Making Democracy Work
How to Run a Fair Campaign
The Committee deals with the problem of unfair and unethical campaign tactics that may occur and provides an opportunity for a candidate to have a hearing on an opponent's campaign practices. Illegal practices are dealt with by the Onondaga County Board of Elections and the court system.
The Committee is composed of nine members who represent the diversity of the community. Each representative is selected on his/her recognized community leadership, concern with the ethics of political campaigns, and ability to be non partisan. Committee members are chosen from the religious, educational, minority, business and not for profit communities. Although a representative from the League of Women Voters and from the Onondaga Citizens League serve on the committee, the Committee chairperson is elected by the Committee once it has convened.
The political parties play a vital role in the Committee hearings. They may represent a candidate from their party and take part in the deliberations, but they will have no vote in the decisions made by the Committee.
The goal of the Committee is to promote a climate in which candidates conduct fair and honest campaigns. This can be accomplished by educating candidates and the public about fair campaigning and encouraging adherence to the Fair Campaign Pledge.
As a candidate, if you find it necessary to file a complaint, please do so as early as you can so that the committee will have time to review it and post their decision prior to election day.
For additional information about the Fair Campaign Practice Committee send an email to FCP@lwvsyr.org or call the LWV Office at (315) 396-8225
The Pledge commits candidates to the following:
TO DISCUSS the issues before the public and to challenge the opponents' positions and policies.
TO UPHOLD the right of every qualified voter to full and equal participation in the electoral process.
TO CONDEMN the use of personal vilification, character defamation, whispering campaigns, libel, slander, or attacks on any candidate or that candidate's personal or family life.
TO CONDEMN the use of campaign material of any sort that misrepresents, distorts, or otherwise falsifies the facts regarding any candidate or party, as well as the use of malicious or unfounded accusations against any candidate or party.
TO CONDEMN any appeal to prejudice based on race, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age or national origin.
TO CONDEMN any dishonest or unethical practice that tends to corrupt or undermine the American system of free elections or to hamper or prevent the full and free expression of the will of the voters.
TO PUBLICLY REPUDIATE support deriving from any individual or group that resorts on behalf of a candidacy or that of an opponent to the methods and tactics outlined above.