{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-1512.2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-1512.2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-1512.2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-1512.2.html"}],"law_id":85589,"edition_id":1,"section_id":85589,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1512.2","catch_line":"Political activities of employees of localities, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and law-enforcement officers and certain other officers and employees","history":"2000, c. 791; 2002, c. 886; 2009, c. 306; 2015, cc. 502, 503.","full_text":"A\n\nFor the purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Emergency medical services personnel” means any person who is employed within the fire department or public safety department of a locality whose primary responsibility is the provision of emergency medical care to the sick or injured, using either basic or advanced techniques. Emergency medical services personnel may also provide fire protection services and assist in the enforcement of the fire prevention code.\n\t\t\t“Firefighter” means any person who is employed within the fire department or public safety department of a locality whose primary responsibility is the prevention or extinguishment of fires, the protection of life and property, or the enforcement of local or state fire prevention codes or laws pertaining to the prevention or control of fires.\n\t\t\t“Law-enforcement officer” means any person who is employed within the police department, bureau, or force of any locality, including the sheriff’s department of any city or county, and who is authorized by law to make arrests.\n\t\t\t“Locality” means counties, cities, towns, authorities, or special districts.\n\t\t\t“Political campaign” means activities engaged in for the purpose of promoting a political issue, for influencing the outcome of an election for local or state office, or for influencing the outcome of a referendum or special election.\n\t\t\t“Political candidate” means any person who has made known his or her intention to seek, or campaign for, local or state office in a general, primary, or special election.\n\t\t\t“Political party” means any party, organization, or group having as its purpose the promotion of political candidates or political campaigns.B\n\nNotwithstanding any contrary provision of law, general or special, no locality shall prohibit an employee of the locality, including firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, or law-enforcement officers within its employment, or deputies, appointees, and employees of local constitutional officers as defined in § 15.2-1600, from participating in political activities while these employees are off duty, out of uniform and not on the premises of their employment with the locality.C\n\nFor purposes of this section, the term “political activities” includes, but is not limited to, voting; registering to vote; soliciting votes or endorsements on behalf of a political candidate or political campaign; expressing opinions, privately or publicly, on political subjects and candidates; displaying a political picture, sign, sticker, badge, or button; participating in the activities of, or contributing financially to, a political party, candidate, or campaign or an organization that supports a political candidate or campaign; attending or participating in a political convention, caucus, rally, or other political gathering; initiating, circulating, or signing a political petition; engaging in fund-raising activities for any political party, candidate, or campaign; acting as a recorder, watcher, challenger, or similar officer at the polls on behalf of a political party, candidate, or campaign; or becoming a political candidate.D\n\nEmployees of a locality, including firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, law-enforcement officers, and other employees specified in subsection B are prohibited from using their official authority to coerce or attempt to coerce a subordinate employee to pay, lend, or contribute anything of value to a political party, candidate, or campaign, or to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of that person’s political affiliations or political activities, except as such affiliation or activity may be established by law as disqualification for employment.E\n\nEmployees of a locality, including firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, law-enforcement officers, and other employees specified in subsection B are prohibited from discriminating in the provision of public services, including but not limited to firefighting, emergency medical, and law-enforcement services, or responding to requests for such services, on the basis of the political affiliations or political activities of the person or organization for which such services are provided or requested.F\n\nEmployees of a locality, including firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, law-enforcement officers, and other employees specified in subsection B are prohibited from suggesting or implying that a locality has officially endorsed a political party, candidate, or campaign.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":306607,"text":"For the purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Emergency medical services personnel” means any person who is employed within the fire department or public safety department of a locality whose primary responsibility is the provision of emergency medical care to the sick or injured, using either basic or advanced techniques. Emergency medical services personnel may also provide fire protection services and assist in the enforcement of the fire prevention code.\n\t\t\t“Firefighter” means any person who is employed within the fire department or public safety department of a locality whose primary responsibility is the prevention or extinguishment of fires, the protection of life and property, or the enforcement of local or state fire prevention codes or laws pertaining to the prevention or control of fires.\n\t\t\t“Law-enforcement officer” means any person who is employed within the police department, bureau, or force of any locality, including the sheriff’s department of any city or county, and who is authorized by law to make arrests.\n\t\t\t“Locality” means counties, cities, towns, authorities, or special districts.\n\t\t\t“Political campaign” means activities engaged in for the purpose of promoting a political issue, for influencing the outcome of an election for local or state office, or for influencing the outcome of a referendum or special election.\n\t\t\t“Political candidate” means any person who has made known his or her intention to seek, or campaign for, local or state office in a general, primary, or special election.\n\t\t\t“Political party” means any party, organization, or group having as its purpose the promotion of political candidates or political campaigns.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":306608,"text":"Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, general or special, no locality shall prohibit an employee of the locality, including firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, or law-enforcement officers within its employment, or deputies, appointees, and employees of local constitutional officers as defined in § 15.2-1600, from participating in political activities while these employees are off duty, out of uniform and not on the premises of their employment with the locality.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":306609,"text":"For purposes of this section, the term “political activities” includes, but is not limited to, voting; registering to vote; soliciting votes or endorsements on behalf of a political candidate or political campaign; expressing opinions, privately or publicly, on political subjects and candidates; displaying a political picture, sign, sticker, badge, or button; participating in the activities of, or contributing financially to, a political party, candidate, or campaign or an organization that supports a political candidate or campaign; attending or participating in a political convention, caucus, rally, or other political gathering; initiating, circulating, or signing a political petition; engaging in fund-raising activities for any political party, candidate, or campaign; acting as a recorder, watcher, challenger, or similar officer at the polls on behalf of a political party, candidate, or campaign; or becoming a political candidate.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":306610,"text":"Employees of a locality, including firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, law-enforcement officers, and other employees specified in subsection B are prohibited from using their official authority to coerce or attempt to coerce a subordinate employee to pay, lend, or contribute anything of value to a political party, candidate, or campaign, or to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of that person’s political affiliations or political activities, except as such affiliation or activity may be established by law as disqualification for employment.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":306611,"text":"Employees of a locality, including firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, law-enforcement officers, and other employees specified in subsection B are prohibited from discriminating in the provision of public services, including but not limited to firefighting, emergency medical, and law-enforcement services, or responding to requests for such services, on the basis of the political affiliations or political activities of the person or organization for which such services are provided or requested.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":306612,"text":"Employees of a locality, including firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, law-enforcement officers, and other employees specified in subsection B are prohibited from suggesting or implying that a locality has officially endorsed a political party, candidate, or campaign.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13737,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions for Certain Officers and Employees","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12734,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:44","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:44","permalink":{"id":153005,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13737,"identifier":"1","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1","url":"\/15.2\/II\/15\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12734,"edition_id":1,"name":"Local Government Personnel, Qualification for Office, Bonds, Dual Office Holding and Certain Local Government Officers","identifier":"15","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12733,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":153003,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12734,"identifier":"15","token":"15.2\/II\/15","url":"\/15.2\/II\/15\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12733,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers of Local Government","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":152369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12733,"identifier":"II","token":"15.2\/II","url":"\/15.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":71801,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1500","catch_line":"Organization of local government","url":"\/15.2-1500\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1500","metadata":false},{"id":60492,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1500.1","catch_line":"Employment discrimination prohibited; sexual orientation or gender identity","url":"\/15.2-1500.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1500.1","metadata":false},{"id":79919,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1501","catch_line":"Designation of officers to perform certain duties","url":"\/15.2-1501\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1501","metadata":false},{"id":82241,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1502","catch_line":"Employment of certain deputies and assistants; delegation of powers and duties","url":"\/15.2-1502\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1502","metadata":false},{"id":58363,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1503","catch_line":"Tenure of officers and employees; suspension or removal","url":"\/15.2-1503\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1503","metadata":false},{"id":79703,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1503.1","catch_line":"Background checks required for certain employees and licensees","url":"\/15.2-1503.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1503.1","metadata":false},{"id":58265,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1504","catch_line":"Use of tobacco products by government employees","url":"\/15.2-1504\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1504","metadata":false},{"id":84800,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1505","catch_line":"Employment based on residency prohibited for certain employees","url":"\/15.2-1505\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1505","metadata":false},{"id":65546,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1505.1","catch_line":"Applicant preemployment information","url":"\/15.2-1505.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1505.1","metadata":false},{"id":72505,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1505.2","catch_line":"Personnel policies related to the use of public property","url":"\/15.2-1505.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1505.2","metadata":false},{"id":81798,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1505.3","catch_line":"Localities prohibited from inquiring about arrests, charges, or convictions on employment applications; exceptions","url":"\/15.2-1505.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1505.3","metadata":false},{"id":57426,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1506","catch_line":"Establishment of grievance procedure, personnel system and uniform pay plan for employees","url":"\/15.2-1506\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1506","metadata":false},{"id":77432,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1507","catch_line":"Provision of grievance procedure; training programs","url":"\/15.2-1507\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1507","metadata":false},{"id":55230,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1507.1","catch_line":"Appointment of standing panel in certain counties","url":"\/15.2-1507.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1507.1","metadata":false},{"id":64897,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1508","catch_line":"Bonuses for employees of local governments","url":"\/15.2-1508\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1508","metadata":false},{"id":60894,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1508.1","catch_line":"Traveling expenses on business of town, city or county","url":"\/15.2-1508.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1508.1","metadata":false},{"id":74011,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1508.2","catch_line":"Same; where Commonwealth bears portion of expenses","url":"\/15.2-1508.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1508.2","metadata":false},{"id":85992,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1508.3","catch_line":"Governing bodies of certain cities and counties may supplement salaries and reimburse traveling expenses of employees of state and local health departments","url":"\/15.2-1508.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1508.3","metadata":false},{"id":65944,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1508.4","catch_line":"Certain counties and cities may supplement salaries and reimburse traveling expenses of employees of state mental health clinics","url":"\/15.2-1508.4\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1508.4","metadata":false},{"id":83110,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1509","catch_line":"Preferences for veterans and people with disabilities in local government employment","url":"\/15.2-1509\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1509","metadata":false},{"id":57101,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1510","catch_line":"Retirement systems","url":"\/15.2-1510\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1510","metadata":false},{"id":68675,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1510.1","catch_line":"Public announcement of severance packages for certain officials","url":"\/15.2-1510.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1510.1","metadata":false},{"id":62802,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1511","catch_line":"Allowances to injured officials and employees and their dependents","url":"\/15.2-1511\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1511","metadata":false},{"id":62508,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1511.01","catch_line":"Allowances to injured deputy sheriffs","url":"\/15.2-1511.01\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1511.01","metadata":false},{"id":86864,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1511.1","catch_line":"Written benefit information to certain employees","url":"\/15.2-1511.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1511.1","metadata":false},{"id":66960,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1512","catch_line":"Oath and bond","url":"\/15.2-1512\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1512","metadata":false},{"id":54736,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1512.1","catch_line":"Disposition of property received by subdivisions as result of conversion of mutual insurance company to stock corporation","url":"\/15.2-1512.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1512.1","metadata":false},{"id":85589,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1512.2","catch_line":"Political activities of employees of localities, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and law-enforcement officers and certain other officers and employees","url":"\/15.2-1512.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1512.2","metadata":false},{"id":66378,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1512.3","catch_line":"Telecommuting by local government employees","url":"\/15.2-1512.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1512.3","metadata":false},{"id":55640,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1512.4","catch_line":"Rights of local employees to contact elected officials","url":"\/15.2-1512.4\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1512.4","metadata":false},{"id":58777,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1512.5","catch_line":"Authority of local government employees to issue summonses for misdemeanor violations of certain local ordinances","url":"\/15.2-1512.5\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1512.5","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":54736,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1512.1","catch_line":"Disposition of property received by subdivisions as result of conversion of mutual insurance company to stock corporation","url":"\/15.2-1512.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1512.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":66378,"structure_id":13737,"section_number":"15.2-1512.3","catch_line":"Telecommuting by local government employees","url":"\/15.2-1512.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1512.3","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-1512.2\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2000. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 791<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2002, chapter 886<\/a>; in 2009, chapter 306<\/a>; in 2015, chapters 502<\/a> and 503<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":72505,"section_number":"15.2-1505.2","catch_line":"Personnel policies related to the use of public property","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1505.2\/"},{"id":85181,"section_number":"51.1-153","catch_line":"Service retirement","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-153\/"},{"id":72358,"section_number":"51.1-155","catch_line":"Service retirement allowance","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-155\/"},{"id":83100,"section_number":"51.1-169","catch_line":"Hybrid retirement program","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-169\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":65970,"section_number":"15.2-1600","catch_line":"Counties and cities required to elect certain officers; qualifications of attorney for the Commonwealth; duties and compensation of officers; vacancies, certain counties and cities excepted; officer's powers not to be diminished","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1600\/"}],"permalink":{"id":153115,"object_type":"law","relational_id":85589,"identifier":"15.2-1512.2","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1512.2","url":"\/15.2-1512.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-1512.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/15\/1\/15.2-1512.2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Political activities of employees of localities, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and law-enforcement officers and certain other officers and employees","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-1512.2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> For the purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Emergency medical services personnel<\/span>” means any person who is employed within the fire department or public safety department of a locality<\/span> whose primary responsibility is the provision of emergency medical care to the sick or injured, using either basic or advanced techniques. Emergency medical services personnel<\/span> may also provide fire protection services and assist in the enforcement of the fire prevention code.\n\t\t\t“Firefighter<\/span>” means any person who is employed within the fire department or public safety department of a locality<\/span> whose primary responsibility is the prevention or extinguishment of fires, the protection of life and property, or the enforcement of local or state fire prevention codes or laws<\/span> pertaining to the prevention or control of fires.\n\t\t\t“Law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span>” means any person who is employed within the police department, bureau, or force of any locality<\/span>, including the sheriff’s department of any city<\/span> or county<\/span>, and who is authorized by law<\/span> to make arrests<\/span>.\n\t\t\t“Locality<\/span>” means counties, cities, towns<\/span>, authorities, or special districts.\n\t\t\t“Political campaign<\/span>” means activities engaged in for the purpose of promoting a political issue<\/span>, for influencing the outcome of an election for local or state office, or for influencing the outcome of a referendum<\/span> or special election.\n\t\t\t“Political candidate<\/span>” means any person who has made known his or her intention to seek, or campaign for, local or state office in a general, primary, or special election.\n\t\t\t“Political party<\/span>” means any party, organization, or group having as its purpose the promotion of political candidates<\/span> or political campaigns<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law<\/span>, general or special, no locality<\/span> shall prohibit an employee of the locality<\/span>, including firefighters<\/span>, emergency medical services personnel<\/span>, or law<\/span>-enforcement officers<\/span> within its employment, or deputies, appointees, and employees of local constitutional officers<\/span> as defined in § 15.2-1600<\/a>, from participating in political activities while these employees are off duty, out of uniform and not on the premises of their employment with the locality<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> For purposes of this section, the term “political activities” includes, but is not limited to, voting; registering to vote; soliciting votes or endorsements on behalf of a political candidate<\/span> or political campaign<\/span>; expressing opinions<\/span>, privately or publicly, on political subjects and candidates; displaying a political picture, sign, sticker, badge, or button; participating in the activities of, or contributing financially to, a political party<\/span>, candidate, or campaign or an organization that supports a political candidate<\/span> or campaign; attending or participating in a political convention, caucus, rally, or other political gathering; initiating, circulating, or signing a political petition<\/span>; engaging in fund-raising activities for any political party<\/span>, candidate, or campaign; acting as a recorder, watcher, challenger, or similar officer at the polls on behalf of a political party<\/span>, candidate, or campaign; or becoming a political candidate<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Employees of a locality<\/span>, including firefighters<\/span>, emergency medical services personnel<\/span>, law<\/span>-enforcement officers<\/span>, and other employees specified in subsection B are prohibited from using their official authority to coerce or attempt to coerce a subordinate employee to pay, lend, or contribute anything of value to a political party<\/span>, candidate, or campaign, or to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of that person’s political affiliations or political activities, except as such affiliation or activity may be established by law<\/span> as disqualification for employment. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Employees of a locality<\/span>, including firefighters<\/span>, emergency medical services personnel<\/span>, law<\/span>-enforcement officers<\/span>, and other employees specified in subsection B are prohibited from discriminating in the provision of public services, including but not limited to firefighting, emergency medical, and law<\/span>-enforcement services, or responding to requests for such services, on the basis of the political affiliations or political activities of the person or organization for which such services are provided or requested. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Employees of a locality<\/span>, including firefighters<\/span>, emergency medical services personnel<\/span>, law<\/span>-enforcement officers<\/span>, and other employees specified in subsection B are prohibited from suggesting or implying that a locality<\/span> has officially endorsed a political party<\/span>, candidate, or campaign. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPOLITICAL ACTIVITIES OF EMPLOYEES OF LOCALITIES, FIREFIGHTERS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL\nSERVICES PERSONNEL, AND LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND CERTAIN OTHER OFFICERS AND\nEMPLOYEES (\u00a7 15.2-1512.2)\n\nA. For the purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Emergency medical services personnel” means any person who is\nemployed within the fire department or public safety department of a locality\nwhose primary responsibility is the provision of emergency medical care to the\nsick or injured, using either basic or advanced techniques. Emergency medical\nservices personnel may also provide fire protection services and assist in the\nenforcement of the fire prevention code.\n\t\t\t“Firefighter” means any person who is employed within the fire\ndepartment or public safety department of a locality whose primary\nresponsibility is the prevention or extinguishment of fires, the protection of\nlife and property, or the enforcement of local or state fire prevention codes or\nlaws pertaining to the prevention or control of fires.\n\t\t\t“Law-enforcement officer” means any person who is employed within\nthe police department, bureau, or force of any locality, including the\nsheriff’s department of any city or county, and who is authorized by law\nto make arrests.\n\t\t\t“Locality” means counties, cities, towns, authorities, or special\ndistricts.\n\t\t\t“Political campaign” means activities engaged in for the purpose\nof promoting a political issue, for influencing the outcome of an election for\nlocal or state office, or for influencing the outcome of a referendum or special\nelection.\n\t\t\t“Political candidate” means any person who has made known his or\nher intention to seek, or campaign for, local or state office in a general,\nprimary, or special election.\n\t\t\t“Political party” means any party, organization, or group having\nas its purpose the promotion of political candidates or political campaigns.\n\nB. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, general or special, no\nlocality shall prohibit an employee of the locality, including firefighters,\nemergency medical services personnel, or law-enforcement officers within its\nemployment, or deputies, appointees, and employees of local constitutional\nofficers as defined in § 15.2-1600, from participating in political\nactivities while these employees are off duty, out of uniform and not on the\npremises of their employment with the locality.\n\nC. For purposes of this section, the term “political activities”\nincludes, but is not limited to, voting; registering to vote; soliciting votes\nor endorsements on behalf of a political candidate or political campaign;\nexpressing opinions, privately or publicly, on political subjects and\ncandidates; displaying a political picture, sign, sticker, badge, or button;\nparticipating in the activities of, or contributing financially to, a political\nparty, candidate, or campaign or an organization that supports a political\ncandidate or campaign; attending or participating in a political convention,\ncaucus, rally, or other political gathering; initiating, circulating, or signing\na political petition; engaging in fund-raising activities for any political\nparty, candidate, or campaign; acting as a recorder, watcher, challenger, or\nsimilar officer at the polls on behalf of a political party, candidate, or\ncampaign; or becoming a political candidate.\n\nD. Employees of a locality, including firefighters, emergency medical services\npersonnel, law-enforcement officers, and other employees specified in subsection\nB are prohibited from using their official authority to coerce or attempt to\ncoerce a subordinate employee to pay, lend, or contribute anything of value to a\npolitical party, candidate, or campaign, or to discriminate against any employee\nor applicant for employment because of that person’s political\naffiliations or political activities, except as such affiliation or activity may\nbe established by law as disqualification for employment.\n\nE. Employees of a locality, including firefighters, emergency medical services\npersonnel, law-enforcement officers, and other employees specified in subsection\nB are prohibited from discriminating in the provision of public services,\nincluding but not limited to firefighting, emergency medical, and\nlaw-enforcement services, or responding to requests for such services, on the\nbasis of the political affiliations or political activities of the person or\norganization for which such services are provided or requested.\n\nF. Employees of a locality, including firefighters, emergency medical services\npersonnel, law-enforcement officers, and other employees specified in subsection\nB are prohibited from suggesting or implying that a locality has officially\nendorsed a political party, candidate, or campaign.\n\nHISTORY: 2000, c. 791; 2002, c. 886; 2009, c. 306; 2015, cc. 502, 503.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}