To ensure the credibility of the League as a nonpartisan organization, each League's Board of Directors is responsible for drafting and carrying out its own nonpartisan policy and for seeing that both its members and the public understand the League's nonpartisan role. LWV ABC members review and, if necessary, update the Nonpartisan Policy at the Annual Membership Meeting.

LWV ABC Nonpartisan Policy

(Adopted by Board March 24, 2024. Reviewed by Annual Membership Meeting April 8, 2024 and April 14, 2025) 

The League of Women Voters is nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing any candidates or political parties at any level of government, but always working on vital issues of concern to members and the public.

While the League encourages informed, active participation in government and politics by its members, the Board of Directors of League of Women Voters Anoka, Blaine, Coon Rapids Area (LWV ABC) believes that some basic limitations on political activity by members of the Board, while they are serving in this capacity, are necessary to protect the nonpartisanship of the League as an organization.

Elected or Appointed Offices: (applies to all Board members)

• Board members shall not speak publicly or work against any League position.
• A Board member shall not run for, nor hold, any partisan elective office at any level of government while an active member of the Board.
• A Board member shall not run for, nor hold any public nonpartisan office unless the Board determines the position sought or held presents no issues of local concern to the Board.
• Board members should resign or take a leave of absence when they are running for or elected to any public office unless it is a nonpartisan office that the Board has determined presents no issues of local concern to the Board.
• Board members may serve as appointed members of city, county, state or national boards or commissions, provided the board or commission and the appointment is not associated with a specific political party.
• Board members may serve as election judges as party affiliation is not a matter of public record.

Political Party Activities:

• Board members shall not serve in any high level official position such as a party chair, co-chair or vice chair at the local level or in any party office at higher levels. Concerns about which positions this may apply should be reviewed by the Board.
• Someone may serve as a Board member and take a leave of absence while serving in a party leadership role.
• All board members may participate in party precinct caucuses and serve as a precinct chair. The President and Voter Service Chair shall not seek delegate status in the political party caucus or convention process because it involves declaring support for a particular party or candidate.

Political Campaigns:

• A Board member in a visible position shall not chair or administer fundraising for a political campaign, chair a campaign event, be a spokesperson, or work in any other significant and visible way in the campaign of a candidate for partisan elective office at any level of government.
• The Board will decide which roles are “visible positions.” The roles of President and Voter Service Chair are visible roles. Other roles may be added at the Board’s discretion.
• Board members in visible positions should not have yard signs or other prominent, public indications of political affiliations.
• Board members in visible positions should disclose their participation and be evaluated against local conditions as to whether or not this is permissible.
• All Board members should refrain from posting LWV signs on their property alongside candidate or ballot proposition yard signs.
• Board members may participate in election campaigns in behind-the-scenes and support roles.

Campaign Contributions:

• The President and Voter Service Chair may not attend fundraising events or make contributions to campaigns or candidates for any local, state level or statewide office.
• In general, those involved in making public statements and advocating at any government level need to be cautious about participating in partisan events.
• It is generally appropriate for any Board member to make contributions of any size in local elections outside of the local League’s supported area; elections outside of Minnesota; or for national political races.

Social and Other Media:
Social media may be viewed by hundreds, even thousands of voters, as well as candidates for office in our service area. Because they represent LWV to the public, the President and Voter Service Chair shall not indicate their political affiliations or candidate preferences at any level in the media, including social networking sites or other public venues that may also prominently identify them as a member of the LWVABC. Refer to the LWVUS Nonpartisanship on Social Media for further guidance on this topic. Board members in visible positions should consider posting a disclaimer on their personal media indicating they are sharing their personal views and not those of LWV.

Forum Moderating:

• Nonpartisan guidelines for moderating forums are specifically covered in moderator training. LWV ABC follows LWV MN Moderator Nonpartisan guidance. See Part IV Moderator Nonpartisan — League of Women Voters Minnesota (LWVMN) 
• No League member who is highly visible in a political party, closely associated in some way with a candidate, or identified with an issue under discussion at a candidate forum should be involved in running that event. The object is to prevent either an actual or apparent conflict of interest.
• The League position on an issue is never stated by the League during a public candidate forum.
• Explain to incumbent candidates (and to new League members) that while League may have lobbied the office holder on an issue, that function is kept separate from voter service activities for the general public.
• As working with others on forums or moderating for others involves evaluating the application of state policies to the situation, each proposal should be evaluated and ruled on by the Board to ensure LWVABC protects its reputation as nonpartisan.

Partnerships:
Evaluating potential partnerships requires careful review of the partner’s history, affiliates and activities to ensure LWVABC avoids partnering with those who endorse candidates or issues or who may compromise LWV principles. Partnerships should be evaluated by the Board using LWVMN guidance before joint activities are pursued. See Local League Coalitions and Partnerships.pdf - Google Drive