Dos and don'ts during this political season

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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:
  1. On duty
  2. In a government office
  3. Wearing an official uniform
  4. Using a government vehicle
  5. Wear partisan political buttons on duty
Violations of the Hatch Act are grounds for disciplinary action