Hatch Act Do's and Don'ts

Federal Employees May:

• Register and vote as they choose
• Assist in voter registration drives 
• Express opinions about all candidates and issues, privately and publicly
• Run for election to a nonpartisan office
• Contribute to TEPAC or other political organizations or attend a political fundraising function
• Sign petitions, including nomination petitions
• Wear political badges, buttons (except in government buildings, wearing a government uniform or while on duty)
• Run for office within party organizations and affiliated groups
• Attend political conventions, rallies, and meetings as an elected representative of a partisan organization
• Take an active part in political management of campaigns
• Solicit contributions from to TEPAC from another NTEU member provided that the contributor is not a subordinate employee
• Spouses and other members of an employee’s family may engage in all forms of partisan political activities.

Federal Employees May Not:

• Be candidates for partisan public office
• Use their official position to influence election results
• Engage in other political activity in government buildings or while on duty (including using government email systems to distribute political messages)
• Collect, solicit, receive, handle, disburse or account for contributions from the general public
• Wear a government uniform or government insignia while engaged in political activities

Remember that telephone calls are usually taken by a staff member, not the member of Congress. Ask to speak with the aide who handles the issue about which you wish to comment.

After identifying yourself, tell the aide you would like to leave a brief message, such as: "Please tell Senator/Representative (Name) that I support/oppose (S.___/H.R.___)."