Texas school officials should be aware of the following:

  1. According to Section 255.003(a) of the Texas Election Code, an officer or employee of a political subdivision may not knowingly spend or authorize the spending of public funds for political advertising.
  2. In addition, school district officials may not use public resources to advocate for or against particular political candidates and/or groups of political candidates.
  3. Furthermore, the Texas Election Code prohibits the board of trustees of a school district from using state or local funds “to electioneer for or against any candidate, measure, or political party. Tex. Educ. Code Sec. 11.169.
  4. The Attorney General can enforce violations of the Texas Election Code section 255.003(a) by filing a lawsuit seeking injunctive relief. See Tex. Elec. Code § 273.081. Injunctive relief can only be granted when there is harm or a threat of harm. Absent a pending or upcoming election, we may not be able to show a threat of harm and cannot file a lawsuit.
  5. A communication does not constitute political advertising if it "factually describes the purpose of a measure" and "does not advocate passage or defeat of the measure." Tex. Elec. Code 255.003(b).

If you believe these or any other similar statutes have been violated you may file a complaint (see button below) or you may call the Texas Attorney General’s office at1-844-584-3006.

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