Dear Members of the State Bar of Georgia:
We, the undersigned past presidents of the State Bar of Georgia, write in support of the proposed Georgia constitutional amendment providing for the nonpartisan election of probate judges.
The administration of justice should be grounded in the law, fairness, independence, and the confidence of the public—not in partisan affiliation. Probate judges occupy an important position in our judicial system, handling matters that can profoundly affect families, estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and vulnerable members of our communities. The qualifications and judgment of the individual who serves in that role should be the focus of the electorate.
A nonpartisan election does not diminish the importance of an informed electorate. To the contrary, it encourages voters to evaluate candidates on the qualities that matter most for judicial office: integrity, experience, competence, temperament, impartiality, and commitment to the rule of law.
As people who have served in, worked with, or closely observed our courts, we understand the importance of maintaining public confidence in the independence of the judiciary. Partisan labels can create perceptions— fair or not—that judicial decisions are influenced by political considerations. A nonpartisan system helps reinforce the principle that judges are accountable first and foremost to the law and to the people they serve.
This amendment is not about favoring one political party over another. It is about recognizing the distinct nature of judicial office and ensuring that the process for selecting probate judges reflects the responsibilities those judges undertake.
We, therefore, encourage voters to support the constitutional amendment establishing nonpartisan elections for probate judges. We believe this change would strengthen confidence in our probate courts and better align the selection of these judicial officers with the fundamental principles of an independent and impartial judiciary.
We respectfully ask our fellow members of the legal community—and all voters who share these principles—to join us in supporting this important reform.
Respectfully,
Sarah B. “Sally” Akins
Ivy N. Cadle
William E. Cannon Jr.
William E. Cannon Jr.
Robin Frazer Clark
Dawn M. Jones
J. Vincent Cook
Robert J. “Bob” Kauffman
Harold T. Daniel Jr.
J. Antonio “Tony” DelCampo
Benjamin F. Easterlin IV
Elizabeth L. Fite
Robert D. Ingram
Paul Kilpatrick Jr.
Linda A. Klein
George E. Mundy
Patrick T. “Pat” O’Connor
Brian D. “Buck” Rogers
Charles L. Ruffin
John C. Sammon
Darrell L. Sutton
Christopher P. Twyman
