Source: https://osc.gov/pages/HatchAct-FAQs.aspx
Timestamp: 2015-08-28 12:58:46
Document Index: 677490374

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 410', '§ 7322', '§ 7324', '§ 7324', '§ 7323', '§ 734', '§ 7324', '§ 734', '§ 734']

See 39 U.S.C. § 410(b)(1)​.​Q:Are all federal employees covered by the Hatch Act?A:No. For purposes of the Hatch Act, the term "federal employee" means any individual, other than the President and the Vice President, employed or holding office in one of the following: 1) "an Executive agency other than the Government Accountability Office"; or, 2) "a position within the competitive service which is not in an Executive agency." 5 U.S. Code § 7322. Additionally, under the Hatch Act, the term "federal employee" does not include "a member of the uniformed services or an individual employed or holding office in the government of the District of Columbia. "​​Q:I am a member of the uniformed services. Am I covered by the Hatch Act?A:​No.
contributions for his or her own campaign.​Q:May I distribute brochures for a political party to people arriving at a polling place on Election Day?A:Less Restricted Employees: Yes. A less restricted employee may stand outside a polling place on Election Day and hand out brochures on behalf of a partisan political candidate or political party. Further Restricted Employees: No. A further restricted employee may not distribute brochures for a political party to people arriving at a polling place on Election Day.Q:May I run an advertisement in my local newspaper endorsing a candidate for delegate, at the request of the candidate?A:Less Restricted Employees: Yes. A less restricted employee may endorse or oppose a partisan political candidate or a candidate for political party office in a political advertisement, broadcast, campaign literature, or similar material. Further Restricted Employees: No. The Hatch Act expressly prohibits further restricted employees from taking an active part in partisan political management or political campaigns. Accordingly, further restricted employees may not endorse or oppose a candidate for political party office in a political advertisement, broadcast, campaign literature, or similar material if such endorsement or opposition is done in concert with such a candidate, political party, or partisan political group.​Q:Does the Hatch Act still apply to me if I take a leave of absence to work on a campaign?A:Less Restricted Employees: Yes. The Hatch Act applies to federal civilian employees so long as they are employed by an executive branch agency. The only prohibition that is affected by an employee's leave status is 5 U.S.C. § 7324(a)(1)​: an employee may not engage in political activity while they are on duty. Because an employee is not on duty while they are on leave, this prohibition would not apply. However, while on leave, the employee remains subject to the other prohibitions in the Hatch Act. Thus, an employee on leave is still prohibited from engaging in political activity while in a government building, wearing an official uniform or insignia, or using a government vehicle. § 7324. Moreover, while the Act permits less restricted employees to actively participate in partisan political management and partisan political campaigns, those employees are nevertheless prohibited, at all times, from using their official authority or influence for the purpose of affecting the result of an election; knowingly soliciting, accepting, or receiving political contributions from any person; being candidates for public office in partisan elections; and knowingly soliciting or discouraging the political activity of any individual with business before the employee's agency. § 7323(a)(1)-(4)​. Thus, while the Hatch Act does not prohibit a less restricted employee from taking leave to volunteer for a partisan political campaign, the employee is still prohibited from, among other things, soliciting, accepting or receiving political contributions while they are on leave. Further Restricted Employees: Yes. The guidelines set forth above, for less restricted employees, apply, but with an added limitation. Unlike less restricted employees, the Hatch Act prohibits further restricted employees from taking an active part in partisan political management and partisan political campaigns. This means further restricted employees may not, at any time, engage in political activity on behalf of or in concert with a political party, partisan political group, or candidate for partisan public office. For instance, taking an "active part" would include: distributing material created by a partisan candidate, political party, or partisan political group; speaking at a political rally organized or sponsored by such entities; or serving as a campaign volunteer. It also would include engaging in political activity through a medium sponsored or controlled by a political party, partisan political group, or partisan candidate, such as by endorsing a candidate in a commercial sponsored by one of these entities. Thus, the Hatch Act prohibits a further restricted employee from volunteering for a partisan political campaign even if the employee is on leave. ​​​​Q:Can I serve as a treasurer for a political action committee (PAC) or as the treasurer for someone’s campaign?A:Less Restricted Employees: It depends. Federal employees may actively participate in partisan political campaigns and partisan political management to the extent not expressly prohibited by the Hatch Act. Thus, an employee may serve as treasurer for a partisan political campaign or other partisan political group, provided he does not solicit, accept, or receive political contributions from any person (or engage in any other of the Act's prohibited activities). For example, an employee serving as the treasurer of a partisan political campaign may not allow his name to appear anywhere on a letter soliciting political contributions for an organization, party, or candidate, including in the letterhead of such a letter. Some states require the campaign treasurer's name to appear on all campaign materials, including solicitations. Thus, an employee living in one of those states would be prohibited from serving as a campaign treasurer. He could, however, hold another position within the campaign if the duties of which would not entail activities prohibited by the Hatch Act.Further Restricted Employees: No. Further restricted employees may not take an active part in partisan political management or partisan political campaigns. Thus, they may not hold office in any partisan political organization or work for a partisan political campaign in any capacity. Accordingly, an employee who is further restricted under the Act may not serve as a treasurer for a PAC or for a candidate's partisan political campaign, regardless of whether the position would entail soliciting, accepting, or receiving political contributions.​​Q:Can I help organize a political fundraiser?A:Less Restricted Employees: Although the Hatch Act would prohibit an employee from hosting or serving as a point of contact for a fundraiser, the employee is allowed to help organize a fundraiser. For example, the employee could stuff envelopes, set up tables for the event, select the menu, or hire entertainment. However, the employee must not personally solicit, accept, or receive political contributions.Further Restricted Employees: No, you may not organize a political fundraiser.​​​Q:Can I speak at a political fundraiser?A:Less Restricted Employees: A less restricted employee is allowed to give a speech or keynote address at a political fundraiser, as long as he or she is not on duty, appears only in his or her personal capacity, and does not solicit political contributions.Further Restricted Employees: No. A further restricted employee may not speak at a political fundraiser.​​​Q:My spouse is hosting a political fundraiser. Can I assist with the event?A:Less Restricted Employees: Yes, but only in a limited capacity. The Code of Federal Regulations states that a federal "employee may help organize a fundraiser including supplying names for the invitation list as long as he or she does not personally solicit, accept, or receive contributions." 5 C.F.R. § 734.208, example 9. By its very nature, a fundraiser is organized to solicit, accept, and receive contributions.A Hatch Act-covered employee may assist his spouse with addressing envelopes, placing invitations in a U.S. mail receptacle, or cleaning/organizing the venue. A covered employee may even suggest names to his spouse to add to the invitation list; however, the suggested invitees must have a relationship with the spouse independent of the covered employee. For example, the covered employee can suggest a neighbor or church member who is known to both. The covered employee, however, cannot suggest his co-worker(s) if his spouse does not know the co-worker(s) well enough to invite them of his or her own accord. Covered employees cannot act or appear to act as the host of the event, including introducing any speakers or attendees.Covered employees who find themselves in this situation are strongly encouraged to contact OSC for guidance as to their specific circumstances.Further Restricted Employees: No. A further restricted employee may not assist at a political fundraiser, including behind the scenes activities.Q:May an employee solicit and accept contributions for his candidacy for party office?A:Less Restricted Employees: Yes. If the contribution is made solely for the benefit of the employee's campaign for party office, the Hatch Act would not prohibit the employee from soliciting or accepting such contributions. However, the employee should not donate or refer any of the campaign contributions received to a political party or partisan political group.The question is not applicable to further restricted employees because they may not take an active part in partisan political management.​​Q:If the sitting President is a candidate for reelection, may federal employees display his or her picture in their offices?A:An employee covered by the Hatch Act may not engage in political activity while on duty, in a government room or building, while wearing an official uniform, or using a government vehicle. 5 U.S.C. § 7324​. Political activity is defined as activity directed toward the success or failure of a political party, candidate for a partisan political office, or partisan political group. 5 C.F.R. § 734.101​.Thus, the Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from, among other things, displaying pictures of candidates for partisan public office in the federal workplace. 5 C.F.R. § 734.306​, Example 16. If the President is a candidate for reelection, the Hatch Act prohibits an employee from displaying his or her photograph in the federal workplace, unless one of the two exceptions discussed below applies. The first exception applies to official photographs of the President. The Hatch Act does not prohibit the continued display of official photographs of the President in the federal workplace, to include both public and employee work spaces. Official photographs include the traditional portrait photo of the President displayed in all federal buildings, as well as photographs of the President conducting official business (e.g., President meeting with heads of state). However, these official photographs must be displayed in a traditional size and manner and should not be altered in anyway (e.g., the addition of halos or horns). Pictures that are distributed by the President's campaign or a partisan organization, such as the Democratic National Committee or Organizing for America, are not official, even if they depict the President performing an official act. Similarly, pictures downloaded from the internet or clipped from magazines or newspapers, screen savers, and life-size cutouts are not official photographs for purposes of this exception.The second exception, which applies to all candidate photographs, concerns personal employee photographs. An employee would not be prohibited from having a photograph of any candidate in his or her office, if all of the following apply: the photograph was on display in advance of the election season; the employee is in the photograph with the candidate; and the photograph is a personal one (i.e., the employee has a personal relationship with the candidate and the photograph is taken at some kind of personal event or function, for example, a wedding, and not at a campaign event or some other type of partisan political event). An employee must not have a political purpose for displaying the photograph, namely, promoting or opposing a political party or a candidate for partisan political office.If you have any questions, please contact our office for additional guidance.​​​Q:May I write a letter to the editor or post a comment on a blog endorsing a partisan political candidate?A:Less Restricted Employees: Yes, but with some limitations. Federal employees are permitted to express their opinions privately and publicly on political subjects and participate in political activities to the extent not expressly prohibited by the Hatch Act. The Act expressly prohibits federal employees (except certain employees appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate and some employees paid from an appropriation for the Executive Office of the President) from engaging in political activity while on duty, in a federal building, or in a government vehicle. In addition, federal employees may not use their official authority or influence to interfere with the result of an election or solicit, accept, or receive political contributions at any time. Accordingly, a federal employee may write a letter to the editor or post a comment on a blog endorsing a candidate, provided he does not do so while on duty or in a federal building or vehicle. Furthermore, he must endorse the candidate in his personal capacity and may not identify his federal position or office. Finally, the endorsement may not contain a request for political contributions or information about where voters may contribute, even if the employee makes the endorsement anonymously.Further Restricted Employees: Similarly, further restricted employees may write a letter to the editor or post a comment to a blog in accordance with the conditions described above as long as the activity is not done in concert with a partisan political party, candidate for partisan political office or a partisan political group.​​​Q:A Hatch Act complaint has been filed against me. Can I find out who filed it?A:As a general matter, OSC staff may not disclose the name of the person who filed a Hatch Act complaint. OSC's program files, including Hatch Act complaints, contain personal or sensitive information, which is generally protected from release under the Freedom of Information Act. Release of the names of individuals who have reported suspected Hatch Act violations is generally considered to be an unwarranted invasion of privacy that could interfere with the OSC's law enforcement efforts by subjecting such individuals, on whom OSC relies to report potential violations, to possible harassment or reprisal for doing so. For more information about this policy please refer to 1/26/2004 Policy Statement on Disclosure of Information from OSC Program Files (OSC49a).​​​​Q:May a federal employee advocate for or against a political party, partisan political group, or candidate for partisan public office in posts on a blog, Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media platform?A:Less Restricted Employees: Yes, but subject to the following limitations. The Hatch Act does not prohibit federal employees from expressing their opinions concerning partisan political candidates and political parties. However, the Act prohibits them from engaging in "political activity," that is, activity directed at the success or failure of a political party, partisan political candidate, or partisan political group, while they are on duty or in a building occupied in the discharge of official duties by a federal officer or employee. Thus, federal employees are prohibited from advocating for or against a political party, partisan political group, or candidate for partisan public office through a blog, Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media platform while they are on duty or in the federal workplace. However, doing so off duty and away from the federal workplace would not violate the Hatch Act. The Hatch Act also prohibits federal employees from using their official authority or influence to affect the result of an election. Therefore, although employees may advocate for or against political parties, partisan political groups, or candidates for partisan public office while off duty and away from the federal workplace, they may not refer to their official titles or positions with the government while engaged in such efforts. Note, however, that OSC would not consider the inclusion of a federal employee's official title or position on one's social media profile, without more, to be an improper use of his official authority to bolster the statements he posts. Finally, federal employees are prohibited from soliciting, accepting, or receiving political contributions at any time. Thus, at no time should they suggest or ask anyone to make contributions to a political party, partisan political candidate, or partisan political group. Further, they should not provide links to the contribution page of any of those entities' websites. Further Restricted Employees: Yes, but with an added limitation. In addition to the guidelines set forth above for less restricted employees, the Hatch Act prohibits further restricted employees from taking an active part in partisan political management and partisan political campaigns. This means further restricted employees may not engage in political activity on behalf of or in concert with a political party, partisan political group, or candidate for partisan public office. For instance, taking an "active part" would include: distributing material created by a partisan candidate, political party, or partisan political group; speaking at a political rally organized or sponsored by such entities; or serving as a campaign volunteer. It also would include engaging in political activity through a medium sponsored or controlled by a political party, partisan political group, or partisan candidate, such as by endorsing a candidate in a commercial sponsored by one of these entities. Thus, the Hatch Act would prohibit a further restricted employee from posting or linking to campaign material or the website of a political party, partisan candidate, or partisan political group. In addition, a further restricted employee may not "share" or "re-share" these entities' Facebook pages or any posts on those pages, or "retweet" posts from these entities' Twitter accounts. OSC views these activities as active participation in partisan political campaigning because the employee is disseminating these entities' partisan political material. Moreover, a further restricted employee may not post or comment on these entities' Facebook pages or "tweet" at their Twitter accounts because OSC would consider such activity to be engaging in political activity through a medium sponsored or controlled by a political party, partisan political group, or partisan candidate. ​​Q:May federal employees who are “friends” with their subordinate employees or have “followers” who are subordinate employees advocate for or against a political party, partisan political group, or candidate for partisan public office on their Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, or on any other social media?A:Less Restricted Employees: Yes, but subject to the following guidelines. Although the Hatch Act prohibits the use of one's official authority or influence to affect the result of an election, OSC does not view this activity as violating the Hatch Act, provided the supervisor's statements are directed at all of his Facebook friends or Twitter followers, e.g., if he posted his opinion concerning a candidate in his Facebook status field. On the other hand, such statements would violate the Hatch Act if the supervisor specifically directed them toward his subordinate employees, or to a subset of friends that includes subordinates, e.g., by sending a Facebook message to a subordinate employee, posting a partisan political comment on a subordinate employee's Facebook wall, direct messaging a subordinate employee, or sending a tweet directed at (containing the Twitter handle of) the subordinate employee. In this situation, OSC would view the supervisor's actions as purposefully targeting subordinates with the message, as opposed to the scenario described above, in which the subordinates see the supervisor's opinions by chance. Similar to the guidance above concerning Facebook and Twitter's messaging functions, a supervisor may never send to subordinate employees an e-mail that is directed at the success or failure of a political party, partisan political group, or partisan candidate. OSC would view such an e-mail as one that purposefully targets subordinates, and thus it would be an improper use of the supervisor's official authority or influence to affect the result of an election. Further Restricted Employees: Yes. The same answer applies to further restricted employees, but subject to the following caveat. Specifically, the Hatch Act prohibits further restricted employees from taking an active part in partisan political management or partisan political campaigns. This means further restricted employees may not engage in political activity on behalf of or in concert with a political party, partisan political group, or candidate for partisan public office. For instance, taking an "active part" would include: distributing material created by a partisan candidate, political party, or partisan political group; speaking at a political rally organized or sponsored by such entities; or serving as a campaign volunteer. It also would include engaging in political activity through a medium sponsored or controlled by a political party, partisan political group, or partisan candidate, such as by endorsing a candidate in a commercial sponsored by one of these entities. Thus, the Hatch Act would prohibit a further restricted employee from posting or linking to campaign material or the website of a political party, partisan candidate, or partisan political group. In addition, a further restricted employee may not "share" or "re-share" these entities' Facebook pages or any posts on those pages, or "retweet" posts from these entities' Twitter accounts. OSC views these activities as active participation in partisan political campaigning because the employee is disseminating these entities' partisan political material. Moreover, a further restricted employee may not post or comment on these entities' Facebook pages or "tweet" at their Twitter accounts because OSC would consider such activity to be engaging in political activity through a medium sponsored or controlled by a political party, partisan political group, or partisan candidate. ​​Q:May a federal employee become a “friend” of, or “like” the Facebook page, or “follow” the Twitter account of a political party, partisan political group, or partisan candidate?A:Less Restricted Employees: Yes, but subject to the following limitations. Specifically, the Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activity while on duty or in a federal building. Thus, if they are a "friend" of, or "like," a political party, partisan political group, or partisan candidate on Facebook, or "follow" such entities on Twitter, they should not engage in activities with respect those entities' social media accounts that would constitute "political activity" during duty hours or while in the federal workplace. Political activity is defined as any activity directed toward the success or failure of a political party, partisan political group, or candidate for partisan political office. This would include, for example, suggesting that others "like," "friend," or "follow" the party, group, or candidate, accepting an invitation to a partisan political event, or forwarding the invitation to others. In addition, the Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from soliciting, accepting, or receiving political contributions at any time. Thus, if an employee receives an invitation from the party, group, or candidate to a fundraising event via Facebook or Twitter, the employee would be prohibited from sharing that invitation with others. Further Restricted Employees: Yes, but with an added limitation. In addition to the guidelines set forth above for less restricted employees, the Hatch Act prohibits further restricted employees from taking an active part in partisan political management and partisan political campaigns. This means further restricted employees may not engage in political activity on behalf of or in concert with a political party, partisan political group, or candidate for partisan public office. For instance, taking an "active part" would include: distributing material created by a partisan candidate, political party, or partisan political group; speaking at a political rally organized or sponsored by such entities; or serving as a campaign volunteer. It also would include engaging in political activity through a medium sponsored or controlled by a political party, partisan political group, or partisan candidate, such as by endorsing a candidate in a commercial sponsored by one of these entities. Thus, the Hatch Act would prohibit a further restricted employee from posting or linking to campaign material or the website of a political party, partisan candidate, or partisan political group. In addition, a further restricted employee may not "share" or "re-share" these entities' Facebook pages or any posts on those pages, or "retweet" posts from these entities' Twitter accounts. OSC views these activities as active participation in partisan political campaigning because the employee is disseminating these entities' partisan political material. Moreover, a further restricted employee may not post or comment on these entities' Facebook pages or "tweet" at their Twitter accounts because OSC would consider such activity to be engaging in political activity through a medium sponsored or controlled by a political party, partisan political group, or partisan candidate.​Q:I am an employee who was appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate (PAS). Am I covered by the Hatch Act?A:Yes. An employee appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate (PAS), is subject to the provisions of the Hatch Act. However, certain PAS's are not subject to the Act's prohibition against engaging in political activity while on duty, in a federal room or building, wearing an official uniform or insignia, or using a government vehicle. To be exempt from this prohibition, a PAS must meet all of the following criteria: 1) the duties and responsibilities of his position must continue outside normal duty hours and while away from the normal duty post; 2) his position must be located within the United States; and 3) he must determine policies to be pursued by the United States in relations with foreign powers or in the nationwide administration of federal laws. If a PAS meets all these criteria, he is not prohibited from engaging in political activity while on duty, in a federal room or building, wearing an official uniform or insignia, or using a government vehicle, provided the costs associated with the political activity are not paid for by money derived from the Treasury of the United States. However, the PAS remains subject to all the other prohibitions of the Hatch Act, and thus, may not: use his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election; knowingly solicit, accept, or receive a political contribution from any person; be a candidate for public office in a partisan election; or knowingly solicit or discourage the political activity of any person who has business before the employee's employing office.​​​Q:I am an employee who was appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate (PAS). Does the exemption from the Hatch Act’s prohibition against engaging in political activity while on duty, which applies to me, also apply to my staff?A:No.
or vehicle. Q:I received an invitation to a political fundraising event and I think some of my friends would like to go too. May I e-mail them the invitation I received?A:​No.
The Hatch Act prohibits employees from soliciting or accepting political
contributions, which includes inviting individuals to political fundraisers.
Therefore, the Hatch Act would prohibit you from inviting your friends to a
political fundraiser by e-mailing them an invitation to the event.Q:Can my name appear on invitations to a political fundraiser as a sponsor or point of contact?A:No.
partisan political office.​​​Q:Can I wear a partisan political button or T-shirt while I am at work or display such items in my office?A:No.
photograph.​​Q:What is a partisan political e-mail?A:A
partisan political e-mail is an e-mail that meets the definition of political
activity. In other words, it is an e-mail that is directed toward the success
or failure of a political party, candidate for partisan political office, or
partisan political group.​​Q:I received a partisan political e-mail in my government e-mail account while at work. Did I violate the Act?A:No.
Simply receiving a partisan political e-mail while at work, without more, does
not constitute prohibited political activity as defined under the Hatch Act or
its regulations. However, federal employees must not send or forward the e-mail
to others.​​Q:Can I send or forward a partisan political e-mail from my work e-mail address to my non-government e-mail address while I am at work, i.e., on duty and in a federal room or building?A:​Yes.
If you received a partisan political e-mail in your work e-mail account you may
send that e-mail to your non-government e-mail address while at work. Simply
sending such an e-mail to your personal e-mail address, without more, does not
constitute prohibited political activity as defined under the Hatch Act or its
regulations. But please be aware that you would violate the Hatch Act if you
sent the e-mail to your non-government e-mail address and then, using your
non-government e-mail account, you sent the e-mail to other people while you
were on duty and/or at work.​Q:If I am on duty and/or in my government workspace, can I login to my non-government e-mail account and,from that account, send or forward a partisan political e-mail?A:​No.
You cannot send a partisan political e-mail from your non-government e-mail
address while you are on duty and/or at work.​Q:I am a union official who is given official time to perform representational duties. Am I still considered “on duty” for purposes of the Hatch Act during that time?A:Yes. Officials of labor organizations who have been given official time to perform representational duties are still considered to be "on duty" for purposes of the Hatch Act. Therefore, they may not engage in political activity while on official time to perform representational duties.​​Q:Can federal agencies discipline their employees for violating an internal e-mail or computer policy even though OSC is also investigating the same activity for a Hatch Act violation?A:Yes. OSC has exclusive jurisdiction to investigate
605, 606, 607, 610.​​Q:For individual federal employees: If a federal employee has listed his official title on his Facebook profile, may he also fill in the “political view” field?A:All Employees: Yes. Although the Hatch Act and its attendant regulations prohibit
federal employees from using their official titles while engaging in “political
activity,” that is, activity directed toward the success or failure of a
political party, partisan candidate, or partisan political group, simply
identifying political party affiliation on their social media profiles, which
also contains their official title or position, without more, is not
"political activity." ​Q:What should a federal employee do if someone posts a comment on the employee’s social media page, such as his Facebook page or Twitter feed, that solicits contributions to a political party, partisan political group, or partisan candidate, posts a link to the contribution webpage for such entities, or otherwise solicits political contributions?A:
All Employees: Although the Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from soliciting,
accepting, or receiving political contributions at any time, they are not
responsible for the acts of a third party, even if the third party’s actions
appear on their social media webpage. Thus, if a federal employee’s “friend”
posts a link to the contribution page of a political party, partisan candidate,
or partisan political group, or otherwise solicits political contributions, the
employee does not need to take any action. The same advice applies to any
tweets directed at a federal employee. However, the federal employee should not
“like," “share,” or “retweet” the solicitation, or respond in any way that would
tend to encourage other readers to donate. ​​​Q:May a federal employee continue to “follow” the official White House Twitter account, or be a “friend” of, or “like,” the official White House Facebook page, after the President has become a candidate for reelection?A:All Employees: Yes, a federal employee may continue to follow the official White House Twitter account, i.e., the account the President uses to comment on his official functions, even after the President begins his reelection campaign. The same is true for being a "friend" of, or "liking" the official White House page on Facebook. Q:May a federal employee use an alias to create a blog, Facebook page or Twitter account and “friend,” “like,” or “follow” a political party, partisan political group, or partisan candidate?A:All Employees: Yes; however, be advised that employees remain subject to the Hatch Act
even when they act under an alias. Therefore, the advice provided in response
to all other questions herein applies regardless of whether or not the federal employee is acting under an alias. ​​​​Q:May a federal employee create a Facebook or Twitter page in his official capacity and advocate for or against a political party, partisan political group, or partisan candidate on the page?A:All Employees: No. Any page created in an employee’s official capacity (e.g., a
Cabinet member) must be limited to official business matters and remain
politically neutral. Thus, the Hatch Act would prohibit a federal employee from
posting on his or her official Facebook or Twitter account information directed
at the success or failure of a political party, candidate for partisan
political office, or partisan political group, including links to
webpages that contain such information. The Hatch Act also would prohibit a
federal employee from becoming a “friend” of, “liking,” or “following”
political parties, partisan political campaigns, or partisan political groups
on their official social media accounts. Moreover, advocating for or against a
political party, partisan group, or partisan candidate on such a page would
constitute a violation of the Hatch Act’s prohibition against using one’s
official authority to interfere with or affect the result of an election.
Therefore, such advocacy must be confined to the employee’s personal Facebook
page or Twitter account, subject to the limitations described in previous questions. ​​​Q:May a federal agency have a Facebook page or Twitter profile that includes information or links to information concerning a political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group?A:No.
An agency's Facebook or Twitter account, like its official website, should only
be used to share information about the agency's official business and mission
and should remain politically neutral. Thus, the Hatch Act would prohibit an
agency from posting on its Facebook or Twitter account information directed at
the success or failure of a political party, candidate for partisan political
office, or partisan political group, including providing links to webpages that
contain such information. The Hatch Act also would prohibit an agency from
becoming a “friend” of, “liking,” or “following” political parties, partisan
political campaigns, or partisan political groups. ​​Q:May the Facebook page or Twitter account of a federal agency include information or links to information concerning a presidential reelection campaign?A:No.
An agency's Facebook page or Twitter account should only be used to share
information about the agency's official business and must remain politically
neutral. When the President is engaged in campaign activity to support his bid
for reelection, he is not acting in his official capacity as the nation’s Chief
Executive Officer. Thus, while the agency’s Facebook page or Twitter account
may include news about the President when he is acting in his capacity as the
Chief Executive, it may not display information or links to information
concerning his candidacy for reelection. ​​Q:May a news article about a federal agency official’s (e.g., Secretary or Administrator) speech at a political fundraiser or a rally for a partisan political candidate be posted on the agency’s Facebook page or Twitter account? A:No.
An agency's Facebook page or Twitter account, like its official website, should
only be used to share information about the agency's official business and must
remain politically neutral. When an agency official engages in political
activity, that is, activity directed toward the success or failure of a
political party, partisan candidate, or partisan political group, he is acting
in his personal, and not his official, capacity. Thus, while the agency may
post news concerning the official's efforts to carry out the agency's mission
on the agency's Facebook page or Twitter account, an article about the
official's speech or attendance at a partisan political event should not be
posted on the agency's Facebook page or Twitter account. ​​Q:May a Presidential appointee with Senate confirmation (PAS) ask a subordinate schedule C or non-career senior executive service appointee (or any other subordinate federal employee) to write a policy speech for the PAS to give at a partisan political event?A:No.