PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR BOND ISSUE TO
BUILD CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER

QUESTION: May a judge actively support and campaign for voter approval of a bond issue to build a criminal justice center by speaking at civic clubs, writing letters, and preparing documentary material in support of the bond issue?

ANSWER: Yes, with certain limitations. Canon 3 provides that judicial duties of a judge shall take precedence over all other activities. Thus, judicial duties should take precedence over campaigning for a bond issue to build a new criminal justice center.

Other limitations are set out in Opinion No. 82 (1986). Because the question in Opinion 82 is so similar to the question asked in this opinion, the Committee reiterates the answer it gave in Opinion 82 and reproduces that answer below.