Justices of the Peace
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How to Become a Justice of the Peace The manner in which Justices of the Peace are selected in Connecticut are outlined in Connecticut General Statutes Section 9-183a, 9-183b and 9-183c. In accordance with the General Statutes the total number of Justices a town is entitled to select are allocated first among major political parties and then among unaffiliated voters and minor party members. Justices are selected during the year or the Presidential election and serve four (4) year term.
Selection from the Major Parties Two thirds (2/3) of a town’s Justice positions are allocated to “major” political parties that acquired that status by virtue having enrolled as members at least 20% of all enrolled party members in the state. Currently, only Democrats and the Republicans qualify under this provision, and therefore they each can select one third (1/3) of the Justices in each town in the state. The major party candidates for Justices of the Peace are endorsed according to the rules of each major party. The Democrats and Republicans endorse by the party town committee, a caucus of enrolled party members, or party convention between the 84th and 77th days before a primary, if applicable. The names of those endorsed must be certified to the Town Clerk no later than the 14th day after the endorsement meeting. The persons endorsed need not be enrolled in the party unless the party rules so prescribe. The names of Justice of the Peace candidates do not appear on the November election ballot. They are however subject to primary. The winners of the primary are the nominees of the party and become the Justices of the Peace. In the event that no petition is filed, the endorsees become the nominees and are qualified to serve as Justices of the Peace.
Selection from Unaffiliated Voters and Minor Party Members The last one third (1/3) of Justice positions in each town are reserved for electors who are NOT members of the major parties. These minor party members and unaffiliated electors could become Justices by applying to their Town Clerk between August 1 and November 1 of the Presidential election year. Previously appointed non-major party Justices who reapply must be reappointed. After reappointing these incumbents, if the town clerk received more applications than there were slots for non-major party members, the clerk must hold a lottery on or before the fifteenth business day of November to determine the order of all non-incumbent applications. Those applications drawn first are appointed Justices until all non-major party slots have been filled. The lottery continues until all applications are drawn so that a can be established for filling vacancies. Source: |
