Non-Partisan Policy

POLICIES OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS 

NONPARTISAN POLICY 

The purpose of the League of Women Voters is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League of Women Voters is nonpartisan in that it does not support or oppose any political party or candidate; it is political in that it takes positions on selected governmental issues after member study and agreement. 

Guidelines for Nonpartisan Policy 

The nonpartisan policy is a source of strength to the League and must be protected. The League encourages the political involvement of its members, but recognizes that limitations are necessary to maintain the nonpartisan reputation of the organization. The nonpartisan policy applies to directors (elected, appointed, acting or nominated) and members who represent the League before the public. 

Partisan activities include

• Actively seeking an elective or appointive governmental office.  

• Having an official position in a party organization, or in an organization endorsing candidates for public office.  

• Participating in a campaign for an individual in such a way that the League member is publicly identified with the candidate.  

• Participating in a campaign for an issue or ballot measure in opposition to a League position. 

Board of Directors  

• The board is responsible for maintaining the nonpartisan position of the organization.  A board member who plans to engage in political activity must seek a board decision as to whether the activity could affect the community’s perception of the League’s nonpartisanship.  

• The president, voter service director, candidate forum chair, and finance director shall not serve in any position in any political party and may not take an active, visible role in a campaign for a political candidate or for a ballot measure or other issue in opposition to a League position.  Board members who run for elective office or apply for an appointive governmental office should formally resign from the board at the time of filing papers or the application. This applies to partisan or nonpartisan offices.  

• The League of Women Voters of North & Central San Mateo County may, after a reasonable time, elect or appoint to the board or to any other position in which she/he represents the League before the public, any member who has held an elected or appointed governmental office. The criteria for reasonable time should be the extent that she/he is publicly identified with a political party or candidate. 

League Members  

• All members are expected to keep their League activity separate and distinct from their political activity. For example, members may not distribute League material at the same time as material for a candidate or a party. This applies to all partisan and nonpartisan elections.  

• Non-board members are urged to participate fully in support of the political parties, candidates and issues of their choice. However, they may not identify their association with the League in these political activities. 

Other Guidelines for Nonpartisan Policy  

• The political activities of a spouse or a relative of a board member are considered separate and distinct from the activities of the board member.  

• The League’s nonpartisan reputation is sufficiently strong to ensure that contributions from office holders or candidates may be accepted without being perceived as endorsement of those donors.