Dear Editor,
In a time when nearly every public issue is quickly sorted into red or blue boxes, it is worth remembering an important distinction: nonpartisan does not mean apolitical.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots political organization that does not support political parties or candidates. The League still cares deeply about public issues: we advocate for policies, encourage voting, and hold leaders accountable. Our commitment is not to stay silent, but to remain independent: judge the matter on its merits rather than on which party supports it.
To be apolitical, by contrast, is to avoid politics altogether or to claim no interest in public questions. That may be a personal choice, but it is not the same thing as civic neutrality. Roads, schools, taxes, libraries, public safety, housing, the environment, and voting rights are political because they involve shared decisions about power, priorities and resources.
Confusing the two terms weakens public life. If every independent position is dismissed as partisan, then honest disagreement becomes impossible. And, if every effort to be nonpartisan is treated as apolitical, then citizens and institutions may be pressured to stay quiet precisely when fairness, facts and public trust require engagement.
The League expects nonpartisan institutions and citizens to avoid party and candidate favoritism (as we try to demonstrate). However, we should not expect them to avoid values, evidence or responsibility. Democracy needs people who can participate without becoming party mouthpieces — and who can speak up without pretending public issues do not matter.
Kathy Meany, President, and Karen Longwell, Advocacy Committee, League of Women Voters of Northwest Westchester
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