Political Activities

The Department is a nonpartisan entity and its employees are prohibited from using their official positions or Department resources to engage in political activities or support candidates for public office.

Employees are encouraged to exercise their right to register and vote, and may be given time off to do so as provided in W. Va. Code '3-1-42. There are; however, certain types of political activities prohibited for state employees. These restrictions protect employees from political pressure in the performance of their jobs.

There are NO restrictions on the following political activities:

$ Voting

$ Expressing opinions as private citizens

$ Attending political rallies as spectators

$ Lawful, voluntary political contributions

Examples of PROHIBITED political activities for state employees are listed below. The restrictions listed represent only a partial list of the major political activities which are prohibited for state employees. Please call the Department=s Legal Office for clarification on any particular questions or for additional information regarding political activities or the definition of public office.

$ Be a candidate for any national, state or local paid public office or court of record

$ Hold any public office or be a member of any political party committee whether paid or unpaid

$ Be a delegate to any state or national political party or convention OR be a member of any national, state or local committee of a political party

$ Serve as a Ballot Commissioner or election worker inside a polling place

$ Sell tickets to a political event to employees

$ Serve as a campaign treasurer or financial agent