Social Media in Campaigns Policy

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Original Policy Approval Date: 4/19/2019

Board of Directors Revision Date:

Summary: Policy or social media use for campaigns.

Policy:

This policy is intended to help candidates manage the use of social media in MAPE elections.

  • MAPE Elections Rules require candidates to file campaign literature with the MAPE Elections committee before distribution.
    • Social media platforms include but not limited to blogs, Facebook pages, Twitter, Snapchat, Flicker, Instagram or YouTube. 
    • For the purposes of the social media policy, all social media postings are not considered campaign literature.
  • Candidates for MAPE elected office are permitted to utilize social media platforms as part of their campaigns.

 Requirements

  1. Social media platforms include but not limited to blogs, Facebook pages, Twitter, Snapchat, Flicker, Instagram or YouTube. 
  2. A candidate shall retain a copy of all campaign related materials and must provide them to MAPE upon request of the elections committee. Candidates are responsible to comply with MAPE Elections Rules on content the candidate originates.  The candidate is responsible to monitor their social media platforms and remove postings that violate MAPE Elections Rules and applicable policies within 24 hours or as soon as possible. Anything removed should be captured and sent to the Election Committee.
  3. The candidate is responsible for their statements in social media.
    • Candidates must comply with the requirements of MAPE's governing documents, policies, guidelines and procedures.
    • Violations of this policy or MAPE's governing documents will be handled under Election Rules, Article X.
    • As a member of MAPE, you are subject to the Judicial Procedure in the Bylaws if you violate MAPE's governing documents or bring discredit to the organization.

As with any free speech, a candidate should be aware of the implications of making public statements, electronic or otherwise. If social media platform allows for a biography, about section or other logical place to put the following disclosure, it is required: “The views or opinions expressed  by me are not endorsed by MAPE; they may or may not coincide with the views of MAPE”. This must be included during the entire election cycle.