---
kind: "section"
citation: "45 C.F.R. § 2556.715"
title: "45"
number: "2556.715"
heading: "What political activities may a VISTA participate in?"
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/45/2556.715"
---

# §2556.715. What political activities may a VISTA participate in?

- (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)](#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.

## Notes

### Authority

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

Source: 88 FR 31180, May 16, 2023, unless otherwise noted.