Local Elections Committee Endorsement Policy
Indivisible Skagit is a grass-roots organization for progressive activists with concerns about political issues at the national, state and local level. The issues that receive attention are the ones to which members/participants devote time and effort. A committee structure is utilized to allow people with similar concerns to join together and decide how they wish to address an issue or issues. There is no overseeing body or hierarchy.
The Local Elections Committee (LEC) is made up of people who work to bring their values to local government through candidate recruitment, endorsement and support. It is open to all who wish to participate in this process. Participation may involve contribution of ideas in meetings or by email as well as hands-on organizing of materials and logistics for events. The extent of involvement in LEC work is up to the individual – there is no required time commitment and the LEC tries to be flexible in accommodating the busy schedules of those who wish to participate.
Candidate recruitment.
Before the filing period ends, the LEC may reach out to potential candidates for races in Skagit County:
Endorsement.
Candidate Support. Depending on the availability of LEC members and resources, the LEC will meet with candidates who have been endorsed to determine what campaign support could be offered. The LEC will not always be able to provide all the support that a candidate might wish; but may offer LEC member insights on important efforts to a successful campaign.
The Local Elections Committee (LEC) is made up of people who work to bring their values to local government through candidate recruitment, endorsement and support. It is open to all who wish to participate in this process. Participation may involve contribution of ideas in meetings or by email as well as hands-on organizing of materials and logistics for events. The extent of involvement in LEC work is up to the individual – there is no required time commitment and the LEC tries to be flexible in accommodating the busy schedules of those who wish to participate.
Candidate recruitment.
Before the filing period ends, the LEC may reach out to potential candidates for races in Skagit County:
- Special purpose districts such as school boards and ports
- Municipal office such as city council person
- Countywide office such as prosecutor, auditor or county commissioner
- Senate or house representatives to the state legislature.
Endorsement.
- Selection of Races. The LEC chooses races to focus on, largely based on the interest in candidates and the potential value of an endorsement. This is up to the LEC members who participate, since they are the ones willing to devote their time and energy to the race(s) at issue. Again, anyone can join in this effort.
- Evaluation Criteria. The LEC adopts the criteria that will be used to evaluate candidates for the race(s) chosen for focus. This process is open for collaborative input and may result in different evaluation criteria, depending on the race and the individuals who have chosen to participate that year. Discussion of evaluation criteria by all is encouraged, typically by notice to those who have identified an interest in local elections and/or through the newsletter. Because the term “progressive” may reasonably apply to a variety of views, there is no pre-determined “right answer” to any questions (except a non-discrimination/inclusiveness commitment).
- Candidate Forum. LEC holds a candidate forum for candidates to address the public about the candidate’s qualifications, background and beliefs as they pertain to the evaluation criteria. Candidates are given the evaluation criteria and general questions in advance so that they may be prepared with concise and relevant answers. At the forum, attending members of the public are given evaluation forms so that they may provide input on the extent to they feel the candidates meet or do not meet the evaluation criteria. Specific comments about the candidates are also solicited. A rating or series of ratings does not constitute a “vote” to endorse or not to endorse. It is one component of the LEC’s endorsement decision.
- Endorsement Decision. The LEC meets to discuss the candidates, based on their answers to questions at the forum and other public statements and criteria. Again, this is an open meeting - those who have expressed an interest in working on the election will receive notice and an opportunity to participate with email comments if they are unable to attend. The attending members will make the endorsement decision(s) and prepare an evaluation explaining how the endorsement decision was reached, with emphasis on the evaluation criteria. The endorsement documents will be available for public review and may be included in a press release and/or web-site posting.
Candidate Support. Depending on the availability of LEC members and resources, the LEC will meet with candidates who have been endorsed to determine what campaign support could be offered. The LEC will not always be able to provide all the support that a candidate might wish; but may offer LEC member insights on important efforts to a successful campaign.