Hatch Act FAQ
Reprinted from the Office of Special Counsel web site (www.osc.gov)
Listed below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions received by OSC about political activity by federal employees.
Question: Can I make a contribution to the campaign of a partisan candidate, or to a political party or organization?
Answer: Yes. A federal employee may contribute to the campaign of a partisan candidate, or to a political party or organization.
Question: If I have a bumper sticker on my personal car, am I allowed to park the car in a government lot or garage, or in a private lot/garage if the government subsidizes my parking fees?
Answer: Yes. An employee is allowed to park his or her privately owned vehicle with bumper sticker in a government lot or garage. An employee may also park the car with a bumper sticker in a private lot or garage for which the employee receives a subsidy from his or her agency.
Question: Can I help organize a political fundraiser?
Answer: An employee is allowed to organize a fundraiser, including supplying names for the invitation list, as long as he or she does not personally solicit, accept, or receive contributions.
Question: Can my name appear on invitations to a political fundraiser as a sponsor or point of contact?
Answer: No. An employee's name may not be shown on an invitation to such a fundraiser as a sponsor or point of contact.
Question: Can I speak at a political fundraiser?
Answer: An employee is allowed to give a speech or keynote address at a political fundraiser, as long as he or she is not on duty, and does not solicit political contributions.
Question: If I'm going to speak at a political fundraiser, what information about me can be printed on the invitations?
Answer: An employee's name can be shown as a guest speaker. However, the reference should not in any way suggest that the employee solicits or encourages contributions. Invitations to the fundraiser may not include the employee's official title; although an employee who is ordinarily addressed with a general term of address such as "The Honorable" may use, or permit the use of, that term of address on the invitation.
Question: Can I attend a state or national party convention? If so, in what capacity?
Answer: Yes. A federal employee may serve as a delegate, alternate, or proxy to a state or national party convention.
Question: If I run as a candidate for public office in a nonpartisan election, does the Hatch Act allow me to ask for and accept political contributions?
Answer: An employee who is a candidate for public office in a nonpartisan election is not barred by the Hatch Act from soliciting, accepting, or receiving political contributions for his or her own campaign.
Question: May I distribute brochures for a political party to people arriving at a polling place on Election Day?
Answer: Yes. An employee may stand outside a polling place on Election Day and hand out brochures on behalf of a partisan political candidate or political party.