Board elections advice

Reminders for school board candidates in the final days of the 2006 campaign

by Trey Grayson, Kentucky Secretary of State

Running for office is always a challenge. As if trying to remember all of the things you need to do to manage a campaign, get out a message and meet constituents isn’t hard enough, navigating the legal dos and don’ts can be just as daunting. No matter what office you run for, from school board to state legislator, strict adherence to the legal requirements of running for elective office is an essential part of a successful campaign.

While campaigning in the home stretch, I encourage you to continue to get out and meet citizens. It is a great way to meet and hear from the people you want to represent. Just be sure that when you are trying to persuade someone to vote for you, not to promise to use your authority or influence if and when you gain office, such as offering to find someone a job or an increase in pay in exchange for his or her support.

Getting out your message is essential. Painting the town in red, white and blue bumper stickers, posters, signs and flyers helps to do this. Volunteers are another way to cover ground in the last few days of a campaign. However, make sure your campaign follows Kentucky’s law prohibiting electioneering at the polling place.

On Election Day, be sure to keep volunteers and campaign materials at least 300 feet away from the entrance of all polling places. And once absentee balloting begins, no campaigning is allowed inside the building in which voting takes place (usually the building housing the county clerk’s office).

Be sure to check with your local county board of elections or your local government to see if there are any restrictions that have been imposed at the local level, such as yard sign locations and size. Local governments can’t make a state law less prohibitive, but can extend or enhance provisions established in state law.

Above all, remember to be true to yourself and the constituency you are seeking to represent. Public service is both a privilege and a responsibility. While you are campaigning, be mindful of the many rules and regulations surrounding running for office. Happy campaigning and good luck on Election Day!

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Kentucky School Boards Association

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