(a) Provided that paragraph (b) of this section is fully adhered to, a VISTA may:
(1) Express their opinion privately and publicly on political subjects;
(2) Be politically active in connection with a question that is not specifically identified with a political party, such as a constitutional amendment, referendum, approval of a municipal ordinance, or any other question or issue of similar character;
(3) Participate in the nonpartisan activities of a civic, community, social, labor, professional, or similar organization; and
(4) Participate fully in public affairs, except as prohibited by other Federal law, in a manner that does not compromise their efficiency or integrity as a VISTA, or compromise the neutrality, efficiency, or integrity of AmeriCorps or the VISTA program.
(b) A VISTA may participate in political activities set forth in paragraph (a) of this section as long as such participation:
(1) Does not interfere with the performance of, or availability to perform, their assigned VISTA project duties;
(2) Does not interfere with their provision of service in the VISTA program;
(3) Does not involve any use of VISTA assistance, resources or funds;
(4) Would not result in the identification of the VISTA as being a participant in or otherwise associated with the VISTA program;
(5) Is not conducted during scheduled VISTA service hours; and
(6) Does not interfere with the full-time commitment to remain available for VISTA service without regard to regular working hours, at all times during periods of service, except for authorized periods of leave.
authority: 42 U.S.C. 4951-4953;
5 CFR part 734,
42 U.S.C. 4953(a), (f), 4954(b), (e), 4955(b), 4956, 5043(a)-(c), 5044(a)-(c), (e), 5046, 5052, 5056, and 5057;
42 U.S.C. 12651b (g)(10);
42 U.S.C. 12651c(c); E.O. 13279, 67 FR 77141, 3 CFR, 2002 Comp., p. 2156,
42 U.S.C. 4954(a), (b), (d), 4955, 5044(e), 5055, and 5059;
42 U.S.C. 12602(c),
42 U.S.C. 4953(b), (c), (f), and 5044(e)
source: 88 FR 31180, May 16, 2023, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 45 CFR 2556.715