Mississippi Advisory Opinions July 10, 2019: AGO 2019-00193 (July 10, 2019)

Advisory Opinion Text

The Honorable Sara Dionne

Chairman

Warren County Election Commission

Post Office Box 351

Vicksburg, Mississippi 39181-0351

Re: Poll Managers Political Activity

Dear Ms. Dionne:

Attorney General Jim Hood received your letter of request and assigned it to me for research and reply.

Question Presented

Your letter states:

Prior to Election Day, can a Poll Manager show support for a candidate in any of the following ways:

Attend a rally for a candidate

Attend a rally for a political party, for many candidates

Use yard signs and/or signs on vehicle

“Like” and/or promote on Social Media

Or any other showing of support for a specific candidate

We understand that no support may be shown on Election Day, as per Section 97-13-19.

Response

While there are no specific statutory prohibitions against the activities listed in your letter, we have previously opined that it would be an inherent conflict of interest for one to campaign for any candidate whose name will be on the ballot in an election in which he or she will be, in part, conducting. MS AG Op., Miller (June 17, 2010).

For your information, we enclose a copy of our opinion addressed to The Honorable Danny Glaskox, dated June 21, 2019 which addresses election commissioners “liking” candidates on Facebook.

Sincerely,

Jim Hood, Attorney General.

Phil Carter, Special Assistant Attorney General.