SB 279

This bill would establish permanent place names for each seat on the supreme court and courts of appeals, so each seat is consistent and easily distinguished for election purposes

Relating to elections; to establish permanent place names for each seat on the supreme court and courts of appeals.

Section 1

Beginning with the 2022 statewide election, the following offices on the supreme court, court of criminal appeals, and court of civil appeals shall be permanently identified as follows: (1) The supreme court: a. The office of associate justice identified as

Place No. 1" on the 2018 statewide election ballot shall be

Place 1" on the supreme court. b. The office of associate justice identified as

Place No. 2" on the 2018 statewide election ballot shall be

Place 2" on the supreme court. c. The office of associate justice identified as

Place No. 3" on the 2018 statewide election ballot shall be

Place 3" on the supreme court. d. The office of associate justice identified as

Place No. 4" on the 2018 statewide election ballot shall be

Place 4" on the supreme court. e. The office of associate justice identified as

Place No. 1" on the 2016 statewide election ballot shall be

Place 5" on the supreme court. f. The office of associate justice identified as

Place No. 2" on the 2016 statewide election ballot shall be

Place 6" on the supreme court. g. The office of associate justice identified as

Place No. 3" on the 2016 statewide election ballot shall be

Place 7" on the supreme court. h. The office of associate justice identified as

Place No. 1" on the 2014 statewide election ballot shall be

Place 8" on the supreme court. (2) The court of criminal appeals: a. The office of judge identified as "Place No. 1" on the 2018 statewide election ballot shall be "Place 1" on the court of criminal appeals. b. The office of judge identified as "Place No. 2" on the 2018 statewide election ballot shall be "Place 2" on the court of criminal appeals. c. The office of judge identified as "Place No. 3" on the 2018 statewide election ballot shall be "Place 3" on the court of criminal appeals. d. The office of judge identified as "Place No. 1" on the 2014 statewide election ballot shall be "Place 4" on the court of criminal appeals. e. The office of judge identified as "Place No. 2" on the 2014 statewide election ballot shall be "Place 5" on the court of criminal appeals. (3) The court of civil appeals: a. The office of judge identified as "Place No. 1" on the 2018 statewide election ballot shall be "Place 1" on the court of civil appeals. b. The office of judge identified as "Place No. 2" on the 2018 statewide election ballot shall be "Place 2" on the court of civil appeals. c. The office of judge identified as "Place No. 3" on the 2018 statewide election ballot shall be "Place 3" on the court of civil appeals. d. The office of judge identified as "Place No. 1" on the 2014 statewide election ballot shall be "Place 4" on the court of civil appeals. e. The office of judge identified as "Place No. 2" on the 2014 statewide election ballot shall be "Place 5" on the court of civil appeals.

Section 2

This act shall become effective on February 1, 2021, following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.