Voter education rules OK'd

Wisconsin's Catholic bishops have approved the third edition of guidelines for voter education efforts by the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, diocesan offices and parishes.

The Wisconsin Catholic Conference's revised Guidelines for Church Involvement in Electoral Politics apply to the 2002 elections and beyond and spell out what church groups can and cannot do in line with Internal Revenue Service codes.

Like the two previous editions, the revised document emphasizes the importance of civic involvement by Catholics.

"Catholics, whether they do so as private citizens or while serving the church in an official capacity, bring their faith into the public square when they address public policy issues," says the introduction to the Guidelines. "Underlying these guidelines is the Catholic view that 'every believer is called to faithful citizenship, to become an informed, active and responsible participant in the political process' (Faithful Citizenship, USCCB, 1999)".

The Guidelines recommend issue-based education and advocacy activities for church related groups.

The Guidelines note that IRS codes stipulate that "tax-exempt organizations may engage in issue related advocacy but may not be involved in partisan political activities or elections of non-partisan officials. Thus, actions that have the effect of supporting or opposing candidates for elected office are treated differently than are activities directed toward the enactment or defeat of legislation, or issues decided by referenda."

"...the discussion of election-related activities that are permitted and those that are not permitted should be read in terms of what Catholics may do in their capacity as individual citizens or groups of like-minded voters," the Guidelines continue.

"Catholics who are publicly identified with one or more ministries of the church have the same First Amendment right as any other citizens to freely endorse or oppose political candidates or parties. However, they must make it eminently clear that they are doing so as individuals and not in a way that is interpreted as speaking for the church. When expressing such opinions, the use of official titles and stationery must be avoided."

Concerning candidate surveys or scorecards describing the positions of candidates, the Guidelines say "the validity of candidate surveys/questionnaires or materials that report their results must be approved by the Wisconsin Catholic Conference."

The Guidelines also spell-out how diocesan newspapers, web pages and other official communications deal with advertising and other election related material.

"Nothing in the guidelines is meant to discourage diocesan news personnel from reporting on candidates' election campaigns and publicly stated positions or political views," the Guidelines say. "Also, editorials and syndicated columnists may express subjective opinions or positions on political issues, which do not endorse a particular candidate or political party. In fact, publication of information regarding the candidates and the issues is encouraged to assist subscribers in making informed, responsible choices."

"Diocesan newspapers are also encouraged to accept advertising from political candidates, since to do otherwise would seem to label politics as immoral or anti-social," the Guidelines say.

Wisconsin Catholic Conference staff and diocesan newspaper editors first developed the Guidelines in 1983. WCC revised the guidelines in 1990, and began another review shortly after the 2000 elections in light of internet technology.

For a copy of the complete text of the Guidelines go to the Wisconsin Catholic Conference web site: www.wisconsincatholic.com/statements/politics.htm or phone (608) 257-0004.