May a government employee run for political office?

North Carolina General Statutes §§ 160A-169 and 153A-99 prohibit city and county employees respectively from campaigning for political office while on duty or from using government funds or supplies in support of a candidacy; G.S. § 126-13 contains a similar prohibition for state employees. These statutes do not, however, prohibit a government employee from being a candidate for local or state office on either a partisan or non-partisan basis.

Cities and counties may, however, adopt local ordinances that prohibit or place limitations on employee candidacy. Any local government employee considering running for office should check with either the human resources office, the manager or city or county attorney’s office to find out whether such prohibitions exist.

Finally, the federal statute known as the Hatch Act prohibits state and local government employees from running for partisan political office if the employee works in a position that has duties in connection with programs financed in who or in part by federal funds. For further information on the Hatch Act, see below.