XXXV § 4 Sua Sponte Action
Part K: Judicial Campaign Oversight Committee | Rule XXXV: Judicial Campaign Oversight Committee
Rule Text
The Committee may only review and investigate campaign conduct which falls within its oversight jurisdiction, as defined in Section 3, in the absence of the filing of a campaign conduct complaint, provided two-thirds of the Committee members vote in favor of conducting such an investigation. The Committee may issue a public statement relative to campaign conduct which is not the subject of a written complaint, provided at least eight members determine clear and convincing evidence exists that a violation has occurred, and the respondent candidate has been given notice and an opportunity to respond. [amended effective July 1, 2008]
Court Commentary
In its role as a resource for candidates, the Committee also would have the authority to "preview" judicial campaign advertisements to be run by a judicial candidate, when asked to do so by that candidate.
Following review and investigation, it is envisioned that the Committee would vote as to whether it should issue a public statement pertaining to conduct it finds to be unethical.