The Postal Service wants employees to continue to keep the Hatch Act in mind as the election draws near.
The Hatch Act is a law that governs the political activity of all federal government employees, including USPS employees.
Under the Hatch Act, employees are prohibited from engaging in some partisan political activity while on duty, while wearing a uniform, while on government property or while inside a vehicle owned or leased by the government.
Examples include:
• Wearing partisan political apparel such as hats, shirts, socks and buttons;
• Displaying partisan political signs, slogans or pictures;
• Distributing, sharing or posting political or campaign materials;
• Posting, liking or sharing partisan political content on social media;
• Displaying a partisan political bumper sticker or partisan flags on a vehicle delivering mail;
• Displaying more than one standard size partisan bumper sticker or magnet per candidate on a privately owned vehicle parked on postal property; or
• Expressing opinions that are directed at the success or failure of a political party, candidate for partisan political office or partisan political group.
The Office of Special Counsel, an independent agency, investigates Hatch Act violations and takes disciplinary action.
The Postal Service’s Ethics Blue page and the Office of Special Counsel’s website have additional information about the Hatch Act.
Employees can also email the USPS Ethics Office for Hatch Act guidance.
