Changes

The '''Missouri Plan''' (or '''Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan''' or '''"merit plan"''') is used in 12 states for appointing state court judges based on the recommendation of an independent, often [[liberal]], commission.  Upon a Missouri [[Supreme Court]] vacancy, the commission sends three names to the [[governor]], giving him sixty days to select one or the commission will fill the vacancy.  At the next [[general election]], the judge stands for a "retention election" and can be removed only by a majority vote.  This plan was adopted in November 1940 after charges of undue influence in judicial elections being exerted by the [[Tom Pendergast]] political machine. In Kansas City and St. Louis, even lower court judicial vacancies must be filled by this method.

The '''Missouri Plan''' (or '''Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan''' or '''"merit plan"''') is used in 12 states for appointing state court judges based on the recommendation of an independent, often [[liberal]], commission.  Upon a Missouri [[Supreme Court]] vacancy, the commission sends three names to the [[governor]], giving him sixty days to select one or the commission will fill the vacancy.  At the next [[general election]], the judge stands for a "retention election" and can be removed only by a majority vote.  This plan was adopted in November 1940 after charges of undue influence in judicial elections being exerted by the Tom Pendergast political machine. In Kansas City and St. Louis, even lower court judicial vacancies must be filled by this method.

The Missouri Plan is used by:  

The Missouri Plan is used by: