It may not be conscious on his part, but Spokane County Superior Court Judge Robert Austin is ending his judicial career in a way that should set an example for others.

He will serve out the term to which voters elected him, and then he will step down.

That way, his successor, whoever it is, will take office the same way Austin did 20 years ago, by competing with others for a vacant position.

It’s that simple. As mundane as it sounds, too many judges in this state step down in the middle of their terms.

They run for a commitment that’s supposed to last four years but quit after two so partisan politicians, rather than voters, can decide who will replace them.

The county commissioners and governors who render those choices may do so honorably, but it would be naïve to think that political allegiance never enters the decision.

And since judicial offices are purposely nonpartisan, party considerations should have no place in the selection.

And those midterm appointments tend to be lasting, because a judge with a couple of years of incumbency has an imposing advantage over prospective challengers. Sitting judges commonly run unopposed.

As retired Superior Court Judge Paul Bastine did four years ago, Austin has honored the voters in two ways.

He served out the full four years they gave him on the bench, and he is letting them decide who will sit there next.