May a City employee circulate nomination petitions for judicial candidates?
It depends. Charter Section 10-107(4) prohibits all City employees, except for employees of City Council, from circulating nomination petitions for a candidate for local office. This includes the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court. City employees may, however, circulate nomination petitions for a candidate for non-local office (such as Commonwealth Court or PA Supreme Court) but not if they are employees of the Police Department, the Board of Ethics, or the Office of the City Commissioners, Sheriff, or District Attorney. Even when circulation of such petitions is permissible, a City employee may not conduct such activity while on City duty, using City resources, or while on City property.
These advice tidbits are for reference only. They are not intended as legally protective guidance or binding interpretation of laws within the Board's jurisdiction. You can request individualized informal advice by contacting BOEGCStaff@phila.gov or clicking the Ask for Advice button on the Board's website.