Ezel / Ethics Opinions / JUDICIAL-IL

Could an Illinois judge campaigning for election also serve as an unpaid deputy voter registrar?

Short answer No. The Committee found the campaign-linked role inconsistent with former Rule 67C and the Election Code and concluded that the Illinois Constitution barred all judges from holding the registrar office.
Bar
JUDICIAL-IL
Issued
November 10, 1998

Apply this to your situation

This page answers the general question as of 1998. Ask about yours and see what the current rules of professional conduct in your state say for your facts, with citations.

Disclaimer: Advisory only. Not binding precedent.
About this page: The plain-English summary, reader guidance, and Q&A below were written by Ezel based on the official ethics opinion. The original opinion (linked on this page) is the authoritative source for any reliance.

Plain-English summary

A campaigning judge proposed becoming an unpaid deputy voter registrar to register people met while canvassing door to door.

The Committee concluded that using registration work to advance the judge’s candidacy was political activity barred by former Rule 67C. It also found that electioneering during registrar duties conflicted with 10 ILCS 5/6-50.2.

Separately, the Committee read article VI, section 13(b) of the Illinois Constitution to bar any judge from holding the registrar office, whether or not campaigning.

Currency note

This opinion was issued in 1998 under the 1993 Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct. The Committee’s page says that Code was superseded on January 1, 2023, and does not assess the effect of the 2023 Code. Treat this page as historical context and verify the current Code before relying on its analysis.

Common questions

Q: Did lack of compensation permit the role?

A: No. The Committee still treated the registrar position as an office.

Q: Did the constitutional conclusion cover judges who were not candidates?

A: Yes. The opinion expressly said it covered all judges.

Q: Why did campaigning matter under Rule 67C?

A: The planned registration work was intended to promote the judge’s own election.

Background and rules framework

The Committee applied former Illinois Supreme Court Rule 67C, the Illinois Election Code, and article VI, section 13(b) of the Illinois Constitution. It cited the registrar oath in 10 ILCS 5/6-50.2.

Citations and references

  • Illinois Supreme Court Rule 67C.
  • 10 ILCS 5/6-50.2; Illinois Constitution, art. VI, § 13(b).

See also

Source

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