SJR 17 - This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, would modify the selection process for certain judgeships and the composition of the commissions that submit names of prospective judges to the Governor. Currently, when there is a vacancy on the Supreme Court, the court of appeals, or the circuit or associate circuit court in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Jackson County, Greene County, Platte County, or Clay County, a judicial commission gives the Governor a list of three nominees to select from to fill the position. The Governor is required to select one of these nominees within sixty days, or then the commission is required to select the nominee to fill the vacancy. This amendment would increase the number of nominees on the list to four. The Governor would have thirty days to select one of these nominees. If the governor does not select a nominee from this list, the commission is required to submit a second list of nominees. If the Governor does not select a nominee from this second list within thirty days, then the commission is required to select the nominee from the second list to fill the vacancy. Beginning on the second Tuesday of January 2013, this amendment would also modify the composition of the commissions. The appellate judicial commission would increase from seven to nine members; three attorneys and six individuals who are not attorneys. Each of the circuit judicial commissions would increase from five to seven members; two attorneys and five individuals who are not attorneys. A Supreme Court judge would no longer serve on the appellate judicial commission and the chief judge of the court of appeals district would no longer serve on each of the circuit judicial commissions. The members of the Appellate Judicial Commission first appointed by the Governor after the second Tuesday of January 2013 shall serve four year terms. Upon the expiration of the terms of the current non-attorney members of the Appellate Judicial Commission, the members of the commission that replace these members shall serve a four year term, a two year term, and a four year term. EMILY KALMER