Making Democracy Work

Non Partisan Policy

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. We take action on public policy positions established through member study and agreement (1). We are political, but we do not support or oppose any political party or candidate.

The League believes that political parties are essential to the American system of government and that the participation of informed citizens is beneficial to the political parties and to the system. Consequently, the League encourages its members as individuals to be active in the political parties, in finding and supporting candidates for public office, and in seeking election to public office.

The League is strictly nonpartisan; it neither supports nor opposes candidates for office at any level of government. At the same time, the League is wholeheartedly political and works to influence policy through advocacy. It is the original grassroots citizen network, directed by the consensus of its members nationwide. There are 900 state and local Leagues - comprising a vast grassroots lobby corps that can be mobilized when necessary.

A board member may serve on any public board, commission, committee, or coalition; however, that board member does not represent the League unless officially designated as a League representative by the League board.

The political activities of a spouse or relative of a board member should be considered separate and distinct from the activities of the board member. Members of the Board of Directors in sensitive positions (President, Action and Voter Service Chairpersons, and others taking influential roles in forums such as screeners and persons introducing and moderating) shall not participate in the following activities:

  • Making financial contributions to candidates and/or political parties unless they are made anonymously.

  • Participating in behind-the-scenes efforts for candidates, such as telephoning, stuffing envelopes, writing position papers, etc.

  • Publicly supporting a candidate for elected office.

  • Circulating nominating petitions; petitions for referendums supporting league positions can be circulated.

  • Holding coffees for candidates seeking political office and/or nonpartisan office.

  • Attending fundraising functions for candidates or political parties.

  • Holding office in another organization that supports or opposes political parties or candidates.

"Vote! It Counts!" signs may be displayed only if no candidate or political party signs are present. They can be displayed with referendum signs which support League positions.

In all other political activity, board members shall participate to the extent that League nonpartisanship is maintained. A board member shall consult with the board to determine if there is a conflict of interest. When a board member decides to resign from their sensitive position due to a conflict, a press release will be issued by the League.

(1) These are definitions from the national website for use in clarification during our board discussion.

POSITION: A statement of the League's point of view on an issue, arrived at through member study and agreement (consensus or concurrence), approved by the appropriate board and used as a basis for League action.

CONSENSUS: Collective opinion of a substantial number of League members, representative of the membership as a whole, after objective study of an issue.

CONCURRENCE: Agreement by League members with a position on an issue reached by a small group of members or by another League.