Washington’s family courts are run by people the public didn’t elect—and can’t remove.
That’s not just a judicial problem. It’s a political one.
Most Washington residents don’t realize that the people making custody decisions that abuse children, silencing victims, and shaping family policy across the state are not accountable to voters.
This isn’t representative government. It’s bureaucratic capture—by design.
More than 92% of Washington’s judges were not elected by the public.
They were appointed to fill vacancies—and often reappointed without public input.
Judges rarely face challengers on the ballot. When they do, court-affiliated bar associations and insiders close ranks to protect them.
There is no viable path for the public to remove a judge with a record of harm.
In family court, the majority of first line decisions are made by commissioners, not judges.
These commissioners are hired by the courts themselves—not appointed by the governor, not confirmed by the legislature, and not elected by you.
- They serve without term limits.
- They operate without public visibility.
- They hold power over your children, your property, your rights—and your future.
The public thinks the legislature makes the law. In practice, judicial associations quietly draft the rules that define family court policy.
These private, membership-based groups:
- Write and revise policies that expand judicial discretion.
- Oppose reforms that threaten internal power structures.
- Coordinate behind closed doors with political allies.
Then they hand these recommendations to lawmakers—who often pass them unchallenged.
This is policymaking without transparency. It’s law without democracy.
No elections.
No independent oversight.
No public role in who gets to govern the most intimate, high-stakes aspects of people’s lives.
And when the victims of this system try to speak up, they’re told they don’t understand the law. Or worse, they don't know what is best for them and their abused children. When they organize, they’re accused of being the minority of cases. When they fight back, they’re gaslighted, called unstable, aggressive, vindictive, or “too emotional.”
But the truth is simple: If you can’t vote them out, hold them accountable, or challenge their policy—you’re not being governed. You’re being ruled.
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