Political Activity and Lobbying Policy

1. The legal position

1.1As a 501(c)(3) organization, the institution is absolutely prohibited from participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office. It may engage in a limited amount of lobbying, as federal law allows, and it may publish nonpartisan analysis of public policy without limit.

2. No campaign activity

• The institution does not endorse or oppose candidates, parties, or campaigns
• It does not make contributions to candidates, parties or political committees
• It does not publish ratings of candidates or voter guides that favour any candidate
• Its resources, name, platforms and mailing lists are never made available to a campaign

3. Nonpartisan analysis

3.1The institution has a point of view on policy, set out in its published work. It is not a partisan organization. Its analysis addresses the merits of policies, not the fortunes of parties, and it works with and responds to people across the political spectrum.

4. Legislative drafting and advice

4.1The institution provides technical drafting support and analysis to legislative offices on request, and it responds to such requests from offices of both parties on the same terms. It records its legislative work, and where it is published on the institution's record (see /wins), it is described as drafting and advice, not as the institution's endorsement of any legislator.

5. Lobbying

5.1Any activity that meets the federal definition of lobbying is tracked, kept within the limits federal law places on 501(c)(3) organizations, and reported on the institution's annual information return. Where state or federal lobbying registration is required, the institution registers.

6. Members speak for themselves

6.1Members and employees are free to take part in politics as private citizens, on their own time and with their own resources. When they do, they must not use the institution's name, title or resources, and must not imply that the institution supports their activity. Officers take particular care, because their personal statements are more easily mistaken for the institution's.

7. Questions

7.1Anyone unsure whether an activity is permitted should ask the Executive Director before undertaking it. Questions from the public may be sent to contact@perrininstitution.org.