Circulating a Petition
A judge needs to determine if it is allowable to circulate a petition for a candidate.
Can the judge circulate the petition?
- Yes
- Allowable. Although the rules prohibit a judge from publicly endorsing a candidate through the news media or in campaign literature, NMRA 21-700 (A)(3)(b), a judge may engage in the political process as a private citizen and may privately express views on a candidate. See Advisory Opinion 96-01 of the Advisory Committee of the Code of Judicial Conduct, issued January 26, 1996. The judge may not, however, circulate the petition during normal business hours of the court, use court facilities or supplies, or solicit signatures while the judge is performing judicial duties or otherwise acting in an official capacity.
- No
- Her decision. Although the rules prohibit a judge from publicly endorsing a candidate through the news media or in campaign literature, NMRA 21-700 (A)(3)(b), a judge may engage in the political process as a private citizen and may privately express views on a candidate. See Advisory Opinion 96-01 of the Advisory Committee of the Code of Judicial Conduct, issued January 26, 1996. The judge may not, however, circulate the petition during normal business hours of the court, use court facilities or supplies, or solicit signatures while the judge is performing judicial duties or otherwise acting in an official capacity.