§ 1-2.2. Political activity restricted.

Every employee has a civic responsibility to support good government by every available means and in every appropriate manner. Each employee may join or affiliate with organizations of a partisan or political nature, may attend political meetings, may advocate and support the principles or policies of political organizations in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the State of North Carolina and in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the United States of America. However, no employee will:

(1)

Engage in any partisan or political activity while on duty;

(2)

Use his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election or a nomination for office;

(3)

Be required as a duty of his office of employment or as a condition for employment, promotion, or tenure of office to contribute funds for political or partisan purposes;

(4)

Coerce or compel contributions for political or partisan purposes;

(5)

Use any supplies or equipment of the county for political or partisan purposes.

County employees in certain federally aided programs may be covered by the Hatch Act, as amended in 1975 (see section 7).

This federal act, in addition to prohibiting (2), (3), and (4) above, also prohibits candidacy for elective office in a partisan election.