Deborah Cook Answers Questions

Candidate for
Judge; Supreme Court; 6 Year Term Starting 1/1/01

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Ohio and asked of all candidates for this office.

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. Would you support public financing for judicial candidates? Why or why not?

Though my personal view would have little affect on the subject since such a decision would be made by law makers rather than judges, I would favor a fair public financing plan.

2. Would you support a voluntary system in which the Governor would appoint Justices to fill vacancies from a pool of qualified applicants selected by a bipartisan group? Why or why not?

If the Governor were to initiate such a system for filling vacancies, of course I would support the system as a member of the judiciary. But a justice of the Supreme Court has no part in such political decisions.

3. What do you see as your role on the Supreme Court in reducing the backlogs on lower courts?

Increased and compulsory use of alternative dispute resolutions [also referred to as "complementary" dispute resolutions] procedures is an important available approach. The Courts Futures Commission, on which I serve, will issue proposals that will address the backlog issues.