Election Season and the Hatch Act

During this election season, remember the Hatch Act.

Among other provisions, this federal law prohibits employees from engaging in political activity while on duty, in any government office, while wearing an official uniform or while using a government vehicle.

That means no shirts, no hats, and no buttons or other items displaying the name or likeness of a candidate or political party. The law also prohibits any partisan political messages in the workplace.

Using a postal computer or telephone to make a political contribution (including making a political contribution on the clock) is prohibited. Employees who use USPS E-Mail to send partisan political messages violate federal law and risk losing their jobs. Employees who receive E-Mails containing such messages from outside the postal network immediately should delete them.

Employees can place political bumper stickers on their personal vehicles. However, there are limitations. If the car is parked on postal or other government property, the Hatch Act limits to just one the number of visible bumper stickers. If the vehicle is used for postal business, the employee must cover all political bumper stickers during the time the car is used for official duties.

Employees aren’t completely prohibited from participating in the political process. They can register to vote and can support their favorite candidates by voting on Election Day. Employees also can participate in registration drives and contribute money to political organizations. And they can be candidates for public office, but only in nonpartisan elections.

To learn more about the Hatch Act visit http://osc.gov/hatchact.htm. Or for more information, contact your local Law Office, call the Ethics Helpline at 202-268-6346, or send an E-Mail to ethics.help@usps.gov.