A Nevada judge has told multiple felons that President Donald Trump "could use your vote" in 2020 if they meet all their probation requirements and have their voting rights restored.
Clark County District Court Judge Susan Johnson previously told at least three felons they would be able to cast a ballot for Trump if they are able meet all of their probation requirements. The Nevada Independent reported in October that Johnson made the comments during at least two hearings in July. The local news organization released another report on Friday uncovering a third instance of the judge's comments from August.
Johnson acknowledged the comments after the initial report in October, saying they were meant as a joke to put probationers "at ease," and she apologized for "offending anyone," according to the Nevada Independent.
In the August case, Johnson accepted a plea deal from defendant Monique Fresquez, who was in court for a sentence hearing for a felony charge of attempting to obtain and use another person’s identification. The judge outlined the necessary steps Fresquez would need to follow to complete her parole. The list included "obtaining a high school diploma or GED, abstention from alcohol and drug use and full time employment or a minimum weekly community service."
As a reward for fulfilling the requirements, Johnson said all Fresquez's rights would be restored and she would have the ability to vote for Trump.
"What I’m hoping is that you will do everything you’re supposed to do so that you can get all of your civil rights, your liberties, restored to you," Johnson said. "Okay? So if you do everything I tell you to do, you will have your civil rights restored in about three years. You’ll be able to vote for Mr. Trump, I’m sure he could use your vote."
Johnson responded to the Independent's initial report in October, saying she has since revised how she presents the material to defendants.
In a statement, Johnson said that the comments about Trump were "intended to serve as an example of what the restoration of civil rights means."
"It was meant to be informational only and was, in no way, intended as an endorsement of any candidate," she said in an email. "I have since revised how I present the information so there is no misinterpretation."
Joel Mann, an attorney for one of the defendants, said in an earlier email he did not think Johnson's comments were a joke and he was "shocked" by what he heard.
Nevada has a judicial code of conduct that includes provisions designed to prevent judges from engaging in political behavior from the bench, according to the Independent.
One provision says judges cannot "publicly endorse or oppose a candidate for any public office." The code also says justices cannot express "words or conduct manifest bias or prejudice, or engage in harassment" based on several factors including "political affiliation."
In Nevada, district court is a nonpartisan office, and Johnson’s party affiliation is considered confidential. Other than donations to her own campaign, Johnson’s sole political donation was $500 made to a political action committee registered to Dave McKeon, a former Clark County Republican Party chairman and current Republican candidate for Congress.
Nevada law prohibits people convicted of a violent felony from voting unless they receive court permission to have their rights restored. The law also allows for other felons to have their civil rights—including the right to vote—be automatically restored upon release from prison or successful discharge from probation or parole.