Fight over how judges are removed from bench spills into Macon

Some state leaders will visit Macon to fight against a proposal to revamp a board that investigates allegations of misconduct by judges.

In the Nov. 8 election, voters will decide whether to disband the Judicial Qualifications Commission and have state legislators control who sits on a new board. But several people against the amendment will be in Macon Tuesday as part of a statewide bus tour campaigning against the proposal.

The “No To Amendment 3: Save The JCQ” tour features state Sen. Josh McKoon, R-Columbus, former judicial commission chairman Lester Tate and legal activist Sara Totonchi. The public is invited to meet with them at H&H Restaurant, 807 Forsyth St., from 8-10 a.m. Tuesday.

Since 2007, more than 60 judges have been removed from the bench by the commission. The seven-member disciplinary agency is now selected by the state Supreme Court, State Bar of Georgia and governor.

This story was originally published October 28, 2016 at 2:12 PM with the headline "Fight over how judges are removed from bench spills into Macon."