The Postal Service is reminding employees about the Hatch Act, a law that restricts the partisan political activity of the federal workforce — including USPS employees.
Partisan political activity is any action directed toward the success or failure of a political party, partisan political group or a current candidate for a partisan political office.
Postal Service employees cannot do the following while on duty, in uniform, wearing a USPS badge, in a postal vehicle or on USPS property:
• Distribute, share or display partisan political materials or campaign slogans;
• Wear clothing or accessories with messages or images for or against a political candidate, party or group;
• Post or engage with partisan political content on social media;
• Place a partisan bumper sticker on a USPS vehicle or a personal vehicle that is used to deliver mail; or
• Have conversations to sway others’ opinions regarding a partisan candidate, political party or partisan political group.
While off duty, employees cannot:
• Become a candidate in a partisan election;
• Solicit or accept political contributions for a partisan candidate or political party;
• Host or invite others to a political fundraiser; or
• Use their Postal Service title or position to influence or interfere with elections.
The Hatch Act does not prohibit employees from discussing current events or policy issues while on duty. And employees are allowed to display one standard-size, partisan bumper sticker per candidate on a privately owned vehicle when parked on USPS property.
Penalties for violating the Hatch Act include suspension, fines and being banned from federal employment.
The Office of Special Counsel’s FAQ website has additional information.
Employees with questions can email the USPS Ethics Office.
