---
kind: "section"
citation: "45 C.F.R. § 2556.720"
title: "45"
number: "2556.720"
heading: "May VISTAs participate in political organizations?"
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/45/2556.720"
---

# §2556.720. May VISTAs participate in political organizations?

- (a) Provided that [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section is fully adhered to, and in accordance with the prohibitions set forth in [§ 2556.710](/cfr/45/2556.710.md), a VISTA may:
  - (1) Be a member of a political party or other political group and participate in its activities;
  - (2) Serve as an officer of a political party or other political group, a member of a national, State, or local committee of a political party, an officer or member of a committee of a political group, or be a candidate for any of these positions;
  - (3) Attend and participate fully in the business of nominating caucuses of political parties;
  - (4) Organize or reorganize a political party organization or political group;
  - (5) Participate in a political convention, rally, or other political gathering; and
  - (6) **Serve as a delegate, alternate, or proxy to a political party convention.**
- (b) A VISTA may participate in a political organization as long as such participation complies with the restrictions set out in [paragraphs (b)(1) through (6)](/cfr/45/2556.715.md?p=b-1..b-6) of § 2556.715.
  - (1) Does not interfere with the performance of, or availability to perform, their assigned VISTA project duties;
  - (2) Does not interfere with the 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.