TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Sam Brownback says Kansas needs a more democratic system for picking state Supreme Court justices.

The Republican governor called for changing the selection process during the annual State of the State address Thursday night.

An attorney-led nominating commission screens applicants for Supreme Court vacancies and names three finalists. The governor picks one, with no role for legislators.

Brownback said either the governor should appoint each justice directly, subject to Senate confirmation, or justices should be elected, as they were before 1960.

Either change would require amending the state constitution. Supporters say the current system minimizes partisan politics.

Supreme Court members were present for Brownback’s speech in the Kansas House chamber. They did not comment afterward, but Justice Eric Rosen flinched when Brownback suggested electing court members.