HomeMy WebLinkAboutCORRESPONDENCE - GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE - CAMPAIGN MATERIALS IN CITY FACILITIES-.1 ......... . — .y .....-u-, rayu I
From:
John Fischbach
To.
All GroupWise Users
Date:
10/28/02 4 49PM
Subject,
Campaign Materials in City Facilities
Dear Fellow Employees
Several departments have contacted the City Clerk's Office recently with questions about the placement
of election campaign materials (brochures, signs, etc ) in City facilities or on City property Section
2 1 B 3 of the Administrative Policies provides that "City facilities and equipment may not be used to
influence the passage or defeat of ballot issues, or to promote candidates for political office " This policy
applies to all City facilities, with the exception of portions of those facilities that are available for
reservation or rent, such as portions of the Lincoln Center
Display of Campaign Materials
Under this administrative policy, City employees should remove any election campaign materials they
may discover in brochure racks, posted on bulletin boards, etc , as well as any signs that have been
placed on City property In addition, any requests to place campaign materials in City facilities or on City
property should be denied, except for materials displayed by private entities who have reserved or rented
City facilities for election -related events If any such election -related events do occur in reserved or
rented rooms, campaign materials should be restricted to the confines of the reserved or rented areas,
and they should be displayed in these rooms only for the duration of the event
Campaign "Demonstrations"
Portions of City facilities that are routinely used by the public, such as sidewalks or lobby areas, may be
places to which the public is entitled to free use for expressive activities, including campaign activities
This means, for example, that the public may use such areas to distribute campaign materials or to carry
placards urging support of, or opposition to, candidates or ballot measures However, these locations
should be used for such activities only in a manner that is consistent with any applicable requirements for
their use (such as the Special Events permit requirement) In addition, the City may restrict some public
activities in order so that they are conducted in a time, place and manner that do not interfere with the
City's intended use of the facility
Any questions regarding the application of this policy should be directed to the City Attorney's Office
Thank you
John F Fischbach