The League of Women Voters of Oklahoma (LWVOK) is a nonpartisan organization whose purpose is to promote informed and active participation in government. As an organization, the LWVOK does not support or oppose candidates for public office, but acts only on those issues chosen by the membership for study and advocacy.

The LWVOK believes that political parties are essential to the American system of government and that participation in their activities is beneficial to the political parties and to the system. Consequently, the LWVOK encourages its members as individuals to be active in the political process, including supporting candidates for public office and in seeking election to public office, partisan or non-partisan. 

The purpose of the LWVOK nonpartisan policy is to assure the credibility of LWVOK as a nonpartisan organization that does not support or oppose any candidate or any political party. Only to the extent that the public and its elected officials are convinced of the League’s genuine nonpartisanship will the League be able to render effective voter service activities and gain a wide base of support for its positions on governmental issues. 

POLITICAL ACTIVITY AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Elected Office. Board members shall not run for nor hold any partisan public elective office without first resigning from the board.

Political Party Office. Board members who represent the LWVOK before the public (the President, Co-Presidents and Vice President) or chair the Voter Services Committee shall not serve in any position in a political party without first resigning from the board.

Campaign Contributions. Board members, except the LWVOK President (Co-Presidents), Vice President, and the LWVOK Voter Service Chair may, as individuals, attend fundraising events and make campaign contributions.

Political Campaigns. Board members may not chair or administer fundraising or campaigns for political parties or political candidates, partisan or nonpartisan, without first resigning from the board.

Social and Other Media. A Board member shall not indicate her/his political affiliations or candidate preferences at any level of government in the media (including on social networking sites or other public venues) that also prominently identify her/him as a member of the LWVOK Board.  

Petitions. Board members may sign petitions.

Spouses and Relatives. The political activity of a spouse or relative of a board member should be considered separate and distinct from the action of the Board member.

Additional Clarification. Board members shall present questions about specific situations to the LWVOK Board where the foregoing policies do not resolve the question.

IN SUMMARY 

The greatest restrictions are on the President, Vice-President and Chair of Voter Services.  They may not:

• serve in any position in a political party,
• attend fundraising events or make campaign contributions,
• do any of the following activities that are prohibited to LWVOK Board members. 

LWVOK Board members may not:

• run for nor hold any partisan public elective office without first resigning from the board,
• chair or administer fundraising or campaigns for political parties or political candidates, partisan or nonpartisan, or
• indicate her/his political affiliations or candidate preferences at any level of government in the media (including on social networking sites or other public venues) that also prominently identify her/him as a member of the LWVOK Board.   

LWVOK Board members may:

• attend fundraising events and make campaign contributions, and
• sign petitions. 

There are no restrictions on the political activities of LWVOK members nor on the activities of LWVOK Board members’ relatives.