The Postal Service is offering employees another reminder about the rules for participating in political activities under the Hatch Act.
The Hatch Act is a law that prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activity while on duty, while wearing a federal uniform or identification badge, while on federal property or while inside a federal vehicle.
The law also forbids employees from engaging in certain political activities whether or not they are on duty, such as raising money for a candidate or running for a partisan office.
However, under the Hatch Act, employees are permitted to do the following when not at work, wearing a postal uniform or occupying a postal vehicle:
- Register to vote and vote in an election
- Volunteer to participate in voter registration efforts
- Manage a partisan political campaign
- Attend a political fundraiser
- Donate money to a partisan candidate, party or group
- Become a member of a political party
- Hold office within a political party
The Ethics Blue page has more Hatch Act resources, including a “Let’s Talk Politics!” fact sheet. Employees who have questions can contact their local field law office or send an email to ethics.help@usps.gov.
