- Hatch Act
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either of two acts of Congress (1939, 1940), regulating expenditures, contributions, and procedures in political campaigns.[named after Carl A. Hatch (1889-1963), U.S. lawyer and politician]
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(1939, amended 1940) Legislation enacted by the U.S. Congress to eliminate corrupt practices in national elections.The bill was sponsored by Sen. Carl Hatch of New Mexico (1889–1963) in response to allegations that officials of the Works Progress Administration were using their positions to win votes for the Democratic Party in the 1936 election. It forbade intimidation or bribery of voters and restricted political campaign activities by federal employees. It also limited campaign contributions by individuals and spending by campaign committees.* * *
▪ United States [1939](Aug. 2, 1939; amended July 1940), measure enacted by the U.S. Congress, aimed at eliminating corrupt practices in national elections. It was sponsored by Senator Carl Hatch of New Mexico following disclosures that Works Progress Administration officials were using their positions to win votes for the Democratic Party. The Hatch Act forbade intimidation or bribery of voters and restricted political-campaign activities by federal employees. As amended, it also severely limited contributions by individuals to political campaigns and spending by campaign committees.* * *
Universalium. 2010.