Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) are encouraged to participate in the political process and are free to express their individual and collective political views. When doing so, RSOs should make clear that the views they express are their own and should not suggest or imply that they are speaking for or in the name of Tulane University. Individuals may not use the Tulane name, insignia or seal on material that is used or intended for partisan political campaign purposes. When tabling or hosting an event, all materials and signage need to clearly indicate that the table or event is hosted by the RSO and not endorsed by Tulane University.
If RSOs engage in activities that support or oppose particular candidates for election to public office, they should do so in a way that does not state or imply endorsement of their views by the University. RSOs may not use University funding to engage in partisan political campaign activities. RSOs must follow all University policies and procedures when hosting events, tabling for candidates, and other campaign activities.
Candidate Speakers and Campaigning
Candidates for public office may appear on campus for a speech or an educational or informational talk to the University community, but such appearances must be sponsored by an RSO and approved by the University. When the University allows one candidate to appear on campus, it generally must offer other candidates in the same election a substantially similar opportunity to appear. RSOs should make clear to speakers who are candidates for political office that they may not engage in activities such as fundraising, solicitation, or rallies while on campus. RSOs must secure approval for such events from the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life at least three weeks in advance via the RSO event registration process on WaveSync.
Candidate campaigning and solicitation, including transmission of campaign materials, leaflet distribution, and display of posters, is not allowed anywhere on Tulane University property or using University servers or equipment.
Nonpartisan Political Activities & Voter Registration Drive Requirements
The University encourages nonpartisan political activities, such as properly organized voter registration activities, voter education programs and candidate debates, that do not evidence a preference for or opposition to a political party or to candidates who have taken a particular position and which provide an equal forum for opposing parties and candidates. RSOs must secure approval for such events from the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life at least three weeks in advance via the RSO event registration process on WaveSync.
Tulane University is committed to fostering civic engagement and encourages everyone to exercise their right to vote and contribute to the democratic process. Please be aware of new laws passed by the Louisiana Legislature which set forth rules for conducting voter registration drives.
Any student organization or university department interested in conducting a third-party voter registration drive must register with the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office or the Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters’ Office prior to conducting a drive by completing a Voter Registration Drive Contact Form and submitting it to the Secretary of State’s Office or the Registrar of Voters’ Office. You may submit the form in person to the Registrar of Voters’ Office, the Secretary of State’s Office, or you may email the contact form back to outreach@sos.la.gov.
The sole exception to this requirement is when an organization only uses Louisiana’s online voter registration portal, GeauxVote. The GeauxVote portal is available only to people who have a valid Louisiana Driver’s License or Identification Card.
If your organization plans to use TurboVote, Vote.org, or any other online voter registration application portal, you must register with the Secretary of State or Registrar of Voters. Failure to register your drive could result in fines and/or jail time.
When your organization registers to conduct a drive, you will likely be asked how many paper applications you will need. In order to avoid penalties for failing to return all paper applications received, you should tell them you do not need any paper applications as you will only be providing access for online registration through GeauxVote and TurboVote or other online portal.
For more information, please see the Secretary of State’s Third-Party Registration Best Practices document.
Please click here for additional information on Tulane’s Political Activity Policy.
