League of Women Voters of Duluth
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • LWV Duluth Board >
      • Upcoming Board Meeting Agenda
      • Board Meeting Minutes
    • LWV Duluth Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement
    • LWV: Minnesota & US
    • History of League of Women Voters Dulutlh
    • Policy, Program, Positions >
      • Nonpartisan Policy ( May 2021)
      • LWV Duluth Program
      • LWV State Positions
      • LWVUS Position on Reproductive Choices
    • LWV Duluth Bylaws
  • Membership
    • Join
    • New Member Meet & Greet
    • For More Information About Membership
  • Events & Newsletter
    • Newsletter
    • Calendar
    • Recordings of LWV Events
    • May 4, 2023 - Annual Meeting
    • April 1, 2023 - Equali-TEA
    • March 28, 2023: Women of Influence "National Popular Vote"
    • March 8, 2023: International Women's Day & Ban Nukes Rally
    • February 25, 2023 "Fannie Lou Hamer: Stand Up" Documentary
    • January 28, 2023- Citizens in Action Workshop
    • January 8, 2023- Legislative Roundtable
    • December 8, 2022 - Holiday Open House
    • Nuclear Weapons: A local Problem
    • October 1, 2022 "The Rally for Peace"
    • September 8, 2022 - LWV Duluth Fall Kick-Off
    • Events September 2021- June 2022 >
      • September 22, 2021 - LWV Duluth Fall Kick-Off
      • November 16, 2021: Voting Rights
      • December 2 - The Status of Copper Nickel Sulfide Mining in Minnesota
      • Dec. 14, 2021: Sandy Hook Vigil
      • January 6, 2022- We the People January 6 Day of Remembrance and Action Duluth News Tribune
      • January 6, 2022- We the People January 6 Day of Remembrance and Action
      • January 11, 2022- Judicial Selection and Elections via Zoom
      • January 19, 2022- Medical Aid in Dying
      • January 23, 2022- Legislative Roundtable
      • January 28, 2022- Citizens in Action Virtual Workshop
      • February 24 - Redlining in Duluth. It Happened Here
      • March 15 - Medical Aid in Dying
      • April 6, 2022: Women of Influence
      • April 12 - How Duluth is Addressing a Shortage of Affordable Housing
      • April 20 - It's Not Easy Being Green!
      • May 12, 2022 - Annual Meeting
      • June 11 - Annual Plant and Book Sale
    • Past Events: 2020-21
    • Past Events: 2019-20
    • Past Events: 2018-19
    • Past Events: 2017-18
    • Past Events: 2016-17
  • Local Committees/Groups
    • Diversity Equity Inclusion Committee
    • Environmental Action Committee
    • International Relations Committee
    • Program Committee and Advocacy Action Team
    • Observer Corps Reports
    • "The Sisters" Book Club
  • Voting
    • 2022 Voting Information
    • 2022 Candidate Forum Recordings
    • Redistricting
    • National and State Elected Officials
    • County Elected officials
    • City Government
    • Duluth School Board
Nonpartisan Policy - LWV Duluth Board of Directors

1.  The purpose of the League of Women Voters is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government.  The non partisanship of LWV is the basis of our public credibility and must be carefully maintained.  LWV does not support or oppose any political party or candidate. It is political in that it takes positions on selected governmental issues after member study and agreement.

LWV recognizes the role of the political parties in our form of government and believes that participation in the activities of the political parties is an essential ingredient of citizen responsibility.  While LWV encourages its members to be politically active and fully informed about candidates and issues, certain constraints are necessary to maintain the non partisanship of the organization. 


The Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters Duluth has established the following guidelines:

a) To avoid possible perception of partisanship, positions of high visibility (as delineated below) have the responsibility of maintaining the fact of the nonpartisanship of the organization.   They are to refrain from political activity or active partisan support during their term of office. 

​These positions include: President(s); Voter Service Chair(s); Public Relations Chair(s); Action Chair(s); Moderators for forums, and other Board members who have been authorized by the full Board to act as a spokesperson by LWV Duluth.


b) Board members and members MAY when involved in NONPARTISAN elective campaigns (e.g.  City Council, School Board, County Commissioner, County Attorney

        1.  With the exception of the president or co-presidents, the chairs of voter service, public relations and the action committee, hold                        nonpartisan elective office while serving on the Board of Directors, with approval of the LWV Duluth Board of Directors and in consultation            with LWVMN.

        2.  With the exception of the president or co-presidents, the chairs of voter service, public relations and action committees, engage in public         political actions, as long as these are recognized as their personal actions and do not imply official or unofficial LWV endorsement.                     Examples include signing political advertisements; posting lawn signs, hosting functions, attending event/fundraiser, etc.

        3)  When running for elective office, mention LWV membership in their campaigns as indicative of community involvement, as long as care         is taken to avoid inference of LWV endorsement.


        4) Serve as appointed members of county, city, state, or national boards or commissions.

        5) Serve on the Board while an official candidate for a nonpartisan elective office.

        6) If currently serving on the Board, the Board member must take a leave of absence from their position while actively campaigning for                 office.  They may resume their position after the election.

        7) A Board member may not speak publicly or work against a League position.

        8) The political activities of a spouse or relative shall be distinct from the activities of the Board member.


 c) Board members MAY NOT:

        1) Run for or hold any partisan elective office at any level of government without first resigning from the Board of Directors

         2) Serve on the LWV Duluth Board of Directors while an officer of a political party or organization

         3) Serve on the board of Directors for six months after leaving a partisan elective office.

 d) Lawn Signs: 

        1) With the exception of the president(s), chairs of voter service, public relations, and action committees who may post only LWV vote signs:

        2) Members May have in their yard- either a LWV lawn sign promoting voting in their yard OR A partisan sign promoting a candidate.

        3) Members May NOT have in their yard: Have both an LWV lawn sign AND A partisan sign promoting a candidate

 e) Social Media and other Media:

        1) A Board member shall not indicate her/his political affiliations or candidate preferences, at any level of government, in the media,                     including social networking sites or other public venues that prominently identify them as a member of LWV Duluth Board.

        2) The LWV Duluth Web Site, Facebook, Blog/ListServ. Voter Newsletter will only accept posts of a NONPARTISAN nature and will be posted         by authorized members who will adhere to the nonpartisan policy.

f) Co-sponsorship

        1) Co-sponsorship can present problems of perceived bias, especially, if the other organization is identified with a particular point of view or         endorses candidates. If LWV’s name is to be included, it is important League guidelines for non-partisanship are agreed upon before co-               sponsoring.  The Board’s approval may be needed in certain situations.

         2) Since nonpartisanship is the foundation of LWV, members are cautioned to use discretion in any political activities that might be                      considered as partisan.  The object is to prevent in the eyes of the public either actual or apparent conflict of interest.  If uncertain, the                  President(s) should be consulted and if further decision making is necessary, the Board should be consulted.

 

This policy shall be reviewed by the LWV Board annually and published in the Voter Newsletter and posted on the Web Site.


Date amended:       _11/7/13____________