March 26, 2026
As the 2026 general election season approaches, the Public Disclosure Commission is reminding sitting officials and government agencies that campaign or election-related statements or images should stay on your personal or campaign accounts, and off official government social media and websites.
RCW 29B.45.010 prohibits the use of any public resource – which could include money, staff time, publicly owned buildings, vehicles, equipment, as well as social media and websites – to support or oppose any political campaign.
Each year, the PDC receives many complaints and inquiries about these requirements, and their limited exceptions. See our guidelines for public agencies for more information on these rules.
While a political advertisement may be created by a campaign in accordance with disclosure law, a government entity then re-posting that advertisement on its social media account could be a violation. Government agencies, their employees or elected officials should refrain from re-posting or making any statements in support or opposition to candidates or local ballot measures on their official social media or webpages.
Instead, campaign messages should be posted on private or campaign accounts. Remember: using a government-owned computer or phone to conduct campaign activity on private social media accounts is also potentially a violation of this law.
Use of public facilities can come in many forms. Officials with uniforms, such as sheriffs, should be cautious when wearing those uniforms in political advertisements, unless they have personally purchased the uniform, rather than it being issued through their agency. Fire districts should also consider these rules before staging equipment owned by the district to be used in advertisements for any campaign, including bonds or levies.
The PDC covers this topic in its Disclosure 101: Candidates and Committees training. See upcoming virtual training dates here.