Campaign Activities

Employees of an educational or research institution, which includes all WSU Extension personnel, are excluded from the provisions of the Hatch Act impacting the political activities of most Federal employees. However, the permissible and prohibited political activities provided for in the Hatch Act appear to be reasonable and Extension employees may wish to be guided by them in determining the extent of their political involvement. Extension employees are expected to use their judgment when considering the public perception and possible consequences of their actions even when acting as an individual.

Campaign Activities Permissible under the Hatch Act.

1. All state or local Federal employees are free to engage in political activities to the widest extent consistent with the restrictions imposed by law and this part. Employees retain the right to:
1. a. Register and vote in any election
2. Express an opinion as an individual privately and publicly on political subjects and candidates
3. Display a political picture, sticker, badge or button
4. Participate in the nonpartisan activities of a civic, community, social, labor, or professional organization, or of a similar organization
5. Be a member of a political party or other political organization and participate in its activities to the extent consistent with law
6. Attend a political convention, rally, fund raising function, or other political gathering
7. Sign a political petition as an individual
8. Make a financial contribution to a political party or organization
9. Take an active part, as a candidate or in support of a candidate, in a nonpartisan election
10. Be politically active in connection with a question which is not specifically identified with a political party, such as a constitutional amendment, referendum, approval of a municipal ordinance, or any other question or issue of a similar character
11. Serve as an election judge or clerk, or in a similar position to perform nonpartisan duties as prescribed by state or local law.
2. Otherwise participate fully in public affairs, except as prohibited by law, in a manner which does not materially compromise the neutrality, efficiency, or integrity of their administration of federally funded functions.

Paragraph 1 of this section does not authorize state or local employees to engage in political activity in violation of federal, state, or local law, the regulations of their employing agency, or while on duty. The head of a state or local agency may prohibit or limit the participation of an employee or class of employees of his/her agency in an activity permitted by paragraph 1of this section if participation in the activity would interfere with the efficient performance of official duties or create a conflict or apparent conflict of interest.

Campaign Activities Prohibited under the Hatch Act.
A state or local officer or employee may not:

1. Use official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election or nomination for office.
2. Directly or indirectly coerce, attempt to coerce, command, or advise a state or local officer or employee to pay, lend, or contribute anything of value to a political party, committee, organization, agency, or person for a political purpose.
3. Take an active part in political management or in a political campaign, except as permitted by this part.
4. Serve as an officer of a political party, a member of a national, state or local committee of a political party, an officer or member of a committee of a partisan political club, or be a candidate for any of these positions.
5. Organize or reorganize a political party organization or political club.
6. Directly or indirectly solicit, receive, collect, handle, disburse, or account for assessments, contributions, or other funds for a partisan political purpose.
7. Organize, sell tickets to, promote, or actively participate in a fund raising activity of a partisan candidate, political party, or political club.
8. Take an active part in managing the political campaign of a partisan candidate for public office or political party office.
9. Become a partisan candidate for, or campaign for, an elective public office.
10. Solicit votes in support of or in opposition to a partisan candidate for public office or political party office,
11. Act as a recorder, watcher, challenger, or similar officer at the polls on behalf of a political party or partisan candidate.
12. Drive voters to the polls on behalf of a political party or partisan candidate.
13. Endorse or oppose a partisan candidate for public office or political party office in a political advertisement, a broadcast, campaign literature, or similar material.
14. Serve as a delegate, alternate, or proxy to a political party convention.
15. Address a convention caucus, rally, or similar gathering of a political party in support of or in opposition to a partisan candidate for public office or political party office.
16. Initiate or circulate a partisan nominating petition.