DES MOINES – The Iowa State Bar Association released a video Thursday which explains why it is important to turn over the ballot and vote on the judges and justices up for retention Nov. 6.

The video, produced by the bar and featuring former Gov. Robert Ray and former Lt. Gov. Sally Pedersen, is designed to assist voters who are unclear about what the retention election is and why they should vote in it, according to a news release.

The video gives voters a brief history of Iowa’s merit system for selecting judges, how that system works and why it has resulted in one of the best court systems in the nation as determined by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, according to the release. It also lists the criteria that voters should look for in a judge or justice.

“History shows that many voters don’t think about turning over the ballot to vote on the judges and justices on the back,” ISBA President Cynthia Moser said. “With the ouster of three of Iowa’s Supreme Court justices in the 2010 election and the controversy surrounding one of the justices in this year’s election, it is crucial that voters turn over their ballots and make their voices heard.”

The five-minute video is available at www.judicialfacts.info.

The Iowa State Bar Association is a voluntary organization of more than 8,000 lawyers and judges who are licensed to practice law in the state of Iowa.