N.M. Code R. § 1.7.6.11 – Public/Political Office

A. Employees covered by the provisions of the Hatch Act [5 U.S.C. Sections 1501 to 1508] may not be candidates for partisan political office elections.
B. Employees not covered by the provisions of the Hatch Act [5 U.S.C. Sections 1501 to 1508] may be candidates for any partisan political office if, upon filing or accepting the nomination and during the entire campaign, they are authorized full-time continuous leave without pay.
C. Employees may be candidates for nonpartisan political office, subject to the restriction set forth in 1.7.6.11 NMAC, without taking a leave of absence.
D. Employees may hold only a nonpartisan county or municipal political office during employment in the classified service.
E. Being a local school board member or an elected member of any post-secondary educational institution shall not be construed as holding political office.
F. Employees running for or holding public office shall not use state equipment, facilities, property or time dedicated to employment duties to conduct campaign or public office related business. Violation of this Rule is punishable by disciplinary action pursuant to 1.7.11 NMAC and/or the criminal penalties set forth in NMSA 1978 Section 10-9-23.
[7-1-80…5-15-96; 1.7.6.11 NMAC - Rn & A, 1 NMAC 7.6.11, 11/30/00; A 2-14-01; A, 11/14/02]