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Running Your PTA/PTSA

The Comprehensive Guide for PTA Leaders and Members

PTA and Election Activities

September 18, 2006

PTA and Election Activities

PTA is nonpartisan and never endorses or opposes any candidate for public office
PTA is a tax-exempt organization and may not support or oppose any political party or candidate, including school board candidates and other nonpartisan slates. Participation in any partisan activity will endanger the PTA’s nonprofit status. (Toolkit – Section 1.1.5)

Election Campaigns and the Role of PTA
Any use of the PTA name for electoral activity requires prior authorization from the California State PTA. (Toolkit – Section 4.3)

PTA does take positions on issues that affect children and youth
One of the purposes of PTA is to secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth. California State PTA takes positions on ballot measures as well as on bills in the Legislature. It is a PTA responsibility to disseminate factual, objective information to PTA members to help the community make informed choices.

California State PTA positions on ballot measures
PTA units are strongly encouraged, but not required, to work actively for the PTA position. A PTA unit, council, or district may not take action in opposition to the official California State PTA position. (PTA members who wish to act in opposition of the PTA position must do so as individuals and may not refer to their role in PTA. (Toolkit – Section 4.2.5, Policy 6)

A position adopted by the California State PTA on a statewide measure is the official PTA position for all PTA units, councils and districts
Any unit, council or district PTA may participate in the campaign in support of the California State PTA position without a vote or other formal action by their board or membership.

PTA may promote a California State PTA position on a ballot measure, or a formally adopted PTA position on a local measure
PTAs may participate in initiative campaigns in a number of ways, but must comply with the nonpartisan policy requirements that bind all PTAs, as well as with any state and federal laws, and reporting requirements that apply. (Toolkit – Section 4.2.5. Policy 9)

What PTAs can do in election campaigns
  • Publicize campaign issues through use of e-mail, telephone trees, and mailings to members, hold meetings, provide speakers to present the PTA position, distribute campaign materials in public places or door-to-door, write letters to the editor of the local newspaper.
  • The PTA may provide volunteers to work on ballot measures at phone banks or in other activities at the campaign headquarters, and in “Get Out The Voteâ€� activities. Encouraging community members to register and then to vote are important contributions for improving conditions for our children and the future of California.
Candidates' Forum

PTAs do not take positions on candidates for public office; however, PTAs may participate with other organizations (League of Women Voters) in informational activities such as Candidates’ Forums. (Toolkit – Section 4.3.2)

Cautions to observe in preparing and distributing campaign information
  • PTA must have permission of the local school board to send any campaign literature home with students. (Toolkit – Section 4.2.5, Policy 11)
  • A Civic Center Permit must be obtained from the school district if campaign material is distributed at a meeting held at a public school site.
  • School district permission must be obtained before holding any campaign planning meetings or organizing activities on school property. (Even with such permission, it may be wiser to find an alternative location for campaign activities, especially if the issue is controversial or hotly contested.)
Cautions for use of PTA funds during election campaigns
  • PTA funds may be used to prepare print, or mail campaign literature on ballot measures, but this expenditure must be authorized by a vote and recorded in the minutes. A complete and accurate record must be kept of all PTA campaign expenditures. (State law prohibits use of public resources, even if permitted by the school district.)
  • PTA does not directly finance election campaigns or divert PTA funds to any other organization, including campaign organizations. (PTA members may, as individuals, donate to a campaign if they choose to do so. A PTA may invite its members to contribute to a campaign as long it does not appear coercive or expected.)
PTA Leaders’ Role in Candidate Elections

A current PTA officer/board member may not use his/her title or the name of the PTA to endorse a candidate. (Toolkit – Section 1.3.3a)

Protect PTA nonpartisan policy and tax-exempt status

To retain tax-exempt status and continue to receive tax-deductible contributions, PTAs may not 1) devote more than an insubstantial part of their activities to influence legislation, including ballot measures (generally interpreted as not exceeding five percent of total income);

2) participate in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to a candidate for national, state, or local public office.

A unit’s failure to comply with these restrictions may endanger PTA council, district, California State PTA and National PTA 501(c)(3) status.
Current Legislation
Legislative Alerts
Sacramento Update
Federal Legislation/NCLB
Contact Sacramento
Legislative Action History Report
Legislation Conference
Local PTA Advocacy
Hosting a Candidates Forum
State Legislative Program
Campaign Year
Position Statements
Resolutions
Issue Related Guidelines
Toolkit

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