ASU OGC: Briefing Papers | Political Activity Fact Sheet

ASU Office of General Counsel--Section Title:
Briefing Papers

POLITICAL ACTIVITY FACT SHEET

Introduction

With limited exceptions,⁽¹⁾ you do not give up any of your constitutional rights to participate in the political process by virtue of becoming an employee of Arizona State University.

ASU, through the Arizona Board of Regents, is funded in significant part by state appropriations. As a faculty or staff member of ASU, you are provided with office space, and support services (e.g., computers, printers, telephones, voice mail, fax machines, photocopy machines, e-mail accounts, intra-campus mail services, fleet management, paper, ink, envelops, pens, etc.) to perform your job efficiently and effectively. This property, equipment and supplies are all owned by and/or considered to be "University property." ARS § 15-1633 prohibits the use of university personnel and resources to influence the outcome of elections. This briefing paper has been prepared to provide guidelines on your rights and responsibilities as an employee of a publicly funded state university when you wish to participate in political activity.⁽²⁾

A simple way to distinguish permissible activities from prohibited activities is to refrain from engaging in political activity on University time or with University resources and/or property. Political activities should be conducted on your own personal time and with your own personal resources.

Permissible Activities

Join the political party of your choice
Vote in any municipal, special district, school, county, state or federal election
Circulate and sign candidate nomination or recall petitions, ballot initiatives or referenda (only in permissible University areas)
Make contributions to candidates, political parties or campaign committees
Solicit contributions on behalf of candidates
Express an opinion; display badges, buttons & bumper stickers
Attend meetings for the purpose of becoming informed about candidates for public office or about political issues

Prohibited Activities

Express use of the University's name or implied endorsement by the University of a particular candidate, e.g., you cannot use:

You cannot state (orally or in writing) that you are speaking for or on behalf of ASU
University property, equipment or supplies, e.g., you cannot use:

ARS § 39-121 et seq.

)

University Time: you cannot engage in political activities during your regularly assigned work hours.
Hold a state senate or house of representative seat (unless faculty member or academic professional who has primary responsibility for course instruction)(other university employees can run and if elected, must resign their university position)

The following policies and resources may be applicable and should be reviewed in appropriate circumstances.

I Arizona Revised Statutes

II Arizona Board of Regents Policies

III ASU Policies

Faculty

Staff

Students

IV ASU Resources

Office of the Registrar
IT - E-Mail Use Policy
University Mail Services

1. Arizona Constitution, article IV, part 2, § 5 prohibits employees of the State of Arizona from serving in the state legislature unless employed as a teacher or instructor in the public school system. Accordingly, faculty may hold a state legislative office; however, academic professionals (except those who are course instructors), service professionals and classified staff members cannot serve unless they resign their university position.

2. This summary does not address the permissible scope of activities of (a) lobbyists on behalf of ASU, (b) affiliated entities of ASU (e.g., Arizona State University Foundation, Arizona State University Alumni Association), or (c) students enrolled at ASU.