CANON 7 - An Administrative Law Judge Shall Refrain from Political Activity Inappropriate to the Judicial Office.

COMMENTARY - Canon 7.

Further language of prohibition such as found in other codes of ethics was not included in this section because it is considered to be inappropriately and unnecessarily more restrictive than North Dakota law applicable to administrative law judges as state employees. Section 44-08-19 of the North Dakota Century Code governs the political activity of public employees. For purposes of this Code, section 44-08-19 applies to full-time administrative law judges employed by the office of administrative hearings and to temporary, contract administrative law judges. However, temporary contract judges are not state employees, and section 44-08-19 applies to them only while they are engaged in the performance of their duties as a judge.