As the presidential election approaches, it is important to be familiar with the provisions of the Hatch Act. The Hatch Act prohibits Postal Service and other federal employees from engaging in political activity at the following times:
· While on duty.
· While wearing a uniform, badge, insignia, or similar item that identifies the employee’s agency or position.
· While on government-owned or -leased property.
· While using a government-owned or -leased vehicle.
· While using a privately-owned vehicle in the discharge of official duties.
“Political activity” is defined as activity directed toward the success or failure of a political party, a candidate for a partisan political office, or a partisan political group.
Postal Service employees may engage in the following activities while off duty, not in uniform, not in a Postal Service vehicle, and not on USPS or other federal property:
· Register and vote as they choose;
· Assist in voter registration drives;
· Express opinions about candidates and issues;
· Be a candidate or participate in nonpartisan elections in which no candidate representing a political party is running;
· Contribute money to political campaigns, parties, and partisan political groups; and
· Place signs on their personal property, though the signs cannot be in view while videoconferencing for work.
NOTE: An important change has been made relating to when federal employees can display campaign items in the workplace. In an advisory opinion issued in May 2024, the Office of Special Counsel determined that contemporary political memorabilia is now barred from the workplace year-round, not just before Election Day. This includes displaying or wearing any type of political memorabilia at work, including campaign buttons, hats, shirts, or signs.
If you are found to be in violation of the Hatch Act, you can be disciplined (up to and including removal) and assessed a civil penalty, so it is good to familiarize yourself with the restrictions.
If you have questions about the Hatch Act or political activity, you can call the USPS Ethics Office at (202) 268-6346 or email Ethics.Help@usps.gov.
Additional resources:
Federal News Network – The Hatch Act – What’s new plus a review
Hatch Act Refresher (PB22634, 10-05-23)
Hatch Act Do’s and Don’ts (National Rural Letter Carrier magazine, September 2024 issue)
