Sec. 10.5. (a) This section does not apply to the following:
(1) An elected or appointed officer.
(2) An individual described in IC 20-26-4-11.
(b) Subject to IC 3-5-9, an employee of a political subdivision may:
(1) be a candidate for any elected office and serve in that office if elected; or
(2) be appointed to any office and serve in that office if appointed;
without having to resign as an employee of the political subdivision.