Resolution on Presidential Debates

Resolution passed by the LWVC Convention 2003, May 18, 2003

WHEREAS the delegates assembled in League of Women Voters of California State Convention 2003 are committed to policy positions of LWV of the United States to “Promote an open government that is representative, . . . .” to “Protect the citizen’s right to know and facilitate citizen participation in government decision-making,” and

WHEREAS the delegates assembled seek to encourage LWV United States policy positions to “. . . enable candidates to compete more equitably for public office and promote citizen participation in the political process,” and,

WHEREAS the delegates concur in the LWVUS Voting Rights Policy to “Protect the right of all citizens to vote; encourage all citizens to vote,” and

WHEREAS the delegates assembled are convinced that LWVUS design and conduct of national presidential candidate debates in past elections met the purposes of these policies much more assuredly than did the exclusivity of the debates conducted by the two dominant political party campaign authorities,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this body appeal to League of Women Voters of the United States to obtain financing, facilities and staff to design and conduct nationally televised United States’ presidential candidate forums, 2004, and further,

BE IT RESOLVED that all candidates who qualify for the national presidency ballot be invited to have equal opportunity to present themselves and their views.