nonpartisan

Nonpartisan refers to a stance, process, or organization that does not align with any political party or ideology. In politics, a nonpartisan candidate or election means that party labels are not used on ballots and campaigns seek broad appeal beyond a partisan base. Nonpartisan elections are common in many jurisdictions for local offices; some systems, such as top-two primaries, still involve parties but do not require candidates to declare party affiliation on ballots. Critics argue that true neutrality is difficult because donors, institutions, and media can influence outcomes.

In journalism and public policy, nonpartisan reporting or analysis aims to present information and evidence without advocacy for a particular party or policy position. However, complete impartiality is debated, as selection of issues, framing, and sources can reflect judgments.

In organizational use, a nonpartisan group seeks to avoid alignment with political parties in its governance or messaging. Such groups may provide voter education, issue advocacy that is framed as neutral, or policy research. The term can also describe individuals who do not identify with any party, or who refrain from public endorsement.

Legal and ethical considerations include transparency about funding, potential conflicts of interest, and clear standards for what constitutes nonpartisanship. In practice, perceptions of bias can arise from methodology, timing, or the emphasis of certain issues.