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Preamble
The purpose of the League of Women Voters is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. The LWV 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.
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 of Collier County has established the following guidelines.
General Policies
- All statements made in the name of the League shall be cleared through the President or the President's designated representative(s).
- League members (non-Board) are encouraged to run for office and participate actively in the party of their choice.
- Discussion of candidates shall be avoided at all League meetings except in connection with Voter Service discussion of all candidates.
- Other than invited speakers, no one may distribute materials at a League meeting without prior approval of the President. Campaigning politicians or their representatives cannot campaign or distribute campaign literature in League meetings.
- Only petitions approved by the Board may be circulated at League meetings.
- Once League (local, state or national) takes a position on an issue, members may not identify themselves as League members when 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.
- Members may serve on governmental committees 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 committee's responsibilities.
- Members in the leadership roles at committee and other public meetings have the responsibility to ensure the nonpartisanship of the meeting and its environment.
- The membership directory shall not be used by members for other than League business.
- To avoid misunderstanding, if a situation is not clearly defined and regulated under this policy, a League member shall seek Board advice.
Board Members
- The Board has the responsibility of maintaining the fact of the nonpartisanship of the organization.
- If a Board member plans to engage in political activity, that member must seek a Board decision as to whether the activity would affect the community's perception of the League's nonpartisanship.
- The President and Voter Service Director may not take an active, visible role in a campaign for a political candidate or for a non-League issue.
- A Board member shall resign from the Board before publicly declaring candidacy for elective office.
- During his/her term of office, a Board member MUST NOT give/sponsor candidate coffees or other fundraising parties or events; permit his/her name to appear in any media endorsement ad; hand out or display campaign literature; act as campaign manager or treasurer for a candidate; or hold office in a political party.
- A Board Member other than the President and Voter Service Director may make financial contributions to political parties and candidates in national (other than the U.S. House of Representatives) and statewide elections.
- A Board member MAY:
- Attend political meetings, but keep a low profile.
- Accept appointments to Advisory Boards.
- Participate or hold office in other community organizations, as long as those organizations do not actively promote candidates. It must be clarified whether she/he is serving as an individual or as a representative of the League. If participating as a League representative, she/he will be expected to adhere to established LWV positions, if applicable.
- Express publicly through letters to the editor, etc. personal views on non-League issues.
- The political activities of a spouse or relative of a Board member are to be considered as separate and distinct from the activities of the Board member.
This nonpartisan political policy applies to all elections - partisan and nonpartisan.
Revised and adopted by the LWVCC Board of Directors, January 2, 2006.
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