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Dos and don'ts during this political season
Posted 10/19/2010 Updated 10/19/2010
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10/19/2010 - ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- To ensure that the Department of Defense does not influence our nation's electoral process, special ethics rules apply to both active duty members and civilian employees regarding political activities.
Here's a quick list of the main "dos and don'ts" that you should be familiar with. For more in depth coverage of these rules, please see AFI 51-902 and the Hatch Act (5 USCA 7324).
Active Duty Members
DO:
- Register, vote, and express your opinions on political candidates and issues (including writing letters to newspaper editors) in a personal capacity, not as a representative of the Armed Forces
- Encourage other military members to exercise their voting rights--but don't encourage your subordinates to vote for or against a particular issue or candidate
- Contribute money to political organizations and candidates, if you choose
- Join a political club and attend political meetings and rallies when not in uniform
- Display a political sticker on your private vehicle
DON'T:
- Use your official authority, influence, or government resources, including e-mail, to interfere with an election, solicit votes for a particular candidate or issue, or solicit political contributions from others
- Attend a partisan political event as an official representative of the Armed Forces
- Speak at any gathering or participate in any radio, television, or other program or group discussion as an advocate of a partisan political party or candidate
- Display a partisan political sign, poster, or banner, visible to the public at your on-base house
Violations of AFI 51-902 are punishable under Art 92 of the UCMJ--failure to obey a lawful regulation
Federal Employees
DO:
- Register, vote, and express your opinions on political candidates and issues in a personal capacity
- Contribute money to political organizations and candidates
- Attend political fundraising functions; join and be an active member of a political party or club
- Campaign for or against candidates in partisan elections
DON"T:
- Use your official authority or influence, or government resources, including e-mail to interfere with an election, solicit votes for a particular candidate or issue, or solicit political contributions from others
- Solicit or discourage political activity of anyone doing business with your agency
- Solicit or receive political contributions
- Engage in political activity while:
- On duty
- In a government office
- Wearing an official uniform
- Using a government vehicle
- Wear partisan political buttons on duty
Violations of the Hatch Act are grounds for disciplinary action |
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