But Florida Supreme Court justices and appellate court judges face a merit-retention vote every six years. Some suggest that they should be voted out of office for making certain difficult decisions. While politicians in the other two branches are elected to follow the “will of the people,” the judicial branch must follow the Constitution.

So when you vote, I hope you’ll consider that sometimes Florida Supreme Court justices and appellate court judges have the absolute responsibility at times to make difficult decisions in order to uphold core constitutional principles that in the end serve and protect us all. Their ability to be fair and impartial and at times make unpopular decisions ensures that all three legs of the stool — the legislative, executive, and judicial branches — remain in balance.

Cut one leg of the stool short, and it all crashes to the ground.

Make no mistake. It’s not just about the Florida Supreme Court justices and appellate court judges on the ballot. It’s much bigger than that. The integrity of the entire judicial branch — and therefore, the overall balance of our state’s government — is in play.

Look at it this way: Will Florida Supreme Court Justices and appellate court judges in the future hesitate to make difficult decisions that they believe are required of them if their colleagues have been voted out of office for doing just that?

You be the judge.

Justice James E. C. Perry was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court by Gov. Charlie Crist and took office on March 11, 2009. Before his appointment, he served as a circuit judge of Florida’s 18th Judicial Circuit upon his appointment by Gov. Jeb Bush in March 2000.