Rule 3341-5-24 | Political activity.
(A) Policy statement and purpose
To set out the university policy governing the circumstances when a university employee may hold political office, engage in partisan political activity, use university time, property and equipment for political activity, and participate in other activities of a political nature.
(B) Policy
Whether a faculty or administrative staff member may hold a non-university elected or appointed position is dependent upon the compatibility of the two positions involved. Positions are considered incompatible when any of the following situations exist: one position is subordinate to or in any way a check upon the other; time or energies are taken from the duties of the university position; or some specific constitutional or statutory bar exists precluding a person from serving in both positions. If the offices are compatible in these respects, then a faculty member or administrative staff member may engage in such activity.
(1) The rules regarding political activity for classified staff are different: Section 124.57 of the Revised Code prohibits classified staff members from engaging in partisan political activity. "Political activity" and "politics" refer to partisan activities, campaigns, and elections involving primaries, partisan ballots and partisan candidates.
(2) Classified staff members may: register and vote; express opinions, either oral or in writing; volunteer financial contributions to political candidates or organizations; circulate nonpartisan petitions or petitions stating views on legislation; attend political rallies; sign nominating petitions in support of individuals; display political materials at home or on private property; wear political badges or buttons, or display political stickers on private vehicles; and serve as a precinct election official.
(3) Classified staff members may not: declare a candidacy or be a candidate for public office in a partisan election; declare a candidacy for or be a candidate for public office in a nonpartisan primary or through the circulation of nominating petitions identified with a political party; file petitions meeting statutory requirements for partisan candidacy to elective office; circulate official nominating petitions for any candidate participating in a partisan election; serve in an elected or appointed office in any partisan political organization; accept a party-sponsored appointment to any office normally filled by partisan election; campaign by writing for publications, by distributing political materials, or by writing and making speeches on behalf of a candidate for partisan elective office, when such activities are directed toward party success; solicit either directly, or indirectly, any assessment, contribution or subscription, either monetary or in-kind, for any political candidate or political party; solicit the sale of or actual selling of political party tickets; engage in partisan activities at the election polls such as soliciting votes for other nonpartisan candidates and nonpartisan issues; serve as a recorder, checker, watcher, challenger, judge or board of election poll worker for any party or partisan committee; participate in political caucuses of a partisan nature; participate in a political action committee, which supports partisan activity.
(4) The chief of human resources is available for consultation about employee participation in political activity.
Date: January 1, 2014
Supplemental Information
Amplifies: 3345