Public agencies play an important and ongoing role in contributing to the public’s information on important issues, including ballot measures.

When it comes to issues that either may be or are on the ballot, there are two areas of law that bear on public agency communication activities:

• One is a body of case law that says what public agencies may and may not do to communicate their views on ballot measures with public resources.
• The other area of law relates to campaign restrictions and transparency requirements under the state’s Political Reform Act.

Two pieces offered at right explain these laws in more detail. 

1. One is a handy plain-language pamphlet defining the parameters for local officials. 
2. The other is a more detailed question-and-answer guide on specific issues that can arise for local agencies.

Also included is a Powerpoint presentation the Institute has used to explain these issues.