Answer to Question 1
There are three main methods of judicial selectionexecutive or legislative appointment, judicial election, and merit selection. Executive appointments entail the appointment of judges by the President or by state governors, while legislative appointments entail the selection of judges by state legislators. All federal judges are appointed by the President of the United States. At the state level, however, very few states select judges by appointment. Judges may also be selected via partisan or nonpartisan elections in states. Elections are used in many states. The third method of selection at the state level is the merit system, which is also known as the Missouri Bar Plan. It is a hybrid system that incorporates elements of the other methods of selection. With merit selection, a nominating commission made up of lawyers and laypersons suggests a list of qualified nominees (usually three), from which the governor selects a judge. This person is put on the bench and, after a short period of time in office, will be considered for retention. A retention ballot is brought before the public to determine whether or not the judge should be retained.
Answer to Question 2
False