The League of Women Voters, a non partisan political organization encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League does not support or oppose any political party or candidate; it is political in that it takes positions on selected governmental issues. This can only happen after members study and reach agreement.

The League recognizes the role of the political parties in our form of government and believes that participation in the activities of the political parties is an essential ingredient of citizen responsibility. While the League urges its members to be politically active, certain constraints are necessary in order to maintain the nonpartisanship of the organization. The Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters has established the following guidelines:

The Board has the responsibility of maintaining the fact of the nonpartisanship of the organization.

All members, including Board members, may engage in the following activities: signing nominating petitions, serving as election officials, serving as clerical volunteers for candidates for office. All other political activities in which a Board member may wish to engage should be subject first to his/her own scrutiny, and, in case of question, should be discussed with the Board.

The President and the Voter Service Director may not take an active, visible role in a campaign for a political candidate. In consistently campaigning for or against non-League issues Board members must identify their interest as personal and not League-sponsored.

Any Board member who plans to run for elected office should pro forma submit his/her resignation to the Board. The Board should consider the visibility of the Board position in deciding whether or not to accept the resignation. Any candidate for elective office who continues his/her Board membership must not use his/her Board position in campaign appearances or literature. Candidates for public office should not participate in the planning of League Voter Service activities.

Once League (local, state, or national) takes a position on an issue, members may not identify themselves as League members in publicly expressing an opinion that is in opposition to a League position.

Members representing the League in the community should be sensitive to their responsibilities. When acting in the public as League representatives, members must not allow partisanship to be discernable. These members should be fully aware of League positions. It is the obligation of the Board to make the representative aware of relevant League positions.

Members may serve on governmental commissions at their own discretion. If the appointment is League-related, the appointee should be fully aware of the League positions as they relate to the commission’s responsibilities.

There should be no special notice in the VOTER of the candidacies of active League members.

Members in the leadership roles at unit and other public meetings have the responsibility to ensure the nonpartisanship of the meeting and its environment.

Only Board of Directors-approved petitions may be circulated at League meetings.

The League’s roster is not to be made available for non-League use without Board consent.