104 – Social Media and Electronic Communications for the Candidate and Elected Official

Electronic communications dominate our world, and many special rules exist that all candidates and elected officials must know. This session will explore the legal regulations and risks to candidates and elected officials in using social media. Once elected, the commissioner must understand how OMA, FOIA, and the Local Records Act can obtain communications from your personal or agency-issued electronic devices. This session will explain the rules and give practical advice on how to navigate this complex world.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn how the applicable laws and rules of the major social media platforms affect your political speech.
- Learn what your agency can and cannot do in regulating speech on agency social media.
- Learn how OMA, FOIA and the Local Records Act apply to your electronic communications.
- Be able to avoid exposure to civil and criminal liability when using social media and other forms of electronic communication.