LWV of Greater Cleveland
Nonpartisan Policy
Involvement in public and political life is something the League of Women Voters recommends for all members and citizens. Nevertheless, the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland (“LWVGC”) board of directors believes that some basic limitations on the political activity of board members, voter service chairs, and chapter chairs, while they serve in that capacity, are needed. It is the responsibility of the Board Members, Voter Service Chairs, and Chapter Chairs individually and collectively to ensure that the community has no reason to question the nonpartisan position of the LWVGC as an organization. Board members and chapter chairs shall comply with the following nonpartisan policy (“Policy”), which policy shall be reviewed annually:
1. DEFINITIONS - The terms used in this Policy shall mean:
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“Board Member(s)” shall refer to all officers and directors of the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland board of directors;
- “Chapter” shall mean each group of LWVGC members that has organized itself as described in Article X, Section 1 of the LWVGC Bylaws;
- “President(s)” shall mean the president(s) of the LWVGC board of directors;
- “Voter Service Chair(s)” shall refer to the LWVGC voter service chair and the voter service chairs of each chapter.
2. PARTISAN POLITICAL ACTIVITY – Board Members, Voter Service Chairs, and Chapter Chairs shall exercise caution where a spouse or partner is engaged in partisan political activity, recognizing that spouses and partners do not always hold the same political opinions. Board Members, Voter Service Chairs, and Chapter Chairs shall only engage in partisan political activity to the extent that that activity is consistent with all provisions in this Policy. The President(s), Voter Service Chairs, and Chapter Chairs shall NOT engage in any overt partisan political activity, including attending fundraising events or taking other actions that imply support.
3. ELECTED OFFICE – Board Members, Voter Service Chairs, and Chapter Chairs shall not seek nomination or election to any elective office at any level of government. Board Members, Voter Service Chairs, and Chapter Chairs may accept nonpartisan appointive office only after consultation with, and the approval of, the LWVGC board of directors.
4. POLITICAL PARTY ACTIVITY – Board Members, Voter Service Chairs, and Chapter Chairs shall not hold any position above that of individual member in a political party at any level of government.
5. POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS – Board Members, Voter Service Chairs, and Chapter Chairs shall not chair a political campaign, display partisan campaign materials, conduct fundraising for a political campaign, chair a campaign event, be a spokesperson or work in any other significant, visible way in the campaign of a candidate for any political office.
6. CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS – No Board Member, Voter Service Chair, or Chapter Chair’s name may appear on any endorsement lists for candidates or parties.
7. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE – All Board Members, Voter Service Chairs, and Chapter Chairs shall annually disclose all paid work, political involvement, appointed or elected participation on governmental agency boards and commissions, volunteer activities, and all other situations that may represent a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest. Said disclosure shall occur at the beginning of the LWVGC fiscal year and shall be updated throughout the year, as circumstances require.
8. PERMISSIBLE POLITICAL ACTIVITY – Except as otherwise noted herein, a Board Member, Voter Service Chair, or Chapter Chair may sign petitions, attend candidate or party events, serve as poll workers, contribute to candidate and issue campaigns, and be appointed to boards or commissions where LWV principles or positions are not in conflict. Board Members, Voter Service Chairs, and Chapter Chairs may participate actively only in those issue campaigns which are consistent with LWV positions or where the LWV has no position.
9. SITUATIONS NOT COVERED BY THE ABOVE – In any instance where a Board Member, Voter Service Chair, or Chapter Chair is the public face of the LWVGC or a LWVGC Chapter, that Board Member, Voter Service Chair, or Chapter Chair shall consult the President(s) in advance, or act on the spot with deference to the spirit of this Policy.
10. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES – The Board retains the option to consider and approve individual requests for flexibility or special consideration in relation to the foregoing Policy.
Approved by the LWVGC Board September, 2018