EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Did you know that Edwards Air Force Base is a nonpublic forum and communication can be more strictly regulated than at public forums? This ensures preservation of military installations for their dedicated purposes: training and readiness. Why does this matter to you? It matters because it’s election season, and political activities on a military installation and in the workplace are highly restricted.
While the USAF supports voting rights, there are applicable policies when active duty members and DoD civilian employees reveal their personal opinions about political candidates. Avoiding the appearance of official sponsorship or federal endorsement is key when exercising one’s right to vote and participating in related activities.
Active Duty Members May:
- Vote in their personal capacity
- Support others’ right to vote free of political influence
- Sign a petition for a specific legislative action as a private citizen not representing the Air Force if it does not require the member to engage in partisan political activity
- Financially contribute to a political party
- Apply one standard-sized political bumper sticker to their personal vehicle while it’s parked in a government parking lot
- Express their personal views by writing a letter to a newspaper editor
- Fully participate in the Federal Voting Assistance Program
- Display campaign material(s) at their off-base residence
While Not in Uniform as a Private Citizen, Active Duty Members May:
- Participate in partisan or nonpartisan political clubs
- Participate in debates, fundraising, rallies, conventions, etc.
Active Duty Members May Not:
- Participate in political activities in a Federal building
- Engage in political activities utilizing official equipment
- Send political e-mails from government e-mail or use official title in a political e-mail
- Participate in a group discussion as an advocate of a party or candidate
- Accept, receive or solicit political contributions
- Compose or contribute to letters or articles designed to solicit votes
- Be listed as a sponsor or serve in any official capacity with a partisan political club
- Contribute to the campaign of an Armed Forces member or Federal government employee
- Stand or work at polls on Election Day or perform clerical or other support for a partisan political committee
DoD civilian employees are less restricted than active duty members. Here is a partial list of dos and don’ts:
DoD Civilian Employees May:
- Display campaign material(s) at their off-base residence
- Place one standard-sized bumper sticker on their personal vehicle parked in a government parking lot
- Express personal opinions on candidates and issues as long as they are not in the workplace, not performing official duties and not in a government facility or vehicle
- Attend political events
- Sign a nominating petition
DoD Civilian Employees May Not:
- Influence or use official authority to affect election results
- Engage in political activity while using any government owned vehicle, equipment or on government time
- Accept, receive or solicit political contributions
Please see the Political Activity Quick Guide and references below for additional active duty and DoD civilian employee restrictions.
