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Dos and Don'ts of political participation

  • Published
  • By Monte Miller
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Upcoming presidential elections have raised the level of political awareness throughout the country and the same is true for servicemembers.

Although the Department of Defense encourages participation in political activities and the voting cycle, there is a very strict set of guidelines of what servicemembers can and can't do in their support of a candidate or party, especially on base.

"Because this is a presidential election year, it's really not a good idea to get wrapped in the political activities," said Maj. Mark Keener, Scott Air Force Base installation voting assistance officer. "The next president is going to be our Commander in Chief. We have to follow the rules and orders of the officers placed above us, no matter what party they are from."

The following are lists provided by the DoD regarding the dos and don'ts associated with political activities by military members.

A member of the Armed Forces on active duty may:

1. Register, vote and express a personal opinion on political candidates and issues, but not as a representative of the Armed Forces. 

2. Promote and encourage others to exercise their voting franchise if such promotion does not constitute use of their official authority or influence to interfere with the outcome of any election. 

3. Join a partisan or nonpartisan political club and attend its meetings when not in uniform, subject to the restrictions. 

4. Serve as an election official if such service is not as a representative of a partisan political party and does not interfere with the performance of military duties, is performed when not in uniform, and the Secretary concerned has given prior approval. The Secretary concerned may NOT delegate the authority to grant or deny such permission. 

5. Sign a petition for a specific legislative action or a petition to place a candidate's name on an official election ballot if the signing does not obligate the member to engage in partisan political activity and is done as a private citizen and not as a representative of the Armed Forces. 

6. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper expressing the member's personal views on public issues or political candidates if such action is not part of an organized letter-writing campaign or a solicitation of votes for or against a political party or partisan political cause or candidate. If the letter identifies the member as on active duty (or if the member is otherwise reasonably identifiable as a member of the Armed Forces), the letter should clearly state that the views expressed are those of the individual only and not those of the DoD (or Department of Homeland Security for members of the Coast Guard). 

7. Make monetary contributions to a political organization, party or committee favoring a particular candidate or slate of candidates, subject to the limitations under section 441a of title 2, United States Code (U.S.C.) (Reference (d) section 607 of title 18, U.S.C. (Reference (e) and other applicable law. 

8. Display a political bumper sticker on the member's private vehicle. 

9. Attend partisan and nonpartisan political fundraising activities, meetings, rallies, debates, conventions or activities as a spectator when not in uniform and when no inference or appearance of official sponsorship, approval or endorsement can reasonably be drawn. 

10. Participate fully in the Federal Voting Assistance Program.

There is also a list of restrictions on political activities for servicemembers. The list is as follows:

· A member of the Armed Forces on active duty shall not:

1. Participate in partisan political fundraising activities, rallies, conventions (including making speeches in the course thereof), management of campaigns or debates, either on one's own behalf or on that of another, without respect to uniform or inference or appearance of official sponsorship, approval or endorsement. Participation includes more than mere attendance as a spectator. 

2. Use official authority or influence to interfere with an election, affect the course or outcome of an election, solicit votes for a particular candidate or issue or require or solicit political contributions from others. 

3. Allow or cause to be published partisan political articles, letters or endorsements signed or written by the member that solicits votes for or against a partisan political party, candidate or cause. This is distinguished from a letter to the editor as permitted under the conditions noted in subparagraph. 

4. Serve in any official capacity with or be listed as a sponsor of a partisan political club. 

5. Speak before a partisan political gathering, including any gathering that promotes a partisan political party, candidate or cause. 

6. Participate in any radio, television or other program or group discussion as an advocate for or against a partisan political party, candidate or cause. 

7. Conduct a political opinion survey under the auspices of a partisan political club or group or distribute partisan political literature.

Major Keener reiterated that servicemembers are encouraged to participate in the political process and do their duty and have their voice heard by voting.

More information on the rules and restrictions of participation in political activities and voting assistance can be found at the Federal Voting Assistance Program website www. FVAP.gov.