Chief United States District Judge James Shadid was welcomed to campus to “connect the dots” between students’ votes and their elected or appointed judicial branch on Monday. The event was hosted by the Center for Legal Studies and Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Services.
Shadid, a Bradley alumnus, served in private practice and as a public defender before he was elected to be an Illinois state court judge. In 2010, President Obama nominated Shadid to judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois. Then in 2011, he was confirmed unanimously by the Senate and sworn in.
Having experience in both elections and appointments, Shadid explained the concepts behind the two processes, as well as the importance of citizen involvement.
“Your vote matters, whether you vote directly for a judge or for the president or governor who appoints the judge,” Shadid said.
Brad McMillan, executive director of the Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service, said he wants students to have a “better understanding of all aspects of democracy.”
“Our goal is to not only get Bradley students voting, but to be informed voters,” McMillan said.
Shadid noted that, unfortunately, voters typically do not pay much attention to their judicial vote.
“[Judges] are at the bottom of the ballot,” Shadid said. “I think, oftentimes, people have no idea who the person is.”
With no prior research, voters tend to just select the judge in their political party, according to Shadid. However, Shadid said he believes party affiliation should not matter in judicial elections.
“Say you’re in my court … Do you want [my decision] based on your party affiliation, or do you want [my decision] based on fact, based on the law?” Shadid said.
Shadid also commented on citizens’ unwillingness to vote and the lack of support for the judicial branch.
“I think it’s pretty toxic, actually … the attack on the judiciary, the attack on institutions,” Shadid said. “Some people want to turn off the lights in the courtroom rather than strengthen a safe space.”
According to Shadid, judges are meant to be fair, impartial and even-tempered. Choosing the right judge is important because the judicial branch makes decisions that affect citizens’ everyday lives. Shadid said it takes leadership in all political parties to create a more functional system and informed voting by citizens to make change happen.
“If you want diversity, your vote matters … Whatever you want, your vote matters,” Shadid said.
John Collin, sophomore sports communication and professional selling major, said the lecture provided him with new insights.
“I had never heard a judge’s perspective on the [election] process before,” Collin said. “It was interesting to hear because I didn’t know the politics behind [judicial election and appointment].”
Shadid’s message also resonated with Valeria Ruiz, a freshman political science major.
“Nothing will get accomplished or changed unless the people make their voice heard through election, whether local or national, because the local elections later set the stage for national decisions,” Ruiz said.
