DOINews: Hatch Act Reminder

MEMORANDUM

To: All DOI Employees

From: Melinda Loftin
Designated Agency Ethics Official and Director
Hatch Act Compliance Office

Subject: Hatch Act Reminder

Although the 2016 General Election is over a year away, Department of the Interior (DOI) employees should be fully aware of their responsibilities under the Hatch Act, the statute that governs the political activities of Federal employees. Political activity is defined by the Hatch Act as “activity directed toward the success or failure of a political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group.” Since a number of individuals have declared their candidacy for President for the 2016 race, Federal employees are officially in the “Hatch Act Season.”

The Departmental Ethics Office is the designated Hatch Act Compliance Office for DOI employees. If you have general questions about the Hatch Act, visit the Departmental Ethics Office's webpage on political activity. In addition, the Ethics Office is happy to assist you with all Hatch Act questions. You may reach us at 202-208-7960, or DOI_Ethics@sol.doi.gov.