Initiating an Endorsement Process
Complete the Endorsement Form
Candidates interested in endorsement by DSA Metro Cincinnati must complete the Candidate Endorsement Questionnaire in its entirety. This questionnaire will be shared with the entirety of chapter membership during the endorsement process to inform membership of the candidate’s political positions and strategic merit, so as to better gauge the value of endorsing the campaign. The chapter will not solicit endorsements.
Signature Collection with Chapter Membership
To ensure candidates have generated enthusiasm from among the membership of DSA Metro Cincinnati for their candidacy, candidates are expected to have collected endorsements for their consideration as a candidate from at least 3% of the membership in good standing of DSA Metro Cincinnati. Starting with the adoption of this policy in April 2025, this threshold is set at 13 members in good standing, with this number being updated to match current membership numbers accordingly in January of each calendar year.
Chapter Meetings
Meeting with Leadership
After being supported by 3% of chapter members and submitting the endorsement questionnaire, candidates will be invited to a meeting with our Steering Committee. The purpose of this meeting is to introduce candidates to the SIO structure, allow candidates to ask questions about DSA, and talk about what our collaboration over their term can look like. These will be held hybrid jointly with the candidate Q&A sessions.
Candidate Q&A Session
After being supported by 3% of chapter members and submitting questionnaires, candidates will be invited to a Question-and-Answer meeting with Cincys DSA’s general membership.
Endorsement Meeting and Vote
In a typical yearly rotation, we will consider our endorsements in March, tentatively planned for March 15th. Each candidate will be given a few minutes to state why they should receive a Cincy endorsement. Following that, membership will engage in a facilitated debate on the endorsements being considered.
Following the conclusion of this Meeting, an OpaVote ballot will be emailed to Cincy membership. To be endorsed, *a candidate must receive at least 60% Approval in an election, as well as winning in a ranked “Single Transferable Vote” (STV) ballot if there are more approved candidates for DSA Cincy endorsements than there are valid seats following the vote.