No person may use government personnel, equipment, materials, or an office building in an election campaign. The provisions of this subsection do not apply to a public official's use of an official residence. This section does not prohibit government personnel, where not otherwise prohibited, from participating in election campaigns on their own time and on non-governmental premises No person may use government personnel, equipment, materials, or an office building in an election campaign. The provisions of this subsection do not apply to a public official's use of an official residence. This section does not prohibit the incidental use of time and materials for preparation of a newsletter reporting activities of the body of which a public official is a member.
Public employees are, thus, restricted from utilizing government resources in an election campaign.
The State Ethics Commission has advised in prior opinions that public employees may campaign for public office when done on their own time without utilizing public materials and equipment. The Commission also calls attention to other provisions of the Ethics Reform Act. No public official, candidate, public employee, or committee may accept or collect campaign contributions on the grounds of or in any building which houses the official residence of a statewide officer. Provided that a public employee abides by the above-quoted provisions, the State Ethics Commission knows of no reason why a public employee could not participate in the political process in endorsing candidates, serving on a candidate's campaign committee, soliciting campaign contributions, and writing candidate support letters.