This editorial will appear in Monday’s print edition.

Voters should always take care when making their election picks, but some parts of the ballot deserve more attention than others this year.

In many South Sound races, voters have two good options, and the public will be well-served no matter the outcome of the election.
Other decisions are more pivotal. Take the election for Federal Way Municipal Court. Judge Michael Morgan has hurt the court’s standing and its internal workings. He has to go.

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There’s just no polite way to put this: The state Supreme Court blew it.

In a 7-2 ruling last week, the court essentially decided that judicial administrative records are exempt from the state Public Records Act. The rationale: The courts aren’t “agencies” of government, or at least they’re not clearly defined as such in the act.

The case was City of Federal Way vs. Koenig, in which the city refused to release correspondence to and from embattled Municipal Court Judge Michael Morgan. In deciding against the records request, the Supreme Court is saying that the Municipal Court is not an agency of the City of Federal Way. Read more »

Federal Way’s municipal court has been troubled for too many years now. With any luck, it should be a healthier institution after election day.

Both seats on the court are up for grabs Nov. 3. Federal Way voters should be, well, judicious in distinguishing the two incumbents.

Judge Michael Morgan has been a flashpoint of controversy and accusations since he was elected four years ago. Judge David Larson has been a solid, steady, reassuring presence in the court. We urge the citizens of Federal Way to elect Morgan’s challenger, Rebecca Robertson – and re-elect Larson.

When a trial judge is in the headlines, it’s rarely a good thing. Morgan illustrates the point. As presiding judge, he has been responsible for court administration. He hasn’t fared well: The court has been racked by infighting during much of his tenure. Read more »