Political Activity Participation

WHAT

TVA employees are encouraged to take an active part in the civic affairs of their communities. However, the Hatch Act-which applies to TVA employees-governs the types of political activities in which federal employees may participate. The Hatch Act's requirements are summarized in this practice.

The penalty for violating the Hatch Act's restriction can be as severe as a 30-day suspension or termination. This practice lists the types of activities in which employees can participate and explains the Hatch Act's restrictions so employees can clearly understand the types of activities that are allowed and prohibited.

WHO

All TVA employees are subject to this practice's provisions. This includes periods when the employee is not receiving a paycheck from TVA, such as unpaid leave of absence.

TVA also applies these provisions to personal services contractors with an employee/employer relationship with TVA.

WHY

The Hatch Act was passed to protect federal employees from political pressures that might affect their careers as employees of the federal government.

HOW

RIGHTS

All employees have the right to:

Register and vote as they choose in any election.
Express their opinions as individuals on any political subject or candidate.
Wear political badges or buttons (except when on duty or while wearing a TVA uniform or official TVA insignia), or display political stickers or posters on their homes or private automobiles.
Make voluntary campaign contributions to a political party, organization or candidate.
Work for or manage a political campaign, including campaigning for a candidate for public office or for a political party office and/or distributing campaign material.
Participate in non-partisan elections as candidates as long as participation does not interfere with the employee's TVA duties.
Perform duties at the polls on election day as long as the employee is off duty.
Be a member, officer, or organizer of a political party or other political organization and attend meetings, including conventions, rallies, and fund-raising functions; take an active part in managing or working for the organization or event; and/or serve as a delegate to a political convention.
Sign petitions, including nominating petitions.
Petition Congress or any member of Congress-for example, by writing to their representative or senator to say how they as individuals think the official should vote on a particular issue.
Finish a term of government office to which they were elected in a partisan election before joining TVA. This is subject to any approval required under TVA's "Outside Employment" regulations, and the employee may not run again for the office while employed by TVA.

RESTRICTIONS

Specific activities which are prohibited by the Hatch Act include:

Participating in the political activities described above while:
- On duty.
- In any buildings owned or leased by the federal government.
- In any vehicles owned or leased by the federal government.
- Wearing a uniform or official insignia identifying the federal office or position of the employee. (The only exception to this prohibition is that employees may register and vote while wearing a TVA uniform or an official TVA insignia.)
Running as a candidate for nomination or election to a partisan political office.
Soliciting, receiving, or accepting contributions for a political purpose from a person unless the contributor is a member of the same federal employee organization and not a subordinate employee, and the solicitation is for a pre-existing political action committee.
Using their official TVA positions to influence any partisan or non-partisan elections.
Soliciting or discouraging participation in any political activity of any person who has an application for a grant, contract, license or permit pending before TVA, or is a subject or participant in an ongoing TVA investigation.
Intimidating, threatening, commanding or coercing any federal employee covered by the Hatch Act to engage in, or not to engage in, any political activity.

Exceptions to the Hatch Act's Restrictions

The Hatch Act allows TVA employees who are residents of New Johnsonville or Norris, Tennessee, or the District of Columbia to be excluded from some restrictions because of the large concentration of federal employees at these locations. Information about these exceptions is available from Human Resources Information Services.

ROLES

Employees

Responsible for complying with the Hatch Act restrictions.

Human Resource Representatives

Answer questions from employees related to participation in political activities.

Corporate Human Resources

Advises Human Resource Representatives on political issues.

Office of the Inspector General

Investigates possible violations of the Hatch Act and reports violations to the Office of the Special Counsel.

RESOURCES

Human Resource Representatives

Last Revised 12/2000