Charles Boteler

Kentucky has required nonpartisan judicial elections for more than 50 years. It's a system that helps to preserve judicial independence. In this column, a longtime political journalist and a retired judge explain what voters should consider when evaluating candidates.

A provision in House Bill 534 would invite judicial candidates to disclose their political party affiliation and their current and past voter registration, including “communicating political values or viewpoints consistent with his or her party affiliation.”