Article 10.

Inappropriate Political Activity.

§ 126A-10-1.  Appropriate political activity of employees.

(a) Each employee retains all the rights and obligations of citizenship provided in the Constitution and laws of the State and the Constitution and laws of the United States. Employees subject to this Article shall not do any of the following:

(1) Take any active part in managing a campaign, campaign for political office, or otherwise engage in political activity while on duty or within any period of time during which he or she is expected to perform services for which he or she receives compensation from the State.

(2) Otherwise use the authority of their position, or utilize State funds, supplies, or vehicles to secure support for or oppose any candidate, party, or issue in an election involving candidates for office or party nominations, or affect the results thereof.

(b) No agency head or other employee exercising supervisory authority shall make, issue, or enforce any rule or policy the effect of which is to interfere with the right of any employee as an individual to engage in political activity while not on duty or at times during which he or she is not performing services for which he or she receives compensation from the State. An employee who is or may be expected to perform his or her duties on a 24 hour per day basis shall not be prevented from engaging in political activity except during regularly scheduled working hours or at other times when actually performing the duties of office. The willful violation of this section shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor.  (2026-40, s. 1.)