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Membership Resources

Nonpartisan Policy 

 

(Adopted February 27, 2012)

 

The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any political party or candidate at any level of government. The League also encourages informed and active participation in government.

The LWVMA board believes that some basic limitations on board members’ political activity while they are serving in this capacity are necessary to protect the nonpartisanship of the League. These limits are set forth below.

Elected Office

           a.) Board members shall not run for or hold any partisan elective office at any level of government.

           b.) Board members may run for or serve as Town Meeting members and as members of a local

                charter commission.

           c.) Board members, except for the president, board members holding voters service/citizen education

                portfolios and members of the voter service/ citizen education committee, may run for or hold other

                local nonpartisan elective offices after consultation with and approval by the LWVMA board and

                president of the affected local League. 

 

Political Party Office. Board members shall not run for or serve in any official position in a political party at any level of government.

 

Political Campaigns of Candidates for a Partisan Office. Board members shall not chair a political campaign or administer fundraising for a political campaign, chair a campaign event, be a spokesperson, attend a fundraising event, or work in any other significant way in the campaign of a candidate for a partisan office at any level of government.

 

Political Campaigns of Candidates for a Local Nonpartisan Office. Board members shall not support candidates for local nonpartisan office.

 

Ballot Question Campaigns. If LWVMA is officially supporting or opposing a ballot question, board members may participate. If LWVMA is not officially supporting or opposing a ballot question, board members shall not participate in any way.

 

Campaign Contributions. Board members shall not make campaign contributions to campaigns or candidates for any state or federal office or to political parties or other entities contributing to such state or federal races.

 

Other Board Positions Outside League. Board members shall not participate in any group whose stated position is in opposition to the League program.

 

Social and Other Media. Board members shall not indicate their political affiliations or candidate preferences at any level of government in the media, including on social networking sites or other public venues that also prominently identify them as a member of the LWVMA board.

 

Additional Clarification. Board members shall consult the board regarding specific situations not covered by the above policy.

 

Annual Review. The board will review and vote on this policy annually.

 

Board members shall not run for or hold any partisan elective office at any level of government.

Board members may run for or serve as Town Meeting members and as members of a local charter commission.

 

Adopted by the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts Board of Directors on February 27, 2012.