Why Do Some States Elect Judges?

One week from today Americans go to the polls to cast their votes for president, Congress and local offices. People who live in more than half the states are also voting on judges.

While those races can have far-reaching consequences, judicial elections usually don't get much attention from voters. This year, however, special interests have ramped up their spending on important state judicial races.

Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson takes a look at the process of judicial elections with Alicia Bannon, senior counsel with the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School.

Alicia Bannon, senior counsel with the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School. She tweets at @alicia_bannon. The center tweets @BrennanCenter.