State Supreme Courts Lose Ground on Diversity

State supreme courts are less diverse than they were a generation ago, according to a new report from the progressive Brennan Center.

Significantly Underrepresented: Individuals of color, who make up nearly 40% of the national population, hold just 15% of state high court seats. For women, the number is 36%.

Judicial Elections: The report says judicial elections, popular in many states, are a major culprit. Since 1960, only 17 minority judges—or 4% of all elected judges—first reached the bench via judicial elections, it noted. Kimberly Robinson has the story.

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