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Nonpartisanship and the League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, community-based political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
In early 2003, when a member of the Suffolk County Legislature proposed that the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County, a nonpartisan group, have representation on a future commission, comments were made that the League was not nonpartisan and was nothing more than a political action committee. The purpose of this document is to rebut the myths and misconceptions held about the League and to clarify the guiding principle of our organization:
Nonpartisanship.
The history of the League’s nonpartisanship was established by the organization’s founders in response to the inability of political parties to present non-biased material on issues and candidates, thereby failing to serve the full needs of voters. League founder, Carrie Chapman Catt, warned members that few would be able to understand how we could work in a political organization and be nonpartisan. The League of Women Voters, since its inception in 1920, is committed to educate citizens, to empower voters, to keep government open, to put laws on the books, to keep democracy strong. Today, thousands of dedicated members in 60 chapters throughout New York State continue this mandate by doing important League work in a nonpartisan manner. What do the terms mean?
The League is nonpartisan. This means that League members do not support or oppose any political party or any candidate.
The League is political. This means that League members work with elected officials, politicians and government operatives to help change laws or put new laws on the books
The League influences public policy through education and advocacy
The Nonpartisan Policy within the organization
Every League, from the national level to the state, county and local chapters, adopts a “Nonpartisan Policy “ for, the governing body of the organization, its Board of Directors. The League’s nonpartisanship is a core principle that every League Board is required to review, update and adopt annually. The League’s bylaws must incorporate an article that requires the establishment and maintenance of a nonpartisan policy.
Each League’s Board of Directors is responsible for carrying out the League nonpartisan political activity/conflict of interest policy in its community, keeping in mind that everything the League does should be measured against the yardstick of nonpartisanship. While the League encourages its members to be active politically, the code of behavior that the Board sets for itself applies only to Board members and possibly, to certain off-Board chairs. In all cases, it specifically
prohibits its elected and appointed officers from:
1. running for or holding elective office;
2. participating in any way in any political campaign including fund-raising, making financial contributions, attending or chairing campaign events, working for or contributing in any significant way to a campaign for a political candidate or political party.
Any violation of the nonpartisan policy is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and can result in mandatory resignation. For example, a League recently accepted the resignations of an elected Director and committee chair because of their decision to be involved in the campaign of a political candidate. While the League respects their right to participate in the democratic process, their public partisanship disqualified them from representing the organization’s governing body.
The League of Women Voters Educates
An informed citizen can make democracy work
Education: In a healthy democracy, citizens have the information and skills to participate effectively in civic life. When citizens understand how government works and how to make their voices heard, they are more motivated to get involved; they are less disenfranchised. Frequently people lack sufficient knowledge of the issues or they lack the experience in accessing the political system. It is the League’s objectives to engage in educational activities within the community to promote informed participation in government.
Educational Activities: The League encourages an enlightened electorate, citizens who will be better equipped to participate in and strengthen the democratic process. Through League-sponsored forums, published materials, and community meetings voters are better served when presented with both sides of the issues. Helping them make informed choices makes democracy work.
Voter Education: In an optimum situation, informed voters would participate in every election insuring diversity among officeholders and policy makers. Everyone who has the right to vote should vote. Only then will we be able to say we have a system in which those who are governed chose those who will govern. Leagues conduct voter registration drives, hold candidate debates, publish ballot proposition guides that give the pros and cons of the issues, hold informational meetings on candidates and issues. An informed voter will ensure the strength and vitality of our political system.
The League of Women Voters Advocates
“Studying is not enough, becoming experts is not enough….Good citizenship requires not only knowledge but the ability to act.” LWVUS President Wells, 1934
Advocacy & political action. Using a member-supported action position, Leagues move into advocacy work with the appropriate level of government. Advocacy can include lobbying, public testimony, circulating petitions, letter campaigns, taking polls, interacting with government on issues of importance to the League and the community. . The League understands that change occurs when laws are changed.
The League path to political action
Before any League member speaks in the name of the League, at any level- National, State, County, or Local--a standard procedure is followed to assure that our members are fully informed about all sides of the issue and there is agreement on the issue.
The “consensus” process:
The procedure for arriving at consensus includes studying an issue, informing membership, reaching member agreement or consensus,
and taking action.
Studying an issue: A study committee begins with fact gathering:
-· Reading government and research documents
- Contacting other governmental jurisdictions that have dealt with similar issues
-· Talking with experts on the issue or other community groups with varied views on the issue
Informing League membership: the committee presents pros and cons of the issue at meetings of the general League membership, giving background material, the benefits, and the drawbacks. The subject is discussed thoroughly.
Reaching Consensus: at the culmination of this process, there is a general agreement, or consensus, among the members to support or oppose the issue under study. An action plan is then developed.
Action Item: the study item then becomes an action item, adopted at the Annual Meeting as the official League position. A League may then work in coalition with other groups supporting or opposing the issue, state the League’s position publicly, and may hold a public debate prior to the public vote, with a panel of informed experts on both sides speaking and responding to audience questions.
The League of Women Voters: An Organization of Diversity
The League of Women Voters is a multifaceted organization whose membership is drawn from a broad spectrum of individuals. Membership in the League of Women Voters is open to every US citizen of voting age. Our membership is all-inclusive, comprised of women and men, students, young, old- who may or may not be members of all of the various political parties. As a national organization, members are drawn from all regions in the United States. Ethnic, political, economic, social, racial and educational differences all
abound.
Non-Partison Policy
of the Board of the LWV of Suffolk County
In accordance with the LWV bylaws, the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County is a non-partisan organization that does not support or oppose any political party or candidate.
Board members of the LWV of Suffolk County are expected to adhere to the following guidelines:
-Board members may neither seek nor hold any elective partisan office. The entire Board shall consider service on library boards, school boards, village boards or appointment to local non-elective office on an individual basis.
-Board members may not engage in any partisan, political activities, which will cause them to be publicly identified as supporting any candidate for office or any political party. They may neither sponsor nor hold fundraising events or attend coffees for a political candidate. A board member before declaring public support of a particular candidate or party or before announcing to run for elective office must resign from the board. The member may be reappointed by the board at its discretion after the election. Spouses or household relatives of a board member may engage in political activities and are considered separate from activities of that board member.
-Once League (local, county, state or national) takes a position on an issue, board members may not make public statements in opposition to the League position.
-The LWV of Suffolk County Board may request the resignation of any board members whose public activities are counter to this non-partisan policy.
It is the responsibility of the NOMINATING COMMITTEE to inform prospective board members of this non-partisan policy.
Reviewed and adopted by LWVSC Board members August 12, 2003
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