We are just a few weeks away from the November 4, 2025, election. As ballots are finalized and campaigns heat up, questions often arise about what school districts can and can’t do when it comes to different campaign activities. Ohio law, specifically RC 9.03, sets important boundaries for districts. Under RC 9.03, districts may use public funds to share neutral, accurate and factual information with the public about the plans, policies and operations of the district. However, they are prohibited from using public funds to campaign for or against the passage of a levy or bond issue, or to support or oppose the nomination or election of candidates for public office.
To help districts understand the line between “informing” and “advocating,” the Auditor of State’s office (AOS) released guidance in August 2023 regarding what AOS considers to be permitted and not permitted under RC 9.03. Here are some key reminders from the guidance:
- Districts may share reminders about Election Day or voter registration, so long as those communications do not include information designed to influence voters to vote a certain way.
- Districts may allow community groups (including levy committees or candidate campaign committees) to use district premises for certain campaign-related activities. The district should follow its board policy on the use of school premises and equipment by the public and apply the policy consistently to all requesting groups.
- Districts may not distribute or send home with students any campaign materials developed by a levy committee or a candidate’s campaign committee.
- Individual staff members may participate in levy and candidate campaign activities but must do so on their own time when not being compensated by the district. District staff who step outside the role of providing merely factual information and into advocacy should be prepared to demonstrate the time spent in such activities was on their own time. Additional guidance on this issue appears on page 11 of the AOS guidance.
- Districts may allow the levy committee or a candidate’s campaign committee to use the district’s logos on campaign materials, but only pursuant to the district’s content-neutral policy that allows other organizations to use the district’s logos. Districts must apply the policy consistently to all requesting groups.
- Districts may allow campaign committees to post campaign signs on district property or purchase advertisement space in school publications or on school property (e.g. scoreboards) pursuant to a content-neutral policy that is implemented consistently for all requesting groups. Districts should review their policies on advertising and distributing materials in schools prior to approving such requests.
- Districts may use district facilities to host “Meet the Candidate” nights or informational meetings regarding pending levy or bond issues. However, these meetings should be factual in nature and not to influence the outcome of an impending vote.
The AOS guidance provides additional explanations and examples that go beyond these highlights and districts are strongly encouraged to review the guidance in full. When questions arise, please don’t hesitate to reach out to OSBA’s Legal Division or your board counsel for assistance.