Restrict Election Communications County Candidates

Section 1 of the bill prohibits a candidate for county elected office from sending any mass communication within 60 days immediately prior to the date of any primary, general, or special election in which the name of the candidate is on the ballot.

The bill defines "mass communication" to mean any form of communication containing substantially identical content that is broadcast, mailed, delivered, or distributed by a candidate for county elected office at public expense, whether all of the communication is sent at the same time or on separate occasions, to:

• 500 or more persons where the population of the county exceeds 50,000 permanent residents; or
• 150 or more persons where the population of the county is 50,000 permanent residents or less.

The bill exempts certain forms of communication by a candidate for county elected office from the definition of "mass communication". The bill also contains additional restrictions applicable to such mass communication regardless of the date when the communication is broadcast, mailed, delivered, or distributed.

The bill does not affect the ability of a candidate for county elected office to broadcast, print, mail, deliver, or distribute to the fullest extent provided by law any form of communication that is paid for by a candidate committee established in his or her own name.

Section 2 prohibits any reference to the county clerk and recorder in any document included within a mail ballot packet from identifying the name of the particular individual serving as county clerk and recorder at the time of the election.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)