06-16-2015 Advisory Ballot MeasuresAdvisory Ballot Measures
and the Use of Public
Facilities
November 2015 Election
•
Use of Public Facilities in Campaigns
• RCW 42.17A.555 prohibits the use of public facilities
for the purpose of assisting or opposing any ballot
proposition, which includes advisory ballot measures
• Applies to City officials, City employees, and the
public
• No public comment regarding ballot issues will be
permitted until after the November general election
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Public Disclosure Commission
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6/16/2015
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Exceptions to Prohibitions
• Action taken at an open public meeting to:
• Express a collective decision; or
• Vote upon a motion, proposal, resolution, order, or
ordinance; or
• To support or oppose a ballot proposition
• Requires notice of the meeting, including the title and
number of the ballot proposition; r��d
• Requires an equal opportunity for the expression of an
opposing view
Where does this leave us?
• No discussion regarding ballot propositions will be
allowed unless both proper meeting notice and equal
opportunity for the pros and cons to discuss the topic
are provided
• The City does not authorize the use of public facilities,
including the public comment period, for prohibited
purposes
6/16/2015
2
`��'-
Public Disclosure Commission
... As you know, RCW 4z.17A.555 prohibits public
officials and employees from using or authorizing the
use of public facilities to assist a candidate's campaign,
or to promote or oppose a ballot proposition. The open
public meetings of local government agencies are public
facilities. as is the public comment period at those
meetings. Therefore. no public official or employee may
use or authorize the use of an open public meeting to
assist a candidate's campaign. or to promote or oppose a
ballot proposition... .
Exceptions to Prohibitions
• Action taken at an open public meeting to:
• Express a collective decision; or
• Vote upon a motion, proposal, resolution, order, or
ordinance; or
• To support or oppose a ballot proposition
• Requires notice of the meeting, including the title and
number of the ballot proposition; r��d
• Requires an equal opportunity for the expression of an
opposing view
Where does this leave us?
• No discussion regarding ballot propositions will be
allowed unless both proper meeting notice and equal
opportunity for the pros and cons to discuss the topic
are provided
• The City does not authorize the use of public facilities,
including the public comment period, for prohibited
purposes
6/16/2015
2