COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP): The chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court says the number of uncontested judicial races in Ohio is one more reason to consider appointing rather than electing judges.
 
Justice Maureen O'Connor hopes the recent election renews interest in a system where judges are appointed, then face a retention election to keep their jobs.
 
Supreme Court statistics show that 69 percent of judicial races were uncontested this year, just down from 70 percent during an equivalent election year in 2010.
 
This year's uncontested races included campaigns for 13 appeals court seats, the state's second-highest judicial position.
 
O'Connor says people are casting what she calls “complimentary votes'' in such races.
 
Although other states have appointment systems, Ohio voters and lawmakers have regularly rejected an appointment system here.