STANDING RULES FOR ENDORSEMENTS BY THE

STONEWALL DEMOCRATS OF AUSTIN

 

(Adopted 08/13/14)

 

 

 

In accordance with Article VII of the Bylaws of the Stonewall Democrats of Austin the Endorsement Committee shall draft a questionnaire to be used in the endorsement process. The Endorsement Committee shall send the questionnaire to all candidates, shall inform candidates of the opportunity to appear at a scheduled forum, and shall fully publicize the candidate forum to the general membership and the public.

 

The Endorsement Committee Chair shall preside over the candidate forum and the endorsement proceedings in accordance with rules determined by the Chair and approved by the Board. Copies of the rules shall be available at the endorsement meeting. The rules shall state that a candidate must provide a signed questionnaire and declare themselves to be a Democrat in order to be eligible for endorsement, and multiple copies of the completed questionnaire shall be made available to the membership at the endorsement meeting. Other terms of the rules may not conflict with any provision of the Bylaws.

 

In order to be eligible to vote in an endorsement meeting, members must be in good standing as defined by Article IV, Section 1 of the SDA Bylaws and have been a member for at least 30 days prior to the endorsement meeting or renewed their membership within 30 days of the endorsement meeting.

 

The following standing rules shall govern procedures for endorsements before partisan, non-partisan and special elections.

 

A.  The procedure for partisan elections shall be as follows:

 

1.    The entire membership may participate in the candidate forum and the discussion of the candidate's positions but only those members eligible to vote as defined above may cast ballots. A 60% vote of eligible members present and voting shall be required for the endorsement of any candidate. Should no candidate receive 60% of the votes cast in a particular race, a motion may be made to approve a dual endorsement in that race. Such motion shall name the candidates proposed for multiple endorsement and such motion shall require a 60% vote of eligible members to be successful.

 

2.    The membership may vote whether to approve all prior endorsements or make additional endorsements in a run-off election at the general membership meeting or special meeting immediately following any election resulting in a run-off. An endorsement may be approved or made with a 60% vote of the eligible members present and voting.

 

3.    Endorsement made for the primary elections extend to the general election. In the event candidates who received the Stonewall Endorsement are defeated in the primary election, prior to the general election, the full membership may meet to consider endorsement of candidates for the general election. A 60% vote of eligible members present and voting shall be required for the endorsement of any candidate.

 

4.    The Endorsement Committee Chair shall determine whether additional questionnaires or an additional candidate forum is necessary or appropriate prior to a run-off election of the general election, subject to approval by the Board.

 

B.  The procedure for non-partisan and special elections shall be as follows:

 

1.    The entire membership may participate in the candidate forum and the discussion of the candidate's positions but only those members eligible to vote as defined above may cast ballots. A 60% vote of eligible members present and voting shall be required for the endorsement of any candidate. Should no candidate receive 60% of the votes cast in a particular race, a motion may be made to approve a dual endorsement in that race. Such motion shall name the candidates proposed for multiple endorsement and such motion shall require a 60% vote of eligible to be successful.

 

2.    The membership shall vote whether to approve all prior endorsements or make additional endorsements in a run-off election at the general membership meeting or special meeting immediately following any election resulting in a run-off. An endorsement may be approved or made with a 60% vote of the members present and voting.

 

3.    The Endorsement Committee Chair shall determine whether additional questionnaires or an additional candidate forum is necessary or appropriate prior to a run-off election, subject to approval by the Board.

 

C.  If exceptional circumstances call into question the appropriateness of an endorsement, a special meeting may be called to consider whether the endorsement should be withdrawn.  The endorsement shall be withdrawn upon a 60% vote for withdrawal of the eligible members present and voting.

 

D.  The Endorsement Committee Chair shall promptly inform each participating candidate whether the candidate received an endorsement.  The Endorsement Committee Chair shall review the election results at the general membership meeting immediately following any election.