DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Conservative activists are looking for new ways to use the power of the vote to strike back against the courts following the success of a ballot initiative to oust Iowa judges who supported gay marriage.
Judicial-removal campaigns have generally been difficult to sell to the public. But now some groups view them as a potential tool to influence the judiciary on gay rights, abortion and other divisive social issues.
Iowa was one of four states where groups sought to remove judges in Tuesday's election, but it was the only place where the effort succeeded.
Organizers of the Iowa campaign had several important advantages: a well-funded TV campaign, a grass-roots structure and an electorate that was receptive to their message.
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