Indeed, only one district court judge has been removed through a retention vote in 25 years or so, and a few more justice court judges have been removed in an election.

"I would think that the judiciary would welcome this change. It can do away with some of the negative impressions people have of the judiciary"by showing, through a Senate reconfirmation vote, that judges meet high standards, said Buttars.

And it wouldn't necessarily result in the Senate actually voting someone off the bench. As is now the case, said Buttars, when a person is nominated to the bench, and there is a problem with that person, concerns are communicated and, rather than face public criticisms, the nominee just withdraws his name. Likewise, if Buttars' bill is passed, a judge with a troubled past could be warned that he may not be reconfirmed by the Senate, and he would just retire from the bench, the senator believes.

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