2021 Election Campaign Rules – Annual Post Election: Wednesday 12 May 2021

Authorization and Governance

Post 291 Bylaws, Article 7.5., Election of Officers, governs the annual Post 291 election of Post 291 Officers.

Post 291 Bylaws, Article 7.5.3., Campaigning for Office, governs campaigning for office for the annual Post 291 election of Post 291 Officers:

• Candidates for office may campaign based on their experience, philosophy, plans and ideas, and must treat other candidates with respect as members of the American Legion.

Specific Rules for 2021 Campaigning

Here  are  specific  campaign  rules  that  all  candidates  for  Post  291  officer  positions  must follow and comply with this year.  These rules are tailored for the unique restricted access to the inside of the Post this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic and are established to foster and ensure a fair, equitable, and civil campaign and the integrity of the election.

Authorized Campaign Activities

1. Campaign Speech. Each  candidate  will  be  allowed  three  minutes  at  the  General Membership Meeting on the evening of final nominations on Wednesday 14 April to speak to the membership about his/her qualifications and platform.
2. Campaign Materials.
3. Candidates may post flyers, handbills, or other printed campaign materials no larger than 8½ inches by 11 inches, on the Election Committee designated bulletin boards or display areas — but only after final nominations are closed on Wednesday 14 April 2021.
4. Candidates  and  their  supporters  may  hand  out  campaign  materials  —  e.g.,  flyers, handbills, business cards, trifolds, or other printed campaign materials no larger than 8½ inches by 11 inches — directly to interested and receptive members or guests at the Post.
5. Candidates and their supporters may wear campaign buttons or badges of no more than four inches in diameter on their clothing.

Prohibited Actions and Restrictions — Campaigning

1. Campaign materials may be posted only on Election Committee designated bulletin boards or display areas outside the Main Building and only after the close of final nominations on Wednesday  14  April  2021.    Each  candidate  may  post  no  more  than  one  flyer  on  the Election Committee designated bulletin boards or display areas, and the flyer shall be no larger than 8½ inches by 11 inches.
2. No  other  campaign  materials  are  allowed  to  be  posted  on  any  boards,  walls,  glass, windows, mirrors, fences, or other surfaces in Post rooms and property — including but not limited to the Bar, View Room, Fireside Room, patios, kitchen, Front Office, restrooms, Hut, and marina, as well as on any boat in the marina.
3. No printed campaign materials, holders, or stacks (piles) of campaign materials are allowed to  be  left  on  tables,  bars,  or  other  horizontal  surfaces  in  Post  rooms  and  property  — including  but  not  limited  to  the  Main  Hall,  Bar,  View  Room,  Fireside  Room,  patios, kitchen, Front Office, restrooms, Hut, and marina.
4. No campaign materials are allowed to be posted on any City or public property visible from the  Post  —  including  but  not  limited  to  Veterans  Park,  the  public  beach,  and  the  public dock, and the pump-out dock.
5. No one is allowed to move, remove, or deface a candidate’s posted materials.
6. Flyers, handbills, and other printed campaign materials may be no larger than 8½ inches by 11 inches.
7. Negative campaigning is strictly prohibited.  Candidates must run on their own merits and record at the Post or other American Legion offices or positions.
8. Although events and gatherings at the Post offer opportunities for candidates to campaign, candidates and their supporters must be sensitive to those members and guests who are not interested or do not wish to engage in political or campaign discussions — and not annoy nor be aggressive toward those individuals.
9. Other   than   the   three-minute   speech   allowed   on   the   night   of   final   nominations   of Wednesday  14  April,  candidates  will  not  use  Post  audio/visual  equipment  —  e.g., microphones, display screen, etc. — for campaign-related statements or announcements.
10. Candidates will not use audio/visual equipment of Post-hired bands nor the Hootenannay —   e.g.,   microphones,   display   screen,   etc.   —   for   campaign-related   statements   or announcements.
11. Election  “tickets”  or  slates  (exclusive  list  of  candidates)  are  not  allowed  to  be  posted  or distributed unless the Election Committee has received written permission from each slate candidate to use his/her name on the election slate for the candidate.
12. Endorsements  are  not  allowed  to  be  used  for  a  candidate  or  a  candidate  slate  unless  the endorsing   person   or   endorsing   organization   has   submitted   a   written   statement   of endorsement to the Election Committee.  An endorsing organization must also include with its  written  statement  a  copy  of  approved  minutes  of  the  organization  showing  the organization’s approval of the endorsement.
13. All  campaign  materials  must  be  removed  from  the  Post,  and  specifically  the  designated bulletin boards or display areas, no later than 3:00 pm Tuesday 11 May, the day before the election.
14. On Election Day, Wednesday 12 May, no campaign materials are allowed to be handed out on  Post  property,  including  the  Post  parking  lot  and  marina.   Any  campaigning  must  be conducted offsite — such as the sidewalk in front of the Post on 15th Street or in the alley leading to the Post parking lot.
15. If any candidate is found in violation of any of the Election Rules or Campaign Rules by the   Election   Committee,   the   Election   Committee   Chair   shall   notify   the   candidate immediately in writing or verbally of the specific violations, with instructions to curtail or correct the violations immediately or no later than 24 hours of the notification.
16. If the candidate in violation complies with the Election Committee instructions within 24 hours of the notification, there shall be no disciplinary actions.  If the candidate in violation does not comply within 24 hours of notification, the Election Committee Chair shall inform the Adjutant and the Post Commander in writing that the candidate is not in compliance and shall identify what further actions the Election Committee is taking or may take with respect to the candidate.  Under the Election Rules, the Election Committee is authorized to remove a candidate from the ballot if that person refuses to comply with the Election Rules, the Campaign Rules, or instructions of the Election Committee.”

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