Your Rights Under the Hatch Act
The Hatch Act is a federal law that restricts the political activities
of postal and other federal workers, as well as those of state and
local government employees who work in connection with federally funded
programs.
In 1993, Congress revised the law to give government workers more freedom
to take an active part in political campaigns.
Election Activities and Union Funds
The APWU urges union members to help elect a president and members of Congress
who will advance the interests of working families.
You can amplify your voice by participating in union-organized
activities or by working directly for a candidate or political
party.
Please be aware, however, that except for voluntary
contributions to APWU COPA, the union's Committee on Political
Action, union funds and other resources
cannot be used to urge the public to support a political
campaign or party.
Union resources can be used to contact other union members for political
education purposes and to urge them to vote for candidates supported by the union. |
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The Hatch Act now permits postal and federal workers to engage
in a wide variety of political activities that promote a candidate
or political party — provided they do so as private citizens, when they are on their own
time, off government property, and not in uniform.
Examples of Permitted Activities:
Postal and most federal workers may:
- Register and vote in an election.
- Attend or organize campaign events in support of a political candidate
or party.
- Participate in phone banks, canvassing and other voter-contact
activities.
- Assist with voter registration efforts.
- Work at polling sites and attend party caucuses and
conventions.
- Make financial or “in-kind” contributions to a campaign.
- Attend fundraising events for a campaign or
party. (See
additional restrictions below.)
- Stuff envelopes and assist with mailings.
- Display a sign or bumper sticker on a personal vehicle while
parked USPS property (provided the vehicle will not be used
on duty).
Examples of Prohibited Activities
Postal and federal workers may not:
- Run for office in a partisan election.
- Participate in political activities while on duty; while on USPS property; while operating a
postal or personal vehicle while on duty; or while wearing
a USPS uniform, badge, or other item that identifies them as
federal employees.
- Solicit, accept, or receive political contributions from the
public, except under specifically defined circumstances.
- Coerce co-workers to make political contributions.
- Become personally identified with partisan fundraising activities,
such as signing a letter, giving a speech, or allowing their name to
be used, or serving as a point of contact for a fundraiser.
- Participate, even anonymously, in phone-bank solicitations for
political contributions.
For a complete description of your political rights as a federal worker
under the Hatch Act, as well as the restrictions that you are subject to,
see the union’s Guide
to Political Activities for Postal and Federal Employees: Relevant Provisions
of the Hatch Act. [PDF]
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This page paid for by the APWU Committee
on Political Action (COPA), and not authorized by any candidate
or candidate’s committee. |
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