County Commission | The Magazine April 2018 | Page 19

Political Activities of
County Employees
Generally Speaking
Ala. Code § 17-1-4 specifically authorizes county employees to
participate in political activities, but it does place certain restrictions on
persons seeking political office. However, it is a crime to use public time or
property for the political activities. Ala. Code § 17-17-5.
Under § 17-1-4, no county employee shall be denied the right to
participate in political activities to the same extent as any other
citizen of the State of Alabama, including:
• Endorsing candidates and contributing to campaigns.
• Joining local political clubs and organizations and state or national
political parties.
• Publicly supporting issues and petitions in support of referendums.
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If you are a county employee who is not also a candidate…
Ala. Code § 17-17-5 (see full text on page 21) specifically prohibits
government employees from using any government time or
property for political activities. That section also states that, "Any
[government employee] shall be on approved leave to engage in
political action or the person shall be on personal time before or after work
and on holidays.”
For example – It is OK to place a candidate’s campaign sticker on your
personal vehicle that you drive to and from work. The campaign sticker
cannot be attached to a county vehicle
or pinned to a bulletin board in your
county office.

Section 17-17-5 also
prohibits any solicitation of
contributions or coercion
regarding political campaigns
on subordinate employees.
Any person violating § 17-
17-5 is guilty of the crime of
trading in public office found
at Ala. Code § 13A-10-63.
• This offense is a Class A
misdemeanor, punishable by
imprisonment of not more than
one year and a fine of $6,000.
COUNTY COMMISSION | 19