The Judicial Poll is a core part of the Miami-Dade Bar Association’s mission to uphold the integrity of the legal profession. It’s a non-partisan survey of the local legal community, designed to provide a professional assessment of the judges and judicial candidates who serve the public. The poll is a long-standing tradition that has evolved significantly over time.
The Bar conducted its first poll in 1945 at the specific request of the Dade County Commission, which was seeking a way to evaluate applicants for judicial vacancies. The poll became a regular tradition, although the method of conducting it was a point of debate. In 1965, the Board of Directors tried to replace the mailed questionnaires with a “Blue Ribbon Judicial Screening Committee,” but the general membership rejected the idea, voting to continue with the poll by mail.
In 2012, the poll moved from paper ballots to an electronic format, which significantly reduced the cost and streamlined the process. The Bar also began alternating the courts to be evaluated each year to make the ballot shorter and encourage higher participation from its members.
The Judicial Poll plays a crucial role in two key areas of the Bar’s mission:
Judicial Self-Improvement: The poll provides direct and honest feedback to sitting judges on how they are perceived by the attorneys who practice in their courtrooms. This information can be a valuable tool for judges to identify areas for improvement and maintain a high standard of conduct.
Public Information: The poll results are published to inform the voting public about the legal community’s opinion on a candidate’s qualifications. By providing this professional assessment, the Bar empowers citizens to make more informed choices during judicial elections.
It’s important to note that the Bar is very clear on its stance: it does not endorse or support candidates. The poll is a tool for information and education, and the responsibility for interpreting the results and making a final decision rests with the public.