WEBVTT

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If you know anything about election

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season in the United States , the

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passion and energy fueled by candidates

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campaigns and voters alike might come

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to mind . It's a time of highlighting

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policy supporting various initiatives

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and exercising the right to use your

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voice . But with all this excitement

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and anticipation comes great

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responsibility especially for federal

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employees . Let's explore an important

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piece of legislation that impacts your

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role as a public servant . The Hatch

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Act of 1939 the Hatch Act

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aims to strike a balance between

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federal employees upholding the

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integrity of their role in government

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and allowing them to engage in

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political activities as citizens . Some

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examples of political activity is green

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lit by the Hatch Act include voting ,

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expression of political views ,

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participating in campaign events such

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as rallies and fundraisers , making

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political contributions , volunteering

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for a campaign or running for

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nonpartisan office . The Hatch Act

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requires that federal employees engage

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in these activities while in their

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personal capacities and not while on

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duty or in a federal building .

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Additionally , under the Hatch Act ,

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federal employees are prohibited from

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standing for nomination or election to

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public office in a partisan election ,

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taking an active part in partisan

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political campaigns or management or

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soliciting , accepting or receiving a

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donation or contribution for a partisan

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political party candidate or group .

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The act also restricts employees from

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using government resources for

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political purposes or engaging in

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partisan political speech while

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representing their agency . Maintaining

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political neutrality , ensures that the

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government serves the public interest

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without bias and it upholds the trust

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of the American people in our

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democratic institutions . Remember as

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federal employees , we have a duty to

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serve all Americans regardless of

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political affiliation . By adhering to

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the principles of the Hatch Act . We

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exemplify the integrity of our

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democracy and the values of public

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service . For more information about

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the Hatch Act , please contact your

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organization's legal office or visit

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the office of Special Counsel's website .

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Thank you .