence in the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals, it’s imperative that the governor’s office provide a public calendar or schedule outlining the appointment process along with clear criteria for potential appointments. More
Issues: Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Transparency
Alerts and Updates WVCCE April 19, 2021
Moving Forward
West Virginians banded together during the legislative session to help defeat a few bad bills, including threats to voting rights. However, two measures we opposed related to West Virginia courts were passed by the WV Legislature. We need your help. Donate now to help us build a campaign to stop the impeachment amendment at the ballot and monitor the creation of the intermediate court. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights
Moving Forward
West Virginians banded together during the legislative session to help defeat a few bad bills, including threats to voting rights. However, two measures we opposed related to West Virginia courts were passed by the WV Legislature. We need your help. Donate now to help us build a campaign to stop the impeachment amendment at the ballot and monitor the creation of the intermediate court. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights
Alerts and Updates Julie Archer March 29, 2021
Take Action to Stop Power Grabs, Protect Voting Rights
Click here for an update and actions you can take to stop legislative power grabs and attempts to politicize the judiciary. With 43 states, including West Virginia, trying to make it harder to vote, we must take action to fight suppression efforts. At the WV Legislature that means opposing SB 565, which would limit access to early voting, gut automatic voter registration, and make it easier to remove voters from the registration rolls. Please take action today. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights
Take Action to Stop Power Grabs, Protect Voting Rights
Click here for an update and actions you can take to stop legislative power grabs and attempts to politicize the judiciary. With 43 states, including West Virginia, trying to make it harder to vote, we must take action to fight suppression efforts. At the WV Legislature that means opposing SB 565, which would limit access to early voting, gut automatic voter registration, and make it easier to remove voters from the registration rolls. Please take action today. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights
Newsletter article Julie Archer March 29, 2021
Courts and the Constitution
After quickly passing their house of origin and then clearing their first committee assignment in the other, two measures we oppose related to West Virginia courts slowed down. Now one has cleared another legislative hurdle, and the other is likely to be on the move again soon as we enter the final two weeks of the legislative session. Here’s a quick update and actions you can take to stop these power grabs and attempts to politicize the judiciary. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Transparency, WV Supreme Court
Courts and the Constitution
After quickly passing their house of origin and then clearing their first committee assignment in the other, two measures we oppose related to West Virginia courts slowed down. Now one has cleared another legislative hurdle, and the other is likely to be on the move again soon as we enter the final two weeks of the legislative session. Here’s a quick update and actions you can take to stop these power grabs and attempts to politicize the judiciary. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Transparency, WV Supreme Court
Alerts and Updates Julie Archer March 1, 2021
Update: Still Time to Contact Delegates on HJR 2
It’s obvious that at least some members of the Legislature are under the mistaken impression that the acting Supreme Court that intervened in the impeachment of former Justice Margaret Workman stripped them of their power to impeach. This is completely false. There’s still time to contact your delegate(s) and tell them to vote NO on this dangerous, unnecessary amendment to our constitution. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, WV Supreme Court
Update: Still Time to Contact Delegates on HJR 2
It’s obvious that at least some members of the Legislature are under the mistaken impression that the acting Supreme Court that intervened in the impeachment of former Justice Margaret Workman stripped them of their power to impeach. This is completely false. There’s still time to contact your delegate(s) and tell them to vote NO on this dangerous, unnecessary amendment to our constitution. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, WV Supreme Court
Alerts and Updates Julie Archer February 27, 2021
Tell Delegates to Vote NO on HJR 2
On Monday March 1, the House will be voting on HJR 2, a dangerous, unnecessary amendment to our state consitution. This bill would cut loose future impeachment proceedings of the WV Legislature from all constitutional restraint. Tell delegates to vote NO on HJR 2. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence
Tell Delegates to Vote NO on HJR 2
On Monday March 1, the House will be voting on HJR 2, a dangerous, unnecessary amendment to our state consitution. This bill would cut loose future impeachment proceedings of the WV Legislature from all constitutional restraint. Tell delegates to vote NO on HJR 2. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence
Alerts and Updates Julie Archer February 22, 2021
Power Grabs and a Gift to Special Interests
We're less than two weeks into the 2021 session and the WV Legislature is moving quickly to undermine the ability of West Virginia courts to defend our democracy and guard against abuses of power. And after three consecutive years of not gettting their way, some legislative leaders still want to waste millions of dollars on an unnecessary intermediate court of appeals because big-money, out-of-state, powerful special interests are demanding it. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights
Power Grabs and a Gift to Special Interests
We're less than two weeks into the 2021 session and the WV Legislature is moving quickly to undermine the ability of West Virginia courts to defend our democracy and guard against abuses of power. And after three consecutive years of not gettting their way, some legislative leaders still want to waste millions of dollars on an unnecessary intermediate court of appeals because big-money, out-of-state, powerful special interests are demanding it. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights
Press Release WVCCE February 18, 2021
HJR 2 Is A Dangerous Solution Looking for A Problem
HJR 2 would cut loose future impeachment proceedings of the state legislature from all constitutional restraint. The amendment would make it so that no court in the state could intervene to protect the right to a fair hearing of a public official facing impeachment, no matter how frivolous the charge or constitutionally flawed the process. In the hands of a partisan majority, this new power could be abused to oust political opponents without cause, thereby eroding existing checks and balances between the three branches of government and undercutting public trust in the political process. More
Issues: Fair Courts, Judicial Independence
HJR 2 Is A Dangerous Solution Looking for A Problem
HJR 2 would cut loose future impeachment proceedings of the state legislature from all constitutional restraint. The amendment would make it so that no court in the state could intervene to protect the right to a fair hearing of a public official facing impeachment, no matter how frivolous the charge or constitutionally flawed the process. In the hands of a partisan majority, this new power could be abused to oust political opponents without cause, thereby eroding existing checks and balances between the three branches of government and undercutting public trust in the political process. More
Issues: Fair Courts, Judicial Independence
Alerts and Updates Julie Archer January 20, 2021
Demand Democracy: Help Pass the For the People Act
As we begin a new year with a new president, WV Citizens for Clean Elections remains committed to the work to hold our government accountable to ensure we create a country where everyone can thrive. That's why we are joining with the Declaration for American Democracy coalition to support the For The People Act (HR 1) and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act (HR 4) to protect and strengthen the sacred right to vote and return the power of our democracy to the people. Will you join us to demand that the Biden-Harris administration and our members of Congress champion democracy reform as a first priority? More
Issues: Clean Elections, Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights
Demand Democracy: Help Pass the For the People Act
As we begin a new year with a new president, WV Citizens for Clean Elections remains committed to the work to hold our government accountable to ensure we create a country where everyone can thrive. That's why we are joining with the Declaration for American Democracy coalition to support the For The People Act (HR 1) and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act (HR 4) to protect and strengthen the sacred right to vote and return the power of our democracy to the people. Will you join us to demand that the Biden-Harris administration and our members of Congress champion democracy reform as a first priority? More
Issues: Clean Elections, Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights
Alerts and Updates WVCCE October 8, 2020
Welcome: Re-Introducing WV Citizens for Clean Elections
Our systems are hanging by a thread. Together we can fight back. WV Citizens for Clean Elections is working to remove the influence of money from politics, and are fighting for a court system that works for everyone. We believe in a fair and impartial judiciary, and that starts with ensuring clean elections. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence
Welcome: Re-Introducing WV Citizens for Clean Elections
Our systems are hanging by a thread. Together we can fight back. WV Citizens for Clean Elections is working to remove the influence of money from politics, and are fighting for a court system that works for everyone. We believe in a fair and impartial judiciary, and that starts with ensuring clean elections. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence
WVCCE Blog Julie Archer June 5, 2020
Supreme Court Elections Provide Opportunity to Increase Trust, Accountability, and Transparency in the Judiciary
This moment is an opportunity to bring greater trust, accountability, and transparency to the judiciary, but rebuilding trust in the judiciary cannot end with a single individual. As voters, it’s incumbent upon us to seek out unbiased information about the candidates rather than relying on misleading, inaccurate attack ads. The court and legislators must also seize this opportunity to begin to rebuild trust in the West Virginia judiciary by strengthening disclosure of political spending and the adoption of a strong, objective recusal standard. More
Issues: Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Transparency, WV Supreme Court
Supreme Court Elections Provide Opportunity to Increase Trust, Accountability, and Transparency in the Judiciary
This moment is an opportunity to bring greater trust, accountability, and transparency to the judiciary, but rebuilding trust in the judiciary cannot end with a single individual. As voters, it’s incumbent upon us to seek out unbiased information about the candidates rather than relying on misleading, inaccurate attack ads. The court and legislators must also seize this opportunity to begin to rebuild trust in the West Virginia judiciary by strengthening disclosure of political spending and the adoption of a strong, objective recusal standard. More
Issues: Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Transparency, WV Supreme Court
Previous Next