The virtual ballot box for the Columbus Bar Association 2010 Preference Poll will be open through noon on Friday.

A long-standing tradition at the CBA, the poll is extended to all lawyers in Franklin County and is designed to be an informative tool for those seeking additional information on the judicial races, said Kathy Wiesman, CBA assistant to the executive director and director of publications.

"This has nothing to do with who gets elected in the fall, it is more so to serve as an information source to voters," she said, adding that over the years, the poll has become well-regarded as reliable material involving the county's judicial candidates.

Wiesman said the Columbus Bar offers the Judicial Preference Poll each year to provide the public with knowledge about judicial candidates based upon the independent opinion of those lawyers who know the candidates' qualifications.

"To understand the Preference Poll, you must know that the Preference Poll includes the findings of the Columbus Bar judiciary committee candidate screenings," Wiesman said, noting that the 21-member committee is merit-based and non-partisan.

"The politically-balanced committee is comprised of attorneys representative of the Franklin County legal community with due consideration given to age, gender, race, courts of practice, type of practice, and political affiliation," she said.

The findings accompanying the poll will list each candidate as either "highly recommended," "acceptable," or "not recommended." The designation is based on voluntary interviews that the judicial committee requests with each individual running for a seat on the bench.

Wiesman said in order for a candidate to be selected as "highly recommended," he or she must capture 60 percent of the committee's votes in that category.

To be deemed "not recommended," the candidate must have more than 70 percent of the committee's vote for that option.

In all other instances, the candidate would be found "acceptable."

Prior to opening the poll to area lawyers, the committee presents its findings to the CBA Board of Governors. The board oversees the committee's procedures to ensure compliance with the committee's bylaws.

Wiesman said the committee is charged with promoting the fair and equal administration of justice in the county and is dedicated to presenting accurate information with the Preference Poll.

"We have always been commended for being totally unbiased and that is why we strive so hard for (the judicial committee) to be politically balanced," she said. "They work hard and they take this very seriously."

The judicial committee also conducts a performance poll of sitting judges each spring.

CBA member attorneys looking to cast a vote in the Preference Poll, can access the ballot at www.cbalaw.org.