Mid-Missouri DSA Endorsement Policy

    1. Mid-Missouri DSA does not issue “paper endorsements” — an endorsement represents a real commitment of chapter volunteer time and other resources. If the chapter is not prepared to make this commitment, no endorsement will be issued, even if the candidate otherwise aligns with DSA beliefs and priorities. 

    2. Because an endorsement represents a commitment of chapter resources, Mid-Missouri DSA endorses campaigns with a real strategy and prospects for victory. 

    3. Mid-Missouri DSA expects an endorsement to be the beginning of an ongoing relationship. Through a “socialists-in-office committee” the endorsee and Mid-Missouri DSA members will work to provide support to elected endorsees, to understand their strategy and political priorities, and to follow up on the commitments made in the endorsements process.

    4. Mid-Missouri DSA endorsements are the result of a deliberative democratic process. All endorsements are ultimately presented to membership for an up-or-down vote.

    1. The candidate indicates their interest in an endorsement.

    2. The electoral working group asks the candidate to fill out a questionnaire (see appendix) with additional questions related to the office being sought.

    3. Upon receipt of the completed questionnaire, the steering committee votes on whether to bring the endorsement to a general meeting and whether to invite the candidate or candidates to speak at the meeting.

    4. At the general meeting, proponents and opponents of the endorsement will be given roughly equal time to speak on the issue before a vote of the membership. Members will be given an opportunity to review candidate questionnaires.  The endorsement will be issued on a simple majority vote.


    If the endorsement passes…


    1. Mid-Missouri DSA will announce the endorsement in an email to members, on social media, and on the electoral working group page on the chapter website.

    2. Mid-Missouri DSA’s electoral working group will meet to create a campaign plan with concrete goals for canvassing shifts, voter contacts, member recruitment etc., in alignment with the candidate’s strategy and best practices from the National Electoral Commission.

    3. If the steering committee and the candidate agree to pursue a national DSA endorsement, the electoral working group will work with the candidate through the process.


    Regardless of the result…


    1. The electoral working group will present a report to the membership at a general meeting on the campaign, whether the chapter met its goals, and any lessons learned.


    If the candidate wins…


    1. The steering committee will convene a socialist(s)-in-office committee, including the elected official, to coordinate the chapter’s work with the elected official during their term.

  • Members should consider the following during the endorsement process:


    Does the candidate align with DSA values?


    Does the candidate have a plausible plan to win?


    Does the chapter have the capacity to meaningfully contribute to this campaign?


    Does support for this candidate represent a better use of chapter resources than any alternative campaign (electoral or otherwise)?


    Will this campaign grow the chapter’s capacity for future work?


    Regardless of their stance on particular policy issues, will the candidate be an effective and enthusiastic representative for DSA and democratic socialism?

    1. Describe your relationship with democratic socialism, the Democratic Socialists of America, and Mid-Missouri DSA. Are you a member? To the extent you have been an active member of DSA, describe your participation.

    2. What would be your top political priorities if elected to this office?

    3. If elected, would you commit to participate in a socialists-in-office committee, meeting regularly and by request, to coordinate on political
      strategy and priorities with members of Mid-Missouri DSA?

    4. Are you interested in pursuing a national endorsement from DSA?