Can City Workers Campaign for Ballot Issues?

[Grace O'Malley]

I have heard that the city Human Resources Dept. has asked city workers to distribute literature and campaign for issues 57. 58. and 59.

I was wondering if this is kosher. Are city workers allowed to do this? Should they be asked to do this?

Even if it is technically legal, is it right? What if you don't share the same views on the issue and your employer asks you to campaign for the issue?

Maybe someone can explain this to me to see it in a different light, because my first instincts are that it is just not quite appropriate.

[Jeff Endress]

Grace

It's okay for a city worker to distribute campaign literature, provided that they do so on their own time and are not required to do so as a condition of employment.

I'm sure that in areas where funding is concerned (levies, etc.) employees are advised of possible impacts if levies are defeated, including employment issues. A worker whose job is dependent upon the passage of a levy is more likely to be motivated to campaign for the issue.
They may then choose to distribute literature to avoid potential job impact.

But as long as they do it on their own time, and voluntarily, it isn't a problem.....

Jeff

[Mary McGraw]

Jeff is correct.

It was made clear to the City employees that participation was entirely voluntary, and would be on their own time. These are non-partisan issues which were the result of the report of the Charter Review Commission. These issues have received the endorsement of many civic groups, such as the City Council and Chamber of Commerce.


Mary McGraw
(Assistant Law Director, City of Lakewood)