The outcomes of a number of current Hatch Act-related circumstances function a reminder that limits on partisan political actions apply to social media in addition to to the bodily world.

The Workplace of Particular Counsel has mentioned it has entered into settlement agreements in circumstances involving postings to accounts whereas on obligation or in a federal office. One “posted to Twitter dozens of tweets and retweets directed towards the success or failure of candidates for President and the U.S. Senate” and the opposite “posted quite a few partisan political messages to his private Fb account expressing opposition in the direction of presidential candidates and a political celebration,” the OSC mentioned.

Each had been conscious of the Hatch Act and the previous was suspended for 25 days and the latter for 30 days, it mentioned.

The OSC mentioned it additionally settled on suspensions with two different staff, one on a cost of soliciting political contributions for the union’s political motion committee from two different company staff whereas on obligation and within the office, and one for alleged use of the worker’s official title when endorsing the marketing campaign of a state consultant working for partisan workplace.

It mentioned it additional settled on a $1,000 high quality in opposition to a now-retired worker on grounds of escorting a Senate candidate and his marketing campaign’s political director via an company facility.