ARTICLE 5.    CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT                    EFFECTIVE DATE:  05/04/98
RULE 502.       POLITICAL ACTIVITY                                        REVISED DATE:

A.    GENERAL: Arizona Supreme Court Order 97-41, signed by Chief Justice Thomas A. Zlaket, 
        provides direction and guidance to Judicial employees pertaining to political activity. This Order, and 
        the policy of the Superior Court in Mohave County, are directed at ensuring that the administration of 
        justice remains free of partisan and other political consideration by maintaining the neutrality of the 
        Judiciary on political matters. Where political activities are allowed under this Rule, they must be carried 
        out in such a manner as not to give the impression that the Judiciary itself endorses political candidates 
        or supports political causes, except when assigned to do so regarding measures to improve the law, 
        legal system or the administration of justice. Employees who exercise their rights to political activity 
        and expression must maintain neutrality in appearance and action when performing their duties on behalf 
        of the Judiciary.

        1.    Register and vote in any election.

        2.    Express their opinion as an individual privately and publicly.

        3.    Display a political picture, sticker, bag or button.

        4.    Participate in the non-partisan activities of a civic community, social or professional organization.

        5     Be a member of a political party or other political organization and participate in its activities to 
               the extent consistent with law and this Rule.

        6.    Attend a political party convention, fundraising function, caucus or similar gathering of a political 
               party in support of or in opposition to a partisan candidate for public office or political party office.

        7.    Sign a political petition as an individual.

        8.    Make a financial contribution to a political candidate, party or organization. Contributions to a 
               Judge's or Clerk of Superior Court's election or re-election efforts may only be made through 
               such Judge's or Clerk of Superior Court's campaign committee.

        9.    Be politically active in connection with a question which is not specifically identified with a 
               political party such as constitutional amendment, referendum approval of a municipal ordinance 
               or any other question or issue of a similar character.

        10.  Serve as an election judge or clerk or in a similar position to perform non-partisan duties as 
               prescribed by state or local law.

C.    CANDIDACY FOR OFFICE - PARTISAN:

                a.    the employee is authorized to take an unpaid leave of absence;

                b.    the leave of absence begins prior to any public declaration of intention to seek office, 
                       including the filing of campaign papers;

                c.    the leave of absence further begins prior to any fundraising for the employee's campaign;

                d.    the employee publicly discloses that they are on a leave of absence from the Court; and

                e.    if elected, the employee resigns from Court employment prior to assuming office.

D.    CANDIDACY FOR OFFICE - NON-PARTISAN:

        1.    Judicial employees may be candidates for non-partisan elective office without taking an unpaid 
                leave of absence from Court employment if:

                a.    the employee first seeks permission from the Presiding Judge;

                b.    the Presiding Judge determines that the office sought is consistent with Judicial employment; 
                       and

                c.    the employee otherwise complies with this Rule.

E.    PROHIBITED POLITICAL ACTIVITY:

        2.    Use their official authority or position, directly or indirectly, to influence or attempt to influence any 
               other employee to become a member of any political organization or to take part in any political 
               activity.

        3.    Employees may not be required by supervisory personnel or elected officials to participate in 
               political activities or donate funds for any political purpose.

        4.    Employees shall not be discriminated against, nor discriminate against other employees, for reasons 
               of permitted political activity or political party affiliation or association.

        5.    Use any political endorsement in connection with any appointment to a position in the Judicial 
               service.

F.    QUESTIONS: