46th District Democrats
2004 Proposed Endorsement Procedures
Eligibility to Vote
To be eligible to vote, or to speak at the endorsement meeting, you must be either a Precinct Committee Officer (PCO), or a resident 46th District voter who has paid dues at least 21 days in advance of the endorsement meeting (on or before July 15th for August 5th meeting; on or before August 25th for September 16th meeting.) For purposes of these endorsement procedures, PCOs and resident 46th District voters who have paid dues at least 21 days in advance shall be called "eligible voters". Voting by proxy is not allowed.
Eligibility for Endorsement
To be eligible for endorsement, a candidate must file as a Democrat or, in the case of non-partisan races other than judicial races, identify themselves as a Democrat. In addition, for a candidate to be eligible for consideration (with the exception of Presidential and national office candidates) he/she must submit and sign the King County Democrats' candidate questionnaire. This questionnaire must be submitted to the Chair of the 46th District Democrats by August 3, 2004. (Check King County Democrats web page www.kcdems.org for questionnaire.)
Endorsement Requirements
Endorsements require a vote of 2/3 of the eligible voters present and voting. Abstentions are not considered votes, and will not be counted in determining the number of votes cast. Voting will be by written ballots issued to eligible voters before the vote. (A vote by show of hands may be called in the case of a Third Ballot as described in IV.B.3.)
Endorsement Procedures - Candidates
Nominations
For each race with candidates, the floor will be open to nominations/seconds for all eligible candidates and "No Endorsement". Only eligible voters may make motions to endorse/nominate or speak on behalf of an endorsement/nomination. A motion to close nominations shall be out of order.
For each motion to endorse, a nomination speech of no more than two minutes and a seconding speech of not more than one minute will be allowed. Speakers shall identify themselves prior to making nomination speeches on behalf of any candidate or ballot measure. Eligible voters may NOT cede their time to anyone ineligible to vote at the meeting. Members will hear all nomination/seconding speeches on behalf of all candidates or "No Endorsement" for that race before the vote.
All eligible candidates who are nominated and "No Endorsement" will be an option on the First Ballot.
Voting
First Ballot: Each eligible voter will vote for one nominated candidate or "No Endorsement." If any nominated candidate or "No Endorsement" receives 2/3, then that vote passes. If neither a candidate nor "No Endorsement" receives 2/3, then we will move to a second ballot. (Note: In the case of a race with only two candidates, the First Ballot is eliminated and we begin with the Second Ballot.)
Second Ballot: The top two choices receiving votes from the First Ballot shall be on the Second Ballot.
Top two options are both candidates: If either of the two candidates receives 2/3, then that vote passes. If not, then move to Third Ballot.
Top two options are a candidate and "No Endorsement": If either of the two options receives 2/3, then that vote passes. If not, then no endorsement in the race is made.
Third Ballot: If no choice in the Second Ballot received 2/3, then a motion for dual endorsement will be entertained. This motion must pass by 2/3. If not, then no endorsement in the race is made. A show of hands may be called in the case of a Third Ballot.
Endorsement Procedures - Ballot Measure
A. Nominations
Ballot Measures include all initiatives, referenda, levies, and other races without candidates. A Ballot Measure may only be nominated for consideration in the form it would appear on the ballot. Nominations for a specific endorsement to support or oppose a Ballot Measure are not in order, as the endorsement-"Support", "Reject" or "Take no position"-will be determined by the voting.
For each motion to consider a Ballot Measure, a speech of no more than two minutes and a seconding speech of not more than one minute will be allowed for each of the 3 positions "Support", "Reject" and "Take no position". Only eligible voters may make motions to endorse/nominate or speak on behalf of an endorsement/nomination. Members will hear all speeches for that Ballot Issue before the vote.
Voting
First Ballot: Each eligible voter will vote for "Support", "Reject" or "Take no position". If any option receives 2/3, then that vote passes. If no option receives 2/3 we move to a Second Ballot.
Second Ballot: The top two choices between "Support", "Reject" or "Take no position" will appear on the Second Ballot. If either option receives 2/3, then that vote passes. If no option receives 2/3, then the position of the 46th District Democrats will be "Take no position".
Endorsement Meeting Schedule
The general membership meeting held on August 5, 2004 will consider endorsements for:
Races and ballot measures on the September 2004 Primary Election Ballot, and
Ballot measures on the November 2004 General Election Ballot and for which the 46th District Democrats have passed a resolution indicating some level of support.
The general membership meeting held on September 16, 2004 will consider endorsements for races on the November 2004 General Election Ballot.