Political activity rules Published Feb. 21, 2012 By Col. Jerry Villarreal 60th Air Mobility Wing Judge Advocate commander TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- According to the Federal Election Commission, as of Jan. 11, there were 326 candidates for President. As the 2012 Presidential election draws closer, political fever is on the rise. Debates are taking place across the country as candidates discuss the issues and rally their supporters. Regardless of your political affiliation or your level of interest in politics during this election season, it's important to remember the rules regarding political activities in the workplace since prohibitions against certain political activities may not always be intuitive. The rules covering civilian employees can be found in The Hatch Act and the rules for military members can be found in Department of Defense Directive 1344.10. The basic rule is that an employee may not engage in political activity while on duty, in a government room or building, while wearing an official uniform, or while using a government vehicle. Political activity is defined as activity directed toward the success or failure of a political party, candidate or a partisan political office or group. 5 Code of Federal Regulations 734.101. To help prevent inadvertent violations, here are a few quick reminders about what political activities to avoid in the workplace. Employees are prohibited from wearing partisan political buttons or other items of clothing or displaying partisan political pictures, signs, stickers, or badges while on duty or at workplaces. While political bumper stickers on personal vehicles are allowed, be careful about displaying large political signs, banners, or posters on your private vehicle so your vehicle doesn't become a prohibited mobile campaign platform. Even if you're not in the workplace, engaging in political activity using social media can also be a problem. There are limitations associated with writing blogs or posting comments on sites such as Facebook. While employees are not prohibited from expressing their opinions concerning political parties and candidates, they are prohibited from doing so while on duty or in a building used for discharging their official duties. Employees cannot use their official authority or influence to affect the result of an election. Employees should not use their official titles or their official status in their blogs or social media sites. Active duty personnel may not attend partisan political events in uniform march or ride in partisan parades whether they're in uniform or not. Also, political signs may not be displayed from on-base housing even if the housing is privatized. And finally, do not use the government e-mail system to send or forward e-mails supporting or opposing a candidate. Violations by civilian employees can result in 30-day suspensions without pay and even termination of employment. Violations by military members will be dealt with under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. For more information, including a two page handout discussing what federal employees are and are not allowed to do, visit http://www.osc.gov/haOtherhelpfulInformation.htm or call the legal office at 424-3251.