Idaho lags nation in number of women judges
Idaho ranks nearly last in the nation when it comes to the percentage of women judges on the state’s courts.
But nearly last is a slight improvement: In 2012, Idaho had the lowest percentage in the nation at just 12 percent.
The Idaho Press reports applications are now being taken for an opening on the Idaho Supreme Court to replace retiring Justice Joel Horton. Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter says he’d never make his choice for Horton’s replacement solely on the basis of gender, but says he’d be delighted if the best candidate for the job is a woman.
The National Association of Women Judges tracks the number of judges by gender for each state. For 2016, the most recent ranking available, Idaho ranked next-to-last for women judges at 17 percent. Arkansas came in last at 15 percent.
