The California Judges Association originally fought the move by the Fair Political Practices Commission to post the documents online.

They argued that sensitive information on the forms such as a spouse's address or property ownership could jeopardize their safety.

The FPPC says judicial candidates can now request a redaction of personal information.

Chair Ann Ravel says the public's ability to access financial information is more important.

RAVEL: "When people have their cases heard before a judge, the judge must be impartial, which is not to say that receiving a campaign contribution makes them not impartial, but at least the people who are having their cases heard have a right to know."