Amendment W, Changes To Judicial Ballot Format Explained

Amendment W would change the ballot format for judicial retention elections.

Currently, ballots are required to have a separate question for each judge or justice up for retention. Under the measure, ballots would display the retention question once for each court type, followed by a list of each judge or justice.

Here's a mock-up of the current and proposed ballot formats:Amendment W Sample Ballots

Proponents for the measure say it would make ballots more concise and reader-friendly. Opponents say the changes are confusing and may increase the likelihood that voters will skip judicial retention questions entirely.

The measure would change the state constitution, and under new rules passed by voters in 2016, needs 55 percent of votes to pass.