Airmen are reminded of prohibited, permitted political protocols during voting season

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Gonsier
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The polls will open Nov. 4, and military personnel will have the opportunity to vote for their new leaders within their state of residence.

Military personnel are encouraged to vote, but should be aware of permitted and prohibited political activities.

"The Air Force and Department of Defense provides guidance on permissible and impermissible political activities," said Capt. Peter Kellett, 2nd Bomb Wing Judge Advocate office. "All service members take the same oath swearing to support and defend the Constitution of the United States through service in our military. As Airmen, that oath cannot become secondary to any political party, philosophy or candidate through partisan political activity."

Guidelines are in place to maintain good order and discipline and to avoid conflicts of interest and the appearance of improper endorsement in political matters.

"Not following the guidelines undermines credibility, creates conflicts of interest and distracts from the focus of efficiently and successfully accomplishing the mission," said Kellett. "Therefore, it is our responsibility to be aware of the limitations on political expression to maintain impartiality during the election season."

The following lists provide a few political activities service members are prohibited and permitted to participate in.

Prohibited activities include:
-Using official authority or influence to solicit votes for a particular candidate or issue or to solicit political contributions.
-Participating in partisan political management, campaigns or conventions.
-Attending, as an official Air Force representative, partisan political events, even without actively participating.
-Speaking before a partisan political gathering or participating in any radio, television or other program as an advocate for a partisan political party or candidate.
-Distributing partisan political petitions, literature, badges or buttons.
-Serving in any official capacity or being listed as a sponsor of a partisan political club.
-Performing clerical or other duties (including partisan voter transportation efforts) for a partisan political committee during the campaign or on Election Day.
-Marching or riding in a partisan political parade.
-Displaying large political signs, posters or banners on privately owned vehicles (as distinguished from a bumper sticker).
-Selling tickets for, or otherwise actively promoting, political dinners and fundraising events.
-Soliciting or receiving campaign contributions from other members of the military or civilian employees.

While Airmen are limited in what political activities they can participate in, there are some they are permitted to take part in.

Permitted activities include:
-Promote and encourage voting, without attempting to influence for whom or what vote is cast.
-Express personal opinions on political issues and candidates, but not as a representative of the military.
-Join a political club and attending club meetings or rallies when not in uniform.
-Attend partisan or nonpartisan political gatherings as a spectator when not in uniform.
-Sign petitions as a private citizen if no obligation for participation in partisan political activity is incurred.
-Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper expressing the member's personal views on public issues or political candidates, if such action is not part of an organized letter-writing campaign or a solicitation of votes for or against a political party or partisan political cause or candidate.
-Wear badges and buttons in civilian attire and off-duty.
-Display a political bumper sticker on private automobile (commanders have the inherent authority to preserve good order and discipline so the use of indecent language may become subject to a commander's right to regulate).

Following these guidelines may not be very useful when a military member is unable to vote due to being geographically separated from their state of residence. In order to alleviate this issue, the Department of Defense put together the Federal Voting Assistance Program website at fvap.gov.

According to the website, "FVAP works to ensure service members, their eligible family members and overseas citizens are aware of their right to vote and have the tools and resources to successfully do so - from anywhere in the world."

To ensure every vote counts, unit voting assistance officers, FVAP and the local JA office provide critical information for military personnel and their families.

For more information, read Air Force Instruction 51-902, Political Activities by Members of the U.S. Air Force and DoD Directive 1344.10, Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces.