Influencing elections; taking part in political campaigns; prohibitions; exceptions

§ 7324. Influencing elections; taking part in political campaigns; prohibitions; exceptions (a) An employee in an Executive agency or an individual employed by the government of the District of Columbia may not— (1) use his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election; or (2) take an active part in political management or in political campaigns. For the purpose of this subsection, the phrase “an active part in political management or in political campaigns” means those acts of political management or political campaigning which were prohibited on the part of employees in the competitive service before July 19, 1940, by determinations of the Civil Service Commission under the rules prescribed by the President. (b) An employee or individual to whom subsection (a) of this section applies retains the right to vote as he chooses and to express his opinion on political subjects and candidates. (c) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to an individual employed by an educational or research institution, establishment, agency, or system which is supported in whole or in part by the District of Columbia or by a recognized religious, philanthropic, or cultural organization. (d) Subsection (a)(2) of this section does not apply to— (1) an employee paid from the appropriation for the office of the President; (2) the head or the assistant head of an Executive department or military department; (3) an employee appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, who determines policies to be 80 Stat. 526pursued by the United States in its relations with foreign powers or in the nationwide administration of Federal laws; (4) the Commissioners of the District of Columbia; or (5) the Recorder of Deeds of the District of Columbia.