Section 12.1-12-04 - Trading in public office and political endorsement1. 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; orb. 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.