The Wisconsin state Senate approved a potential amendment to the state Constitution Tuesday that would change the way chief justices are chosen on the state Supreme Court.
In an 18-15 vote, the Senate adopted the measure, which would allow the Wisconsin Supreme Court justices to vote for the chief justice. Previously, the most senior member on the court was automatically chosen as chief justice.
The amendment would allow an elected chief justice to decline the position and remain on the court.
State Sen. Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee, argued the Senate had no place trying to pass this amendment.
“It is not our responsibility to decide who or who is not chief justice,” Taylor said.
Currently, 20 other states elect their chief justices, and while chief justices do not generally have extra judicial power, they can exert influence on undecided junior justices.
The amendment must be approved by both legislative houses in two consecutive years and be passed by citizens in a state referendum to officially amend the state Constitution.
