336,000 Federal Jobs Are Gone: Why Your Vote Still Counts and Why Civil Service Protections Do Not Have a Party

Since January 2025, 336,000 federal jobs are gone. And today, every one of the people who held those jobs still has exactly one vote. On Election Day, it is worth looking at the federal workforce ledger, at who controls the decisions behind it, and at why civil service protections matter no matter which party you support.

The Ledger

Four numbers tell much of the story. Since January 2025, 336,000 federal jobs are gone. Of those, 136,822 took the deferred resignation offer. The country has also lived through the longest full government shutdown in American history, at 43 days. And in a letter to Congress on August 27, the planned raise for 2027 was zero percent.

These are the people who keep the country running. More than one in four federal employees is a veteran. Many received an email saying America would be more prosperous if they went to work in the private sector. There is a way to treat employees, and there is a way not to.

Who Controls What

None of those decisions was made at a ballot box. But the ballot box does matter, because Congress controls the money behind that ledger: the funding, the pay, and the shutdowns. Today, voters decide who sits in Congress. The ballot box is also the one thing in federal employment that cannot be reduced in force, frozen, furloughed, or reclassified.

Behind Every Federal Employee

Behind each of the people who left federal service, and behind the roughly two million who are still on the job, stands a spouse, a child, a sibling, or a friend. They come from every side of the aisle, and they watched how their person was treated. That is a large circle of people with a personal stake in how the federal workforce is treated.

Civil Service Protections Do Not Have a Party

We represent federal employees of every party, and we are proud of every one of them. We are not telling anyone how to vote. But whatever side of the aisle you stand on, strong civil service protections matter. The administration you favor today will not be there forever, and the protections should be.

A Reminder About Your Ballot

Your ballot is yours. Nobody at work gets a say in how you vote. Polls are open today, and vote.gov can help you find your polling place. If your work schedule makes it hard to get to the polls, ask your supervisor about your agency's policy as early as you can.

Legal Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Federal employment situations are fact-specific and time-sensitive. Please consult a qualified federal employment attorney about your specific situation. You can contact Southworth PC at attorneysforfederalemployees.com.