Amendment 3 would hand an outgoing governor the power to fill vacancies on the Supreme Court and other appellate courts when the terms of justices or judges end at the same time as that governor's. Supporters contend the amendment is needed to prevent a "constitutional crisis" that could arise over which chief executive — the outgoing or the incoming one — holds the power. They insist that confusion in the state constitution over the issue could lead to a legal battle that prolongs judicial vacancies and paralyzes the court system in the meantime.