Defending Democracy: Why Due Process Isn’t Partisan
The League of Women Voters: Nonpartisan Guardians of Due Process and Democracy
For over a century, the League of Women Voters (LWV) has stood as a nonpartisan advocate for democracy, defending the principle that government must be accountable to the people and the rule of law. In today’s turbulent political climate, it is crucial to underscore what is—and is not—partisan. Speaking out for the Constitution, the rule of law, and due process is not a partisan act. It is the bedrock of our democracy and the mission of the League of Women Voters of Bloomington, MN.
What Is Due Process and Why Does It Matter?
Due process is a constitutional guarantee that the government must respect all legal rights owed to a person. It is enshrined in both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, which prohibit the government from depriving “any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law”. This means:
The government must follow fair procedures before taking away someone’s rights.
Individuals must have notice and an opportunity to be heard.
Laws and government actions must be fundamentally fair and not arbitrary.
Due process is a cornerstone of justice, preventing the government from acting on whim or prejudice. It ensures that every person—regardless of citizenship status, background, or beliefs—is protected from governmental overreach.
Condemning Lawless Actions Is Nonpartisan
It is not partisan to condemn the disappearance of legal residents from the United States without due process, only to be sent to prisons in third countries like El Salvador. The Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to secretly transfer individuals—including legal residents and asylum seekers—to foreign prisons, without judicial review or basic legal protections, is a direct assault on due process and the rule of law. Federal courts have repeatedly found these actions unlawful, ordering the government to return those wrongfully deported and holding the administration in contempt for willful disregard of court orders.
As Judge Harvie Wilkinson III wrote, allowing the government to “whisk individuals to foreign prisons in violation of court orders” would create “a path of perfect lawlessness, one that courts cannot condone”.
Other Lawless Actions Undermining Constitutional Checks and Balances
The League of Women Voters is committed to defending the Constitution’s system of checks and balances. Recent actions by the Trump administration have raised grave concerns, not because of political disagreement, but because they violate the foundational principles of our republic:
Table of actions of the current administration and why it is nonpartisan to condemn and oppose them
Why the League Speaks Out
The League of Women Voters of Bloomington remains nonpartisan, but we are not neutral on the rule of law. Defending due process, checks and balances, and constitutional rights is not about party—it is about preserving democracy for all. Our mission is to empower voters, educate the public, and hold government accountable, regardless of which party is in power.
We urge our members and the public to recognize that standing up for due process and constitutional principles is a civic duty, not a partisan act. We invite you to join us in defending democracy, ensuring that every voice is heard, and that government remains accountable to the people.
Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
