Election Dos and Don'ts

As staff members of a public school district, there are guidelines to follow surrounding elections and during referendum campaigns, with specific things they may or may not do.

Minnesota political campaign laws are very clear that NO SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNDS can be used to promote a "yes" or "no" vote for a bond, or for an individual candidate or position. The school district may use funds to provide factual information so that voters can make an informed choice.

The district’s role is to INFORM citizens - not to advocate for a particular vote.

All referendum informational materials prepared or distributed with the use of school district funds must be approved by the Communications Office. The goal of a district’s informational campaign is to keep residents informed and provide accurate information in a neutral manner.

Employees MAY:

• Answer factual questions about the issues
• Express a personal opinion about issues when asked
• Volunteer to work with a citizen’s committee during non-work hours, including hosting neighborhood meetings and/or writing editorials or letters to the editor
• Contribute personal funds to a campaign
• Wear personal symbols of expression (ie. buttons, shirts, etc.) as long as they comply with other district policies
• Display campaign signs and posters on personal property (home, cars, etc.)
• Speak at public meetings or attend campaign events during non-working hours. Participation in such activities during regular working hours requires use of personal or vacation time
• Teachers may discuss with students or parents the political process or election issues to the extent such discussion is directly related to the curriculum
• Support good citizenship by encouraging eligible voters to vote 

Employees MAY NOT:

• Tell others to vote YES or NO while working
• Use school/classroom newsletters, staff mailboxes, or district e-mail to promote a YES or NO vote or advocate for a candidate or position
• Voice an unsolicited opinion on the issue
• Conduct volunteer campaign duties during the regular workday
• Contribute school district funds, supplies or equipment to a campaign
• Display campaign posters or signs on school property
• Participate in campaign activities during the regular work day
• Use school-collected, nonpublic information (ie. classroom lists or contact information that only a staff member would have access to)
• Teachers may not discuss with students campaign issues or advocate a position unrelated to the curriculum
• Teachers may not use any type of grading incentive to encourage or require voting or political activity

For any additional questions, call the Communications Office at 651-351-8320.