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 Multimedia Resources

Video - Judicial Elections (PBS)
PBS takes a look at the 2012 Iowa judicial elections with a focus on the enormous increase in the amount of money spent on judicial elections in recent years.

Video - ISBA President Cindy Moser's Message
Cindy is joined by her friends from the West Wing who are dealing with the "crisis" of voters not turning over their ballots and voting on the non-partisan races. Pass this on so your friends and family don't forget to turn over the ballot.

Guy Cook on WHO Radio's Jan Mickelson's Show
           October 2

Guy Cook on Mike Devine's Show on 1400 KVFD
         September 28

Video - Iowa Press
September 28
ISBA President Cindy Moser was a guest on IPTV's Iowa Press. Joining Cindy at the Iowa Press table to discuss the upcoming judicial retention election was the President of The Family Leader, Bob Vander Plaats.

Another Iowa Judge Faces Ballot Box Battle Due to Same-Sex Marriage Ruling
          National Public Radio - September 26

Yes Iowa Judges' Tour at the State Capitol September 24

Video - KCCI-TV
August 9
ISBA Officers hold a press conference at the 2012 Iowa State Fair announcing the results of the 2012 Judicial Performance Review.

Breaking News!

Hawkeye Poll shows support for Wiggins, Romney
"A majority of likely Iowa voters say they’re voting to retain Iowa Supreme Court Justice David Wiggins this fall. Fifty-three percent support in data released Wednesday is the highest mark yet in polling over Wiggins’ retention."
Iowa City Press-Citizen - Oct. 31

New video explains why it is important to turn the ballot over and vote on Iowa's judges and justices standing for retention in this year’s election.

Vander Plaats' constitutional argument is just wrong
"Those who argue that by deciding the Varnum case the Iowa Supreme Court was “legislating from the bench” and “amending the constitution” — “going outside the constitution” — are just wrong. And their attack on the court threatens the impartiality and independence of our judiciary on which our Iowa Constitution and our freedoms depend."
Allan Vestal, Dean, Drake Law School

Mixing politics, courts is bad for business
"Two years have passed since the first campaign focused the retention vote on the marriage case. On the surface it seems little has changed. Outside money and interference continue to pour in, and the threat to judicial independence remains as real as it was in 2010. I sense, however, that voters have a better understanding of what is at stake for our fair judicial process and our state’s economic growth."
Larry Zimpleman, CEO & President, Principal Financial Group

American values support a 'yes" vote on retention
"If you are a proud American, there are two overwhelming reasons to vote “yes” to retain Justice David Wiggins and all the judges on the Nov. 6 election ballot.

First, the independence of our judges is the envy of the rest of the world and crucial to our exceptional success as a capitalist democracy.

Second, the equality issues at stake in same-sex marriage, the only decision of Justice Wiggins that has been criticized, cannot be compromised without doing violence to a crucial pillar of our constitution."
Maura Strassberg, Professor, Drake Law School

Anti-Wiggins crusade is about motivating conservative voters
"For those people who care about the reasoning for the Varnum decision, however, I have to suggest they read the decision in its entirety. It is not a quick read, but if one thinks about the content and depth of the decision, it is inescapable that the court gave the decision a very thorough and thoughtful effort. The opinion is well reasoned and carefully written only after methodically addressing the issues required by the framework that exists in every constitutional challenge."
Roger Kuhle, Represented Timothy Brien in the Brien v. Varnum case

Featured Retention News

Judicial elections threaten justice
USA TODAY - October 23

Clashing over role of Iowa justices
Telegraph Herald - October 24

In vote on Supreme Court justice, backers focus on equality
Associated Press - October 22

Federal Appeals Court Rules DOMA Unconstitutional in Windsor Case
October 18

Outrage over court's gay marriage decision rings hollow
Sioux City Journal - September 30

 Editorials/Opinion Pieces

It's time to end this targeting of judges
Des Moines Register - October 26

Gay marriage: Sense of fairness is important for future
Raynard Kington, President, Grinnell College

Justice Wiggins should be retained
Globe Gazette Editorial - October 21

A vote to retain all judges is a vote for integrity
The Gazette - October 22

Opponents make a mockery of courts
The Des Moines Register - October 16

Do retention justice by judging the whole issue
The Gazette - October 14

Justices’ decision based on rule of law
The Gazette - October 13

Vote to retain Wiggins
Globe Gazette - October 7

Impartial Justice at Risk
The New York Times - October 6

Roses & Thistles: Gov. Jindal got on wrong bus
Des Moines Register - October 6

Right call on challenge to judge process
The Des Moines Register - October 2

Don't politicize judges
The Daily Iowan - October 2
 
Politics, Principle and an Attack on the Courts
The New York Times - September 23

Keeping campaign politics out of Iowa courts
Justice David Wiggins
The Des Moines Register - September 16
 

ISBA Press Releases

CEO cites impact on business if courts not fair, impartial
November 4

Misleading Family Leader Message
August 12

Response to Iowa GOP Chairman, A.J. Spyker
August 9

Retention Resources

Why you should vote YES
There are a variety of reasons why you as an Iowan should vote YES to retain all 74 Iowa judges and justices up for retention this year. Below are three reasons. Click here for more.

1)  A “YES” vote helps keep politics and out-of-state money out of our courts

2)  A "YES" vote keeps our Iowa judges and justices accountable to the constitution, not to political pressure or popular opinion

3)  A "YES" vote helps ensure fair hearing regardless of financial status, gender, ethnic background or political affiliation or connections

2012 Judicial Performance Review

The results of the Judicial Performance Review indicate that all 74 judges and justices up for retention this year are well qualified and deserve to be retained by Iowans. Out of the more than 8,000 Iowa attorneys, 1,400 participated in the survey. Only those attorneys who have practiced before a judge or justice are qualified to rate that particular judge.

Contrary to what opposition groups would like Iowans to believe, the 63% Justice David Wiggins received is in no way a grade. The review is a poll and 63% of the 506 attorneys who rated Justice Wiggins believe that he should be retained. In the polling world, 63% is a high percentage and one that any politician, which Justice Wiggins is not, would love to receive.

Request an Absentee Ballot
Any registered voter in Iowa may request an absentee ballot through their county auditor.

Click here for more information

Window Clings
You can now show your support for Iowa's judges by displaying this window cling in your car, in your home, or at your business.

To receive yours, please send a self-addressed envelope to:
The ISBA "Yes" Campaign, 625 East Court Avenue,
Des Moines, IA 50309.

One stamp will get you 5 clings. Additional postage will get you more. Tell you friends and family to get theirs as well!