PACE Candidate Endorsement

Policies and Procedures

2007

Endorsements

  1. The decision to endorse or not endorse state candidates will be based on the responses to the attached questionnaire, prior NASW-AZ PACE endorsement history, and the voting records of incumbents (including candidates who have served in the AZ State Legislature even if they are not an incumbent for this position).

Endorsements of Candidates who are not incumbents and who have never served in the state legislature

  1. Candidates who are not incumbents and who have never served in the state legislature will be asked to complete a questionnaire.
  2. Responses on the questionnaire will be ranked. Each question is assigned a numeric value.
  3. Candidates who score at least 75% of the total points possible in support of NASW values will automatically be endorsed unless a PACE Board Member wishes to pull the name from automatic endorsement.
  4. In the event this happens, the PACE board member will request reconsideration of the endorsement. Following discussion, the PACE board will vote. Simple majority rules
  5. Once all names have been pulled form the list, PACE will make one vote to endorse all candidates remaining on the list.
  6. Candidates who score less than 75% of the total points possible will automatically not be considered for endorsement unless a PACE Board Member wishes to bring forth the name for special consideration.
  7. In the event this happens, the PACE board member will discuss potential endorsement. Following this discussion, the PACE board will vote. Simple majority rules
  8. If a candidate who is not an incumbent or who has not held state office in the past does not return the questionnaire, a PACE board member may submit their name for special consideration for endorsement. In order for an endorsement to occur:
  9. A PACE board member must call and interview the candidate by phone or in person.
  10. The interviewer will report to the PACE board his/her recommendations for endorsement and why.
  11. The PACE board must vote and endorsement is given by a simple majority ruling.

Endorsements of Previously endorsed Candidates

  1. Previously endorsed candidates will automatically be endorsed unless a PACE board member wishes to pull the endorsement for reconsideration. Potential reasons could be previous voting history and criminal wrongdoing.
  2. PACE Board members will be given the opportunity to pull a candidates name from automatic re-endorsement.
  3. In the event his happens, the name will be withdrawn and discussed.
  4. Decision to endorse or not endorse will be decided by a simple majority vote.
  5. Once all names are pulled from the automatic re-endorsement list, the previous endorsements are voted with one vote by a simple majority.

Endorsements of Multiple Positions for a Single Seat

  1. NASW-AZ PACE will endorse more than one person for the same seat if they meet the endorsement criteria above.

Questionnaires

  1. Questionnaires will be sent out within 30 days of the AZ State filing deadline so that the candidate has sufficient time to review, answer and return the survey for consideration of endorsement.
  2. The attached questionnaire will be used as a measure of a candidate’s values. Each year, the PACE committee will agree on any additional questions that may be added to the questionnaire. These questions will be based on current political issues and may be subject to change from year to year.
  3. The suggested questions will not become part of the official questionnaire until participating PACE members have agreed that they are valid questions and should be included on the questionnaire.
  4. In the event that a set question on the attached questionnaire becomes outdated, the PACE members must reach a simple consensus to remove the question and discuss revision of the questionnaire.
  5. Questionnaires will be sent out electronically and tabulated online.
  6. Letters will be mailed to all candidates who filed for candidacy prior to the AZ State filing deadline.
  7. The letter will direct the candidate to visit the NASW-AZ website and complete the questionnaire online.
  8. The PACE chair is responsible for setting a deadline to return ballots. Ballots received after the stated deadline may not be considered.
  9. The questionnaires will be calculated and tabulated electronically.

Voting

  1. All PACE Members will have the opportunity to vote.
  2. If a PACE member is not present at the meeting while voting is taking place, they shall give their proxy to another PACE board member. The absent board member will email their proxy to the chair.
  3. PACE members may choose to meet electronically and by conference call.
  4. Votes submitted electronically through email will be sent to the chair.

Notification Process

  1. All endorsed candidates will be notified of the NASWAZ endorsement on or before the date indicated on the attached timeline.
  2. Candidates will be notified by an email and formal letter.
  3. It is preferred that a PACE member also make a personal phone call to notify candidates of endorsement, however this is not required.
  4. The formal notification letter will be signed by the PACE chair.
  5. The notification email will be sent by the PACE chair.
  6. NASW-AZ reserves the right to send out a disclaimer to the NASW-AZ membership should additional information be revealed after the endorsement of a candidate is made.

Endorsement List

  1. The endorsement list will have all endorsed candidates’ names, what district and office they are running.
  2. There will be no endorsement “with reservations”, footnotes, or asterisks.
  3. The endorsement is clearly determined by process: therefore, there are no levels of endorsement: simply the decision to endorse or not to endorse.
  4. The questionnaire and ranking system is available to the public and to all NASWAZ members upon request.

Publication of Endorsement List

  1. Endorsement list will be published in the NASWAZ newsletter, on the NASWAZ web-page, and via email notification to all members with a registered email address on or before the indicated publication date on the attached timeline.
  2. It is suggested that volunteers be recruited to participate in member-to-member phone banking in order to spread the word about NASWAZ endorsements, to recruit members to volunteer on candidate’s campaigns, and to work on GOTV efforts.
  3. Given time constraints and availability, this activity is not a requirement. PACE can determine whether or not they choose to facilitate such an activity.
  4. Along with publication of endorsement list all members will be encouraged to volunteer on an endorsed candidate’s campaign or to work on GOTV with other individuals or organizations in their communities.

Endorsements Following the Primaries

  1. All endorsed candidates who were endorsed in the primaries will be carried over for automatic endorsement in the general election unless a PACE Board member pulls an endorsed candidates’ name for reconsideration
  2. In the event his happens, the name will be withdrawn and discussed.
  3. Decision to endorse or not endorse will be decided by a simple majority vote.
  4. PACE board members may bring a previously non-endorsed candidate up for reconsideration following the primary results.
  1. To endorse a candidate not previously endorsed in the primary, a PACE board member will bring up the candidate name for consideration, conduct an interview, and make a recommendation to the committee based on the interview.
  2. The PACE Board will vote to accept or reject the recommended endorsement with a simple majority ruling.

Sample Endorsement Process Meeting

  • List of Previously endorsed candidates presented.
  • PACE Board members withdraws any candidates needing reconsideration
  • Votes on Previously endorsed candidate list as a whole.
  • Discussion and individual votes on each candidate withdrawn from the above list.
  • List of Incumbents and candidates who previously held state legislative positions presented.
  • PACE Board members withdraws any candidates needing reconsideration
  • Votes on candidate list as a whole.
  • Discussion and individual votes on each candidate withdrawn from the above list.
  • List of candidates whose scores met and/or exceeded the 75% mark on the survey
  • PACE Board members withdraws any candidates needing reconsideration
  • Votes on candidate list as a whole.
  • Discussion and individual votes on each candidate withdrawn from the above list.
  • List of candidates whose scores did not meet the 75% mark on the survey
  • Discussion and individual votes on each candidate withdrawn from the above list for a special consideration endorsement.