The Alaska Federation of Natives has taken a position opposed to a proposed constitutional amendment to change the makeup of the Alaska Judicial Council, which examines and nominates judicial candidates in Alaska. In a prepared statement, AFN President Julie Kitka stated that there is no evidence to suggest that the Alaska Judicial Council has failed to function effectively or efficiently in performing its duties. Senate Joint Resolution 21 is also concerning to House Democratic Whip Max Gruenberg from Anchorage. He praises the current non-partisan system to evaluate judicial candidates.
“There’s an attempt to pack the council with gubernatorial appointees. It will probably change the people whose names are submitted to the Governor. It’s very important that we have an independent judiciary.”
The Alaska Judicial Council includes 7-members… 3-attorneys, 3 non-attorneys, and the Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court. Senate Joint Resolution 21 seeks to increase the number of Judicial Council members up to 16. 5 of the members would be attorneys and 10 members would be non-attorneys. The Chief Justice would still serve on the Council. In Monday’s announcement the Alaska Federation of Natives confirms that they would like to see improvements to the council, but those improvements do not warrant an amendment to the Alaska Constitution.