Resolution to update NC Triangle DSA Endorsement Process

Whereas NC Triangle DSA has experienced significant electoral gains that call for an intentional revisiting of our endorsement process,

Whereas electoral endorsement processes must remain responsive and adaptive to the needs of the chapter,

Whereas there is no current process for the official, democratic endorsement of sitting electing officials, only candidates, in previous endorsement processes;

Whereas the chapter presently has a tiered endorsement system that we feel is outdated and reflects a period where DSA was less able to follow through on endorsements;

Whereas the Steering Committee of the chapter presently has a veto power over endorsements proceeding to general membership meetings that is both unused in practice and undemocratic;

Be it therefore resolved that the following endorsement and adoption processes will replace any previous endorsement and adoption processes besides those explicitly outlined in the chapter bylaws.

Be it further resolved that Triangle DSA adopts the following standard endorsement process:

Step 1: Intake Form
Candidates request an endorsement meeting using a form on the Triangle DSA website. The form will include a highly-detailed questionnaire that the candidate must fill out to be considered for endorsement. This questionnaire may be updated by the Electoral Working Group at its discretion. Applications should be received at least 16 weeks before the election date in order to give the chapter sufficient time to run the endorsement process and mobilize the chapter in support of the candidate. Applications received after this time may be acted upon at the discretion of the Electoral Working Group.

Step 2: Electoral Working Group Review
The Electoral Working Group will review each candidate’s application it receives and vote on whether to advance the candidate to an Endorsement Meeting. A 2/3rds majority is required to advance the candidate to an Endorsement Meeting.

Step 3: Endorsement Meeting
Chapter membership holds a general meeting to interview the candidate for ideally an hour and then deliberate for ideally another hour. Chapter membership will then vote asynchronously on endorsing the candidate. A simple majority is required for an endorsement vote to be successful.

Step 4: National DSA Endorsement
If the candidate receives an endorsement from the chapter, the chapter will apply for national endorsement for the candidate if the candidate requests it. The application should be prepared by members of the Electoral Working Group and the Steering Committee.

Be it further resolved that Triangle DSA adopts the following standard adoption process:

Definition:
NC Triangle DSA defines “adoption” as being the process by which already-elected politicians officially become affiliated with the chapter outside the context of an election.

Step 1: Intake Form
Candidates for adoption request an Adoption Meeting using a form on the Triangle DSA website. The form will include a highly-detailed questionnaire that the candidate must fill out to be considered for adoption. This questionnaire may be updated by the Electoral Working Group at its discretion.

Step 2: Electoral Working Group Review
The Electoral Working Group will review the candidate’s application and vote on whether to advance the candidate to an Adoption Meeting. A 2/3rds majority is required to advance the candidate to an Adoption Meeting.

Step 3: Adoption Meeting
Chapter membership holds a general meeting to interview the candidate for ideally an hour and then deliberate for ideally another hour. Chapter membership will then vote asynchronously on adopting the candidate. A simple majority is required for an adoption vote to be successful.

Be it further resolved, the Electoral Working Group shall require prospective DSA candidates to join DSA before the EWG votes to recommend endorsement to the chapter.