Opinion 26-36

March 26, 2026

Facts/Issue:    May a full-time judge swear in new board members for a not-for-profit electrical contractors’ association?  The judge is not in his/her window period for election or re-election to judicial office.

Discussion:     A judge need not be in his/her window period to attend a non-political event sponsored by a trade association.  Indeed, we have said a judge may attend a realtors’ association convention to administer the oath of office to a friend who was becoming the president of the association.  Here, too, as long as the event is a not a fund-raiser, it is permissible for the judge to attend and perform this function.

Conclusion:     A full-time judge may swear in new board members for a contractors’ association, assuming the event is neither a political gathering nor a fund-raiser.

Authorities:    Opinions 89-145; 22-57.