Signed by Governor Brad Little

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits colleges and universities from providing extra credit for voting.

Highlights:

• Defines "advocate" as to campaign for or against a candidate or the outcome of a ballot measure (Sec. 1-1.a).

• Specifies that "advocate" does not mean providing factual information about a ballot measure and the public entity's reason for the ballot measure stated in a factually neutral manner. Factual information includes, but is not limited to, the cost of indebtedness, intended purpose, condition of property to be addressed, date and location of election, qualifications of candidates or other applicable information necessary to provide transparency to electors (Sec. 1-1.b).

• Classifies "public official" as an elected or appointed member of a public entity who has (Sec. 1-8):

• Authority to make or determine public policy;

• Supervisory authority over the personnel and affairs of a public entity; or

• Authority to approve the expenditure of funds for the public entity.

• Prohibits a public entity or its employees from making or a public official making or authorizing, an expenditure from public funds to advocate for or against a candidate or a ballot measure (Sec. 2-1).

• Prohibits a public entity or any of its employees from using, or a public official authorizing or using, public property or resources to advocate for or against a candidate or a ballot measure (Sec. 2-2).

• Prohibits a public entity or any of its employees from providing or offering to provide, nor will a public official provide or offer to provide, college extra credit to a student of a state institution of higher learning either (Sec. 2-3):

• To encourage a student to vote or not vote; or

• To influence a student's vote for or against a candidate or ballot measure.

Full Bill Text