45 CFR 73.502 - Permitted activities.

U.S. Code of Federal Regulations

Regulations most recently checked for updates: Dec 14, 2025

View all text of Subpart E [§ 73.501 - § 73.506]

§ 73.502 - Permitted activities.

(a) Expression of an employee's individual opinion. Each employee covered under this subpart retains the right to participate in any of the following political activities, as long as the activity is not performed in concert with a political party, a partisan political group, or a candidate for partisan political office:

(1) Express the employee's opinion as an individual privately and publicly on political subjects and candidates;

(2) Display a political picture, sign, sticker, badge, or button, as long as these items are displayed in accordance with the provisions of § 73.403(a);

(3) Sign a political petition as an individual;

(4) Be politically active in connection with a question that is not specifically identified with a political party, such as a constitutional amendment, referendum, approval of a municipal ordinance, or any other question or issue of a similar character; and

(5) Otherwise participate fully in public affairs, except as prohibited by other Federal law, in a manner that does not compromise the employee's efficiency or integrity as an employee or the neutrality, efficiency, or integrity of the agency or instrumentality of the United States Government where the employee is employed.

Example 1 to paragraph (a):A covered employee may purchase airtime on a radio or television station personally to endorse a partisan political candidate. However, the employee may not endorse such a candidate in a commercial or program that is sponsored by the candidate's campaign committee, a political party, or a partisan political group. Example 2 to paragraph (a):A covered employee may address a political convention or rally but not on behalf of, or at the request of, a political party, a partisan political group, or an individual who is running for the nomination or as a candidate for election to partisan political office. Example 3 to paragraph (a):A covered employee may print at the employee's own expense one thousand fliers that state that employee's personal opinion that a partisan political candidate is the best suited for the job. The employee may distribute the fliers at a shopping mall on the weekend. However, the employee may not distribute fliers printed by the candidate's campaign committee, a political party, or a partisan political group. Example 4 to paragraph (a):A covered employee may place in the employee's yard a sign supporting a candidate for partisan political office. Example 5 to paragraph (a):A covered employee may stand outside of a political party convention with a homemade sign that states the employee's individual opinion that one of the candidates for nomination is the best qualified candidate. Example 6 to paragraph (a):A covered employee may wear a button with a partisan political theme when the employee is not on duty or at the place of work, provided that the employee is not in uniform.

(b) Participation in elections. Each employee covered under this subpart retains the right to:

(1) Register and vote in any election;

(2) Take an active part, in accordance with the provisions of § 73.404 and subject to the prohibitions in §§ 73.403 and 73.405, as an independent candidate, or in support of an independent candidate, in a partisan election in localities designated as permissible for such activities by the Office of Personnel Management pursuant to 5 CFR 733.107.

(3) Take an active part, as a candidate or in support of a candidate, in a nonpartisan election; and

(4) Serve as an election judge or clerk, or in a similar position, to perform nonpartisan duties as prescribed by State or local law.

(1) Participate in the nonpartisan activities of a civic, community, social, labor, or professional organization, or of a similar organization;

(2) Be a member of a political party or other partisan political group and participate in its activities to the extent consistent with this subpart and Federal law;

(3) Attend a political convention, rally, fund-raising function, or other political gathering; and

(4) Make a financial contribution to a political party, to a partisan political group, or to the campaign committee of a candidate for partisan political office.

Example 7 to paragraph (b):A covered employee may attend a political convention or rally solely as a spectator. However, the employee may not participate in demonstrations or parades that are sponsored by a political party, a partisan political group, or an individual who is running for nomination to be a candidate for partisan political office. Example 8 to paragraph (b):A covered employee may attend a political party's annual barbecue, but an employee may not organize, distribute invitations to, or sell tickets to the barbecue.

(d) Campaigning for a spouse or family member. An employee covered under this subpart who is the spouse or family member of either a candidate for partisan political office, or a candidate for political party office, may appear in photographs of the candidate's family that might appear in a political advertisement, a broadcast, campaign literature, or similar material. A spouse or a family member who is a covered employee also may attend political functions with the candidate. However, the spouse or family member may not distribute campaign literature or solicit, accept, or receive political contributions.

Example 9 to paragraph (d):A covered employee who is the spouse of a candidate for partisan political office may stand in the receiving line and sit at the head table during a political dinner honoring the spouse. Example 10 to paragraph (d):A covered employee who is the daughter or son of a candidate for partisan political office may appear in a family photograph that is printed in a campaign flier, but the employee may not distribute the flier at a campaign rally.