Federal system: - The president and his advisors create a list of possible nominees, often before ever needed. - When a vacancy occurs, the president a nd his advisor narrow the list down, usually to two or three. - The president interviews the possible nominees - Naminee is announced ; - Senate Judiciary Committee fully interviews and vets the nominee - Committee recommends the person for a full floor vote or rejects at the committee level, sending the process back to Step 3. : - Floor votes. If rejected, back to Step 3. If accepted, the person is a SCOTUS justice for life, or as long as they wish to serve. Missouri system: - When a vacancy occurs, a non-partisan commission is formed of three lawyers (chosen by MO bar), three citizens (chosen by governor), and current Missouri Supreme Court justice (they rotate every two years, so there is always a chief justice). Each of the three Missouri appellate districts is represented by one lawyer and one citizen on this commission. - Commission reviews applications for the job and chooses three possible appointees, one from each of the three appellate districts. Names are sent to the governor. - Governor interviews the three. - Governor selects one and that person is sworn in to be on MO Supreme Court, effective immediately. - After approximately one year, that person's name goes on the general election ballot. Justice is not running against anyone, but voters decide if the person merits keeping their job. A simple majority vote decides. - If the person is not retained, back to Step 1. If the person is retained, they keep the job of justice for 12 years. After 12 years, back to Step 5. (MO justices can only serve until age 70 under this plan) Which method do you think is better and why