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Code · U.S. Code · Title 5 - GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES · CHAPTER 15— POLITICAL ACTIVITY OF CERTAIN STATE AND LOCAL EMPLOYEES · § 1502

§ 1502. Influencing elections; taking part in political campaigns; prohibitions; exceptions

505 words·~2 min read·/usc/title-5/section-1502

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(a)A State or local officer or employee may not—
(1)use his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election or a nomination for office;
(2)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 party, committee, organization, agency, or person for political purposes; or
(3)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, be a candidate for elective office.
(b)A State or local officer or employee retains the right to vote as he chooses and to express his opinions on political subjects and candidates.
(c)Subsection (a)(3) of this section does not apply to—
(1)the Governor or Lieutenant Governor of a State or an individual authorized by law to act as Governor;
(2)the mayor of a city;
(3)a duly elected head of an executive department of a State, municipality, or the District of Columbia who is not classified under a State, municipal, or the District of Columbia merit or civil-service system; or
(4)an individual holding elective office.
(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 404; Pub. L. 93–443, title IV, § 401(a), Oct. 15, 1974, 88 Stat. 1290; Pub. L. 112–230, §§ 2, 3(c), Dec. 28, 2012, 126 Stat. 1616.)
In subsection (a), the term “State or local officer or employee”, defined in section 1501, is substituted for the first 41 words of former section 118k(a). The words “any part of his salary or compensation” are omitted as included in “anything of value”.
Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.
Connections13 cite this · traces to 2
11 references not yet in our index
  • Pub. L. 89–554
  • 80 Stat. 404
  • Pub. L. 93–443, title IV, § 401(a)
  • 88 Stat. 1290
  • Pub. L. 112–230
  • 126 Stat. 1616
  • Pub. L. 112–230, § 2
  • Pub. L. 112–230, § 3(c)
  • Pub. L. 93–443
  • section 5(a) of Pub. L. 112–230
  • section 410(a) of Pub. L. 93–443
Citation graph
cites case law
§ 1502
Influencing elections; taking part in political campaigns; prohibitions; exceptions
U.S.C.×5
Fed. Reg.×4
Stat.×3
C.F.R.×1
Pub. L.Pub. L. 89–554
Stat.80 Stat. 404
Pub. L.Pub. L. 93–443, title IV, § 401(a)
Stat.88 Stat. 1290
Pub. L.Pub. L. 112–230
Cites 13 · showing 7Cited by 13 across 4 sources
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