Lawyers claim head of vote commission violating Hatch Act

Common Dreams - The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed a formal Hatch Act Complaint against Kris Kobach who appears to have violated the Hatch Act in connection with his role as Vice Chair of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity. Kobach, who recently announced his candidacy for the 2018 Kansas gubernatorial election, has repeatedly exploited his Commission role to promote his candidacy and to solicit campaign contributions. Some of these actions took place while Mr. Kobach appeared in his official capacity as a representative of the "Election Integrity Commission". 

The Hatch Act prohibits any executive branch employee from “us[ing] his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election.” Kris Kobach, a special government employee, is subject to the Hatch Act because of his role with the Commission.  While 'special government employees", unlike full-time employees, can run for partisan political office, they must maintain strict separation between their candidacy and their federal government service.  Mr. Kobach appears to have violated the Hatch Act on multiple occasions.  Kobach prominently used his position as Vice Chair of the Commission to promote his candidacy and to solicit campaign funds.