What standards should a U.S. President have for a nominee?

Presidential candidates must carefully search for judges on whom we can count to fully protect the individual rights and freedoms of all Americans. These nominees should have an open-minded approach to the law, as well as a demonstrated commitment to equal justice for all Americans and to progress on civil rights, women's rights, worker's rights and consumer and environmental protections. They must also have the ability to relate to those who come before the court, abandoning political agendas and the influence of powerful special interests.

What can you do?

Become an educated voter.

Ask about future plans. Go to public events and ask the candidates for President what they will look for when it comes to picking a nominee for the Supreme Court or the lower federal courts. If you would like question ideas, please visit our Questions to Ask the Candidates web page. Do you have a question that you want to pose to presidential candidates and would like share with others? Please fill out our online Submit Your Question form and tell us what you want to know.

Review past records. Many of the presidential candidates have laid out their standards for judicial nominees they would appoint to the federal bench. And, many of the presidential candidates have served in the U.S. Senate where they have had the opportunity to vote for or against Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Samuel Alito and numerous circuit court nominees. It is important that we educate ourselves before going to the polls and learn about each candidate's record. You can read the candidates' latest statements about this important topic by returning to Alliance for Justice's Voter Handbook Web page and clicking on each of our presidential candidate pages.