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In 1993, Congress passed legislation
that significantly amended the Hatch Act (5 U.S.C.
§§ 7321-7326) as it applies to Federal
and District of Columbia (DC) employees. Under
the amendments, most Federal and DC employees
are now permitted to take an active part in political
management and political campaigns. However, Federal
employees are still prohibited from seeking public
office in partisan elections. Additionally, Senior
Executive Service employees are subject to greater
restrictions and continue to be prohibited from
engaging in partisan political management and
partisan political campaigns.
The following are general guidelines of permitted
and prohibited Political Activity for Federal
employees of the Executive Branch:
Permitted/Prohibited Activities for Non-Senior
Executive Employees
Employees may:
- Be candidates for public office in nonpartisan
elections.
- Register and vote as they choose.
- Assist in voter registration drives.
- Express opinions about candidates and issues.
- Contribute money to political organizations.
- Attend political fundraising functions.
- Attend and be active at political rallies
and meetings.
- Join and be an active member of a political
party or club.
- Sign nominating petitions.
- Campaign for or against referendum questions,
constitutional amendments, and/or municipal
ordinances.
- Campaign for or against candidates in partisan
elections.
- Make campaign speeches for candidates in partisan
elections.
- Distribute campaign literature in partisan
elections.
- Hold office in political clubs or parties.
Employees may not:
- Use official authority/influence to interfere
with an election.
- Solicit or discourage the political activity
of anyone with business before their agency.
- Solicit or receive political contributions
(may be done in certain limited situations by
employee organizations). Please contact the
Agency's Ethics Office for more information.
- Be candidates for public office in partisan
elections.
- Engage in political activity while: on duty,
in a government office, wearing an official
uniform, using a government vehicle.
- Wear partisan political buttons on duty.
Permitted/Prohibited Activities for Senior
Executive Service Employees
Employees may:
- Register and vote as they choose.
- Assist in voter registration drives.
- Express opinions about candidates and issues.
- Participate in campaigns where none of the
candidates represent a political party.
- Contribute money to political organizations
or attend political fund raising functions.
- Attend political rallies and meetings.
- Join political clubs or parties.
- Sign nominating petitions.
- Campaign for or against referendum questions,
constitutional amendments, and/or municipal
ordinances.
Employees may not:
- Be candidates for public office in partisan
elections.
- Campaign for or against a candidate or slate
of candidates in partisan elections.
- Make campaign speeches.
- Collect contributions or sell tickets to political
fund raising functions.
- Distribute campaign material in partisan elections.
- Organize or manage political rallies or meetings.
- Hold office in political clubs or parties.
- Circulate nominating petitions.
- Work to register voters for one party only.
- Wear political buttons at work.
Attached are Frequently Asked
Questions and Answers for Employees Who May Engage
in Partisan/Political Activity (Attachment
1) and the Political Activities Quick Reference
Chart (Attachment
2).
Inquiries regarding this memorandum should be
referred to your immediate supervisor. Supervisors
should contact the Agency's Ethics Office at Extension
504-255-5679 or 504-255-5580 for assistance.
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