08/2008

 

Managers,

 

As we near the upcoming Presidential election, I would just like to send a reminder to you concerning the Hatch Act, which governs the political activity of Postal Service employees.   The Hatch Act affects some political activities, including off-duty activities, for Postal Service employees.  The Office of Special Counsel, which investigates Hatch Act violations, has prepared the following examples of permitted and prohibited activities for Postal Service employees:

 

Postal Service employees may:

·        Be candidates for public office in non-partisan elections.

·        Register and vote as they choose.

·        Assist in voter registration drives.

·        Express opinions about candidates and issues.

·        Contribute money to political organizations.

·        Attend political fundraising functions.

·        Attend and be active at political rallies and meetings.

·        Join and be an active member of a political party or club.

·        Sign nominating petitions.

·        Campaign for or against referendum questions, constitutional amendments, and municipal ordinances.

·        Campaign for or against candidates in partisan elections.

·        Make campaign speeches for candidates in partisan elections.

·        Distribute campaign literature in campaign elections.

·        Hold office in political clubs or parties.

 

Postal Service employees may not:

·        Be candidates for public office in partisan elections.

·        Use their official authority or influence to interfere with an election.

·        Collect political contributions unless both individuals are members of the same federal labor organization or employee organization and the one solicited is not a subordinate employee.

·        Knowingly solicit or discourage the political activity of any person who has business before the agency.

·        Engage in political activity while on duty, or in any government office, or while wearing an official uniform, or while using a government vehicle.

·        Solicit political contributions from the general public.

·        Wear political buttons on duty.

·        Display political bumper stickers on official vehicles or while using a POV as an official postal vehicle.  

 

 If you have any questions or concerns about the Hatch Act, please contact Labor Relations.

 

 

 

 

 

The Anti-Lobbying Act — Lobbying Restrictions for Employees

The Anti-Lobbying Act is a federal law that prohibits Postal Service officers and employees acting in their official capacity from engaging in grassroots lobbying campaigns that directly or indirectly encourage the public to contact government officials in support of, or in opposition to, pro­posed or pending legislation.

Example: A Postal Service employee may not partici­pate in a press conference organized by a non-governmental advocacy group called to criticize a legisla­tive proposal, nor may an employee ghostwrite statements for a grassroots lobbying campaign.

The Anti-Lobbying Act also prohibits the direct or indi­rect use of Postal Service funds to pay for material intended to influence a member of Congress, a jurisdiction, or an official of any government to support or oppose any legislation, law ratification, policy, or appropriation.

Example: A series of letters on official stationery sent to mass mailers urging them to write to their elected repre­sentative to support specific legislation would constitute a prohibited direct expenditure under the Anti-Lobbying Act.

Example: The provision of facilities, equipment, tele­phones, etc., to a private lobbying group for a grassroots lobbying campaign supporting specific legislation would constitute a prohibited indirect expenditure under the Anti-Lobbying Act.

Advice concerning the Anti-Lobbying Act is available to Postal Service employees by calling the Ethics Help Line at (202) 268-6346, or by sending an e-mail inquiry to ethics.help@usps.gov.