Ohio Supreme Court Rules of Judicial Conduct amendments

Taking action in response to the decision by the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals last month in Carey v. Wolnitzek that struck down similar rules in Kentucky, the Ohio Supreme Court has amended portions of two of its Rules of Judicial Conduct governing disclosure of political party affiliation and solicitations of campaign contributions by judicial candidates.

The Court’s announcement, yesterday, said in the "Comment portion" of revised Rule 4.2, the Justices adopted language urging judicial candidates to minimize references to their party affiliation in campaign materials, while revised Rule 4.4 contains an explanation of the continued need for a prohibition on the personal solicitation or receipt of campaign contributions.

The amendments became effective today
.
Text of Amendments