The New Orleans DSA electoral endorsement is an indication of a material commitment from the chapter’s membership to campaign for a candidate. As such, it is a choice made democratically by the membership and only candidates who are members of New Orleans DSA are eligible for endorsement.
New Orleans DSA Electoral Endorsement Process
- At the latest one week after Qualifying period ends: Endorsement request initiated by a member w/ signatures due to Local Council (Step 1)
- After the endorsement request is received by LC: LC develop questions for candidate (Step 2)
- No later than two weeks after candidate qualifying ends or two months before election day (whichever is later): LC facilitates Q&A with candidate(s) (Step 3)
- Subsequent General Meeting: Begin the endorsement debate and 1 week online voting with 25% quorum and majority “yes” votes
Electoral candidates seeking endorsement from the New Orleans DSA have the following expectations:
- An endorsed DSA member will retain membership to DSA, meet with Local Council at least on a quarterly basis, to make a best effort to attend monthly General Meetings, to not publicly disparage DSA or its principles, and to work to build a socialist caucus in the relevant body.
- An endorsed DSA member will bloc vote with other endorsed DSA members in whatever body they are elected to as a socialist caucus as voted upon by the caucus.
- An endorsed DSA member is required to vote in accordance with DSA’s national political platform and resolutions passed by the New Orleans chapter, including our commitment to Anti-Zionism.
- An endorsed DSA member is expected but not required to endorse DSA members running for office.
- An endorsed DSA member is required to not endorse a non-DSA member running against a DSA member.
Our adopted commitments to Anti-Zionism requires that all of New Orleans DSA’s endorsed candidates hold true to the following basic commitments:
- Either publicly support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement or not publicly oppose it;
- Refrain from any and all affiliation with the Israeli government or Zionist lobby groups, such as, but not limited to, AIPAC, J Street, or Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI), including participating in political junkets or any event sponsored by these entities;
- Pledge to oppose legislation that harms Palestinians or those who support Palestinian liberation, such as
- Any official adoption of a redefinition of antisemitism to include opposition to Israel’s policies or legal system, or support for BDS (e.g., IHRA definition of antisemitism);
- Legislative and executive efforts to penalize individuals, universities and entities that boycott Israel;
- Legislative and executive efforts to send any military or economic resources to Israel;
- Pledge to support legislation that supports Palestinian liberation, such as
- Legislative and executive efforts to end Israeli apartheid and ethnic cleansing against Palestinians and promote Palestinians’ rights to return to and live freely on the land (e.g., H.R. 2590);
- Condemnation of Israeli apartheid and colonial practices (e.g., H.Res. 751);
- Attempts to end the spending of U.S. tax dollars on Israel and/or sanction Israel until it ceases its practices of apartheid and colonialism
Potential candidates who cannot commit to the aforementioned basic expectations will be disqualified from recommendation or endorsement