ARTICLE VIII: ENDORSEMENTS

A. Rules and Process

No candidate for public or party office, or ballot proposition, shall receive an endorsement from the Club unless the Membership has been notified as specified in Article VI, Section E. In order for a candidate to be endorsed, the person must receive a sum score of at least 50% + 1 of the maximum ballot score, which shall be determined by multiplying the total number of ballots cast by five. In order for a proposition to be endorsed yes, no, or no recommendation, a position must receive at least 60% of the ballots cast.

To rescind an endorsement, a two-thirds affirmative vote shall be required.

B. Methodology

Single-Seat, Single-Choice Races:

For all single-seat, single-choice races (such as President, Senator, Congressperson, Governor and other statewide offices, State Senate, and State Assembly), all eligible candidates will appear on one ballot and voting members may score as many candidates as they desire by ranking any or all of the eligible candidates on a scale ranging from zero to five. All of the ballots will be counted, and that number will be multiplied by the maximum ranking of five, resulting in a maximum ballot score. Then each candidate will have his or her individual rankings summed.

If no candidate receives a sum equivalent to or greater than 50% + 1 of the maximum ballot score, then no candidate will be endorsed. If only one candidate receives a sum equivalent to or greater than 50% + 1 of the maximum ballot score, then that candidate will be endorsed. If more than one candidate receives a sum equivalent to or greater than 50% + 1 of the maximum ballot score, then the candidate with the highest score wins the endorsement. In the case of a tie, the Executive Board is empowered to hold an emergency runoff in order for the Membership to determine one winner.

Single-Seat, Multi-Choice Races:

For all single-seat, multi-choice races with more than one candidate (such as Mayor, District Attorney, City Attorney, Sheriff, Treasurer, Assessor-Recorder, and Supervisor), all eligible candidates will appear on one ballot and voting members may score as many candidates as they desire.

If no candidate receives a sum equivalent to or greater than 50% + 1 of the maximum ballot score, then no candidate will be endorsed. If only one candidate receives a sum equivalent to or greater than 50% + 1 of the maximum ballot score, then that candidate will be endorsed. If a second candidate receives 50% + 1 or more but fewer votes than the first-place candidate, then that candidate will receive a second-place endorsement. If a third candidate receives 50% + 1 or more but fewer votes than the second-place candidate, then that candidate will receive a third-place endorsement. (And so on, if the City’s Department of Election allows for more than three ranked-choice options on its official ballot.) In the case of a tie, the Executive Board is empowered to hold an emergency runoff in order for the Membership to determine a winner. The Club shall not endorse more candidates than allowable.

Multi-Seat, Multi-Choice Races:

For all multi-seat, multi-choice races (such as Board of Education, Community College Board, and San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee), all eligible candidates will appear on one ballot and voting members may score as many candidates as they desire.

Any candidate must receive a sum equivalent to or greater than 50% + 1 of the maximum ballot score to be endorsed. If the number of endorsed candidates exceeds the number of seats available, then the candidate or candidates with the fewest votes will be eliminated. In the case of a tie for last place, the Executive Board is empowered to hold an emergency runoff in order for the Membership to determine a last-place winner. The Club shall not endorse more candidates than seats available.

Ballot Measures:

The Membership must vote in the affirmative by at least a 60% supermajority for the endorsement of a yes, a no, or a no recommendation vote to become official. If no position receives the sufficient number of votes for an endorsement, then the Club’s official recommendation on such a ballot measure will be no position.

Application:

This methodology shall be used for endorsing in the P.A.C. as well as in the general endorsement meetings.