Political season do's and don'ts Published Aug. 21, 2012 By 2nd Lt. Andrea Valencia 325th Fighter Wing TYNDALL AIR FOCE BASE, Fla. -- The 2012 campaign season is underway and television, radio broadcasts and social media are filled with the latest information on the political candidates. All servicemembers are encouraged to vote, however Department of Defense Directive 1344.10 governs political activities by members of the armed forces. DoD civilians are also restricted in political activities by the Hatch Act. The regulations are there to ensure partisan political activities do not imply or appear to imply Defense Department sponsorship or endorsement of a political candidate or campaign. This also extends to all personal social media sites, such as Facebook or Twitter. Servicemembers may: -- Register, vote and express opinions on political candidates and issues, but not as a representative of the U.S. Armed Forces -- Become a "friend" of, or "like," the Facebook page, or "follow" the Twitter account of a political party or partisan candidate, campaign, group, or cause -- Attend partisan or nonpartisan political meetings, rallies or conventions as a spectator, but not in uniform -- Join a political club and attend meetings as a spectator -- Display bumper stickers on a personally owned vehicle or wear campaign buttons on civilian clothes -- Write a letter to the editor regarding public issues, but cannot promote a partisan political cause or candidate -- Make a political contribution to an organization supporting a particular candidate, but cannot contribute to the candidate personally Service members may not: -- Participate in partisan political campaigns, except as a spectator, or make public speeches related to such activity -- Post or make direct links to a political party, partisan political candidate, campaign, group, or cause -- Post or comment on the Facebook pages or "tweet" on the Twitter accounts of a political party, or partisan political candidate, campaign, group, or cause -- Suggest that others "like," "friend," or "follow" the political party, partisan political candidate, campaign, group, or cause, or forwarding an invitation or solicitation from said entities to others. -- Solicit votes or contributions for a particular candidate or issue -- Use official government authority or influence to interfere with or affect the outcome of an election -- Publish articles or opinions promoting or discouraging partisan political issues or candidates -- Run for or hold civil office -- Take an active role in partisan political activity, including: - Serve in an official capacity - Advocate in media - Conduct opinion polls or other clerical duties during a campaign - March in a parade - Actively promote fundraisers Civilian 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 -- Sign nominating petitions -- Campaign for or against referendum questions, constitutional amendments and municipal ordinances -- Join and be an active member of a political party or club -- 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, including serving as a delegate to a convention Civilian employees may not: -- Use their official authority or influence to interfere with an election -- Solicit, accept or receive political contributions, unless both individuals are members of the same federal labor organization or employee organization, and the one solicited is not a subordinate employee -- Knowingly solicit or discourage the political activity of any person who has business before the agency -- Engage in political activity while on duty or in any government office -- Engage in political activity while wearing an official uniform -- Engage in political activity while using a government vehicle -- Be candidates for public office in partisan elections -- Wear political buttons on duty Failure to comply with the regulations could result in being charged with a violation of Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice: failure to obey a lawful general order or regulation. The Hatch Act and DoDD 1344.10 can be found online at http://www.osc.gov/hatchact.htm and http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/134410p.pdf.