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Servicemembers reminded of election-season rules

  • Published
  • By Capt. Eric Dixon
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Legal Office
Autumn in Southern Illinois is such a beautiful time of year. The leaves turn a beautiful red, yellow and orange, the sound of locusts ring in your ears, and the smell of bonfires fill the air.

This year, autumn is even more spectacular ... with the incessant campaign commercials, the nightly visits from weary volunteers, the endless automated phone calls, and the surprise campaign "gift" bags and door hangers which serve as constant reminders that this is an election year.

Before you write that check out to your favorite candidate or go out and pepper your neighborhood with campaign fliers, military members should understand the laws and regulations that outline what constitutes appropriate participation in the political process.
AFI 51-902 and DoD 1344.10 outline what are permissible and prohibited political activities for active duty members.

Servicemembers may:

-Register, vote and express opinions on political candidates and issues, but not as a representative of the U.S. armed forces;

-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.

Servicemembers may not:

-Participate in partisan political campaigns, except as a spectator, or make public speeches related to such activity;

-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.

The preceding reminder is not an exhaustive list of permissible and prohibited activities. We recommend that you review the regulations before acting and contact our office with any questions.

The JAG office approves this message.