Judicial Campaign Request Ban Questioned by Top U.S. Court
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U.S. Supreme Court justices cast doubt on state laws that ban judicial candidates from personally soliciting campaign contributions in a case that tests the balance between free speech and judicial integrity.
The justices heard arguments Tuesday in an appeal from Lanell Williams-Yulee, a former Florida state judicial candidate who was disciplined by the state bar association after signing a mass-mail fundraising letter. Florida is one of 30 states that bar judicial candidates from making personal solicitations. Almost 40 states have judicial elections in some form.