Nonpartisan Policy of League of Women Voters of Bucks County
(As amended and adopted April 2022)
Nonpartisanship toward candidates and political parties is critical to the effectiveness of the League's unique voter service/citizen information work. It also provides a strong foundation for the work done in support of issues. Advocacy is more effective when the public and the legislators believe that the League's conclusions are based on merit rather than politics.
Recognizing that the League experience uniquely equips members for public life and wishing to encourage members to utilize their knowledge and abilities, League members are urged to participate fully in partisan activities.
However, the activities of certain board members in sensitive positions must be limited to preserve the League’s nonpartisan status. Those sensitive positions include President(s), Vice-President(s), Voter Services Director(s) and Candidate Forum Coordinator. Board members in these sensitive positions:
- May not publicly support a candidate for partisan political office.
- May sign, but not circulate nominating petitions.
- May attend but may not host coffees or other party sponsored social events to meet candidates.
- May not contribute to political candidates, parties or PACs.
- May not hold an appointed or elected political office (except as an election official).
- May not hold an office in another organization that supports or opposes political parties or candidates.
- Should treat their social media posts as public speech which represents the League and follow the League Management Guidelines in https://www.lwv.org/league-management/guides/nonpartisanship-social-media
Every board member should understand the nonpartisan nature of the League and should avoid activities which will cause the League to be identified publicly as supporting any candidate for office or any political party.
Before declaring their candidacy for an elective office or accepting appointment to any political office or political campaign (except as an election official), board members must resign from the board. Resigning from the board does not mean resigning from the League, nor does it mean that the board member cannot serve on the board at another time.
When representing the League at any public function, program or event, no League member should act or express an opinion which will cause them to be identified as supporting any candidate or party.
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.
A board member may not speak or work publicly against any League position.
The political activities of a spouse or life partner are considered as separate and distinct from the activities of the board member.
Prior to accepting donations, sponsorships or personal gifts from office holders or candidates, the board should consider whether such gifts can be accepted without being misconstrued as endorsement of the donor/candidate or an attempt to sway the nonpartisan position of the League.
The board should fully evaluate the pros and cons of joining or partnering with another organization or coalition. The League should not participate with a coalition or organization that concentrates its activities on supporting or opposing candidates or whose positions do not align with League positions.
It is the responsibility of the President(s) to see that every Board member has a copy of this policy, and that it be reviewed at the first meeting of each newly elected Board.
It is the responsibility of the Nominating Committee to ensure that prospective Board members are provided with this policy and accept it prior to being elected to the Board.
