Part I – Chapter 2
We are nonpartisan
The choice made in 1920 to neither support nor oppose any political party or candidate for public office continues today to ensure that the League’s voice is heard above the tumult of party politics. The nonpartisan policy has added strength to the League’s positions on issues and has made possible wide acceptance of League voter service and other educational activities.
At the same time, the League is a political organization and encourages members to participate fully in the political party of their choice. It is an advantage to the League to have politically active members and, equally important, it can be a personally satisfying experience.
Each League’s board of directors is responsible for drafting and carrying out a nonpartisan policy in its community. In order to ensure the credibility of the League as a nonpartisan organization, the board also is responsible for seeing that both its members and the public understand the League’s nonpartisan policy.
Understanding and Explaining “Nonpartisan but Political”
The mission of the League of Women Voters is to encourage informed and active participation in government. The LWV is political and takes action on selected governmental issues after membership study and agreement. It encourages members to be informed participants in political activity, but as a nonpartisan organization, it does not oppose or support any political party or candidate.
One of the problems that LWV members all encounter, sooner or later, is a confused, dismayed or angry friend, neighbor, funder, or legislator who says, “How can you support that (bill / legislation / policy) if you are nonpartisan?” The following paragraphs may provide you with some ideas for replying to such questions:
LWV is indeed nonpartisan in both parts of our mission – education and advocacy. We never support political parties or candidates for public office even if that office does not carry political party designation.
In our education role, we provide nonpartisan information to others with the understanding that they will use that information to make their own decisions. We do not state our own positions as an organization. We encourage others to register, to vote, and to communicate policy priorities to those in public office. To accomplish that goal, we provide information or training on voting procedures, candidates, issues, effective lobbying or even running for office. Candidate forums are a highly visible example of our education role.
We are also nonpartisan in our advocacy role, although we are political in the sense that we seek to affect the outcome of legislation or policy. LWV’s positions on issues are based on study and consensus by our members. When we work with public officials on legislation or policies that address our concerns on an issue, it is because of their position on that issue, not because of their party affiliation. It is in this role that we conduct legislative interviews.
To avoid the perception of partisanship, we ask our most visible leaders such as the president and voter service chair to refrain from political activity or active partisan support during their terms of office. LWV board members are asked to resign or take a leave of absence if they run for public office. While we encourage women and minorities to run for office, we are careful not to imply support for them over other candidates when they do so.
Clearly not every LWV member agrees with every position. While we cherish the right to disagree as individuals, when we speak for LWV in public, we speak only from LWV positions.
Link to LWV Minnesota’s Nonpartisan policy:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WXFWb_YU1Ubgljw5FlNXj84BNYRGhyL0/view
LWVUS additional guidance to local Leagues on crafting a nonpartisan policy:
https://www.lwv.org/league-management/policies-guidelines/developing-and-implementing-nonpartisan-policy
How to be nonpartisan during advocacy:
https://www.lwvmn.org/nonpartisan-in-advocacy
How to be nonpartisan during voter service:
https://www.lwvmn.org/nonpartisan-in-voter-service