(a) All volunteers, full and part time, are subject to the prohibitions on expenditure of federal funds for partisan and nonpartisan electoral activities, voter registration activities and transportation of voters to the polls, and efforts to influence the passage or defeat of legislation, as contained in section 403 of the Act.

(b) Full time volunteers, and certain part time volunteers as specified herein, are also subject to the restrictions in subchapter III, chapter 73 of title 5, United States Code, commonly referred to as the Hatch Act, as provided in section 415(b) of the Act.

The provisions in this subpart are applicable to full time volunteers as described in § 1226.3(c), and to such part-time volunteers as may be otherwise specified herein. Full time volunteers are deemed to be acting in their capacity as volunteers:

(a) When they are actually engaged in their volunteer assignments; or

(b) Whenever they represent themselves, or may reasonably be perceived by others, to be performing as a volunteer.

[46 FR 8522, Jan. 27, 1981, as amended at 80 FR 63459, Oct. 20, 2015]

(a) Electoral Activity. Volunteers shall not engage in any activity which may, directly or indirectly, affect or influence the outcome of any election to public office. Volunteers are prohibited from engaging in activities such as:

(1) Any activity in support of, or in opposition to a candidate for election to public office in a partisan or nonpartisan election;

(2) Participating in the circulation of petitions, or the gathering of signatures on nominating petitions or similar documents for candidates for public office.

(3) Raising, soliciting, or collecting funds for a candidate for public office;

(4) Preparing, distributing or providing funds for campaign material for candidates, including leaflets, pamphlets, brochures and material designed for the print or electronic media;

(5) Organizing political meetings or forums;

(6) Canvassing voters on behalf of a candidate for public office;

(7) Raising, soliciting or collecting funds for groups that engage in any of the activities described in paragraphs (a)(1) through (6) of this section.

(b) Voter Registration. Volunteers shall not engage in any voter registration activity, including:

(1) Providing transportation of individuals to voter registration sites;

(2) Providing assistance to individuals in the process of registering to vote, including determinations of eligibility;

(3) The dissemination of official voter registration materials; or

(4) Raising, soliciting or collecting funds to support activities described in paragraphs (b)(1) through (3) of this section.

(c) Transportation to the Polls. Volunteers shall not engage in any activity to provide voters or prospective voters with transportation to the polls, nor shall they collect, raise, or solicit funds to support such activity, including securing vehicles for such activity.

(d) Efforts to Influence Legislation. Except as provided in § 1226.9, volunteers shall not engage in any activity for the purpose of influencing the passage or defeat of legislation or any measures on the ballot at a general or special election. For example, volunteers shall not:

(1) Testify or appear before legislative bodies in regard to proposed or pending legislation;

(2) Make telephone calls, write letters, or otherwise contact legislators or legislative staff, concerning proposed or pending legislation for the purpose of influencing the passage or defeat of such legislation;

(3) Draft legislation;

(4) Prepare legislative testimony;

(5) Prepare letters to be mailed by third parties to members of legislative bodies concerning proposed or pending legislation;

(6) Prepare or distribute any form of material, including pamphlets, newspaper columns, and material designed for either the print or electronic media, which urges recipients to contact their legislator or otherwise seek passage or defeat of legislation;

(7) Raise, collect or solicit funds to support efforts to affect the passage or defeat of legislation;

(8) Engage in any of the activities set forth in paragraphs (d)(1) through (7) of this section for the purpose of influencing executive action in approving or vetoing legislation.

(9) Circulate petitions, gather signatures on petitions, or urge or organize others to do so, which seek to have measures placed on the ballot at a general or special election.

(10) Engage in any of the activities enumerated in paragraphs (d)(1) through (9) of this section in regard to the passage or defeat of any measure on the ballot in a general or special election.

(a) A volunteer may draft, review, testify or make representations to a legislative body regarding a legislative measure upon request of the legislative body, a committee, or a member thereof, provided that:

(1) The request to draft, review, testify or make representations is in writing, addressed to the volunteer or the organization to which the volunteer is assigned or placed, and signed by a member or members of the legislative body.

(2) The request states the type of representation or assistance requested and the issue to be addressed.

(3) The volunteer or the program sponsor provides a copy of such request to the State Director.

(b) The volunteer may draft, review, testify, or make a written representation to a legislative body regarding an authorization or appropriation measure directly affecting the operation of the project or program to which he or she is assigned: Provided:

(1) The sponsor organization provides notification to the State Director on a quarterly basis of all activity occurring pursuant to this exception.

(2) The legislative measure relates to the funding of the project or program or affects the existence or basic structure of the project or program.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing exceptions, any activity by a volunteer pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) or (2) of this section shall be incidental to his or her regular work assignment.