THE WYOMING PLAN HAS THE THREE ELEMENTS OF A CLASSIC MERIT SELECTION AND TENURE PLAN: RECRUITMENT, SCREENING, AND NOMINATION OF POTENTIAL JUDICIAL APPOINTEES BY A NOMINATING COMMISSION COMPRISED OF LAWYERS AND NONLAWYERS; APPOINTMENT BY THE GOVERNOR FOR A SHORT PROBATIONARY TERM; FOLLOWED BY A RETENTION ELECTION ON UNCONTESTED NONPOLITICAL BALLOTS FOR TERMS PROVIDED BY LAW. OTHER PROGRAM INNOVATIONS INCLUDE A SINGLE, STATEWIDE NOMINATING COMMISSION, REVIEW OF ALL JUSTICES AND JUDGES BY THE NOMINATING COMMISSION BEFORE THEY CAN FILE FOR RE-ELECTION, CONFIDENTIALITY OF COMMISSION DELIBERATIONS AND ACTS, BIPARTISAN COMMISSIONERS, THE COMMISSION'S ABILITY TO ANTICIPATE VACANCIES, A FLEXIBLE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR APPLICANTS, AND STAGGERED TERMS FOR SUPREME COURT JUSTICES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)