ENDORSEMENT POLICY

As of March 2006, through a majority vote of the General Membership, the Endorsements Committee is a standing committee of Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles (“PDLA”) comprised of no less than five members for the purpose of conducting research, sending out and collecting candidate questionnaires, scheduling candidates to speak and/or locating outside opportunities to hear candidates speak, and recommending positions on candidates, initiatives and issues.  All members of Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles shall be eligible to join the Endorsements Committee.

Endorsement Benefits for Candidates from Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles:

Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles shall be consistent in providing the following benefits to endorsed candidates:

-         Notifying PDA National (through field@pdamerica.org) of PDLA’s official endorsement.  At PDA national’s discretion, an endorsement from a local chapter may lead to an additional endorsement from PDA national.

-         Send out e-mail alert to the PDLA membership and PDLA listserve of PDLA’s official endorsement.

-         Advertise at least one upcoming fundraiser, meet-and-greet or other significant campaign event to membership.  Additional communications shall be at the discretion of the Executive Board.

-         Avail volunteers of opportunities for campaign work through PDLA’s periodic e-mail announcements.

-         All candidates receiving PDLA endorsements shall appear on the PDLA endorsement slate which shall appear on the PDLA website.

-         PDLA will never provide its membership roster to any candidate.

-         PDLA will allow any candidate it endorses to use the PDLA name on their website, literature, etc.

Endorsement Benefits for Initiatives/Issues from Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles

Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles shall be consistent in providing the following benefits to endorsed initiatives/issues:

-         Notifying PDA (through field@pdamerica.org) of PDLA official endorsement.  At PDA national’s discretion, an endorsement from a local chapter may lead to an additional endorsement from PDA national.

-         Send out e-mail alert to the PDLA membership and PDLA listserve of PDLA’s official endorsement.

-         Send out e-mail alert to PDLA membership and PDLA listserve of PDLA official endorsement.

-         Advertise at least one significant upcoming event or activity in connection with the initiative/issue.  Additional communications shall be at the discretion of the Executive Board.

-         Avail volunteers of opportunities for initiative/issue campaign/activity work through PDLA’s periodic e-mail announcements.

-         All issues/initiatives receiving PDLA endorsements shall appear on the PDLA endorsement slate which shall appear on the PDLA website.

-         PDLA will never provide its membership roster to initiative or issue campaign/organization.

-         PDLA will allow any initiative/issue campaign/organization it endorses to use the PDLA name on their website, literature, etc. in connection only with such initiative/issue.

Scope:

-         A minimum of one member of PDLA must sponsor an endorsement of a candidate, initiative or issue and by doing so must inform and receive the clear consent of at least one member of the Executive Board as well as one member of the Endorsement Committee at least 2 weeks prior to any such desired endorsement vote.  The applicable race shall then be considered; and all Democratic candidates, sponsored initiatives and/or issues in such race shall be considered equally and provided equal opportunity for completion of questionnaires; and if applicable, equal opportunities to speak to membership, etc.

-         Endorsements can be for any local, state or national elected office, initiative or issue.  Local races outside of Los Angeles County shall be considered as time permits.

-         PDLA shall not endorse candidates that do not wish to receive the endorsement of the organization.

-         The Endorsement Committee may consider candidates, initiatives and/or make candidate recommendations in primary and general elections.  Issues may be considered for endorsement any time throughout the year. 

-         Working Groups of the Endorsements Committee shall include, but not be limited to: Research; Questionnaire Development; Candidate Liaisons; Candidate Analysis; and potential Joint Committee with other Standing Committees.

Recusal Policy:

-     Members who are candidates, paid staff of candidates, paid consultants and/or any other paid third party entities must recuse themselves from participating in the endorsement process for that candidate and from voting on the endorsement in the race(s) for which they are being paid.  The same rule applies to all issue based campaigns and initiatives.

Disclosure Policy:

-         Members who are volunteers or who have held or plan to hold candidate meet-and-greets, fundraisers for candidate campaigns or issue based campaigns must disclose their connection to a campaign prior to lobbying PDLA members for votes on endorsement and/or against votes for any opponent(s).

Voting Membership/Voting Procedure:

-         Members must attend at least one previous general membership meeting of the past 3 general membership meetings in order to vote on endorsements.

-         Endorsements shall be made by a 60% vote.

-         Voting shall be by secret ballot, with 3 voting members counting the votes.

-         Ballots shall be available for inspection by any member of PDLA and will be kept for a period of 30 days by the Chair of the Endorsement Committee.

-         In cases where only one Democratic Party candidate is in a race seeking the Chapter’s endorsement, the chapter membership will vote “yes” or “no” on the question of endorsement and a 60% vote will decide the question.

-         In cases where two Democratic Party candidates are in a race seeking the Chapter’s endorsement, the ballot will offer a choice between the 2 candidates and “no endorsement”.  The choice receiving 60% of the vote shall receive the Chapter’s endorsement or in the case of a “no endorsement” choice receiving 60%, no endorsement shall be made by PDLA in such race.

-         In situations where three or more Democratic Party candidates are in a race being considered for the Chapter’s endorsement, the chapter shall utilize the “Instant Run Off Voting” method to decide the endorsement.  Candidates shall be ranked along with the “no endorsement” option provided on the ballot.  Members shall be informed that not all choices need be ranked.  In the event no candidate receives a 60% vote in the first round, the candidate or selection with the least votes is eliminated and the second choice of those who chose the eliminated candidate in the first round shall be added to the total votes received by the remaining candidates until a candidate, or the “no endorsement” option, has achieved a 60% vote, at which time an endorsement or no endorsement by the Chapter shall have been determined.

(ENDORSEMENT POLICY PLANK UNDER CONSIDERATION)

Co-Endorsements

-           In order to make our endorsement more meaningful, PDLA shall strive not to make co-endorsements.  However, in the event where any endorsement vote in which 2 or more Dem. candidates are running and a 60% vote is not reached, any voting member present may make a motion to have the race be re-considered for a co-endorsement vote.  If 60% of the voting members present voting by hand-count do not vote to support having a co-endorsement vote, then no co-endorsement vote shall take place for the race, and no endorsement by PDLA shall be made in the race.  If 60% of voting members present vote by hand-count to support having a co-endorsement vote, then a co-endorsement vote shall immediately take place.  Each Dem. candidate in the race shall then have a separate ballot created for them, and a separate vote shall be taken for each candidate.  The chapter membership shall vote "yes" or "no" on the question of endorsement for each candidate separately.  An equal number of ballots must be turned in for each Democratic candidate in the race for the co-endorsement vote to then be counted.  A count shall first be made by three voting members confirming that an equal number of votes have been turned in for each candidate.  Once an equal number of ballots is accounted for then, a separate count for each candidate shall then take place.   Each candidate receiving a 60% vote shall receive a co-endorsement from the Chapter.  If only one candidate receives a 60% vote then there shall be no endorsement made by PDLA in the race, as the one candidate did not achieve the necessary 60% vote in the initial endorsement vote.  If no candidates receive a 60% vote in the co-endorsement vote then no endorsement shall be made by PDLA in such race.

(ENDORSEMENT POLICY PLANK UNDER CONSIDERATION)

Voting by Proxy:

-           Members, whom are eligible to vote, may vote by proxy by leaving their vote(s) with a member of the Executive Board any time before the vote(s) take place in a sealed envelope.  The format of the proxy vote must be created and marked in accordance with the rules and format of the official ballots with a separate ballot for each race, however such ballot(s) do not need to be official ballot(s) and can be personally made (with the realization that any hand-made ballots may forgo possible secrecy).  Proxy voters shall not be eligible to vote for any possible co-endorsement votes, as due to the nature of the co-endorsement vote process, any potential co-endorsement votes shall be made only by those members who are present.

Candidate Endorsement Process:

-         Members shall be notified and encouraged to attend any meeting where an endorsement vote shall take place and any meeting where a candidate presentation/interview/forum is to be held at least two (2) weeks in advance of the date of such meeting.

-         No candidate shall be endorsed until after the filing deadline for that race.

-         In any election cycle in which PDLA is a sponsor and/or co-sponsor of a candidate forum which is to be held after the filing deadline, any PDLA sponsored endorsement consideration for an office embodied in such forum will be voted upon after such forum, provided the forum is scheduled to be held within 14 days after the candidate filing deadline.  If the candidate forum is scheduled to be held later than 14 days after the candidate filing deadline, then PDLA may hold an endorsement vote any time after the candidate filing deadline provided all other endorsement requirements herein are met.

-         All Democratic candidates seeking or eligible to receive the Chapter endorsement shall be invited to speak to Chapter members prior to the endorsement vote, or another local opportunity to hear the candidates speak shall be relayed to the membership before a vote shall take place.

-         Candidates will be requested to provide written answers to a Candidate questionnaire submitted by the Chapter to their campaigns.

-         Candidate questionnaires, applicable to a considered race, shall be created and sent to all Democratic candidates in any considered race by the Endorsement Committee not less than 10 days prior to the endorsement vote (however sending out the endorsement questionnaire(s) at the earliest possible date for the earliest possible return is encouraged and preferred).  Written responses from the candidates shall be requested to be returned to PDLA at least 3 days prior to an applicable endorsement.  Answers to such questionnaires shall be made available to members at the earliest possible date prior to an endorsement vote via e-mail (and uplink to the files section of the PDLA yahoogroup is also encouraged).  If written responses are only made available the day of an endorsement vote, members shall have an opportunity to thoroughly review the responses prior to a vote taking place.

-         When possible, the Endorsement Committee shall strive to disclose to the general membership additional information on races including, wherever practical and not limited to fair and balanced research on candidates’ commitment, in comparison to the other candidates in such race, to issues on the PDLA platform, based on statements in the public record, responses to questions posed in endorsement interviews/forums, questionnaire responses, actions the candidate has taken to demonstrate such commitment, endorsements from other organizations, and campaign contributors.

-         The Endorsement Committee shall take into account the platform and issue priorities of PDLA when providing any additional fair and balanced race/candidate information to the general membership.

(ENDORSEMENT POLICY PLANK FOR CONSIDERATION)

Candidate Endorsement Forums:

-         PDLA shall strive to co-sponsor and partner with other local groups to plan, organize and hold candidate forums (to save the various groups and the candidates from excessive and repetitive work).  Where other local outside forums are not available, PDLA shall strive to hold extra meetings outside of general membership meetings to provide members opportunities to hear all Democratic candidates in considered races speak.  PDLA shall also strive to combine multiple upcoming considered races into single forums.  Members will be invited and encouraged to attend and participate in all PDLA and/or applicable outside candidate endorsement forums.

Reconsideration of Candidate Endorsement

-         Reconsideration of a candidate who has received the endorsement of PDLA shall be made by a 60% vote of the membership by secret ballot.  Compelling reasons for reconsideration shall be made by person(s) making the motion for candidate reconsideration.   Recommendations by the Executive Board to overturn a vote shall be voted on by the PDLA membership.  A vote may be overturned with 60% of votes cast by the entire voting membership of PDLA in attendance and in accordance with all other provisions of the Endorsement Policy, including, but not limited to, 10 days notice to membership of any such vote.

(ENDORSEMENT POLICY PLANK FOR CONSIDERATION)

Candidate Withdrawals:

-           In the case that a PDLA endorsed candidate withdraws from a race, PDLA’s endorsement shall automatically be void.  All mentions of the candidate endorsement shall immediately be noted as withdrawn and void on the website or simply removed entirely.

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS OF LOS ANGELES

2006 Congressional Endorsement Questionnaire

Return to:                                                                                Contact: 

Marcy Winograd                                                                    Phone:  (310) 305-1953

President, PDLA                                                                                          

e-mail:  winogradcoach@aol.com

Thank you for your interest in being considered for endorsement by Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles.  We are a chapter of Progressive Democrats of America, a progressive multi-issue national grassroots organization formed during the 2004 presidential election.  An endorsement from a local chapter, may lead to an additional endorsement from PDA national.

Please return this questionnaire by July 1, 2006.

Please note that your answers on this questionnaire will be made public.  If you need additional space to answer questions, please attach additional pages to the questionnaire.  If you have any questions regarding this questionnaire, please contact Marcy Winograd at (310)305-1953 or e-mail winogradcoach@aol.com.

Candidate and Campaign Information:

Candidate Name:

Address:

City, State, Zip: 

E-mail Address: 

Office & District for which you are running:

Date of Primary (if applicable): 

Date of Election: 

Registered Political Party: 

Campaign Manager:                                    Phone:                                   Fax:  

Campaign Consultant:                                  Phone:                                    Fax:

Campaign Address:

1.  Why are you running for Congress?: 

2.  List all previous political experience:

3.  List all political organizations to which you belong:

4.  What is the most important political organization to which you have belonged and why?

5.  What is your primary occupation?

6.  List all elective or political party offices you have held, including committee appointments:

7.  List all endorsements from organizations and/or individuals: 

8.  If you receive the endorsement of PDLA, how do you intend to use it?

Issues Specific to Office:

9.  Please list your personal top 10 political issues in order of priority:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

10.  Please list the top three issues on which you will take leadership if elected:

1.

2.

3.

11.  Please explain your position on the invasion and occupation of Iraq and what actions we can expect that you will take if elected to office?

12.  How would you achieve integrity in the voting process in this country in the face of new technology?  

13.  Do you support a National Health Plan that includes all Americans?  If so, please explain, including suggestions of funding.  If not, please explain how you intend to cover all Americans, and how American businesses will be able to compete in the global economy while facing annual double-digit inflation of their health care costs? 

14.  Describe your position on the World Trade Organization and trade agreements such NAFTA and CAFTA.  Please explain your position on free trade and fair trade.

15.  What do you think should be done to protect the environment in your district?

16.  Please explain your position on immigration and ideas for solutions.

17.  Do you support same-sex marriage or its legal equivalent?  Please explain.

18.  With 37 million Americans living in poverty (with 73% being children), and poverty rates steadily increasing each year under this administration, what programs do you support to alleviate this growing epidemic of poverty both at home and abroad?

19.  We saw the racial divide in this country during Katrina, how would you work to bridge it?

20.  This administration is fond of using the expression, "War on Terror."  Please discuss you thoughts on this subject.

21.  If elected, how will you encourage diversity in hiring staff?

22.  Will you or have you employed staff in your office who have either outside employment or contracts with entities which do business with local, state or federal government?  If so, which entities? 

23.  Will you accept or have you accepted campaign donations from current or potential government contractors and/or their employees?  YES    NO

24.  If you have already accepted donations from such entities/individuals, please provide a list:

General Issues (expound if needed):

25.  In a close race, will you pledge not to concede the election until     

all votes are counted?                                                                                              YES       NO

26.  Do you support the Death Penalty?                                                                 YES       NO

27.  Do you support reproductive choice?                                                 YES       NO

28.  Do you support the full public financing of campaigns?                                YES       NO

29.  Do you support instant run-off voting                                                   YES       NO

30.  Do you support non-profit plan for health care?                                             YES      NO

31.  Do you support privatizing public utilities/services?                          YES      NO

32.  Do you support equal rights for gay/lesbian/transgender persons?            YES      NO

33.  Do you support censure/impeachment of President Bush and V.P. Dick Cheney for high crimes (including lying to Congress about Iraq, warrantless surveillance, torturing prisoners, and subverting the Separation of Powers)?                                           YES      NO