(c) Interference in election by employees of federal, state, or territorial governments: 18 U.S.C. § 595 Section 595 was enacted as part of the original 1939 Hatch Act. The statute prohibits any public officer or employee, in connection with an activity financed wholly or in part by the United States, from using his or her official authority to interfere with or affect the nomination or election of a candidate for federal office. This statute is aimed at the misuse of official authority. It does not prohibit normal campaign activities by federal, state, or local employees. 45 Violations are one-year misdemeanors. Section 595 applies to all public officials, whether elected or appointed, federal or non-federal. For example, an appointed policymaking government official who bases a specific governmental decision on an intent to influence the vote for or against an identified federal candidate violates Section 595. The nexus between the official action and an intent to influence must be clear to establish a violation of this statute. (d) Coercion by means of relief appropriations: 18 U.S.C. § 598 Section 598 prohibits the use of funds appropriated by Congress for relief or public works projects to interfere with, restrain, or coerce any person in the exercise of his or her right to vote in any election. Violations are one-year misdemeanors. (e) Solicitation from persons on relief: 18 U.S.C. § 604 Section 604 makes it unlawful for any person to solicit or receive contributions for any political purpose from any person known to be entitled to, or receiving compensation, employment, or However, such political activities must be consistent with the Hatch Act restrictions on political activity, as amended in 1993, which will be discussed later in this chapter. 45 111