League of Women Voters of Volusia County

Nonpartisan Policy

Amended and Readopted July 19, 2008 by the

LWVVC Board of Directors

The purpose of the League of Women Voters is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League of Women Voters is nonpartisan in that it 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.

The League 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 the League urges its members to be politically active, certain constraints are necessary in order to maintain the nonpartisanship of the organization. The Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters of Volusia County has established the following guidelines:

Guidelines for Members

Members may not identify themselves as League members in publicly expressing an opinion that is in opposition to a League position. Only the president or his or her designee may speak publicly for the LWVVC.

A member of the Observer Corps who becomes visibly and actively involved in a candidate’s campaign shall cease his or her observer responsibilities until after the campaign.

Members may serve on governmental commissions at their own discretion. If the appointment is League-related, the appointee should be fully aware of the League positions as they relate to the commission’s responsibilities.

Additional Guidelines for the Board of Directors

Each board member is responsible for maintaining the nonpartisan policy.

Board members may not run for elective office, nor visibly participate in any campaign and still remain on the LWVVC Board. They may, however, serve on governmental commissions at their own discretion.

Furthermore, no sitting Board Member shall make contributions to a candidate or to a political party.

This nonpartisan political policy applies to all elections—partisan or nonpartisan.