As a school superintendents and first line administrators, MASA members are likely to be asked to take part in political activities such as hosting candidate forums, supporting or opposing candidates for public office, or ballot proposals.  It is only appropriate then that they have a basic understanding of campaign finance law in Michigan. 

The penalties and consequences for ignoring the rules about what schools and non-profits can and cannot do in relation to engaging in political activity, both in terms of legal consequences and the backlash of public opinion, can be significant.  Fortunately, though, staying within the bounds of the law and avoiding these problems is not terribly difficult.

While you will still want to consult with your local legal counsel on the specifics of the activities in which you plan to engage, the tools in this section will provide you with an overview of the legal questions you are likely to encounter.

Tools

• Campaign Finance Do’s and Don’ts
• PTO’s and Politics