Cape board candidates reminded campaigning on school property not allowed

Cape district officials recently stated they had been notified that representatives for school board candidate Ashley Murray were seen campaigning on school property, and said they reminded candidates April 21 that election-related campaigning is not permitted on school grounds until the day of the election, Tuesday, May 11.

Delaware Code information on electioneering and campaign finance is provided to all registered school board candidates by the state election commissioner. On election day, signs or campaigning are only permitted at the three polling locations, Cape High, Mariner Middle and Rehoboth Elementary, and must be at least 50 feet from any entry or exit doors to the polling location, school officials said.

Murray representatives have been identified campaigning outside Cape High, and Beacon and Mariner Middle schools, including on May 6.

Murray was also fined by the Department of Elections for failing to file a campaign finance report, netting a $200 fine that was reduced to $100 after she received a 24-hour extension from the department. 

The 30-day financial report is required to be filed with the department 30 days before the election, set for Tuesday, May 11. Candidates who file a late or incomplete report are fined $50 each day the report is late.

On April 15, Murray filed the document under the political committee named Ashley Murray for Cape. The report, available for download at elections.delaware.gov/campaignfinance, details $2,588 in donations, in-kind contributions and loans; $2,252 in expenses and in-kind expenses; and $609 in loans.

Election officials said candidate Janis Hanwell was not required to file a report because she did not form a candidate committee and did not intend or expect to receive or spend more than $2,000.