Policies & Guidelines Related to U.S. Elections

This page provides information to help everyone in our campus community — students, faculty and staff — understand the policies and guidelines that are in place regarding campaigning, electioneering and other political activities. 

Towson University values and supports the expression and exchange of ideas and encourages its students, faculty and staff to exercise their rights and privileges by participating in the political process. At the same time, the university does not condone behavior that violates the freedoms of speech, choice, assembly or movement of individuals or organizations. Responsible dissent and dialogue carries with it a sensitivity for the rights of others. 

To help ensure that all federal, state, University System of Maryland, and Towson University requirements are followed, current policies and guidelines are listed below. 

Campaigning 

While University employees may freely participate in any political activity and express any political opinion as a private citizen, University employees, including student employees, are expected to observe the following rules with respect to participation in national, state or local political activities: 

• TU employees may not engage in political activity while on the job during working hours. Employees who are poll workers need to contact Leave Benefits at leavebenefits AT_TOWSON for time sheet instructions and documentation requirements.

• TU employees are not allowed to use the university’s name, facilities, equipment, listservs, IT services, office supplies, social media handles or other resources to endorse or oppose a candidate for political office or engage in any other political activity. 

• TU employees are not allowed to use any of the university’s trademarks, images, or logos on stationery or other documents intended for political purposes, including soliciting campaign contributions or conducting a political campaign.

• TU employees who endorse or oppose a candidate for political office must make it clear to their audience that they are speaking as individuals and not stating a university position.

• In keeping with laws protecting the free expression of political ideas, employees may wear political campaign attire while working. 

May	May Not
Campaign for a candidate or political issue on personal time in your capacity as a private citizen	Campaign for a candidate or political issue at work, during working hours, or in your official capacity as a TU employee
Contribute or volunteer for a political candidate or campaign using personal funds and on personal time	Use the University’s name, trademarks, images, facilities, equipment, listservs, IT services, social media handles or other resources for political purposes
Have campaign or political signs at your private residence or in your individual office space at work	Post political campaign signs, stickers, or other materials in University buildings, hallways, or anywhere on campus including on University property (e.g., University issued laptops, tablets, etc.)
Have political bumper stickers or messages on your personal vehicle that you drive to work	Have political bumper stickers or messages on university owned vehicles at any time
Wear passive political campaign attire (buttons, shirts, etc.) to work	Distribute flyers or otherwise actively campaign or advocate for a political candidate or issue on the job during work hours

Additional Considerations

Collegiality and respect are two bedrock principles of working and learning at TU, and the University expects all members of the community to act at all times with those principles in mind.

Employees who choose to engage in passive political messaging at work and during work hours should be aware that other colleagues or students may hold different political view than their own, which may create an uncomfortable situation for other employees or students with whom they engage as part of their essential duties.

Employees who choose to engage in passive political messaging at work must take special care to ensure their passive political messaging does not cross the line into active advocacy for a particular political candidate or issue.

Electioneering 

South Campus Pavilion serves as the polling location at Towson University. The university supports legally-permissible electioneering in the vicinity of the polling place during early voting and on election day. University signs at the Auburn North and Auburn South entrances outline candidate and political signage placement guidelines. Signage located in any unauthorized location can be removed or relocated by the university. 

State Ethics Commission Guidelines 

Maryland’s State Ethics Commission Guidelines for state employees, including University System of Maryland and Towson University employees, are provided as guidance for participation in political campaigns or political activities that take place outside normal work hours and at places other than the job location. These guidelines govern the behavior of all State employees. A violation of any of these principles may result in disciplinary action and possibly termination from State employment. 

State Rules and Voter Information 

The State Board of Elections provides rules and information for voters before voting, while voting, after voting as well as other rules and information. The State Board of Elections also provides an option to report dis/misinformation on social media platforms. 

Additional Resources

Towson University provides opportunities for students, faculty and staff to express and deliberate issues of civic concern beyond the election.  

The Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity and the Division of Student Affairs offer trainings for students, faculty and staff to develop and enhance our community’s ability to engage in dialogue and restorative conversations. Visit the Dialogue@TU, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit, and Restorative Practices Steering Committee pages to learn about training opportunities. 

Freedom Square is a haven for freedom of expression and speech, in addition to encouraging an atmosphere of critical thinking and debate. 

The Safe Activism page provides guidance on lawful protests and counter-protests in accordance with university policy. 

The Freedom of Expression TU Pocket Guide provides guidance for approved expressive activities at Freedom Square. 

The Resources for Civil Discourse page shares policies, offices and resources that support active engagement, dialogue and civil discourse on campus – during election season and beyond.