Ethics Topics

Political Activities Quick Reference Chart


OFF DUTY POLITICAL ACTIVITY
	PAS's	SES-C ALJ/CBA Members	All Others
RUNNING FOR/SERVING IN PUBLIC OFFICE
In a Non-partisan Election	Yes	Yes	Yes
In a Partisan Election (Generally)	No	No	No
Where Permitted by OPM as an Independent	Yes	Yes	Yes
Retain Office Won Prior to Federal Appointment.	Yes	Yes	Yes

FUNDRAISING
Attend a Fundraiser.	Yes	Yes	Yes
Contribute to a Candidate or Party.	Yes	Yes	Yes
Give a Political Speech (No Solicitation Involved).	Yes	No	Yes
Host, Invite Others to, or Sponsor a Fundraiser.	No	No	No
Solicit, Accept, Receive Contributions (Generally)	No	No	No
In a Non-Partisan Campaign.	Yes	Yes	Yes
For Labor Organization PAC.*	Yes	No	Yes
As an Independent Candidate (locality rules).**	Yes	No	Yes
Use/allow Use of Official Title in Invitations.	No	No	No

POLITICAL PARTY/CLUB INVOLVEMENT
Attending as Member of General Public.	Yes	Yes	Yes
Joining/Voting on Issues	Yes	Yes	Yes
Holding Office.	Yes	No	Yes
Influencing Members on Partisan Issues.	Yes	No	Yes
Precinct/Ward Committee Member.	Yes	No	Yes
Act as Accredited Checker, Watcher, Challenger, etc.	Yes	No	Yes
Serve as Officer of a PAC.	Yes	No	Yes
Be Employed or Paid by a Political Committee.	No	No	Yes

PARTICIPATING IN POLITICAL EVENTS
As a Member of the General Public:
Attending Rallies & Meetings.	Yes	Yes	Yes
Vote on Questions Presented.	Yes	Yes	Yes
As a Party Member:
Organize, Manage, Act in Rallies & Meetings	Yes	No	Yes
Play Prominent Role in Primaries, Caucuses, Conventions, etc.	Yes	No	Yes
Serve as Delegate, Alternate, or Proxy at. Party Conventions.	Yes	No	Yes
Address Rallies & Meetings on Partisan Matters.	Yes	No	Yes
Organize/Participate in Political Parade.	Yes	No	Yes
Engage in Activities Using a Government Vehicle.	No	No	No

CAMPAIGN DUTIES
Organize, Manage, Serve as Officer of Campaign.	Yes	No	Yes
Make Partisan Campaign Speeches (No Solicitation).	Yes	No	Yes
Endorse a Candidate/Oppose a Candidate Publicly or Through a Paid Advertisement.	Yes	No	Yes
Be Employed or Paid by a Campaign.	No	No	Yes

VOLUNTEERING
Distribute Literature, Badges, Buttons, etc.	Yes	No	Yes
Voter Turnout:
Register and Vote, Yourself.	Yes	Yes	Yes
Register Voter: In a Non-partisan Effort.	Yes	Yes	Yes
For a Party.	Yes	No	Yes
Drive Voters to Polls: Non-partisan Effort.	Yes	Yes	Yes
Partisan Effort.	Yes	No	Yes
Nominating Petitions:
Circulating a Nominating Petition.	Yes	No	Yes
Sign a Nominating Petition.	Yes	Yes	Yes
Service at the Polls:
Serve as Non-partisan Election Officer.	Yes	Yes	Yes
Act for Party at the Polls.	Yes	No	Yes
Recruit Others To Work on a Campaign.	Yes	No	Yes

POLITICAL EXPRESSION
Making Partisan Campaign Speeches (No Solicitation).	Yes	No	Yes
Displaying Partisan Buttons or Signs. (Not at work)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Expressing One's Personal Opinion Publicly on Issues & Candidates.	Yes	Yes	Yes

* Only to/from organization members if not subordinates. ** May not solicit; only may accept and receive.

ON DUTY POLITICAL ACTIVITY (On Federal Premises, In Uniform, or on Official Time)

Taking an Active Part in/Managing:
Campaigns.	Yes	No	No
Political Activities.	Yes	No	No
Endorse Candidates Publicly in Official Capacity.	Yes	No	No
Engage in mixed (official/political) travel.	Yes	No	No
Hold Occasional Campaign Meetings in Office.	Yes	No	No
Attend Political Events on Official Time.	Yes	No	No
Write Political Speeches on Official Time.	Yes	No	No
Engage in Political Activities Using Government Vehicle.	No*	No	No
Be Employed By a Campaign.	No	No	No

* The Secretary may do so under certain circumstances.