Wednesday, October 16, 2002
Lecture Room B
Union Brown Bag Discussion Series

 An activity directed at the success or failure of a:
– Political Party;
– Candidate for Partisan Political
Office; or
– Partisan Political Group
5 U.S.C. § 7324; 5 C.F.R. PART 734.101

 The Hatch Act restricts the political activity of executive branch employees of the federal government, District of Columbia government and some state and local employees who work in connection with federally funded programs. See 5 U.S.C. §§ 7321 et seq.

 The Hatch Act was reformed in
1993 to allow federal employees to participate more fully in the political process, but only on:
– their own time;
– and away from the worksite.
5 U.S.C. §§ 7321-7326.

 As a result, most government employees can now attend and be active at political rallies and meetings, sign nomination petitions, campaign for or against candidates in partisan elections, distribute campaign literature in partisan elections and even hold office in political clubs or parties.

 All civilian employees in the executive branch of the federal government,except the President and the Vice President,are covered by the provisions of the Hatch Act.
Employees of the U.S. Postal Service and the the District of Columbia are also covered by the Act.

5 U.S.C. § 7323; 5 C.F.R. PART 734, SUBPART B
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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

5 U.S.C. § 7323; 5 C.F.R. PART 734, SUBPART B
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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

5 U.S.C. § 7323; 5 C.F.R. PART 734, SUBPART C
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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

5 U.S.C. § 7323; 5 C.F.R. PART 734, SUBPART C
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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 partisan elections
May not wear political buttons on duty

 For covered federal employees and
District of Columbia government employees,the most severe penalty for violation is removal. The minimum penalty is suspension without pay for 30 days.

 Most federal and D.C. employees are now permitted to take an
 Employees may not engage in political activity while: management and political campaigns
– on their own time; and
– away from the worksite.
5 U.S.C. § 7324; 5 C.F.R. PART
734, SUBPART B
– in a government office;
– wearing an official uniform; or
– using a government vehicle
5 U.S.C. § 7324; 5 C.F.R. PART
734, SUBPART C

 Contact:
AFGE Council 260
(301) 837 0901 www.afgecouncil260.org
 Or visit: www.osc.gov