How we work
Ethics Policy
How IVN keeps its funders, advertisers, and contributors' interests apart from its journalism.
Independence
IVN is a co-publication of two nonpartisan nonprofits, the Independent Voter Project (IVP) and the Foundation for Independent Voter Education (FIVE). Both help fund the platform. Neither directs our editorial coverage.
Funding IVN is not the same as directing it. IVP and FIVE are among many contributors to the platform. Their support does not let them assign, edit, hold, or kill another contributor's work, and IVN regularly publishes pieces that disagree with its funders.
We are nonpartisan on candidates and parties, and we do not endorse anyone.
Transparency and conflicts of interest
IVN expects contributors to disclose affiliations, financial relationships, or other interests that could reasonably affect how readers evaluate their work.
Many of our contributors have professional experience in politics, public policy, journalism, election administration, and reform advocacy. That experience can provide valuable insight, but readers should have appropriate context to assess their perspectives.
Sponsorships, financial support, and organizational relationships do not exempt any contributor or subject from editorial scrutiny.
Advertising and sponsorship
IVN also earns revenue from advertising and sponsorships. Advertisers and sponsors support the platform. They do not influence our journalism.
We keep a clear line between advertising and editorial. Paid placements are always labeled, and buying an ad does not buy coverage.
What we do not publish
IVN does not publish candidate endorsements, campaign press releases presented as independent reporting, plagiarized material, or content that misrepresents authorship.
Content paid for or commissioned by a campaign or political committee is declined unless it is disclosed and clearly labeled as sponsored. Material that is primarily AI-generated, or previously published work submitted without disclosure, is declined as well.
Conduct
Four rules apply to every contributor, every article, and every comment on IVN: no personal attacks, no partisan attacks, substantiate your claims, and no self-promotion. They are what let people who disagree sharply still share the same platform. The rules are on the IVN Etiquette page.
Accuracy and accountability
We do not knowingly publish false or misleading information. We distinguish established facts from allegations, interpretations, predictions, and opinions.
Readers, contributors, and individuals mentioned in our coverage are encouraged to bring potential errors to our attention. How we review and correct them is on our Corrections Policy page. Our responsibility is to the accuracy of the public record, not to protect any particular political narrative.
Readers and donors
We do not share or sell donor information. How IVN is funded, including both publishers' public filings, is on How We're Funded.