New Resource! Hatch Act Solicitation Prohibition Video

As we get closer to Election Day, we wanted to highlight the final video created by our colleagues at the U.S. Office of Special Counsel covering the Hatch Act’s solicitation prohibition, which prohibits Federal employees from knowingly soliciting, accepting, or receiving a political contribution from any person.

The video, Hatch Act: Solicitation Prohibition, provides information on the Hatch Act’s solicitation prohibition, which is a 24/7 restriction that applies to Federal employees at all times, even when they are off duty and away from the Federal workplace.  A “political contribution” is defined under the Hatch Act as anything of value made for the purpose of supporting or opposing a political party, partisan political group, or candidate for partisan political office.

Additionally, the video explains how the Hatch Act's solicitation prohibition can be violated using email, in-person communications, and social media.  The video also provides specific examples of instances where Federal employees previously violated the Hatch Act's solicitation prohibition to better demonstrate how this restriction applies in a given situation.

The Department of the Interior’s Departmental Ethics Office (DEO) will continue sharing additional resources and information on the Hatch Act as we get closer to Election Day. If you have any questions about how the Hatch Act would apply to your political activities this election season, please contact a DEO ethics official for guidance.