The Hatch Act and Federal Employees

OSC Seal

THE HATCH ACT
AND
FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

Permitted and Prohibited Activities for
Employees Who May Engage in Partisan Activity

May be candidates for public office in nonpartisan elections
May register and vote as they choose
May assist in voter registration drives
May express opinions about candidates and issues
May contribute money to political organizations
May attend political fundraising functions
May attend and be active at political rallies and meetings
May join and be an active member of a political party or club
May sign nominating petitions
May campaign for or against referendum questions, constitutional amendments, municipal ordinances
May campaign for or against candidates in partisan elections
May make campaign speeches for candidates in partisan elections
May distribute campaign literature in partisan elections
May hold office in political clubs or parties including serving as a delegate to a convention

May not use their official authority or influence to interfere with an election
May not solicit, accept or receive political contributions unless both individuals are members of the same federal labor organization or employee organization and the one solicited is not a subordinate employee
May not knowingly solicit or discourage the political activity of any person who has business before the agency
May not engage in political activity while on duty
May not engage in political activity in any government office
May not engage in political activity while wearing an official uniform
May not engage in political activity while using a government vehicle
May not be candidates for public office in partisan elections
May not wear political buttons on duty

For additional questions, contact:

U.S. Office of Special Counsel
1730 M Street N.W. Suite 21 8· Washington DC 20036-4505
Phone: 1-800-85-HATCH · Web Site: www.osc.gov

This list does not apply to federal employees in the following agencies, divisions or positions: Federal Election Commission; Federal Bureau of Investigations; Secret Service; Central Intelligence Agency; National Security Agency; National Security Counsel; Defense Intelligence Agency; National Imagery and Mapping Agency; Merit Systems Protection Board; Office of Special Counsel; Office of Criminal Investigations of the IRS; Office of Investigative Programs of the U.S. Customs Service; Office of Law Enforcement of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; Criminal Division of the Department of Justice; Career members of the Senior Executive Staff; Administrative Law Judges; Administrative Appeals Judges; Contract appeals board members.

Rev. 12/05