The Hatch Act is a law that restricts federal employees — including Postal Service employees — from engaging in certain political activities.
These include:
• Running as a candidate in a partisan election;
• Hosting or inviting people to a political fundraiser;
• Soliciting or collecting donations for a partisan political group, party or candidate; or
• Using their USPS position or title to influence an election.
While on duty, in uniform, in a postal vehicle, using a USPS-issued cellphone or on federal property, employees cannot:
• Wear apparel with messages for or against a partisan political group, party or candidate;
• Display a bumper sticker supporting a candidate for partisan political office on their personal vehicle while using that vehicle to make postal deliveries;
• Make statements for or against a partisan political group, party or candidate; or
• Post, like, share or repost messages on social media that are for or against a partisan political group, party or candidate.
The Hatch Act does not prohibit employees from voting or registering to vote; donating to a partisan group, party or candidate; attending political fundraisers; running as a candidate in a nonpartisan election; or serving as a poll watcher or election judge — as long as the employee is off duty, not in uniform, not in a postal vehicle and not on federal property.
A Hatch Act violation can result in a suspension, civil fines or a ban from federal employment.
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel, an independent agency that investigates Hatch Act violations, has a list of answers to frequently asked questions on its website.
The Political Activity page on Blue also has additional information.
Employees with questions can email the USPS Ethics Office or call 202-268-6346.
