A federal lawsuit filed on behalf of four Iowans hopes to change the manner in which Iowa Supreme Court justices are selected.

The suit comes after three Iowa Supreme Court justices were ousted last month following their decision to legalize gay marriage.

Filed by attorney James Bopp Jr., the lawsuit said the manner in which justices in Iowa are currently selected violates the 14th amendment by denying the plaintiffs — Steven Carlson, Mary Granzow, Richard Kettells, and William Ramsey — the right to equal participation in the nomination process.

The suit suggests a judge prevent several attorneys of the current judicial nominating commission from contributing to the selection process, citing that citizens who are not lawyers do not have a fair chance to participate in the nominations.

Justices Marsha Ternus, David Baker, and Michael Streit were voted out in last month’s retention election after a campaign to remove justices who supported same-sex marriage.

— by Hayley Bruce