After impeachments, West Virginia voters to choose justices

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia voters head to the polls next month to decide whether to allow Gov. Jim Justice’s picks for the state Supreme Court to stand.

Two seats on the high court opened up when Justices Robin Davis and Menis Ketchum resigned earlier this year amid an impeachment scandal.

Justice appointed U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins and former GOP House Speaker Tim Armstead to serve. Voters will be able to decide on Nov. 6 whether to keep them on the court or chose two new judges from among 18 others on the ballot.

Democrats say the appointments were a power grab by Republicans to stack the court with GOP-friendly judges.

The situation is unprecedented in West Virginia history and no one knows for sure how it will end.