Opinion 14-123

October 14, 2014

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

Dear   :

         This responds to your inquiry (14-123) asking whether you may publicly advocate for the passage of a constitutional amendment regarding legislative redistricting and whether you may serve as a moderator for a program on the redistricting amendment.

         The Committee has previously advised that a judge may not serve on a panel that will discuss the principles of legislative redistricting and the governing law, because this topic is “inherently political and highly controversial.” Accordingly, you may not publicly advocate for a particular change in the redistricting process, and you may not serve as a moderator for a program discussing this issue.

         Enclosed, for your convenience, is Opinion 10-133 which addresses this issue.

                                       Very truly yours,

George D. Marlow, Assoc. Justice

Appellate Division, First Dept. (Ret.)

Committee Chair

Enc.