This seems overly complicated and unequal, but I'm for selecting our judges on a merit basis versus voters blindly electing people they will more than likely never come across in a courtroom setting.

(Harrisburg) -- State lawmakers are proposing a system of picking Pennsylvania appeals court judges based on merit to change the current system of elected jurists.

Members are seeking sponsors for the proposal that would require a constitutional amendment to permit the merit selection of Supreme, Superior and Commonwealth court judges.

Their bill would retain elections for county, district court and Philadelphia municipal judges.

A 13-person commission of lawyers and nonlawyers would review applicants and recommend a short list to the governor, who would submit nominations to the Senate.

After confirmation, the judges would serve four years before facing a retention vote for a 10-year term.

The governor and caucus leaders of both parties would choose the commission members.