NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A proposal to amend the Tennessee Constitution to change the way judges are selected has passed the Senate.
The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Brian Kelsey of Germantown was approved 23-8. It would impose a federal-style system of having the governor make nominations to the Tennessee Supreme Court and give lawmakers the power to confirm or reject.
A proposal to amend the state constitution to change the way appeals judges are selected passed the Senate 21-9 last week.
The resolution would give voters three options for selecting judges: contested elections, a federal-style plan or a plan similar to the current one.
Under the current Tennessee judicial selection method, a commission nominates judges, the governor appoints them and voters cast ballots either for or against keeping them on the bench.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
