Judges can’t have candidate signs

CARSON CITY -- A judicial ethics commission says Nevada judges may not display political signs of other candidates at their homes.

In response to a question from an unidentified justice of the peace, the Standing Committee on Judicial Ethics and Election Practices decided Thursday that displaying political yard signs is contrary to judicial ethics.

Under an ethics rule, a judge or judicial candidate cannot publicly endorse or oppose any candidates for public offices. Displaying a political sign "constitutes an impermissible endorsement of candidates for public office," according to the ruling.

The ruling also states judges may not place a political sign for any other candidate on any property they own if it is readily known in the community that it is their property.

In response to another election-related question, the commission said judges may not help a city advisory group that is drawing up language for a ballot question on taxes.

Because a tax question does not involve the legal system or the administration of justice, a judge's participation would be prohibited by the judicial canons, according to the decision.