All Things Gov
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Hatch Act Do’s & Don’ts Broken Down
Chances are, in the last few weeks, you've gotten an email from your agency reminding you of the Hatch Act -- a law created in 1939 to keep government operations free from partisan political influence. With penalties ranging from a $1,000 fine to a suspension to being barred from federal service, many feds may feel it's not worth the risk to take part in any political activities at all. But federal employees are just as impacted (if not more) by the policies made in Washington. So, how do you balance your civic duty with the rules governing you as a fed?
First off, make sure you know how the Hatch Act classifies you. Unless you're employed by an intelligence or enforcement-type agency, you're considered a "less restricted employee". The U.S. Office of Special Counsel has a list of agencies and positions that count as "further restricted" or you can always check with your agency HR team.
If you fall into the "less restricted" category, there are some key guidelines to keep in mind when it comes to diving into political activities:
Don't try to impress people with your title: Using your official title or position for political activities is a no-go. This ensures that your political activities are totally separate from your federal employment.
Don't abuse your authority: You can't invite colleagues who report to you to political events or encourage them to get involved in political activities. This is to avoid any perception of undue influence in the workplace.
Do make sure you're not on the clock: It's crucial to keep your personal and work lives separate when it comes to political activities. Making political donations, forwarding your friends’ fundraising email from your work account, or even engaging in partisan discussions during work hours, is not allowed. A good rule of thumb? If you’re supposed to be working or using government resources, it’s better to hold off until you’re at home and have access to your own tech.
So, what can you do as a “less restricted” employee?
Vote! Exercising your right to vote is not affected by the Hatch Act and is encouraged.
Volunteer: Despite the list above. You actually can volunteer for political campaigns in your personal capacity, as long as you don't represent yourself as a federal employee or engage in such activities during work hours. And of course, keep your volunteering off of your government devices and accounts.
Express Personal Support: Showing support for a candidate by displaying signs, wearing T-shirts, or making personal donations is all okay, as long as it's done on your own time, outside of the office and without using government resources.
Bottom line: Getting involved in the political process is really important, and the Hatch Act doesn’t keep you from doing that. Just make sure that you aren’t using or abusing government time, resources or your official position (including making your direct reports feel pressured) while doing so.
DMV Voting/Polling Hours
DC
Early voting starts in D.C. on October 28 and lasts until November 3. There are 25 voting locations that will be open between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
If you're voting via mail-in ballot, you can mail your ballot to your local election office, or you can drop your ballot in any ballot drop box. You can view the list of drop box locations here.
On Election Day, D.C. voters can cast their ballots at any voting center. Here are all of the voting centers that will be open on Election Day from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Maryland
Early voting started in Maryland on October 24, voters can head to an early voting center in the county where they live. If you're voting via mail-in ballot, you can mail your ballot to your local board of elections, you can hand-deliver your ballot to your local board of elections by 8 pm on election day, or you can take your ballot to a ballot drop box. You can view the list of drop box locations here.
On Election Day on November 5, head to your assigned polling place. You can look up your polling location here.
Virginia
For the 2024 General Election, you can vote early at a registrar’s office in the county where you live. Here's the full list of Virginia early voting locations.
For mail-in ballots in Virginia, return your ballot to your local general registrar's office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day or drop it off at designated drop-off locations. Check the instructions included with your absentee ballot for specifics.
If mailing your ballot, ensure it is postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your registrar’s office by noon on the third day following the election.
On Election Day on November 5, head to your assigned polling place. You can look up your polling location here.
Navigating Political Conversations in the Workplace During Election Season — With a Smile! (but no finger guns… please…)
Election season is a time when opinions fly faster than mashed potatoes off the spoon of a toddler, and everyone becomes a political expert. While dodging these conversations at work can sometimes feel impossible, we believe it is possible to survive election season professionally and with a bit of humor! As a service to all of you (you're welcome), All Things Gov offers three strategies:
Set Clear Boundaries (Say no. But say it nicely... we're all adults) If you are someone who does not enjoy a political debate, it's perfectly acceptable to set that boundary early and often, if necessary. Politely let your colleagues know that you would rather skip the "fun" election talk. Saying something like "I'd love to dive into this more but I promised my mom I would save my political opinions for the Thanksgiving table" adds a touch of humor while also setting a real tone. Your colleagues will thank you for saving them from the election talk and so will your sanity.
Stay Switzerland (Neutral) If strategy #1 fails (really?!) and you find yourself stuck in election talk, being Switzerland can become a superpower. A good nod and smile handles almost anything. If you pair it with something like, "Wow, that's a very interesting thought. I'll have to think about that more... later...", you may be able to convince your election-focused colleague that you are engaged, but too busy (darn it) to carry on the conversation right now. And, because All Things Gov is generous, we offer 500 bonus points to anyone who can mentally plan their weekend while maintaining a thoughtful expression on their face.
Redirect Like a Conversation Ninja (here's looking at you, Chuck Norris) Some election talks have a way of getting heated. When this happens, you have no choice but to step in and redirect. Our favorite is to turn all things toward food, a consistently crowd-pleasing topic. For instance, when your group is stuck in a fiery political exchange, casually toss out, "You know what's even more controversial? Deciding where to get lunch. Let's focus on that now!" It's a lighthearted shift of topic that can diffuse tension and also help the crowd realize that nobody gets to keep arguing if they all die of starvation.
There. Now you can't say All Things Gov didn't give you something nice for the holidays. We really are the best!
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The Daily: The United States of Pennsylvania Want a quick primer on why Pennsylvania has become central to the 2024 Presidential election? This episode breaks it down in just 20 minutes.
WorkLife with Adam Grant (Season 6, Episode 1) Come on. We all know the professional world is a marathon of meetings… and we all hate them. This podcast is entertaining and can help us overcome meeting bloat. That’s something we can all get behind!
Out of the Pods (Episodes 78, 79, 80 and 81): Jumping on the Love is Blind DC bandwagon at the last minute but feeling daunted by the idea of catching up on 12 plus hours of television? Out of the Pods recaps everything you need to know ahead of the reunion episode this week in just 4 episodes.