Use of official authority; coercion; candidacy; prohibitions.

A State or local officer or employee may not— (a) Use his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election or a nomination for office; or (b) Directly or indirectly coerce, attempt to coerce, command, or advise a State or local officer or employee to pay, lend, or contribute anything of value to a political party, committee, organization, agency, or person for a political purpose. (c) Be a candidate for elective office if the salary of the employee is paid completely, directly or indirectly, by loans or grants made by the United States or a Federal agency. [40 FR 42733, Sept. 16, 1975, as amended at 79 FR 25484, May 5, 2014]