(a) No officer or employee of the City except the Mayor and other Councilmembers and personnel who do not receive compensation for their services, may work for or against or attempt to influence the election or defeat of any candidate for Mayor or Councilmember, or the recall of the Mayor or any Councilmember; provided that this shall not prohibit the ordinary exercise of one’s right to express one’s opinions and to vote.

(b) Any person who violates this section, shall be punished, upon conviction thereof, by a fine not exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00) and costs. Such violation shall constitute cause for removal from office or employment; and if the regular removal authority has not already removed a person who violates this section, the person shall be automatically removed by the said conviction of violating this section, effective at the expiration of the period during which the person may appear or, in case of appeal, when the case is finally determined.