§ 12-27-20 — Public funds to influence election outcome prohibited--Penalty.

The state, an agency of the state, and the governing body of any county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state may not expend or permit the expenditure of public funds for the purpose of influencing the nomination or election of any candidate, or for the petitioning of a ballot question on the ballot or the adoption or defeat of any ballot question. This section may not be construed to limit the freedom of speech of any officer or employee of the state or any political subdivision who is speaking in the officer's or employee's personal capacity. This section does not prohibit the state, its agencies, or the governing body of any political subdivision of the state from presenting factual information solely for the purpose of educating the voters on a ballot question. It is a Class 1 misdemeanor if the state, an agency of the state, or the governing body of any county, municipality, or other political subdivision expends one thousand dollars or more in public funds in violation of this section. It is a Class 6 felony if ten thousand dollars or more in public funds is expended in violation of this section.

Legislative History

SL 2007, ch 80, § 20; SL 2017, ch 222 (Initiated Measure 22), § 19, eff. Nov. 16, 2016; SL 2017, ch 72, § 18, eff. Feb. 2, 2017; SL 2023, ch 54, § 1.