CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE related to regulation of political campaigns; amending Section 2.04.300 of the Seattle Municipal Code to clarify proper uses of public office facilities for political purposes; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
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WHEREAS it is in the interest of the City of Seattle to ensure that no elected official be allowed to use taxpayer funded staff and resources to coordinate and assist their election campaigns; and
WHEREAS Seattle's ethics and elections codes are often cited as national models for upholding public trust and faith in the conduct of government employees and elected officials; and
WHEREAS the current election code is unclear on what is and is not an indirect use of City resources as it relates to political campaign activities; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 2.04.300 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 117308, is amended as follows:
2.04.300 Prohibition against use of public office facilities in campaigns((.))
No elected official nor any employee of ((his or her))an elected official's office nor any person appointed to or employed by any public office or agency may use or authorize the use of any of the facilities of a public office or agency, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of assisting a campaign for election of any person to any office or for the promotion of or opposition to any ballot proposition.
No elected official, nor the official's agent, shall engage in activities for the purpose of assisting a campaign for election of any person to any office or for the promotion of or opposition to any ballot proposition at, or adjacent to, any official city public event that is organized by that elected official or any employee of the official's office. Activities for the purpose of assisting a campaign for election of any person to a...
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