Federal Judiciary Study
Download a PDF of the information on this page
Brief outline of information that is available on the LWVUS Management Site (which is available only to members) concerning the:
2024-2025 Federal judiciary study
regarding which LWVTC will be holding a members’ meeting and then voting to establish our position on the study in the near future – dates to be announced.
At the LWVUS 2024 Convention, delegates voted to proceed with a study on the federal judiciary. The study will be completed on a fast-track timeline in time for a position to be announced at the LWVUS 2025 Council in June 2025.
Members of the Study Committee are:
Chair: Kimberley Fraser, District of Columbia
V-Chair: Helen Hutchison, California
Judy Ball, West Virginia
Susan Hart, Texas
Joan Hunault, Michigan
Cecile School, Florida
Nan Shuker, District of Columbia
What has taken place so far and information that is available to interested members.
The Federal Judiciary Study Kickoff Webinar took place on November 20.
Links to view the Recording and view the Slides – available soon – please check back.
We are waiting to learn when a National Town Hall on the Federal Judiciary will be held.
SCOPE
To develop a LWV position on the Federal Judiciary as an essential component of US democracy.
The study’s purpose includes, but is not limited to, addressing concerns and clarifying judicial accountability, transparency, independence, and ethics.
The scope addresses the Supreme Court as well as the other Article III federal courts.
Timeline
NOVEMBER WEBINAR– NOV 20th 6:00 PM EST
DECEMBER ADDITIONAL STUDY MATERIALS POSTED ON LMS
JANUARY INFO ON HOW TO PREP FOR MEETINGS SENT TO LEAGUES
TOWN HALL MEETING (waiting for this to be posted)
FEBRUARY
STUDY GUIDE AND CONSENSUS QUESTIONS SENT TO LOCAL AND STATE LEAGUES BY FEB 7
LEAGUES HOLD MEETINGS FROM 2/7/25- 4/14/25
WEBINAR
MARCH
LEAGUES CONTINUE TO HOLD MEETINGS AND COMPLETE CONSENSUS QUESTIONS
APRIL
CONSENSUS SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR LEAGUES 4/14/25
APRIL- MAY
PROPOSED POSITION PRESENTED TO LWVUS BOARD FOR VOTE AND FINAL APPROVAL
JUNE
FEDERAL JUDICIARY POSITION ANNOUNCED AT COUNCIL JUNE 26-28, 2025
Study Resources
Preliminary Background Information:
Policy Briefs
The Federal Judiciary Study Committee has prepared a series of briefs on particular, specific topics designed to help spark discussion among League members as we work toward a LWVUS position on the federal judiciary. By providing information on these very specific topics, our intention is to help develop a long-lasting position based on the principles of judicial independence, transparency, accountability, and ethics (and possibly others). Our goal is a position that outlines the values – the standards and norms – the League of Women Voters should use in evaluating proposed changes to policies, laws, and regulations about the federal judiciary.
“Remember that as much as we all may want to address specific remedies in our US position, the position should be principle-based in order to ensure that it lasts for many years to come and allows us to address a wide variety of issues that may arise in future years. Our goal is for the resulting League position to be durable. Consider how many of the League’s positions were adopted decades ago and are as useful today as they were at their inception. If we write a position that applies to specific policy issues we know about and that are part of the current debate, it can limit action on other future issues.”
Policy papers may be downloaded in a pdf version by clicking the links available on the LWV Management Site.