1.32.080 Campaign/political activities.
Councilmembers, board members and employees shall have the right to vote and to express their opinions on all political subjects and candidates and to hold any political office or participate in the management of a partisan, political campaign. Councilmembers, board members and employees shall further have the right to participate fully in campaigns relating to constitutional amendments, referendums, initiatives, and issues of a similar character, and for nonpartisan offices. However, the said rights shall be reasonably restricted as follows:
A. No Councilmember, board member or employee shall use, or authorize the use of, any public facilities for the purpose of assisting the campaign of a candidate or the promotion or opposition of a ballot proposition;
B. No employee who may reasonably be expected to come into contact with the public shall wear or display any campaign buttons or campaign literature during City business hours;
C. No employee shall, directly or indirectly, campaign or assist any campaign during City work hours;
D. Any Councilmember, board member or employee hosting or participating in fund raising activities, and other campaign activities, shall make clear that the Councilmember, board member or employee does not represent the City, and that the City does not endorse any particular candidate or position, unless the City has lawfully taken action of endorsement;
E. No Councilmember, board member or employee shall attempt to obtain political contributions from any employees by promise of, or threat of, disciplinary action, unusual treatment or preferential treatment.
Employees may participate in the political process only on their own time, and only outside of the workplace by working on campaigns for the elections of any person to any office, or for the promotion of or the opposition to any ballot proposition, and shall not use or authorize the use of the facilities of the City for such purposes except as may be authorized by law under the provisions of RCW 42.17A.555. [Ord. 27 § 8, 1996.]