12.1-12-04. Trading in public office and political endorsement

12.1-12-04. Trading in public office and political endorsement 1. A person is guilty of a class A misdemeanor if he solicits, accepts, or agrees to accept, or offers, gives, or agrees to give, a thing of pecuniary value as consideration for approval or disapproval by a public servant or party official of a person for: a. Appointment, employment, advancement, or retention as a public servant; or b. Designation or nomination as a candidate for elective office. 2. In this section: a. "Approval" includes recommendation, failure to disapprove, or any other manifestation of favor or acquiescence. b. "Disapproval" includes failure to approve or any other manifestation of disfavor or nonacquiescence. c. "Party official" means a person who holds a position or office in a political party, whether by election, appointment, or otherwise. 3. Any appointment of a public servant made in violation of this section is void, but any official action taken by the appointee prior to conviction under this section is valid.