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LWVN Non-Partisan Policy

Note: this policy is reviewed and adopted each year by the incoming Board of Directors. 

Purpose. Nonpartisanship toward candidates and political parties is critical to the effectiveness of the League of Women Voters’ (League) unique voter service/citizen information work. It also provides a strong foundation for the work done in support of issues. The purpose of this policy is to enable the League of Women Voters of Newton (LWVN) as an organization to carry on with service to voters, information to citizens, and lobbying and campaigning on issues. Only to the extent that the public and its elected officials are convinced of  LWVN’s genuine nonpartisanship, will  LWVN be able to render effective voter service activities and gain a wide base of support for its positions on governmental issues. The policy distinguishes between the League as an organization and the rights of its individual members.  

General.  LWVN is a nonpartisan organization that does not support or oppose any political party or candidate.  The League also encourages participation in local government by informing the citizens of Newton about their rights and responsibilities as voters.

The Policy as it applies to Members. The League prides itself on having a membership composed of diverse, informed women and men. Its individual members are encouraged to participate fully in party politics and in government at all levels. Many League members have strong affiliations with political parties or candidates, or are elected officials themselves.

The Policy as it applies to Board Members:

1. Appointive Office: A board member may accept an appointment to local commissions, boards, or committees if such service would not be in conflict with League principles and LWVN program.

2. Elected Office:  Anyone running for or holding any partisan (i.e. party-affiliated) elective office at any level of government, or any campaign manager of any person running for elected office, may not serve as a Board of Director.  Candidates for Neighborhood Area Councils are exempt from this policy.

3. Political Party Office:  The president and board member(s) holding voters service portfolios shall not serve in any position in a political party at any level. Other board members may serve on a local political party committee, with notification given to the  LWVN board.

4. Support of Candidates for Public Office:

a.  The President, Voters Service Chair, and Voters Guide editors shall not publicly support any candidate for political office at any level. Activities permitted under this policy include: attending informational campaign functions and signing nominating petitions. Activities prohibited include, but are not limited to: circulating nominating petitions; hosting fundraising or campaign functions; making campaign contributions; displaying lawn signs; or adding one’s name to an endorsement.

b.  Board members should use discretion to ensure that their personal political activities are not identified with LWVN in the public mind.

5. Other Board Positions Outside League: Board members may not hold leadership positions (either active or honorary) in any group whose stated position is in conflict with  League principles of LWVN program.

6. Any Board member in conflict with this policy shall be required to resign from the Board.  Any Board member who has so resigned, may be reappointed by the Board if and when the Board determines that the conflict originally causing the resignation no longer exists.

Clarification of the Policy

If any questions arise regarding this nonpartisan policy, the matter will come before the Board for interpretation and discussion. Final decisions about implementing this nonpartisan policy rest with the Board of Directors.

Annual Review

The Board shall review this policy annually.  Any changes must be approved by the Board.

Adopted September 22, 2021

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The League Presents... is a monthly program on NewTV produced and directed by LWVN members about issues important to our community.

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Facebook Posts

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

May 16th, 6:12 am

Honoring Madeleine Albright (1937-2022) on her birthday today, she sadly passed away in March. Among many achievements, 1st female U.S. Sec. of State (1997-2001). Pres. Biden said of her, "In the 20th and 21st century, freedom had no greater champion." https://bit.ly/3L0PH9r ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

May 11th, 4:55 pm

From LWV MA: Support Reproductive Rights NOW - https://mailchi.mp/ab54191dae79/dec_28_2021-8864593 ... See MoreSee Less

From LWV MA: Support Reproductive Rights NOW

mailchi.mp

As League members, we know that true democracy depends on equal rights for all people. Losing our right to reproductive choice would open the door to the loss of other freedoms, such as marriage equ...
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

May 8th, 12:29 pm

Happy Mother’s Day! We thank all Mothers, for none of us would here without you! There were also many mother-daughter duos who fought together for suffrage: Elizabeth Cady Stanton/Harriet Stanton Blatch, Mary Church Terrell/Phyllis Terrell, and more! https://bit.ly/3vW5W1R ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

May 6th, 11:39 am

Some latest news from @LWV MA: http://participate.lwv.org/c/10065/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=232238 ... See MoreSee Less
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

May 6th, 11:35 am

On behalf of @LWV MA: The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts views the leaked Supreme Court opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, if it holds, as an attack on a fundamental right to health care and to the right of pregnant people to make their own decisions about what is best for them. In light of the probable overturning of Roe v. Wade, the League expresses its gratitude to the Massachusetts state legislature for passing, in 2020, the ROE Act, legislation that codified the right to an abortion in Massachusetts regardless of any U.S. Supreme Court decision. We salute our partners in reproductive health advocacy for their work in anticipating the need for this legislation.We now urge the legislature to continue this work protecting the right to make one's own health care decisions by passing without delay two additional bills:H.1196/S.673 An Act ensuring access to full spectrum pregnancy care. This bill would provide financial assistance for a full-range of pregnancy-related care. See our testimony: https://lwvma.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/LWVMA-Testimony-S.673-H.1196.pdfH.2399/S.1470 An Act to require public universities to provide medication abortion. See our testimony: https://lwvma.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/LWVMA-Testimony-S.1470-H.2399.pdfThe national League of Women Voters continues to advocate for these rights on the federal level. Read their statement here: https://lwv.org/newsroom/press-releases/… ... See MoreSee Less

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy.

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