U.S Code last checked for updates: May 04, 2024
§ 5043.
Political activities
(a)
Funds use prohibition; “election” and “Federal office” defined
(b)
Prohibition on program identification
(1)
Programs assisted under this chapter shall not be carried on in a manner involving the use of funds, the provision of services, or the employment or assignment of personnel in a manner supporting or resulting in the identification of such programs with—
(A)
any partisan or nonpartisan political activity associated with a candidate, or a contending faction or group, in an election for public or party office;
(B)
any activity to provide voters or prospective voters with transportation to the polls or similar assistance in connection with any such election; or
(C)
any voter registration activity;
except that programs assisted under this chapter may make voter registration applications and nonpartisan voter registration information available to the public on the premises of such programs.
(2)
In carrying out any voter registration activity permitted under paragraph (1), an individual who is affiliated with, or employed to carry out, a program assisted under this chapter shall not—
(A)
indicate a preference with respect to any candidate, political party, or election issue; or
(B)
seek to influence the political or party affiliation, or voting decision, of any individual.
(c)
Prohibition on influencing passage or defeat of legislation
No funds appropriated to carry out this chapter shall be used by any program assisted under this chapter in any activity for the purpose of influencing the passage or defeat of legislation or proposals by initiative petition, except—
(1)
in any case in which a legislative body, a committee of a legislative body, or a member of a legislative body requests any volunteer in, or employee of, such a program to draft, review, or testify regarding measures or to make representations to such legislative body, committee, or member; or
(2)
in connection with an authorization or appropriations measure directly affecting the operation of the program.
(d)
Enforcement; rules and regulations
(Pub. L. 93–113, title IV, § 403, Oct. 1, 1973, 87 Stat. 408; Pub. L. 96–143, §§ 8, 18(c)(1), Dec. 13, 1979, 93 Stat. 1077, 1083; Pub. L. 96–187, title I, § 112(e)(1), Jan. 8, 1980, 93 Stat. 1366; Pub. L. 99–551, § 10(i)(6), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3078; Pub. L. 103–82, title III, § 363, title IV, § 405(a)(7), Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 907, 920.)
cite as: 42 USC 5043