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Michael Landon
05-21-2011, 11:36 AM
All Ron Paul supporters, please do a little research into the HATCH ACT. You may be violating a Federal Law and not even realize it.

http://www.osc.gov/hatchact.htm

http://www.osc.gov/documents/hatchact/post_ha1.pdf

Permitted/Prohibited Activities for Employees Who May Participate in Partisan Political Activity

These federal and D.C. employees may-

be candidates for public office in nonpartisan 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, municipal ordinances
campaign for or against candidates in partisan elections
make campaign speeches for candidates in partisan elections
distribute campaign literature in partisan elections
hold office in political clubs or parties

These federal and D.C. employees may not-

use official authority or influence to interfere with an election
solicit or discourage political activity of anyone with business before their agency
solicit or receive political contributions (may be done in certain limited situations by federal labor or other employee organizations)
be candidates for public office in partisan elections
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

Permitted/Prohibited Activities for Employees Who May Not Participate in Partisan Political Activity

These federal employees may-
register and vote as they choose
assist in voter registration drives
express opinions about candidates and issues
participate in campaigns where none of the candidates represent a political party
contribute money to political organizations or attend political fund raising functions
attend political rallies and meetings
join political clubs or parties
sign nominating petitions
campaign for or against referendum questions, constitutional amendments, municipal ordinances

These federal employees may not-
be candidates for public office in partisan elections
campaign for or against a candidate or slate of candidates in partisan elections
make campaign speeches
collect contributions or sell tickets to political fund raising functions
distribute campaign material in partisan elections
organize or manage political rallies or meetings
hold office in political clubs or parties
circulate nominating petitions
work to register voters for one party only
wear political buttons at work


Thanks.
- ML

Michael Landon
05-21-2011, 11:37 AM
Hatch Act: Who is Covered? State and Local Employees

The Hatch Act restricts the political activity of individuals principally employed by state or local executive agencies and who work in connection with programs financed in whole or in part by federal loans or grants. Usually, employment with a state or local agency constitutes the principal employment of the employee in question. However, when an employee holds two or more jobs, principal employment is generally deemed to be that job which accounts for the most work time and the most earned income.

The following list offers examples of the types of programs which frequently receive financial assistance from the federal government: public health, public welfare, housing, urban renewal and area redevelopment, employment security, labor and industry training, public works, conservation, agricultural, civil defense, transportation, anti-poverty, and law enforcement programs.

Hatch Act provisions also apply to employees of private, nonprofit organizations that plan, develop and coordinate federal Head Start or Community Service Block Grant programs.

State and local employees subject to the Hatch Act continue to be covered while on annual leave, sick leave, leave without pay, administrative leave or furlough.

----------------------------------------------

Further Restricted Employees – Political Restrictions
Further Restricted federal employees may not –

use official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election;

knowingly solicit, accept, or receive a political contri¬bution from any person (may be done in certain limited situations by federal labor or other employee organizations);
be a candidate for nomination or election to a partisan political office;

knowingly solicit or discourage the participation in any political activity of anyone who has business pending before their employing agency; or

engage in political activity, while

on duty;

in a government office;

wearing an official uniform; or

using a government vehicle.

These employees are also prohibited from engaging in partisan political management or partisan political campaigns. Specifically, they may not engage in political activity in concert with a candidate for partisan political office, a political party or a partisan political group.

Further Restricted Employees – Examples of Prohibited Activities
Further Restricted federal employees may not, for example:

campaign for or against a candidate or slate of candidates in partisan elections

make campaign speeches

collect contributions or sell tickets to political fund raising functions

distribute campaign material in partisan elections

organize or manage political rallies or meetings

hold office in political clubs or parties

circulate nominating petitions

work to register voters for partisan voter registration drives

host a political fundraiser

invite anyone to a political fundraiser

accept or receive a donation or contribution for a partisan political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group

use an official title or position while engaged in political activity

supervisory employees may not invite subordinate employees to political events or otherwise suggest to the subordinate that he or she attend the political event or undertake any partisan political activity

Additionally, while on duty and/or in any federal room or building,

Further Restricted federal employees may not, for example:

wear partisan political buttons, t-shirts or other items

make political contributions to a partisan political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group

post a comment to a blog that advocates for or against a partisan political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group

use any e-mail account to distribute, send or forward content that advocates for or against a partisan political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group

- ML

Michael Landon
05-21-2011, 11:38 AM
HATCH ACT FAQ:

http://www.osc.gov/haFederalfaq.htm

Chester Copperpot
05-21-2011, 11:44 AM
some of that language seems obtuse..

almost makes it seem like its against the law for a politician to campaign for himself or another politician?

Michael Landon
05-22-2011, 10:58 AM
Bump.

- ML

Anti Federalist
05-22-2011, 12:52 PM
I'll bump this since I asked ML to put this together.

Michael Landon
05-22-2011, 01:05 PM
I think this section speaks volumes:

Hatch Act: Who is Covered? State and Local Employees

The Hatch Act restricts the political activity of individuals principally employed by state or local executive agencies and who work in connection with programs financed in whole or in part by federal loans or grants. Usually, employment with a state or local agency constitutes the principal employment of the employee in question. However, when an employee holds two or more jobs, principal employment is generally deemed to be that job which accounts for the most work time and the most earned income.

The following list offers examples of the types of programs which frequently receive financial assistance from the federal government: public health, public welfare, housing, urban renewal and area redevelopment, employment security, labor and industry training, public works, conservation, agricultural, civil defense, transportation, anti-poverty, and law enforcement programs.

- ML