46th District Democrats
2007 Proposed Endorsement Procedures

Per Article XVI, Section 3 of the Bylaws, these Draft Rules will be presented by the Executive Board for review and approval by the General Membership at the Primary Endorsement Meeting on Thursday, June 21st.

1. Endorsement Meeting Schedule
   1. The general membership meeting held on June 21st, 2007 will consider endorsements for:
      1. All races and ballot measures on the August 2007 Primary Election Ballot, and
      2. All races and ballot measures on the November 2007 General Election Ballot.
   2. The general membership meeting held on September 20, 2007 may consider endorsements for races and ballot measures on the November 2007 General Election Ballot for which an endorsement has not yet been made or is not in effect.
2. 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 (received or postmarked on or before July 13th for Aug 3rd mtg and on or before Aug 31st for Sept 21st mtg). Persons who were paid members in good standing of the 46th District Democrats in 2006 may renew their membership up to the time of the endorsement meeting and are exempt from the 21 day advance deadline. For purposes of these endorsement procedures, PCOs and resident 46th District voters who have paid dues at least 21 days in advance, or members from the previous year who renew prior to the meeting, shall be called “eligible voters”. Voting by proxy is not allowed.

3. Eligibility for Endorsement

   To be eligible for endorsement, per Article XVI, Section 7 of the bylaws, a candidate for partisan office must file as a Democrat and declare affiliation only with the Democratic Party for a period of at least one year prior to the endorsement meeting. For non-partisan races other than judicial races, a candidate must have (a) declared affiliation only with the Democratic Party, or (b) publicly indicated non-affiliation with any political party for a period of at least one year prior to the endorsement meeting. In addition, for a candidate to be eligible for consideration (with the exception of Presidential candidates) he/she must sign and submit the King County Democrats’ candidate questionnaire. This questionnaire must be received by the Chair of the 46th District Democrats by May 31st. (Check the King County Democrats' web page at kcdems.org for copies of the questionnaire.)

4. 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.)

5. V. Endorsement Procedures – Candidates
   1. Nominations
      1. 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.
      2. 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.
      3. All eligible candidates who are nominated and “No Endorsement” will be an option on the First Ballot.
   2. Voting
      1. 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 one candidate, the First Ballot is eliminated and we begin with the Second Ballot.)
      2. Second Ballot: The top two choices receiving votes from the First Ballot shall be on the Second Ballot.
         1. 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.
         2. 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.
      3. 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.
6. Endorsement Procedures – Ballot Measures
   1. Nominations
      1. Ballot Measures include all initiatives, referenda, levies, and other races without candidates. The question to endorse a Ballot Measure shall be considered 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.
      2. For each motion to consider a Ballot Measure, a speech of not 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.
   2. Voting
      1. 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.
      2. 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”.