New Resource! Hatch Act Official Authority Prohibition Video

As we get closer to Election Day, we wanted to highlight a video created by our colleagues at the U.S. Office of Special Counsel covering the Hatch Act's prohibition on use of official authority, which restricts Federal employees from using their official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with, or affecting, the result of an election.

The video, Hatch Act: Official Authority Prohibition, provides information on the Hatch Act's use of official authority 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.  Additionally, the video also covers the three general types of activities that fall under the Hatch Act's use of official authority prohibition, which are: (1) activities involving supervisors and subordinate employees; (2) using one's official title or position while engaging in political activity; and (3) using agency resources to engage in political activity.  The video provides specific case examples where Federal employees previously violated the Hatch Act's use of official authority 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.