LCVSD Endorsement & Elections Committee Guidelines |
Elections Committee |
The LCVSD Elections Committee consists of five voting members, all of whom must be members of the Board of Directors. The Elections Committee works with the LCVSD Board and membership to:
- Build an active base of San Diego community members committed to conservation issues and candidates
- Elect conservation-oriented San Diego candidates to local and state offices
- Hold San Diego's elected officials accountable to a conservation agenda
- Promote conservation goals through support for ballot measures and public policies
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Build an active base of San Diego community members committed to conservation issues and candidatesThe LCVSD Elections Committee will work with the Board of Directors and other LCVSD committees to increase awareness of conservation candidates and issues through regular updates to our membership, media campaigns, hosting of candidate forums, and other strategies designed to forward a conservation agenda. |
Elect conservation San Diego candidates to local and state officesIn order to elect candidates who will promote a conservation agenda, the Elections Committee will work with the LCVSD Board and membership to:
- Recruit & train conservation candidates
LCVSD will actively seek to recruit conservation-oriented San Diegans to run for local, state and national offices, with special attention given to recruiting people from traditionally underrepresented communities. The LCVSD Board and members will work with like-minded organizations to identify candidates who will effectively forward conservation goals, as outlined above. To the extent possible, LCVSD will also work to provide training to selected candidates to ensure the viability of their campaigns.
- Endorse conservation candidates
LCVSD will work to identify conservation San Diego candidates seeking local, state and national offices for endorsement. Any local or statewide race appearing on a ballot in San Diego County is eligible for consideration (e.g., city council, planning board, school board, county board of supervisor, state senate or assembly, etc.). The Elections Committee will seek input from the Board and members to identify races for consideration. In determining which races to consider for endorsement, LCVSD will evaluate:
- Support from LCVSD membership to get involved in a particular race or support a particular candidate;
- A candidate's interest in LCVSD endorsement;
- Strategic value of office and endorsement;
- Likelihood of identifying viable conservation candidate to support;
Because of the importance of endorsements, LCVSD will take every measure to ensure that the candidate review process is comprehensive and impartial. After determining races in which to consider for endorsement, LCVSD will send written questionnaires and interview all candidates in selected races. The interview panel for each race will consist of 3-5 LCVSD Board members. To ensure consistency, every member of an interview panel must participate in all candidate interviews for a particular race. The interview panel makes recommendations to the Elections Committee on a particular race. The Elections Committee then makes a recommendation to the Board of Directors for final approval on all endorsements. While consensus is always a goal, decisions will be made by a majority vote. Dissenting opinions should be heard and considered throughout every stage of deliberations.
In determining which (if any) candidate to endorse, the interview panel, Elections Committee and Board of Directors should consider the candidate's:
- Commitment to conservation issues as determined by her/his history of working for conservation causes and performance on the LCVSD questionnaire & interview. Special consideration should be given to incumbents running for re-election with a strong record on conservation issues.
- Viability, as demonstrated by her/his ability to raise funds, embark on a complete campaign, and garner endorsements from other organizations/community leaders.
- Ability to effectively promote a conservation agenda if elected.
- Credibility, history of community service, and ties to the local community.
Endorsements should be reserved for candidates who demonstrate the highest standards and commitment to LCVSD's principles and standards. Dual endorsements, while not prohibited, are strongly discouraged.
- Support LCVSD-endorsed candidates
The LCVSD Elections Committee will work with the Board and membership to support selected endorsed candidates by:
- Engaging in Independent Expenditures
- Direct Fundraising for Candidates
- Volunteering in campaigns
- Media opportunities
- Community outreach through email alerts, etc.
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Hold San Diego's elected officials accountable to a conservation agendaThe LCVSD Elections Committee also works to hold our elected officials accountable to a conservation agenda. Strategies to be considered include: issuance of a LCVSD 'scorecard'; conservation awards to elected officials; updates to LCVSD membership on critical conservation issues; engaging in media campaigns; building a relationship with San Diego's elected officials; providing testimony on key votes; and other approaches designed to promote a conservation agenda. |
Promote conservation goals through support for ballot initiatives and public policiesLCVSD will also work to identify and support ballot initiatives and policies aimed at furthering conservation goals. The Elections Committee will work with the LCVSD Board and membership to determine measures to support or oppose. |
Conflict of InterestMembers of the Board of Directors, Elections Committee and interview panels shall not participate in the interview process for any race in which they have any financial or professional interest, would derive a personal advantage, or for which they cannot impartially evaluate a candidate for any reason.
Members of the Board of Directors, Elections Committee and interview panels shall disclose to the Chair of the Elections Committee as promptly as possible support or opposition (e.g. endorsement, financial contribution, or active participation in a campaign) for any candidate in a race being considered for endorsement. The Elections Committee has the right to petition to remove members from the interview process if the Committee determines, in accordance with LCVSD's bylaws, that impartial evaluation of a candidate or race will be compromised by that member's participation.
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