The theme of Law Day this year, “Voices of Democracy,” emphasizes the importance of turning out to vote in the upcoming elections and implores voters to express their views and aspirations for the path our nation will take in the coming years. As citizens, we have the duty and privilege to shape the future at the ballot box, by paying attention to current events and making our voices heard on public issues, and through involvement with our communities in various paths of service.

As a judge, I can only encourage everyone to inform themselves, be engaged citizens, and vote in all elections. Judges, and the courts, have a strictly limited role in any form of politics. We are, of course, called upon to adjudicate election disputes at every level, as a last resort—from assessing designating petitions or eligibility to reviewing actual votes cast—and political players and parties of our government do appear before us. When these matters arise, as in any case, our neutrality and impartiality must be beyond reproach.