In the belief that citizen involvement in public affairs is basic to the effective functioning of government at all levels, it shall be the general policy of the state board for community and technical colleges to encourage the participation of employees of the office of the state board in public affairs and the full exercise of their privileges and duties as citizens.

The purpose of the following provisions is to provide guidance to employees of the state board so that they may engage in political activity in a manner consistent with the policies of other state agencies, the laws of the state of Washington, and the United States code sections covering political activity of state employees engaged in activities funded in whole or in part by federal funds. Both classified and exempt employees shall be governed by these provisions.

(1) Solicitation for any partisan political purpose or any compulsory assessment or involuntary contribution is prohibited on state property.

(2) Employees shall have the right to vote and to express their opinions on all political subjects and candidates.

(3) Nothing in this section shall prohibit appointment, nomination or election or part-time public office in a political subdivision of the state when the holding of such office is not incompatible with, nor substantially interferes with, the discharge of official duties in state employment.

(4) Nothing in this section shall prohibit appointment, nomination or election to public office at the federal level, provided that upon such appointment or election to a full-time position the employee shall resign his state board position without claim of reinstatement and provided further that the requirements of the Hatch Act are met.

(5) The rules and regulations of the United States Civil Service Commission that pertain to political activities shall apply to any person employed through or otherwise engaged in the administration or operation of federal grant programs.

The following provisions shall apply to employees who are candidates for appointment or election to public office or who seek to participate in campaigns for constitutional amendments, referendums, initiatives, other similar activities, or candidates for nonpartisan public offices.

(1) Employees may engage in political activity as set forth above without reduction in salary and status when in the judgment of the state director appropriate arrangements can be made to ensure that the individual's assigned duties are effectively discharged.

(2) When in the judgment of the state director circumstances warrant, an employee shall be granted a leave of absence without pay or authority to use accrued annual vacation leave to engage in such political activity.

(3) The employee shall also be entitled to receive a reduced assignment and pay status in order to engage in such political activity when in the judgment of the state director such reduced work status will not substantially interfere with the effectiveness of his office and the function of the state board.

(4) If the employee concerned is the director or deputy director, the state board shall make the determination required above.