The Hatch Act generally applies to employees
working in the executive branch of the federal
government. The purpose of the Act is to maintain
a federal workforce that is free from partisan
political influence or coercion.
________________________
A Covered Employee:
May not be a candidate for nomination or
election to public office in a partisan election.
May not use his or her official authority or
influence to interfere with or affect the result of
an election. For example:
> May not use his or her official title or
position while engaged in political activity.
> May not invite subordinate employees to
political events or otherwise suggest to
sub ordinates that they attend political events
or undertake any partisan political activity.
May not knowingly solicit or discourage the
participation in any political activity of anyone
who has business before their employing office.
May not solicit, accept, or receive a donation
or contribution for a partisan political party,
candidate for partisan political office, or partisan
political group. For example:
> May not host a political fundraiser;
> May not invite others to a political
fundraiser;
> May not sell tickets to a political fundraiser;
May not use any e-mail account or social
media to distribute, send, or forward content
that solicits political contributions.
Understanding How the Hatch Act Applies to You
May not engage in political activity — i.e., activity
directed at the success or failure of a political party,
candidate for partisan political office, or partisan
political group — while the employee is on duty, in
any federal room or building, while wearing a
uniform or official insignia, or using any federally
owned or leased vehicle. For example:
> May not distribute campaign materials;
> May not display campaign materials or items;
> May not perform campaign related chores;
> May not wear or display partisan political
buttons, t-shirts, signs, or other items;
> May not make political contributions to a
partisan political party, candidate for partisan
political office, or partisan political group;
> May not post a comment to a blog or a social
media site that advocates for or against a partisan
political party, candidate for partisan political
office, or partisan political group;
> May not use any e-mail account or social media
to distribute, send, or forward content that
advocates for or against a partisan political party,
candidate for partisan political office, or partisan
political group.
_______________________
A Covered Employee:
May be a candidate in a nonpartisan election.
May register and vote as they choose.
May assist in voter registration drives.
May participate in nonpartisan campaigns.
May contribute money to political campaigns,
political parties, or partisan political groups.
May attend political fundraising functions.
May attend political rallies and meetings.
May join political clubs or parties.
May campaign for or against referendum questions,
constitutional amendments, or municipal ordinances.
May sign nominating petitions
May circulate nominating petitions.*
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 volunteer to work on a partisan political
campaign.*
May express opinions about candidates and issues. If
the expression is political activity, however — i.e.,
activi
ty direc
ted at the success or failure of a political
party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan
political group — then the expression is not permit-
ted while the employee is on duty, in any federal
room or building, while wearing a uniform or official
insignia, or using any federally owned or leased
vehicle.
* Further restricted employees, as described herein, may
not engage in these activities.
_____________________
What Happens if I Violate the Hatch Act?
An employee who violates the Hatch Act is subject to a
range of disciplinary actions, including removal from
federal service, reduction in grade, debarment from
federal service for a period not to exceed 5 years,
suspension, letter of reprimand, or a civil penalty not to
exceed $1000.