Using weighted least squares analysis, we examine the effects of region and judicial selection system on the characteristics of state supreme court judges. The article tests hypotheses concerning the quality of judges, specifically the ability of merit plans to recruit superior judges, and the openness of various selection systems. Major findings are that region is the main factor accounting for variations in judges' backgrounds and no method of recruitment selects judges with substantially different credentials. However, merit selection systematically is less open to religious minorities.
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