Political Activities Notice

University of Oregon employees are considered public employees and political activity is governed by established statutes and policy.

Required Notification

Oregon law prohibits the use of public funds, equipment, and supplies to advocate for or against a ballot measure or candidate and restricts what public employees (which include University of Oregon employees) may do in support of or opposition to a ballot measure or candidate.

ORS 260.432 (3) requires employees to receive the following notification:

ATTENTION ALL PUBLIC EMPLOYEES:

The restrictions imposed by the law of the State of Oregon on your political activities are that “No public employee shall solicit any money, influence, service or other thing of value or otherwise promote or oppose any political committee or promote or oppose the nomination or election of a candidate, the gathering of signatures on an initiative, referendum or recall petition, the adoption of a measure or the recall of a public office holder while on the job during working hours. However, this section does not restrict the right of a public employee to express personal political views.”

It is, therefore, the policy of the state and of your public employer that you may engage in political activity except to the extent prohibited by state law when on the job during working hours.

The University of Oregon's policy on political activities is available for review in the policy library:

Policy Number V.11.01--Political Activities

Employee Guidance

Oregon law prohibits the use of public funds, equipment, and supplies to advocate for or against a candidate or ballot measure. It also restricts what public employees, which include University of Oregon employees, may do in support of or opposition to a candidate or ballot measure. 

Public employees on their work time may NOT:

  • collect funds, distribute campaign materials, or prepare correspondence on behalf of a political committee, candidate, or ballot measure;
  • produce, copy, or distribute documents that advocate for or against a candidate or ballot measure;
  • post website information, transmit emails, or make a presentation that advocates for or against a candidate or ballot measure; 
  • make outgoing calls to schedule or organize campaign events or other activity that advocates for or against a candidate or ballot measure;
  • encourage others to volunteer for a partisan political committee or efforts related to a candidate or ballot measure;
  • place posters that advocate for or against a candidate or ballot measure in a public work space or facing out on doors or windows;
  • distribute flyers that advocate for or against a candidate or ballot measure.

Public employees MAY:

  • engage in non-partisan activities that promote political participation, such as voter registration drives;
  • express their views on issues facing our community that are not on the ballot;
  • use personal time, lunch hours, breaks, and days off for partisan political activity;
  • express personal political views;
  • wear campaign buttons at work;
  • provide balanced, objective information on ballot measures;
  • impartially advise other public employees about possible effects of a ballot measure;
  • use personal time and personal equipment to write letters in their personal capacity expressing an opinion on a ballot measure or candidate.

This law also applies to ASUO. Members of student government may not use student fees or any public money to promote or oppose candidates or the adoption of ballot measures including signature collection, with the limited exception that they may make statements or issue resolutions that promote or oppose political initiatives, referendums, or ballot measures.

For further clarification or questions, please contact Human Resources at hrinfo@uoregon.edu.