Healthy political discussion is a foundation of our democracy and an essential component of our robust university community.

As a university community, we strive to uphold and respect freedom of speech and academic freedom for all students, faculty, and staff. In doing so, we also must abide by state law, which prohibits the use of state resources to support or oppose candidates for public office or public ballot measures.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind WSU employees of how they can exercise these important rights in the context of political activities. WSU employees may campaign and engage in political activities on their own time, provided they do not use state resources and do make it clear they are not speaking on behalf of WSU.

The Office of the Attorney General issued a memorandum recently that provides helpful examples of activities permissible or prohibited by Washington state laws.

For example, departments and student organizations may sponsor candidate or issue forums on campus in which each candidate or side is granted the opportunity to present their views. Registered student organizations may also invite candidates or political speakers to campus, provided they have complied with facility scheduling requirements.

Things that employees may not do include:

• Soliciting signatures or raising funds for ballot propositions or candidates during work hours.
• Campaigning on public property, except property that is a recognized “neutral forum” open to the public. WSU has designated limited public forum areas which WSU employees may use outside of work hours to the same extent as other citizens.
• Using a WSU-owned computer or device, or WSU email account to support a ballot item.
• Forwarding campaign-related emails using a WSU email address.
• Distributing, on work time or using WSU resources, press clippings or articles that would tend to support or oppose a candidate for public office, a ballot initiative, or a referendum while an election or initiative is pending before the voters.
• Using an official WSU title in connection with an election campaign.
• Linking on a WSU website to a web page that contains political advocacy.
• Wearing campaign buttons or shirts displaying political signs at work while interacting with the public, or students. Or, wearing WSU apparel or gear while speaking publicly in support of, or opposition to, a candidate or an issue.

Please refer to the resources below for further details regarding political activities on campus:

https://news.wsu.edu/announcement/political-activity/ for additional information
Office of Internal Audit for guidance to individuals: (509) 335-5336
Office of the Attorney General for guidance to departments: (509) 335-2636
WSU Faculty Manual
Office for Equal Opportunity
WSU Teaching Academy (offers individualized consultations to the teaching community)