Judge blocks rule barring judge’s party link

October 29, 2014

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A federal judge has blocked a Kentucky law barring judicial candidates from disclosing their party affiliations to voters.

U.S. District Judge Amul Thapar on Wednesday found that the rule violates the First Amendment to the constitution. Thapar’s ruling comes less than a week before voters across the state will vote on state Supreme Court judges and other jurists down the ballot.

The ruling came in a lawsuit brought by two northern Kentucky men — one currently a judicial candidate in Campbell County and the other a former candidate in Kenton County.

The state’s canons of judicial ethics ban candidates from the bench from disclosing an affiliation with either party.

Thapar, an appointee of President George W. Bush, issued the temporary restraining order after concluding the rule is vague.