SB 477 - Non-elected public employees may vote and may express their opinions as private citizens but may not otherwise participate in political campaigns. A public employee cannot use his official position to influence the outcome of an election. This limitation extends to providing political information or literature, allowing political discussions, and soliciting or discouraging participation by any employee or any person with an issue pending before the employee's agency.

An employee who violates this act shall be terminated from employment. A violation is a class three election offense, punishable by a term in jail of up to one year and a fine of up to $2,500. Individual taxpayers have standing to seek enforcement of this act following any election in which a violation is alleged to have occurred.
TOM MORTON