The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Non-Partisan Political Policy

League of Women Voters of the Lower Cape Fear (serving Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender and Onslow Counties)

NON-PARTISAN POLITICAL POLICY

The League's purpose is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation in government. The League of Women Voters is non-partisan in that it does not support or oppose political parties or candidates; it is political on selected governmental issues after member study and agreement.

SUMMARY

In order to protect the League's non-partisan reputation, it is important that the members and the public understand the following:

• Members of the LWV-LCF are encouraged to participate fully in the political process, but should not publically identify themselves as League members while participating in partisan activities.

• The President, Voter Service Chair, and any other particularly visible Board member should not participate in partisan politics during their terms of office. This includes attending party meetings and caucuses, any public display of partisan affiliation or candidate support such as displaying bumper stickers, campaign buttons, yard signs, or inclusion in endorsement advertisements. However, they may serve on public boards or Commissions to which they are appointed.

• League members should not wear candidate buttons to League functions. No candidate material is to be distributed except at candidates' forums. Any League member acting on behalf of a candidate in a partisan manner shall not at the same time wear a LWV button or otherwise overtly identify herself or himself with LWV.

• All Board members should carry out the responsibilities of every voter in exercising the franchise. All Board members, except those listed in 2 above, may participate in party activities, including precinct meetings and caucuses and also attend events sponsored by individual candidates. However, Board members should refrain from assuming highly visible, active roles in candidates' campaigns. Discreet, passive public display of partisan affiliation or candidate support is acceptable, such as displaying bumper stickers, campaign buttons, yard signs, or inclusion in endorsement advertisements (but not passing out candidate flyers outside the polling place or holding a yard sign at busy intersections. Such activities are neither discreet nor passive.)

• LWV-LCF must maintain a careful non-partisan stance in its Voter Service activities. It should avoid co-sponsorship with groups or organizations which have affiliations with candidates. Moderators must be neutral.

• The political activities of a spouse or relative of a Board member will be considered separate and distinct from the activities of a Board member.

• LWV has a reputation sufficiently strong to ensure that gifts to LWV-LCF from office holders or candidates can be accepted without being misconstrued as endorsements of those donors.

• Since a general policy can never cover every situation, the Board will need to deal with specific cases as these arise.

• This policy is to be reviewed and endorsed or changed at the beginning of each League year.

Adopted July 19, 2008 Revised July 2

League of Women Voters of the Lower Cape Fear
LWV of the Lower Cape Fear
PO Box 4503
Wilmington, NC 28406
910-327-0246
[email the league]

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