New York, NY —

The nation's highest court will review New York State’s method of picking trial judges. The justices today agreed without comment to consider an appeal from state election officials and the Democratic and Republican parties.

Lower federal courts have ruled that the system violates the First Amendment rights of candidates and voters by using political conventions instead of primaries to pick candidates for the general election ballot.

Critics say the current system gives too much power to political bosses. The case is expected to be argued in the fall.