Ethical FAQs for Governors
Criminal Financial Conflict of Interest Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Governors are not permitted to own stock in any of the Postal Service’s competitors. This includes Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and DHL. Governors also may not own stock in a publicly traded entity engaged primarily in the business of leasing real property to the Postal Service. These prohibitions are designed to prevent divided loyalties.
A Governor serves on the Board of Directors of a non-profit organization. At a Board of Governors’ meeting, the Governor then votes to approve an agreement between the Postal Service and that non-profit organization.
Contact the Ethics and Legal Compliance team (ethics.help@usps.gov) before taking any action.
Hatch Act Frequently Asked Questions
Political activity is activity directed towards the success or failure of a political party, candidate for partisan political office, or a partisan political group.
The Hatch Act prohibits political activity while on duty or official travel, in a postal or other federal building, or in a postal vehicle, including:
- Engaging in partisan political activities while on travel without written justification and prior authorization;
- Wearing partisan political apparel or buttons;
- Soliciting, accepting, or receiving partisan political contributions;
- Bringing partisan political campaign materials on postal property;
- Engaging in partisan political activity on social media.
The following actions are prohibited under the Hatch Act at all times:
- Using postal title, authority, or influence to interfere with an election;
- Knowingly soliciting or discouraging the political activity of any person who has business before the Postal Service.
The following actions are permissible under the Hatch Act while off duty, off of postal property, off of Federal government property, and not using a postal vehicle:
- Register and vote;
- Engage in partisan political fundraising activities without using postal title or authority;
- Speak at a political fundraiser without using postal title or authority;
- Contribute money to partisan political campaigns, parties, or groups;
- Attend a party convention;
- Assist in voter registration drives;
- Campaign for or against candidates in partisan elections as long as you do not use your postal title or authority;
- Engage in partisan political activity on social media.
Partisan election is one in which any candidate is nominated or elected as representing a political party (e.g., Democratic party, Republican party, Green party, etc.).
Yes.
Yes.