CAMPAIGNING
All applicants for elected office are required to sign a statement acknowledging that they have read, understand and agree to comply with the Ohio REALTORS® campaign and election rules. Potential candidates and eligible candidates may request clarification on existing campaign rules, and such questions, along with the candidate credentialing committee’s response, will be provided to all candidates.
The following rules apply to all individuals, including, but not limited to, members of the Candidate Credentialing Committee, the eligible candidate and their campaign staff:
A. In the interest of absolute neutrality, Ohio REALTORS® staff shall not be permitted to endorse or support any candidate for elective office and may not wear campaign apparel or buttons, display campaign materials at any staff workstation, including meeting registration desks, or distribute campaign materials for any candidate for elective office.
B. During the Ohio REALTORS® meetings, each verified candidate will be provided with a table near the Ohio REALTORS® registration desk for purposes of displaying campaign materials.
C. Shall not begin campaigning for elected office any sooner than the date notified that qualifications have been met.
D. Shall not state or imply Ohio REALTORS® campaign support or endorsement.
E. Shall not solicit, accept, state or imply an endorsement or campaign or financial support from the Candidate Credentialing Committee, elected officers or Executive Committee members.
F. Shall not send more than four (4) campaign emails to the Board of Directors during a campaign.
G. Must make best efforts to address and resolve any campaign violation committed by the eligible candidate or a member of their campaign team.
H. Must submit all campaign materials to Ohio REALTORS® Legal Services for advance review and approval prior to use. Campaign materials that include previously approved language and logos do not need to be resubmitted for approval.
I. Must ensure that Ohio REALTORS® trademark is used properly in all campaign materials.
J. Must ensure that all campaign materials contain truthful and accurate information.
K. Must accurately specify the office and year for which the eligible candidate is running for election in all campaign materials.
L. Must comply with Ohio REALTORS® rules and policies for displaying or distributing campaign materials.
M. Shall not hold campaign events or display campaign materials at any Ohio REALTORS® meeting or event except the winter conference and annual convention.
N. Shall not distribute campaign materials to a REALTORS®’ hotel room.
O. Shall not display campaign advertising on a REALTORS®’ hotel room television.
P. Shall not display campaign advertising on any electronic screen in a hotel’s public spaces.
Q. Shall not campaign at any Ohio REALTORS® sponsored virtual meeting, including but not limited to: committee meetings, educational sessions, and workgroups. Examples of prohibited campaigning include, but are not limited to, verbal campaign messages or campaign messages in virtual chat rooms; wearing or displaying buttons, pins or other campaign paraphernalia during an Ohio REALTORS® sponsored meeting or event; and using virtual backgrounds or web banners containing campaign messaging.