STATE OF WASHINGTON
ETHICS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
OPINION NO. 91-20

Question
     Is it proper for a judicial officer to publicly support a referendum
to stop salary increases approved by the Washington Citizens Commission on
Salaries for Elected Officials?
     Is it proper for a judicial officer to sign a referendum to stop
increases approved by the Salary Commission?

Answer
     The Code of Judicial Conduct Canons 4(A) and 7(A)(4) permit a judicial
officer to speak on matters concerning the administration of justice.
Therefore, a judicial officer may speak only in support of or against a
referendum to stop salary increases for judges.
     A judicial officer may not sign a referendum to stop salary increases
approved by the Salary Commission because the referendum involves the
salary increases for members of the executive, legislative and judicial
branches of government which amounts to political activities that are
prohibited by CJC Canon 7(A)(4).