Navigating the Hatch Act in the Internet Age
By
Joseph Marks
The folks over at OhMyGov have put together a handy infographic for federal employees to share political views on their personal blogs and through social media without violating the 1939 Hatch Act.
The post is based on a 2010 Frequently Asked Questions primer from the Office of Special Counsel.
The bottom line: expressing political views and supporting candidates is fine but don't use social media to pressure subordinates to do the same and never solicit money for a candidate or cause.
The site makes clear, though, just how sticky things have become in the Internet age. Posting a link to a political candidate's website on your Facebook wall is okay, for instance, but if that candidate has a contribution link on her page things get grayer.
If a friend posts a link soliciting money for a political candidate on your Facebook wall, that's okay too. You can't control what other people post on your wall, after all. But is it okay to "like" that post?