---
kind: "section"
citation: "45 C.F.R. § 2556.735"
title: "45"
number: "2556.735"
heading: "May a VISTA be a candidate for public office?"
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/45/2556.735"
---

# §2556.735. May a VISTA be a candidate for public office?

- (a) Except as provided in [paragraph (c)](#c) of this section, no VISTA may run for the nomination to, or as a candidate for election to, partisan political office.
- (b) In accordance with the prohibitions set forth in [§ 2556.710](/cfr/45/2556.710.md), a VISTA may participate in elections 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 interference 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.
- (c) Provided that paragraphs [(a)](#a) and [(b)](#b) of this section are adhered to, and in accordance with the prohibitions set forth in [§ 2556.710](/cfr/45/2556.710.md), a VISTA may:
  - (1) Run as an independent candidate in a partisan election in designated U.S. municipalities and political subdivisions as set forth at [5 CFR part 733](/cfr/5/part733.md); and
  - (2) **Run as a candidate in a non-partisan election.**

## 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.