SELECTION METHODS AND THE RECRUITMENT OF WOMEN TO STATE COURTS OF LAST RESORT

Objective. This study explores whether judicial selection systems infl uence the gender composition of state courts of last resort. Methods. Women's service is gauged using both the percentage of court seats hel d by women and whether or not there is a woman jurist on the court. Hy potheses pertaining to women, the court, and the broader political sys tem are also examined. Results. The results indicate no significant se lection-induced disparities in women's service. However, there is a st rong linkage between court size and whether or not a woman serves on t he court, while the level of black service and region are associated w ith percent court seats held by women. Conclusions. Judicial selection systems may not influence women's service. However, some public polic ies can influence the recruitment of women to state courts of last res ort, although the extent of that impact is determined by how women's r epresentation is conceived.