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BLOGS

Vote 2009

City symbol use by candidates OK

Scoop got some questions from political observers about whether it was legal for candidates to use official Greensboro symbols on their campaign paraphernalia.

District 1 candidate Luther Falls Jr. has a flyer with Greensboro’s oak leaf “G” symbol. And At-large candidate Sandra Anderson Groat was using the city’s seal on her campaign Web site.

We consulted an expert – attorney Don Wright from the North Carolina Board of Elections.

Wright says using seals or other symbols to decorate flyers and such is OK.

“Candidates can use the American flag. They can use a picture of the White House. They can use the great seal of the United States,” he said. “Those are owned by the public.”

For good measure, he reminds us that any use of such symbols should in no way imply official government action on behalf of the candidate.