OK, I took one little step

[Courtesy Flush]

I just posted in another thread that my civil service job forbids me to campaign for any candidate or party. I can't even have a bumper sticker on my car, or give a donation. They're serious about this, and I could lose my job.

Frustrated by this, I wondered if I could do something to help with voter registration, which does not entail support of a candidate, but encourages public participation, which I believe would be allowed.

So I did some googling, and learned that my agency is mandated to provide the public with voter registration forms. I've worked here for 20 years and never knew this (maybe it's new). In all the agency offices I've worked in or visited I've never seen voter information provided.

So I sent an email to the Secretary of State's office, and informed them that my agency does not comply with this mandate, and asked if we would be provided the forms.

If we're mandated to provide them, I'm pretty sure there's no official limit on how zealously this should be done. We work with the disaffected, and all too often apathetic, but if even some of them start voting, America will be better off.

[renie408]

1. Hold up...they can prevent you from donating to a campaign? That doesn't seem right.

Wouldn't your donation be a form of support and therefore a form of free speech? I mean, hey, we hear that you should put your money where your mouth is all the time. Also, how can they keep you from having a sign in your yard? I understand the car cause it comes to work, but your yard? Isn't it one of your implicit rights as an American to support the candidate of your choice?

[Courtesy Flush]

3. I agree entirely.

But they say it's been upheld in the courts.

Here's the list of what I'm not allowed to do...

You may not:

1. Become a candidate for nomination or election to public office.
2. Become a member of any committee of a political party or faction.
3. Make or solicit contributions for any candidate or political party or faction.
4. Take an active part in the management of the affairs of a political party, faction, candidate, or campaign.
5. Attend any fund raising function of a candidate or political party or faction—even if someone gives you a free ticket. A function will be considered a fundraiser if it is advertised that anything—including food—will be sold at the function—even if you do not plan to buy anything.
6. Solicit votes for or against a candidate or political party or faction.
7. Publicly announce, in writing or otherwise, support or opposition to a candidate or political party or faction.
8. Prepare or distribute campaign material for or against a candidate or political party or faction.
9. Contribute or volunteer time, effort, property, or any other thing of value in support of or opposition to a candidate or political party or faction.
10. Display a bumper sticker on the vehicle you drive in support of or opposition to a candidate or political party or faction.
11. Place a sign on your property supporting or opposing a candidate or political party or faction or allow anyone who is not your spouse to do so.
12. Contribute or loan money in support of or opposition to a candidate or political party or faction.
13. Vote at the caucus or convention of a candidate or political party or faction.
14. Wear, use, display, or distribute tee shirts, hats, stickers, pins, fans, water bottles, or any other material in support of or opposition to a candidate or political party or faction.

[renie408]

5. May I ask where you work? Not the specific place, but the agency? n/t

[Courtesy Flush]

7. See post #6 n/t

[ashrob123]

2. That's just strange

I work for the federal government and there are rules but different than your agency. We can't wear buttons or t-shirts or use work time for anybody that is to be elected. But our own time is our own.

Also, we are expressly forbidden from collecting money on the behalf of a candidate although we can give as we please.

These are the rules via the Hatch Act:

Permitted/Prohibited Activities for Employees Who May Participate in Partisan Political Activity

These federal and D.C. employees may-

* be candidates for public office in nonpartisan elections
* register and vote as they choose
* assist in voter registration drives
* express opinions about candidates and issues
* contribute money to political organizations
* attend political fundraising functions
* attend and be active at political rallies and meetings
* join and be an active member of a political party or club
* sign nominating petitions
* campaign for or against referendum questions, constitutional amendments, municipal ordinances
* campaign for or against candidates in partisan elections
* make campaign speeches for candidates in partisan elections
* distribute campaign literature in partisan elections
* hold office in political clubs or parties

These federal and D.C. employees may not-

* use official authority or influence to interfere with an election
* solicit or discourage political activity of anyone with business before their agency
* solicit or receive political contributions (may be done in certain limited situations by federal labor or other employee organizations)
* be candidates for public office in partisan elections
* engage in political activity while:
o on duty
o in a government office
o wearing an official uniform
o using a government vehicle
* wear partisan political buttons on duty

[nc4bo]

4. Are you working in an agency with political affliations/connections?

If not, than I'm extremely distressed at what is happening to our government and country, even more than I was before.

:scared:

[Gold Metal Flake]

6. Publicly announce, in writing or otherwise, support or opposition to a candidate or political party

Please be careful from now on what info you reveal about yourself, your location and your specific job. You have already revealed a way a freep can attack you, all they need is toi locate you. We know that there are those freeps who are so bent that they will try to fuck with libs who reveal themselves in public where there is a direct way to do so.