Candidate Forum Interviews

Definitions and Voting Process: Diablo Valley Democratic Club will use the same questionnaire as developed by the DPCCC Central Committee.

Voting

• In each race, you can only vote once. 

• Voting Method at the general meeting

• If in-person, voting will be by raising a membership card prepared by the club’s secretary. If unable to raise your arm, express vocally to have your vote acknowledged and counted, or let the Secretary know for accommodations.

• If virtual, voting will take place via a protected google form and be visible only to the Endorsement Committee lead and the DVDC President. 

• DVDC President will assist in ensuring ballots are counted correctly by the Endorsement Committee lead.

Only candidates who submitted their questionnaire on time, make a good effort to attend the Candidate Forum, and are recommended by the endorsement committee will be listed/named on the ballots.

The endorsement threshold is a minimum of 60% of affirmative votes cast on any endorsement by members in good standing.

The actual vote tally shall not be disclosed to the press or general public.
All balloting shall also include “No Endorsement” as a choice for each contest. 

Voting Members: Persons who have been Members in Good Standing for at least 30 days before the vote.

Members in Good Standing: Persons who have paid dues for the current calendar year. 

Positions: The specific positions of a candidate in a candidate race are the candidate’s and not necessarily the Club’s. 

Measures, Contests, Propositions: If they are on the ballot, they will be considered in future elections, and the endorsement committee will regroup and will solicit volunteers for participation.

Timeline: meetings subject to change depending on the endorsement committee members’ calendars and to avoid conflicts with DPCCC endorsement committee process.​

• Mon. March 14th (deadline)

  • Candidates must submit their name/office of interest via google form by end of day, Pacific Time.

  • DVDC Chair informs membership that the Executive Committee reviewed and approved the interview questions submitted by the club. 

• Tues. March 15th (day after March general club meeting)

  • An Endorsement committee lead will email candidates the endorsement application questionnaire via email by end of day, Pacific time. 

• Sat., March 19 @ noon

  • Endorsement committee plans Candidate Forum

• March 23rd - Candidate’s deadline to submit questionnaire.

• March 26th @ noon 

  • The Endorsement Committee reviews candidates endorsement questionnaires to ensure they are complete and ensure there are no additional questions needed to be added to the interview questions.

  • Any changes to the interview questions used at the Candidate Forum will be re-sent to the Executive Board for approval. 

  • At the meeting, finalize the Candidate Forum plan

• Sat., April 2nd - Candidate Forum to hear from candidates

  • The forum will be recorded for future publication to the general membership. Recording may be posted in the DVDC private facebook group to encourage members to attend the next general meeting and vote. 

  • If virtual, candidates will be placed in the waiting room until their turn to interview. Once a candidate has interviewed they will be excused to leave the forum.

  • Each candidate present at the meeting will have 1 minute to intro and 1 minute to close to speak. A question and answer period shall follow for 10 minutes, which can be extended up to 5 minutes. Time permitting, members attending the event can submit questions to the host.

  • Copies of the completed questionnaire will be provided to the DVDC membership 72 hours before the forum on Tuesday, March 29th.

  • At the end of the forum, the Endorsement Committee stays to vote and establish recommendations to be presented at the April 11th General Membership meeting. 

  • A minimum of a 60% vote of members in good standing is needed for endorsement recommendation. 

• Saturday, April 9th - If needed, a 2nd day to extend the forum.

• Monday, April 11th 

  • Endorsement committee provides recommendations for the endorsement consent calendar to membership in good standing for consideration and approval at this monthly meeting.

    • Endorsement Committee requires 3 members in good standing to pull a candidate from the consent calendar.

    • Only members in good standing can vote to endorse a candidate.

    • Endorsements will be granted to candidates who win 60% of the total votes cast by members in good standing that show up at the Monday, April 11th’s General Membership meeting.