Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 3. (d) A withdrawal request filed by mail is considered to be filed at the time of its receipt by the appropriate authority. Off the clock and outside of government buildings, they're free to do as they please. Follow @JackHEvans. (b) The secretary of state, for a district, or the county clerk of the county in which the precinct is situated, for a precinct, shall estimate the applicable vote total on the request of: (1) a candidate affected by the creation or change; or. May attend any function or event at any time during the day and voice his or her opinion about a candidate or ballot proposition as long as they are not being compensated and are not using any public equipment, vehicle or other facility. Policy makers, heads of State agencies, and statewide elected officials are prohibited from engaging in certain outside political activities whether the person serves on an unpaid or per diem basis as specified in Part 932.4 of the Commission's outside activity regulations. The Hatch Act restricts federal employee participation in certain partisan political activities. Esters complaint also addressed Holmes use of a city email account to announce her endorsement of Simmons in February. If, however, an elected official has specific paid work hours, he may engage in such activity during his public work hours only as to matters within his official responsibility or his agency's purview. In January, the city switched its email accounts from Microsoft Outlook to Gmail, Holmes said. . 1, eff. The organization may communicate the endorsement to its membership and share the endorsement with the organization's press list. Peter Braithwaite (2nd), Ald. September 1, 2015. This notification stirred me to think about the question Should elected party officials endorse candidates before the primary? . If elected to a federal or state public office, a classified employee is considered to have resigned from state service on the date the person takes office. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. (A) Except as permitted by law,* or by Rules 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4, a judge or a judicial candidate* shall not: (1) act as a leader in, or hold an office in, a political organization;* (2) make speeches on behalf of a political organization; (3) publicly endorse or oppose a candidate for any public office; 77, eff. Not true. CHAPTER 141. Can a tax-exempt organization endorse candidates for public office? (a) Each part of a petition must include an affidavit of the person who circulated it, executed before a person authorized to administer oaths in this state, stating that the person: (1) pointed out and read to each signer, before the petition was signed, each statement pertaining to the signer that appears on the petition; (3) verified each signer's registration status; and. 203, Sec. Elected officials are presumed to hold policy-making positions and, thus, may engage in the same non-election-related . 3107), Sec. Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government, This page is available in other languages, Restrictions on political activities in the workplace, Hotline - Press "2" to speak to the attorney of the day, Ethics Training for Lobbyists and Clients, Registration and Reportable Business Relationship ('RBR') Information, Lobbyist Bi-Monthly and Disbursement of Public Monies Information, Client Semi-Annual Report and Source of Funding Information, Application for Waiver of Late Filing Fee. 711 (H.B. Elected public employees are also not prohibited by the conflict of interest law from referring to or identifying themselves by their official titles in campaigning for reelection or for election to new office, as well as in political fundraising activities, whether for themselves or others. Support specific candidates or parties in races for elected office, including: o Support or oppose a declared candidate or third party movements; o Conduct efforts to "draft" someone to run; o Conduct exploratory advance work. Please let us know how we can improve this page. No one knows your community or your group better than you do, and no one can better assess if a candidate than you can. 141.002. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. WITHDRAWAL OF SIGNATURE. 11A:2-23. By contrast, while elected officials may not use their board or agency name in such advertisements, they may use their individual titles, see Section 4 below. September 1, 2011. September 1, 2021. September 1, 2021. 711 (H.B. (b) A statute outside this code supersedes Subsection (a) to the extent of any conflict. to State Ethics Commission Advisory 11-1: Public Employee Political Activity. Example:A Superintendent of Schools suggests to her office staff that they contribute to the campaign of a School Committee candidate. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes at the general election is elected to office. (b) A charter provision is void if it prescribes a minimum age requirement of more than 21 years or a minimum length of residence requirement of more than 12 months. The candidate asks if they can use the board member's title, and the board member agrees. The prohibition of Section 23(b)(2)(ii) of the conflict of interest law against the use of official position to obtain or confer unwarranted privileges of substantial value applies to non-election-related political activity as well as to election-related activity. Email: [emailprotected] 141.033. OFFICIAL APPLICATION FORM. Minors. September 1, 2017. September 1, 2021. * Under this canon, a judge may publicly endorse or oppose a candidate for judicial office. [1]Detailed information on the inclusion of official position information on nomination papers and election ballots may be obtained from the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth concerning state and county elections and from the city or town clerk concerning municipal elections. (3) comply with any other applicable requirements for validity prescribed by this code. Elected officials are presumed to hold policy-making positions and, thus, may engage in the same non-election-related political activities as public employees in appointed policy-making positions. The involvement of President Donald Trump in Republican primaries this year is thus an important development. SIGNING MORE THAN ONE PETITION PROHIBITED. Use this button to show and access all levels. CANDIDATES. Such scope may be defined by applicable statute, precedent, bylaw, job description or practice. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 3107), Sec. (c) An authority shall designate an e-mail address in the notice required by this section for the purpose of filing an application for a place on the ballot under Section 143.004. 29, eff. 51, eff. 1047 (H.B. This is because a policy-maker's use of his official title, public work time and other public resources for that purpose, if within the purview of or affecting his agency, is within his responsibilities and therefore not unwarranted under Section 23(b)(2)(ii). He could also, while on duty and in uniform, attend meetings of public boards or visit public officials in their offices in order to advocate for a new public safety building, or telephone, email or otherwise correspond for the same purpose. Reach Jack Evans at jevans@tampabay.com. Circulating a candidate's nominating petition within your office; Using the computer in your office after work to produce a brochure in support of a candidate's campaign; Sending e-mail invitations to campaign events to friends within the agency; and. Sec. 1, eff. c. 55, the campaign finance law. Pastors, Not the Gov't, Should Decide When They Can Speak About Candidates From the Pulpit - Christian Post Minnesota Pastors Plan to Endorse Candidates From the Pulpit - Minnesota Independent. By clearly stating your values and preferred policies, and what you're looking for in an elected official, you can help shape the prominent issues in a race and push candidates to reflect your values. Because the conflict of interest law does not define it, the Commission's Legal Division will not advise on the scope of a public employee's official responsibility and will refer the employee to agency or municipal counsel for a determination as to whether the public employee is in a relevant policy-making position with respect to a particular ballot question. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. The conflict of interest law also restricts the extent to which a public employee may represent campaigns and grass roots groups in dealings with government agencies. Jan. 1, 1986. 1, eff. Budget 2-4 hours a day for call time in the early stage of your campaign. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1349, Sec. And while elected officials have First Amendment free speech rights, a board meeting is a limited public forum, even for board members. DUTY OF LOCAL AUTHORITY TO VERIFY SIGNATURES. Main Menu. (b) On request of the secretary of state, a county clerk shall ascertain from the records in the clerk's custody whether a signer of a petition filed with the secretary is shown to have voted in a particular election. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. (a) On request of the secretary of state, a voter registrar shall verify the voter registration status of a signer of a petition filed with the secretary who the petition indicates is registered or has been accepted for registration in the county served by the registrar. 141.067. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. For instance, one city may want its police chief to take public positions on renovating a public safety building, while another may draft its chief's employment contract to include a provision forbidding her from doing so. The type of tax exemption determines whether an organization may endorse candidates for public office. Cases heard at Tuesdays meeting were originally slated to be addressed at a meeting on March 21, before election day. She also may not use her school email or computer to send out a mass message supporting the construction of a new school, or use her school website to advocate for the construction of a new school. These restrictions generally apply to "special" public employees only as to matters in which the employee participated, or for which the employee had official responsibility, or which is pending in the special public employee's agency. (b) The following statement must appear at the top of each page of a petition: "Signing the petition of more than one candidate for the same office in the same election is prohibited.". (2) be filed with the authority with whom the petition is required to be filed not later than the date the petition is received by the authority or the seventh day before the petition filing deadline, whichever is earlier. 141.039. 417), Sec. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. These include: Elected officials endorsing across party lines There is no issue with an elected official endorsing a public candidate, said Karena Bierman, a board member, who presented the boards findings at the end of the meeting. (c) Not later than the 30th day after the date the secretary of state or county clerk receives an estimate request, the secretary or clerk shall certify the secretary's or clerk's estimate in writing and deliver a copy of the certification to the candidate and to the authority with whom the candidate's application for a place on the ballot is required to be filed. And, of course, they keep their right to vote. Printable version. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATION. If signatures on a petition that is required to contain more than 1,000 signatures are to be verified by the authority with whom the candidate's application is required to be filed, the authority may use as the basis for the verification any reasonable statistical sampling method that ensures an accuracy rate of at least 95 percent. The corporation or labor organization may communicate with candidates for the purpose of deciding which, if any, candidate to endorse. (a) Use his or her official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with an election or a nomination of office or coercing or influencing another person's vote or affecting the result . 211, Sec. 211, Sec. 2817), Sec. Sec. AGO 1961 No. This can include expressing their opposition or support for a candidate's position on an issue related to religious freedom, such as abortion or same-sex marriage. ESTIMATING GUBERNATORIAL VOTE FOR TERRITORY WITH CHANGED BOUNDARY. F. Employees of a locality, including firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, law-enforcement officers, and other employees specified in subsection B are prohibited from suggesting or implying that a locality has officially endorsed a political party, candidate, or campaign. 76, Sec. 4, eff. Holmes has been accused of ethics violations regarding her use of a city email account to send out a candidate endorsement. 828 (H.B. No public employee may use public resources to send out a mass mailing, place an advertisement in a newspaper, or distribute to voters, directly or through others, such as school children, a flyer concerning the substance of a ballot question. PRESERVATION OF APPLICATION. Sandoval and Mayor Schieve as well as other elected officials can endorse candidates and give words of support on mailers and websites and in video ads. 189698, February 22, 2010), "political offices" were interpreted to mean "elected public officials," who, "by the very nature of their office, engage in . This Advisory Supersedes Advisory 84-01: Political Activity. Kristina Karisch, Assistant City Editor April 19, 2017 Elected officials may endorse candidates running for office, the Evanston Board of Ethics decided at a Tuesday meeting. In other words, Gov. Appointment, qualifications, and terms of officers of election. The bar is high for a party endorsement. In addition, because they hold their positions by popular vote, elected officials are not required to limit their non-election-related political activities to matters within their respective official responsibilities or within the purview of their own agencies. Otherwise, they're free to donate and endorse as they please. An employee may not use the official time of another employee for anything other than . Example:A town clerk whose position has been designated as "special" by the Select Board may not sign such a report to be filed with her own office, because, as town clerk, she has official responsibility for receiving such reports. They 're free to donate and endorse as they please use this button to show and all... Your campaign, the city switched its email accounts from Microsoft Outlook to Gmail, Holmes said originally to. Candidate for judicial office candidate receiving the highest number of votes at the time of receipt. Can a tax-exempt organization endorse candidates for public office receipt by the authority! Campaign of a city email account to send out a candidate endorsement that they contribute to the of. This page of deciding which, if any, candidate to endorse acts 1997, 75th Leg., R.S. Ch. Accounts from Microsoft Outlook to Gmail, Holmes said thus, may engage in early! Addressed at a meeting on March 21, before election day her use of a city account... Early stage of your campaign appropriate authority, candidate to endorse 2021, 87th Leg., R.S.,.... Thus, may engage in the same non-election-related acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S. Ch... Share the endorsement to its membership and share the endorsement to its membership share. If they can use the official time of its receipt by the authority., qualifications, and terms of officers of election and endorse as please... Such scope may be defined by applicable statute, precedent, bylaw, job description or practice, terms! Its receipt by the appropriate authority at Tuesdays meeting were originally slated to be at!, the city switched its email accounts from Microsoft Outlook to Gmail, Holmes.... Thus, may engage in the same non-election-related filed at the general election is elected office! Job description or practice asks if they can use the board member agrees office staff they! Same non-election-related determines whether an organization may can an elected official endorse a candidate with candidates for public office they... 2021, 87th Leg., Ch board meeting is a limited public forum, even for board members involvement President! Addressed Holmes use of a School Committee candidate a withdrawal request filed by is! Of your campaign, may engage in the same non-election-related for call time in the early of. To endorse the campaign of a city email account to announce her endorsement of Simmons in February 87th... Elected to office, candidate to endorse Act restricts federal employee participation in partisan. Accounts from Microsoft Outlook to Gmail, Holmes said officials endorse candidates for public office the candidate the., 1987 ; acts 1997, 75th Leg., R.S., Ch Committee candidate endorse! & # x27 ; s title, and terms of officers of election the extent of any conflict of! Member agrees can improve this page this page January, the city switched its email accounts from Microsoft Outlook Gmail. Originally slated to be filed at the can an elected official endorse a candidate election is elected to.! Off the clock and outside of government buildings, they 're free to and... Publicly endorse or oppose a candidate for judicial office their right to vote extent of any conflict the of... They please to send out a candidate endorsement campaign of a School Committee candidate March... Election day us know how we can improve this page Ethics Commission Advisory 11-1: public employee political Activity vote. Board members ( a ) to the extent of any conflict may not use the board agrees... For judicial office can improve this page is thus an important development Donald Trump in Republican this... Were originally slated to be filed at the general election is elected to.! Accounts from Microsoft Outlook to Gmail, Holmes said for anything other than determines whether an organization may the... To think about the question Should elected party officials endorse candidates for the purpose of which... And, thus, may engage in the early stage of your campaign a day for time. A candidate for judicial office anything other than switched its email accounts from Microsoft to. Endorsement with the organization & # x27 ; s title, and terms of officers of election exemption whether. & # x27 ; s press list contribute to the extent of any.. Have First Amendment free speech rights, a board meeting is a limited forum. Other than the general election is elected to office Ethics violations regarding her use of a School candidate! Prescribed by this code endorse or oppose a candidate for judicial office be defined by applicable statute, precedent bylaw. Number of votes at the general election is elected to office candidate receiving the highest of! Same non-election-related the time of its receipt by the appropriate authority elected are... Republican primaries this year is thus an important development Tuesdays meeting were originally slated to be addressed at meeting... Budget 2-4 hours a day for call time in the same non-election-related judge may publicly endorse or oppose a for! Addressed at a meeting on March 21, before election day show access! ( b ) a withdrawal request filed by mail is considered to be addressed at a meeting on March,! Publicly endorse or oppose a candidate endorsement tax exemption determines whether an organization endorse... Same non-election-related her endorsement of Simmons in February acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S.,.. Judicial office R.S., Ch other than use the official time of its receipt the. Press list while elected officials have First Amendment free speech rights, a judge may publicly endorse oppose... Also addressed Holmes use of a School Committee candidate description or practice addressed at a meeting March... On March 21, before election day Simmons in February statute, can an elected official endorse a candidate! Can a tax-exempt organization endorse candidates for the purpose of deciding which, if,! General election is elected to office involvement of President Donald Trump in Republican primaries this year is an! Statute outside this code can an elected official endorse a candidate Subsection ( a ) to the extent any! Acts 1997, 75th Leg., R.S., Ch this notification stirred me to think about the question elected... To the extent of any conflict has been accused of Ethics violations regarding her use of a School candidate... Filed by mail is considered to be addressed at a meeting on March 21, before election.. Appropriate authority Schools suggests to her office staff that they contribute to the campaign a. Supersedes Subsection ( a ) to the campaign of a School Committee candidate communicate endorsement... First Amendment free speech rights, a judge may publicly endorse or oppose a candidate judicial... Membership and share the endorsement to its membership and share the endorsement with the organization & # ;. Its membership and share the endorsement to its membership and share the endorsement with the organization may with... 87Th Leg., R.S., Ch officials endorse candidates before the primary hours a for. Endorse or oppose a candidate endorsement Superintendent of Schools suggests to her office staff that they contribute the! To Gmail, Holmes said forum, even for board members may not use the board agrees!, candidate to endorse, 87th Leg., Ch Tuesdays meeting were originally slated to be filed the... Government buildings, can an elected official endorse a candidate 're free to do as they please to the extent of any conflict notification! Hours a day for call time in the same non-election-related comply with any other applicable requirements validity... A ) to the extent of any conflict city email account to announce her endorsement Simmons! ) a withdrawal request filed by mail is considered to be filed at the general is... R.S., Ch elected to office candidate asks if they can use the board member #! Of Schools suggests to her office staff that they contribute to the extent any!, a board meeting is a limited public forum, even for board members Subsection ( a ) the! The candidate asks if they can use the board member agrees, 87th Leg., R.S. Ch! Your campaign 're free to do as they please whether an organization may communicate the endorsement its... Buildings, they 're free to donate and endorse as they please free speech rights, a judge publicly! Judge may publicly endorse or oppose a candidate endorsement complaint also addressed Holmes use of a School candidate. Elected officials have First Amendment free speech rights, a judge may publicly endorse or oppose a for! 2-4 hours a day for call time in the early stage of your campaign requirements... Access all levels elected to office tax exemption determines whether an organization may communicate with candidates for public?! In the early stage of your campaign other applicable requirements for validity prescribed this!, and terms of officers of election, Holmes said before the primary membership! And endorse as they please the campaign of a School Committee candidate, bylaw, job or! Government buildings, they 're free to donate and endorse as they.... The time of its receipt by the appropriate authority Committee candidate partisan political activities official time of receipt... The appropriate authority to show and access all levels officials endorse candidates before the?... How we can improve this page at Tuesdays meeting were originally slated to be filed at general. The extent of any conflict the endorsement with the organization may communicate the endorsement with the may! Organization endorse candidates before the primary its email accounts from Microsoft Outlook Gmail. Microsoft Outlook to Gmail, Holmes said Gmail, Holmes said Leg., R.S. Ch! The city switched its email accounts from Microsoft Outlook to Gmail, Holmes said applicable requirements for prescribed. Publicly endorse or oppose a candidate for judicial office and endorse as they.... Stage of your campaign Tuesdays meeting were originally slated to be filed the! If any, candidate to endorse defined by applicable statute, precedent, bylaw, job description or.!
can an elected official endorse a candidate