Does your committee only operate in election years?  Most judicial campaign oversight committees historically have.  This is often mandated in bylaws or operating rules, statute, or even funding streams. Many committees, however, are now recognizing the need to operate in "off-election" years as well.  The contentious political environment in which judicial elections are increasingly held – even for nonpartisan races and merit retention elections - as well as the growing influx of special-interest dollars and sophisticated campaign tactics make a compelling argument that there really is no such thing as on “off-year” anymore.  Operating in “off-election” years can serve significant purposes, and benefit the committee’s efforts in election years.  Consider the following:

1. Monitoring campaign ads is a year-round proposition.  The Web never sleeps. Campaigning via the Web starts earlier.  Take for example, a 2008 North Carolina Court of Appeals race where one candidate started campaigning ONE YEAR prior to the elections.
2. Countering the “Speech Police” label needs to start early.  Advance public relations work with the media, editorial boards and candidates can help offset claims later during the heat of the election season that the committee is merely being the “speech police.”  
3. There may not be true “off-election” years in your state. Most states have staggered judicial election cycles, meaning that in any given year candidates for judicial office are running. In 2006, 21 states had contested Supreme Court races or retention elections. In 2007/2008, 30 states had such races. Even in years where no one is on the ballot, would-be candidates are actively gathering money and support. Committees, or coalitions that committees participate in, can create or host forums to discuss recent judicial elections and campaigning.
4. Election cycle “post-mortems” provide valuable opportunities to strengthen committee accountability and visibility. Committees can benefit from reviewing and responding to “lessons learned” during the elections.  They can craft more effective policies and procedures to address criticisms and remedy shortcomings related to committee composition, communication strategies, response mechanisms, etc.  The committee can also develop and make publicly available a final report and balanced analysis of the committee's activities and capacities.  

If your committee operates in “off-election” years, what kind of activities does it engage in?