NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Bar Association is asking its members to rate three Supreme Court justices who are subject to a retention election this year.

The poll asks members of the bar whether they recommend Chief Justice Gary Wade, Justice Cornelia Clark and Justice Sharon Lee for retention.

Polling is by secret ballot. Results will be released in mid-June.

According to a news release from the TBA, the bar is conducting the poll because it believes lawyers are uniquely qualified to provide an informed opinion about whether a justice should be retained.

The three justices already were recommended for retention by the state's Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission, but prominent conservatives have targeted Wade, Clark and Lee for removal this August. All three were appointed by former Gov. Phil Bredesen, a Democrat.