Featured Inquiry (10/05/09)

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Question:

May a county elected official make a statement in support of a ballot proposition and identify his position if there is no use of county facilities?

Answer:

Yes. See the Public Disclosure Commission Interpretation entitled "Guidelines for Local Government Agencies in Election Campaigns," revised May 31, 2006. It contains a list of permitted and prohibited activities. The pertinent question for this purpose is set out as follows:

Permitted activities for local government elected officials:

May engage in political activities on his or her own time, if no public equipment, vehicle or facility is used. (An elected official may use his or her title, but should clarify that he/she is speaking on his/her own behalf, and not on behalf of the agency. If the elected legislative body has adopted a resolution, the official can then speak on behalf of the agency).