| This is an election year and all officers are
reminded that it is the policy of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S.
Public Health Service (Corps) that officers are strongly encouraged to
carry out the obligations of citizenship including the free exercise of
one's right to vote. However, while officers are encouraged to register,
vote, and participate in the electoral process, officers should be aware
that unlike their civilian counterparts, Federal law and regulation(s)
prohibit officers from engaging in certain types of political activities.
For example, Corps officers may not: |
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Actively participate in 'partisan' political
management or in a partisan political campaign, whether at the Federal,
State, or local level. In this context, 'partisan' means affiliation with
a political organization whose candidate for the President received one
or more electoral votes in the prior presidential
election;
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Raise funds, sell tickets, distribute materials,
solicit votes, or make a speech as part of the campaign for a candidate
for public office in a partisan election (these activities are also
proscribed for independent candidates if there is any candidate
representing a partisan political party);
-
Assist in voter registration drives targeted to one
party and may not work at the polls on behalf of partisan candidates or
political parties acting as checkers, watchers, or in similar positions.
Moreover, officers may not avoid these requirements by confining
political activities to after-hours or on weekends, by using annual or
other leave, or taking a leave of absence; and
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Make political contributions to any Federal
official who is the employer or employing authority of the contributor.
This restriction does not apply to family members or to contributions
made to national, State, or local committees of political parties,
political action committees, or to other campaigns or organizations,
subject to the limits enforced by the Federal Election Commission.
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