Can a judicial officer sign nominating petitions for other candidates? Would the answer change if the judicial officer were running for election in the same year also?
Common sense would seem to tell you that a judicial officer could sign the nominating petition for another candidate, such as a neighbor or friend. Common sense would also seem to suggest the judicial officer could do that whether or not he or she were a candidate. Signing a nominating petition is a basic First Amendment right. It does not mean that the judicial officer is endorsing the candidate. It only means that the judicial officer, who happens to also be a voter, is signing the petition so the individual can have an opportunity to get on the ballot for the primary election.
