We face multiple, intersecting crises that cannot be solved by the failed policies of neoliberalism, the cruelty of capitalism, or a sole agenda focused on electoralism. Justice for the multiracial working class will come only through broad collective efforts of all, working in solidarity towards the change we need, against every effort to divide us. Only through this mass organizing will we achieve a truly democratic society, where an empowered multiracial working class is centered, and the needs of people are acknowledged and addressed, rather than shut out and ignored.

Athens Area DSA generally avoids paper endorsements, which offer little more than permission for a campaign to use our name and logo and encouragement to our members to volunteer. Typical electoral campaigns are candidate-centric, think little of the residents they seek to represent, exhaust staff and volunteers, and are short-lived by design. When we make endorsements, we commit real chapter resources: organizing canvasses, phone banks, text banks, press outreach, and more to help our endorsed candidates win. We prioritize a smaller number of quality endorsements so we can make a meaningful impact.

The candidates we support must not only mobilize voters but activate people to participate in their campaigns, hold them accountable, organize in their communities, and stay engaged beyond Election Day. They must aim to not just represent their constituents, but to uplift and serve them. Once elected, we will work alongside them to advance the policies and projects that fueled their campaigns as we continue building a democratic socialist future for the Athens Area.

Application for our chapter’s endorsement includes completion of this questionnaire and receiving motions of support from 5% of current chapter members in good standing. For questions marked with Y/N, please begin your answers with a clear "Yes" or "No." You may go into more detail to elaborate, but answers that do not begin with a clear "Yes" or "No" will be considered a "No" answer. This questionnaire will be disseminated to our membership and is effectively public.

Please email athensareadsa@gmail.com with any questions.

Who can apply?
Anyone can apply for our chapter endorsement, but candidates should align with our electoral strategy. We expect electeds to participate in the chapter Socialists in Office Group.

Endorsement Timeline
1. A candidate completes and submits the AADSA endorsement questionnaire. Candidates can collect signatures from chapter members; if the questionnaire is accompanied by at least 5% of current chapter members in good standing, skip to step 3.

2. If a questionnaire is received without signatures, it will be reviewed by members of the Civic + Electoral Working Group (C+EWG) and discussed at a C+EWG meeting. The C+EWG will vote by simple majority on whether to refer the endorsement for Q&A at a chapter meeting. If the endorsement is referred, proceed to step 3. If the endorsement is not referred, this will be communicated to the candidate along with the option to resubmit their questionnaire with at least five member signatures.

3. A Q&A will be scheduled with the candidate to present their campaign to the full membership of AADSA and answer questions. The Q&A can happen in a chapter general body meeting or as a standalone event.

4. Following the Q&A, the endorsement will be voted on by the membership of AADSA at a general body meeting. If the Q&A is scheduled during a general body meeting, it can be voted on immediately following the Q&A in the same meeting. In order for the endorsement to be approved, 60% of members in attendance must vote in favor.

Re-endorsement of Incumbents
Incumbents must reapply for endorsement for each election cycle, regardless of whether they have previously been endorsed by the chapter.

Deadlines
Candidates must apply for endorsement 180 days before the election for state races or 150 days for municipal races. These deadlines may be overridden by signatures of 10% of the chapter. AADSA does not typically endorse candidates in federal races. However, the chapter may consider endorsements on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the candidate's viability and involvement with the chapter.

Procedure for Special Elections
In rare circumstances, AADSA may consider endorsements for special elections. Due to the unpredictable nature and compressed timelines of special elections, no fixed endorsement deadlines will apply. However, endorsements will only be considered for members in good standing who have been active with the chapter for at least six (6) months prior to the special election.

An eligible member seeking endorsement in a special election must submit the chapter's endorsement questionnaire as soon as possible after the special election is announced.

Within seven (7) days of receiving a completed questionnaire, the Steering Committee shall call a special meeting of the general membership to review the candidate's questionnaire, discuss the endorsement request, and hold an endorsement vote.

An endorsement may be granted only if quorum is established and at least 60% of votes cast by chapter members present, excluding abstentions, are in favor of endorsement.

Revoking of Endorsement
Endorsements are generally revoked under two primary circumstances: 

Failure to Meet Conditional Criteria: The chapter sometimes issues conditional endorsements based on specific legislative requirements (such as opposing certain foreign aid or supporting specific movements). If a candidate fails to meet or walks back these commitments, the endorsement can be rescinded.

Disciplinary or Ethical Violations: Endorsements can be revoked if a candidate violates the organization's code of conduct, faces credible ethical/legal allegations, or acts in a way that misrepresents the chapter

Process of Revoking or Censure
1. Request by Steering Committee: The Steering Committee drafts a request or resolution formally citing the reasons for the un-endorsement. If a candidate takes an action that may warrant censure or reconsideration of the chapter's endorsement, the Steering Committee shall draft, approve, and release a public statement within 48 hours. The statement shall acknowledge the issue, inform members and the public that the chapter is reviewing the matter, and outline the process for evaluating whether the endorsement should be reconsidered.

Request by Member in good standing: Proposed resolutions, that do not require amendment of these bylaws, but otherwise direct the activities of the local chapter, must be made by written resolution, endorsed by three (3) members in good standing of the Local Chapter, and submitted to the Steering Committee at least twenty-one (21) days in advance of a Local Chapter Meeting as defined in Article IV. The Steering Committee is required to provide the Local Chapter membership with at least ten (10) days physical or electronic notice of the proposed resolutions. The Local Chapter Meeting may adopt resolutions proposed under this article by majority vote. No resolutions may be in conflict with the national DSA Constitution and Bylaws or these bylaws.

2. Meeting: The Steering Committee calls for an emergency meeting of the general body if the next chapter meeting is more than 3 days away.

3. Deliberation: The General Membership, which must meet quorum, reviews the request and the candidate's track record.

4. Vote: A formal vote is held. An endorsement may be revoked only if quorum is established and at least 60% of votes cast by chapter members present, excluding abstentions, are in favor of revoking. Censures require a simple majority.

Censures
A censure is a formal resolution expressing the chapter's disapproval of a member's conduct, adopted by a majority vote. Censure is appropriate when a member commits an offense that is serious but does not warrant expulsion or, in the case of an endorsed candidate, revocation of the chapter's endorsement. If a resolution of censure is adopted, it shall be read aloud to the general membership and made publicly available through the chapter's communication channels, including the AADSA newsletter, social media, and other appropriate platforms.