Q: Valerie is a new hire to the Navy. Before becoming a federal employee, Valerie had always been active in politics. She was recently selected to lead the fundraising efforts in her community for her party's presidential candidate. Can she do this?
A: No. The rules that govern the political activity of civilian employees are known as the Hatch Act. Under the Hatch Act, federal employees are not allowed to solicit and receive political contributions in a partisan election, but they may make them. Members of the military are not subject to the Hatch Act. However, restrictions regarding their political activity are governed by DOD Directive 1344.10. Like federal employees, members of the Armed Forces are not allowed to solicit and receive political contributions, but may make them.
Q: Eugene was recently promoted to an SES position from a GS-15. His neighbor, Joe, is running for re-election to Congress. Eugene did a wonderful job helping Joe get elected 2 years ago and Joe has asked Eugene to campaign for him this year. Can Eugene do this?
A: No. Members of the Senior Executive Service, as well as the military, are subjected to additional restrictions to which other civilian employees are not subjected. Some of these additional restrictions include:
- Campaigning for or against candidates in partisan elections.
- Distributing campaign material.
- Organizing or managing political rallies or meetings.
- Circulating nominating petitions.
- Working to register voters.
- Making campaign speeches for candidates.
Q: Sam, a GS-12 contract specialist, has just arrived to work after voting in his first presidential election. He is very excited about the race and wears his candidate's button at work. Is this permitted?
A: No. Federal employees (whether civilian or military) are not allowed to engage in partisan activity at work. This includes wearing political buttons on duty, or even displaying a campaign poster or bumper sticker in one's office. Federal employees would be allowed to wear political buttons off duty and off work premises. Military members cannot wear these buttons while in uniform.
Q: Louise is an employee at the Pentagon. She has never been interested in politics, but this year the presidential election has captured her interest. She has even gone so far as to put her candidate's bumper sticker on her car which she drives to work every day and parks in the garage. Must she remove the sticker?
A: No. The Hatch Act and DoD Instruction 1344.10 do not prohibit federal employees from displaying a bumper sticker on their private vehicle on Government spaces. However, the vehicle cannot be used to perform official functions.
NOTE: Part I below is a list of the "Do's and Don'ts" for all civilian employees. Additional restrictions for members of the SES are set forth in Part II below. DoD Directive 1344.10 provides guidelines on political activity for the military.
Part I. Permitted/Prohibited Activities For Civilian Employees (Non-SES).
These federal 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, 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.
- Use official authority or influence to interfere with an election.
- Solicit or discourage political activity of anyone with business before their agency
- Solicit or receive political contributions (may be done in certain limited situations by federal labor or other employee organizations).
- 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.
Part II. Permitted/Prohibited Activities for Members of the SES.
These federal 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 fundraising functions.
- Attend political rallies and meetings.
- Join political clubs or parties.
- Sign nominating petitions.
- Campaign for or against referendum questions, constitutional amendments, municipal ordinances.
- 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.