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2020 Presidential Election Readiness

July 31, 2020

Useful links and other information related to the upcoming Presidential transition.






2020 Presidential Election Readiness Resources

NEW: Presidential Transition Guide (2020)

The Presidential Transition Act requires Federal agencies to prepare for a possible Presidential transition in each Presidential election year. OGE developed this Guide as a resource for the Presidential Transition Team, in the event there is a transition, so that leadership positions can be filled quickly and free from conflicts of interest. This Guide explains the nominee ethics process, provides strategies for establishing a strong ethical culture in a Presidential administration, and includes useful reference materials. Click here >

NEW: Guide for Nominees (2020)

OGE developed this Guide as a resource for potential Senate-confirmed, Presidential nominees. It is organized to take a nominee through the life cycle of a person who will serve as a Senate-confirmed Presidential appointee (PAS official). It includes sections explaining what to expect during the nominee process, how to have an ethical start to Federal service, how to be a leader in ethics, and what to consider when planning to leave Federal service. The appendix contains detailed reference information, such as instructions for Integrity and financial disclosure checklists. Click here >

NEW: Nominee Public Financial Disclosure Review Checklists (2020)

OGE developed this collection of public financial disclosure checklists for prospective incoming Presidential nominees who file public financial disclosure reports, as well as for agency reviewers. The collection includes a general checklist applicable to all nominees and supplemental checklists that target certain categories of professionals: attorneys; corporate officers, employees, and directors; university professors and deans; and investment fund managers. Click here >

NEW: (Unofficial) Excel Workbook of PAS Nominee Positions Subject to OGE Financial Disclosure Review (2020)

OGE has updated its unofficial Excel workbook listing the civilian Presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed (PAS) positions traditionally subject to OGE’s review in the nomination process. The official source for identifying political positions in the executive branch is the publication titled, “United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions.” This publication, commonly known as the Plum Book, is published alternately by the Senate and the House committees after each Presidential election. OGE publishes the list of PAS positions subject to its review to complement this publication. Click here >

NEW: Quick Guide to PAS Reports OGE Reviews

This Quick Guide describes which Presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed (PAS) reports are or are not subject to OGE review. Click here >

Access to Candidate Financial Disclosure Reports

Public financial disclosure reports submitted by candidates for the Office of President or Vice President may be requested by completing the automated OGE Form 201, "Request to Inspect or Receive Copies of Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Reports or Other Covered Records." Click here to access the reports >

Public Financial Disclosure Guide (2019)

The Public Financial Disclosure Guide is an interactive tool to assist individuals who file or review public financial disclosure reports (OGE Form 278e or OGE Form 278-T). The Guide offers helpful instructions, illustrations of sample language, definitions of terms, and plain-language answers to frequently asked questions. Click here >

NEW: Guide to Drafting Nominee Ethics Agreements (2020)

Ethics agreements reflect a nominee’s commitments to resolve their conflicts of interest and comply with the ethics laws and regulations. Agency ethics officials, in collaboration with OGE staff, draft each ethics agreement using standardized language, tailored as appropriate, from this Guide. Click here >

NEW: OGE Agency Profile (2020)

This profile provides an overview of the executive branch ethics program and OGE. It also includes detailed information about OGE's leadership, structure, and components; major functional areas; and critical management practices. Click here >

Electronic Public Financial Disclosure Filing System, Integrity

Presidential nominees in the executive branch file public financial disclosure reports through Integrity, the executive branch electronic financial disclosure system. The online user manual for Integrity provides useful explanations of the system’s features. A user name and password is required to access both Integrity and its user manual. Click here >

Public Financial Disclosure (OGE Form 278e) and Confidential Financial Disclosure (OGE Form 450)

Follow this link for access to OGE’s financial disclosure forms and instructions for downloading the forms. (To access Integrity, OGE’s system for electronically filing and reviewing Public Financial Disclosures, click here.) Click here >

NEW: Ways OGE Can Help in the Presidential Transition (1-page graphic) (2020)

OGE is ready to assist a Presidential Transition Team in navigating the transition and laying the groundwork for a strong ethical culture in the administration. OGE is also ready to assist in establishing a strong White House ethics program. Click here >

OGE Staff Contact Information

Follow this link for an OGE staff listing and contact information. Click here >

External Resources

GSA’s Presidential Transition Directory

GSA maintains the federal government’s official Presidential Transition Directory at https://www.gsa.gov/governmentwide-initiatives/presidential-transition-directory (Currently Inactive)

Center for Presidential Transition, Partnership for Public Service (non-federal site)

The Partnership for Public Service has published its own helpful compilation at http://presidentialtransition.org.

Archive of Related Previous Resources

The resources below have since been updated. The updated versions can be found above.

Ways OGE Can Help in the Presidential Transition (1-page graphic) (2016)

OGE is ready to assist a Presidential Transition Team in navigating the transition and laying the groundwork for a strong ethical culture in the administration. OGE is also ready to assist in establishing a strong White House ethics program. Click here >

OGE’s Guide for the Presidential Transition Team (2016)

The work of a Presidential transition is a monumental undertaking. OGE developed this Guide as a resource for a Presidential Transition Team to prepare for the then-upcoming transition so that top leadership positions can be filled quickly and free from conflicts of interest. This guide explains the nominee ethics process, provides strategies for establishing a strong ethical culture in a new Presidential administration, and includes useful reference materials. Web version | Print version

(Unofficial) Excel workbook listing positions for which OGE reviews nominees (2016)

​​The official source for identifying political positions in the executive branch is the publication titled, “United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions.” This publication, commonly known as the Plum Book, is published alternately by the Senate and the House committees after each Presidential election. However, the process of identifying possible nominees needs to begin well before the election. To assist in this process, OGE has compiled an unofficial Excel workbook listing the civilian Presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed positions traditionally subject to OGE’s review in the nomination process. Click here >

Nominee Public Financial Disclosure Review Checklists (2016)

OGE developed this collection of public financial disclosure checklists for prospective incoming Presidential nominees who file public financial disclosure reports, as well as for agency reviewers. The collection includes a general checklist applicable to all nominees and supplemental checklists that target certain categories of professionals: attorneys; corporate officers, employees, and directors; university professors and deans; and investment fund managers. Click here >

Guide for Nominees (2016)

OGE developed this Guide as a resource for potential Presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed (PAS) nominees during the then-upcoming transition. The Guide contains helpful guidance for prospective PAS nominees, including an introduction to the nominee process, guidance on financial disclosure, and an overview of key ethics rules and regulations. Web version | Print version

Appendix to the Guide for Nominees (2016)

The Appendix to the Guide for Nominees contains detailed reference content, such as financial disclosure checklists, criteria for identifying excepted investment funds, and information on ongoing financial disclosure obligations. Web version | Print version

Nominee Ethics Agreement Guide (2014)

The ethics agreement outlines specific steps a nominee, after confirmation, will take to avoid conflicts of interest. OGE’s staff and agency ethics officials draft each ethics agreement using standardized language from this Guide that will be modified as needed to tailor the agreement to the nominee’s unique circumstances. Click here >

OGE Agency Profile (2016)

This profile provides an overview of the executive branch ethics program and OGE. It also includes detailed information about OGE’s leadership, structure, and components; major functional areas; and critical management practices. (print version, page version)

GAO-17-615R Presidential Transition: Information on Ethics, Funding, and Agency Services (2017) (PDF)