In 1939, the enactment of The Hatch Act was hailed as a critical step toward cleaning up government and ending political patronage. Its goal was to ensure a qualified, stable work force free from coercion and the constant threat of job loss for no reason.

Since that time, the federal workplace has changed a great deal and in 1993, The Hatch Act was reformed to reflect these changes. The law officially changed on February 3, 1994. Listed below you will find the guidelines for activities allowed and prohibited under the current Hatch Act law. If you are ever concerned about the legality of an activity, please contact NTEU's Legislative Office. You can call (202) 572-5500 or write to the NTEU Legislative Office at: NTEU Legislation Department, 1750 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20006.

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 non-partisan office
• Contribute money to political organizations or attend a political fund raising function
• Sign petitions, including nominating petitions
• Wear political badges, buttons (except in government buildings)
• Run for office within party organizations and affiliate 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 to the political action committee of the organization to which both employees belong provided that the contributor is not a subordinate employee
• Spouses and other members of an employees' family may engage in all forms of partisan political activities

Employees May Not:

• Be candidates for public office in partisan politics
• Use their official position to influence or coerce colleagues and election results
• Wear political buttons in government buildings
• 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
• Sell tickets to a political fund raising function to the general public

Who Can Answer My Questions?

If you have a question about a specific activity that is not covered in this pamphlet, you should contact your NTEU Chapter President, Field Representative or Jamie Linski, Director of Legislative Field Operations at (202) 572-5500.