LWVDC Nonpartisan Policy
The League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia (LWVDC) is a nonpartisan organization, which means it does not support or oppose individual candidates or political parties. LWVDC is a politically active organization. We engage in political processes through taking positions and engaging in advocacy on issues affecting residents of the District of Columbia. We arrive at our policy and advocacy positions through consensus among our membership informed by study of issues and through alignment with the League of Women Voters of the United States.
League members are encouraged to be politically active, but individual members should not associate their own views on issues or their partisan activities with the League as an organization. Acting or speaking for the League on any topic requires authorization. Members should contact the President for authorization for action, or if there are any questions about this policy’s applicability to member activities.
The League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia is organized under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) and is managed by a Board of Trustees. LWVDC shall not participate in or intervene in any political campaign for any candidate for public office or be partisan in its approach to political campaigns. All citizen-education and voter-registration activities are conducted in a nonpartisan manner.
Coalition partners, invited guest speakers, and others who have questions about this policy may reach out to LWVDC at lwvdc@lwvdc.org.
Guidelines for Implementation
Partisan and Political Campaign Activities. Members of the Board of Trustees may not be identified with a particular partisan candidate or partisan political campaign, such as serving in the leadership of a political organization, raising funds for a party or candidate, or hosting events to raise funds for or simply meet and greet an individual candidate.
Partisan Elected Office. A Board Member who wishes to run for partisan elected office or be identified with a particular candidate for partisan election must take a leave of absence from the Board.
Nonpartisan Elected Office. A Board Member may seek election to any nonpartisan office, such as Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner or member of the State Board of Education. No Board Member, or any off-Board committee chair, who holds a nonpartisan elected office or who is prominently associated with non-League public policy initiative may act as a League spokesperson.
Political Activities of Partners & Spouses. The political activities of a spouse or partner of a Board Member are not restrained by the nonpartisan policy applicable to Board Members.
Social and Other Media. Board members who wish to share their political affiliations or candidate preferences at any level of government on social networking sites or other public venues should include easily findable language in their account profile that clearly indicates that the views presented are solely their own. When representing LWVDC to any media, including social networking, Board members should refrain from endorsing, or using language that could be construed as endorsing, candidates or parties. The President and Voter Services Chair(s) should refrain from making any public statements, including on social networking sites, about candidates or parties. LWVDC shall use caution when sharing, liking, or responding to others’ materials on official accounts for social networking sites to reduce the appearance of endorsement.
League Events. With respect to voter services, such as voter-registration drives, LWVDC may not participate in a voter registration drive which would be identified with a particular candidate or party or which would promote a particular class of candidates. Partisan political activity or campaign activities may not take place as part of a program at any event the League sponsors or co-sponsors, other than candidate forums. The League’s co-sponsorship of a public event (lending its name in effect) requires Board approval, which shall not be given if partisan political activity is planned.
Campaign Activities. To uphold its nonpartisan stance, LWVDC prohibits campaign activities on behalf of any candidate, for partisan or nonpartisan office, at any sponsored events, excluding candidate forums, or in materials shared with the public, excluding candidate profiles in Vote411, the League’s voter guide. Campaign activities include, but are not limited to, references to candidate status, solicitation of support or votes, distribution of campaign literature or materials, wearing campaign advertising, or referencing the positions or stances of other candidates during statements or presentations. LWVDC reserves the right to limit participation of individuals in League activities who are found to be violating the letter or spirit of these restrictions
Partnerships and Coalitions. LWVDC should not belong to or join coalitions or enter into partnerships that are primarily focused on supporting or opposing candidates or parties. The board should consider the composition and political dispositions of partnering organizations within any potential coalitions. When hosting events with coalition partners, LWVDC should establish a non-partisanship agreement for the event.
Elected Officials. As part of its education and advocacy efforts, LWVDC may engage currently elected officials, regardless of political affiliation, to help the board, members, and public better understand legislative processes, pending legislation, legislation and policy implementation, and for discussion on other key issues facing residents of the District of Columbia which may fall under the elected official’s purview. LWVDC shall not permit such officials to engage in campaign activities during the event or related communications.
Candidates for Office. Candidates who are running for elected office are permitted to participate in LWVDC sponsored or co-sponsored events, provided they do not engage in campaign activities during the event or related communications.
Annually, the Board shall review the above statement of LWVDC non-partisan policy and related guidelines.
Adopted February 5, 2014
Amended and affirmed July 10, 2023