PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
An Act To Prohibit Public Endorsement of Candidates for Office by County Employees and Elected Officials
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  30-A MRSA §5-A  is enacted to read:
§ 5-A. Endorsement of candidates for political office
A county officer or a county official may not advocate expressly for the election or defeat of a candidate for a federal or constitutional office or of a candidate for a partisan elective municipal, county or state office, including leadership positions in the Senate and the House of Representatives, or solicit contributions reportable under Title 21-A, chapter 13. For purposes of this section, "county officer" and "county official" do not include appointed county officers or appointed county officials.
Sec. 2.  30-A MRSA §505  is enacted to read:
§ 505. Political activity
 
1.  Political activity.     A county employee may not engage in political activity:
 
A.  When the employee is on duty;
 
B.  In county-owned or county-leased work space while the employee is occupied in the discharge of official duties or by using the facilities or services of the county; or
 
C.  When wearing a uniform or official insignia identifying the office or position of the employee or while using a vehicle owned or leased by the county or its agencies.
 
As used in this subsection, "political activity" means to advocate expressly for the election or defeat of a candidate for a federal or constitutional office or of a candidate for partisan elective municipal, county or state office, including leadership positions in the Senate and the House of Representatives, or to solicit contributions reportable under Title 21-A, chapter 13.
 
SUMMARY
This bill prohibits elected county officers, elected county officials and county employees from advocating expressly for the election or defeat of a candidate for a federal or constitutional office or of a candidate for partisan elective municipal, county or state office. The bill also prohibits elected county officers, elected county officials and county employees from soliciting contributions for a political campaign.