Under a merit plan for selecting judges,

a$)$ the House nominates candidates for judicial positions who are then confirmed by the Senate.

b$)$ voters play an even larger role in determining who serves as a judge in Texas.

c$)$ a blue$-$ribbon commission recommends several people to the governor as possible nominees, the governor nominates one of those individuals who must then be confirmed by the Senate, and after about a year in office, the judge must run in a retention election.

d$)$ the candidates' qualifications for office appear next to their names on the ballot so that voters can make informed decisions.