Staff warns campaign-finance rules limit government outreach on the ballot question

Staff member cautioned the committee that campaign-finance law limits what government officials and staff can do to advocate on a ballot question, saying, "campaign finance law prohibits us from using government resources or government, mail lists or anything like that to So we're heavily restricted in what we can send out to the public." The staff outlined permissible actions: making materials available on the town website, having FAQs and handouts at public events, and placing informational signage (with QR codes) in public places.

Staff committed to bringing a PowerPoint from the Office for Campaign Finance to the Oct. 7 meeting to clarify allowable communications and suggested the town could encourage non-governmental ballot committees to do advocacy work that the town itself cannot perform.