League of Women Voters Answers Moorestown Republicans' Claims of Partisanship

Moorestown, NJ -- The League of Women Voters of Burlington County is defending itself against accusations of partisanship by the Republican candidates for Moorestown Council.

“The 2016 Republican candidates for Township Council have cited the political party affiliations of individual League members as evidence that they would not receive a fair hearing if they were to participate in a League moderated Candidates’ Forum,” the league said in a statement sent to Moorestown Patch. “This could not be further from the truth.”

The league is referencing comments from Mayor Phil Garwood, Deputy Mayor Victoria Napolitano and candidate Mike Locatell that the league’s board consists entirely of Democrats, creating a potential atmosphere for an unfair debate.

Councilwoman Lisa Petriello and candidates Kati Angelini and Amy Leis have suggested the league moderate a proposed series of debates in the leadup to the Nov. 8 council elections.

Petriello, Angelini and Leis are running on the Democrats’ slate against Republicans Garwood, Napolitano and Locatell.

The League of Women Voters said its members “are not expected to refrain from affiliating with political parties, but they are bound to refrain from partisan activities and to remain nonpartisan when acting in the name of the League of Women Voters.”

“League moderators are highly trained and experienced volunteers, who adhere to well defined forum guidelines,” the league said in the statement. “Moderators understand the necessity for fair and impartial treatment of candidates for election, and work diligently to maintain the public trust. No League of Women Voters of Burlington County moderator has ever violated the proscription against partisan bias.

“The League of Women Voters is a well respected, nonpartisan organization, dedicated to informed and active citizen participation in government. The League does not support political parties or candidates for election. Since the League’s inception in 1920, it has been committed to voter education, and the organization has earned its reputation as the premier source for moderators, who conduct countless candidate events.”

The Republicans have suggested using members of the Board of Ethics, including one Democrat and one Republican, to moderate the debates.

“The individuals who serve on this board are Moorestown Township residents, appointed to their posts by the same Township Council members running in the 2016 election,” the League said. “This is a clear conflict of interest. League of Women Voters moderators do not conduct forums in the communities and districts in which they vote, so that they have no stake in the outcome of these elections. The proposed League moderator for the Moorestown Township Council Candidates’ Forum is a resident of Burlington Township, who is not familiar with the candidates and issues in the Moorestown contest.

“During every election season, League of Women Voters moderators nationwide conduct forums for candidates seeking election to local school board, municipal office, county office, state office and federal office. We stand ready and willing to moderate the proposed Moorestown Township Council Candidates’ Forum and look forward to the opportunity to serve the residents of this community and other communities in Burlington County."