Highlights
NEW!  Kentucky Courier-Journal editorial highlights the value of judicial campaign oversight committees in the shadow of recent Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling allowing judges to affiliate themselves with political parties.
NEW!  Operating Effective Judicial Campaign Oversight Committees Resource Center

The National Ad Hoc Committee announces the release of its new web-based Resource Center for new and existing judicial campaign oversight committees.  The Resource Center is based on the Ad Hoc Committee's cumulative work, and is designed to:

  • Assess the needs for an oversight committee; 
  • Establish a mission statement and bylaws;
  • Develop communication strategies and outreach plans
  • Connect more effectively with candidates and the public;
  • Manage and monitor campaign activity during election years; and
  • Plan for continuing operations in non-election years.

The  Resource Center includes the following features:

jcc-resource-center-bullet Video excerpts from presentations and panel discussions at the most recent National Workshop on Effective Judicial Campaign Oversight Committees;
jcc-resource-center-bullet Interviews with leaders of judicial campaign oversight committees across the country;
jcc-resource-center-bullet Updated materials and guidance generated from the latest edition of the Ad Hoc Committee's How-to-Handbook on effective judicial campaign oversight committees; and
jcc-resource-center-bullet New resources, sample documents and planning tools based on common and effective practices for oversight committees. Visit the Resource Center »

Judicial Campaign Ads Online
Revised Advice on QuestionnairesMuch of the reason that judicial campaigns have become "nosier, nastier, and costlier" is the result of increased reliance and use of TV ads by candidate and most especially by third-party groups. This collection of ads obtained from You Tube in recent appellate court races is a sample of what is airing throughout the United States every election cycle.
See the ads »

Revised Advice on Questionnaires
Revised Advice on QuestionnairesA few recommendations include: 1. Do not be rushed in deciding how to handle the questionnaire. 2. Never use the pre-printed answers provided on the questionnaire. 3. Consider responding with a letter 4. Never use a judicial Canon to justify a decision not to respond. 5. Distinguish general-interest, non-advocacy groups from special interest advocacy groups—and be consistent. Read more »

Workshop on Effective Judicial Campaign Oversight Committees
2008 Workshop on Effective Judicial Campaign Oversight CommitteesThe third in a series of national workshops designed to help facilitate the creation and ongoing efforts of oversight committees. The 2008 Workshop included sessions on Oversight Committees in the 2006 Elections, Getting the Message Out, Election Year Activities, and a Primer on Legal Issues Related to Judicial Campaigns. In addition, the Workshop introduced a timely new feature on Judicial Campaign Monitoring on the Web available by video and PowerPoint (.pdf, 256kb). Read more »

Campaign Oversight Committees and the Challenge of Perpetuating Ethical Judicial Elections
Campaign Oversight Committees and the Challenge of Perpetuating Ethical Judicial ElectionsA Justice System Journal article by David Rottman considers the potential contribution that judicial campaign oversight committees can make to maintaining ethical conduct during judicial elections. There is renewed interest in oversight committees because most are...
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Effective Judicial Campaign Committees: A How-To Handbook
Effective Judicial Campaign Committees: A How-To Handbook The Handbook is an introduction, a primer for those with an interest in establishing a new committee or rejuvenating an existing one. The contents draw upon lessons learned by state and local oversight committees that exist in nineteen states. The Handbook is designed for use by concerned citizens, lawyers and non-lawyers alike.
Read more »
Copyright © 2010 The National Center for State Courts | Phone (800) 616-6109 | Fax (757) 564-2064 | jccc@ncsc.org

The National Ad Hoc Advisory Committee was established by the National Center for State Courts to enhance the quality of judicial campaigns and candidate behavior by encouraging the establishment of and supporting the work of judicial campaign conduct committees. The committee's efforts are funded, in part, by the Open Society Institute.