The Daily Bulletin

With local primary and general elections being held this year, now is a good time to review the state ethics rules regarding political activities.

Volunteering for Political Campaigns

State employees may volunteer for political campaigns as long as they follow the state ethics laws. Under Civil Service Law § 107, state offices may not be used for soliciting or collecting any political contributions. State officers and employees, and prospective employees, may not be questioned or asked about their political affiliation, whether they made any political contributions, or how they voted. No person can use their official state position to coerce, intimidate, or influence other state officers or employees for any political purpose, action, or contribution, or to interfere with any election.

The following political activities would violate the Code of Ethics in POL § 74:

·    Circulating a candidate’s nominating or designating petition within your office;

·    Printing or copying campaign materials using a work printer/copier;

·    Using your work computer (laptop or office) to produce campaign literature of any kind, including in support of or in opposition to a candidate or a ballot question; or

·    Using state internet connections or accounts to forward e-mail messages received from an electoral campaign, or someone supporting or opposing a candidate or ballot initiative, or to send campaign emails.

Volunteering to be a poll worker as a state employee

Are you planning to serve as a poll worker this election season? You may be able to! However, remember that a state officer or employee is not permitted to engage in any outside employment or professional activity that is in substantial conflict with their job.

·    If you are not a designated policymaker, then your agency’s rules and procedures will apply to your outside activities.

·    If you are a policymaker, then your agency’s rules and procedures, as well as COELIG’s regulations, will apply to your outside activities.

If you are unsure, check with your agency’s Ethics Officer, Jamie Warnes, AVP of Human Resource Management (warnesje@buffalostate.edu), before signing up.

Learn more about outside activities on the Commission's website or the Buffalo State University Ethics website.