During Election Season, Know the Rules About Political Activity

This has been an eventful election year, and no matter who you plan to vote for, it’s easy to become passionate. But because we’re federal employees, we’re required to abide by rules regarding political activity. To put things in perspective, allow me to introduce to you Rhaenyra, a (hypothetical)  Exchange associate of eight years.

Excited about the upcoming election, Rhaenyra has gradually increased her involvement in politics, especially the last few months. In her off-time, she’s been volunteering at the local voter registration office. She’s also been attending political fundraisers and campaigning for her candidates of choice. At one of these fundraisers, she wore her Exchange shirt. She’s been posting comments on her social media account (which also happens to show her as an Exchange associate), encouraging others to vote and donating to candidates and causes dear to her heart.

At work, she’s been doing the same thing, telling her co-workers who they should be voting for, in addition to wearing buttons for her chosen candidate and sending around mass emails (using her work email) about which candidates to vote for. She has a “Vote for Targaryen” sticker on her car, a sign saying the same in her front yard, and she’s offered to give her elderly neighbor a ride to the polling station on Election Day. Finally, she’s considering running for partisan office in the future. Has Rhaenyra abided by all the rules regarding federal/Exchange employees and political activities? Yes and no.

In general, Exchange associates may engage in political activity on behalf of a political party or partisan political group or candidate in a partisan election, as long as it’s not on duty or in the workplace. Thus, Rhaenyra may register and vote as she chooses. She may also assist in voter registration drives, as well as contribute money to partisan groups and candidates in partisan elections. She may attend political fundraisers, rallies and meetings, and she may campaign for or against candidates in partisan elections. She is not prohibited from giving a ride to her neighbor to the polling station. She is allowed one partisan political bumper sticker on her personal vehicle she drives to work, as well as a campaign sign in her yard, and she may express her opinions on political issues in her personal capacity.

However, Rhaenyra overstepped her boundaries in a few crucial areas. First, she should not have attended the political fundraiser while wearing an Exchange shirt, which could have implied Exchange endorsement. And while she is allowed to express her personal views on public issues or political candidates on social media, here she was required to post a disclaimer, clearly and prominently stating that the views expressed were hers and hers alone and not of the Exchange or Department of Defense. Furthermore, Rhaenyra is prohibited from soliciting, accepting or receiving political contributions, on social media or elsewhere. She is never allowed to engage in political activity while on duty (e.g., encouraging coworkers to vote for a particular candidate) or in a federal building, so no button-wearing or sending political emails. Finally, the rules on political activity restrict federal employees from running for partisan political office.

Though it’s important to remember the rules regarding political activity in the workplace, the Exchange encourages all associates to exercise their civic duty and vote. At the same time, it’s important to remember that when engaging in political activity, you may be representing the Exchange, even if you’re not aware of it. If you have any specific questions, please reach out to ethics@aafes.com.