(RALEIGH) -- A legislative oversight panel is considering whether judicial candidates should be appointed rather than elected or whether or not they should be identified by party affiliation. State Rep. Bert Jones said people often complain that they don’t know enough about judicial candidates to make an informed decision.

"I think we saw an example in the last election where there were 13 judges on the ballot for one particular race and I really thing that disturbed a lot of people.  They really felt like that that was a very difficult choice to make," said Jones.

State Sen. Josh Stein id opposed to the idea, adding that judges should not be put into the same category as other elected officials. "Whether you're a Republican or Democrat it is about are you fair, are you respectful, do you listen, will you make the best judgement you can with the talents you have," said Stein.

The elections oversight committee did not discuss any formal changes to the judicial selection process. But the panel is expected to make recommendations in time for the 2012 election cycle.