Proposal by CDP Staff to clarify language on voter eligibility in post primary endorsements. CDP Bylaws, Article VIII, Section 3 h.(1): (b) members who were eligible as of the date of eligibility for the immediate preciding Meeting of This Committee but have since the appointing deadline died, moved, changed their registration to a district other than the district the election is occurring, or resigned may be replaced by the appropriate appointing authority or in the case of a Statewide race, will put the endorsement before the next Executive Board. Such endorsement proceedings shall otherwise be conducted similar to a Special Election as provided under Article VIII, Section 3.e.
Proposal by Mike Barkley, submitted April 5, 2017 Petition for Rule change: I am an ADEM AD-12 delegate elected in 2013, 2015, and 2017. I petition the Committee or the Executive Board, as appropriate, to make the following Amendment to the By-Laws: Amend by appending to Article VIII, Section 3.C.(3) the following language: (3) Each candidate seeking the endorsement of the California Democratic Party shall be mailed, or provided via email, a link to a copy of This Committee's most recently adopted Platform, at least ten (10) days prior to the pre-endorsing conference, or in the case of a Special Election the endorsing conference, in the relevant district and shall submit to This Committee a nonreimbursable filing fee in advance of the first level of the process in which his/her name is considered. The filing fee shall be set by the Finance Committee and duly adopted by the Executive Board at least six months prior to the ratification date for endorsement. Where the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has anointed a candidate for a Congressional seat, endorsement fees shall be waived for all other candidates for that seat. Should such a feewaived candidate subsequently receive a plurality of votes at the pre-endorsing or preendorsement conference, the endorsement fee shall become due and payable. Reasons for the change: On January 8, 2011 Jared Loughner shot Congresswoman Gabby Giffords in the head, and shot and killed one of the most respected Federal Court Judges in Arizona, and young Christina- Taylor Green and a number of other people. By the next day I had concluded that nobody in DC was going to do anything appropriate about this even though one of their own had been attacked by a person of questionable mental condition, and it was and is my responsibility to stand up and run for Congress. Unfortunately for my candidacy and as something I could not know, by that date the DCCC had already anointed another, qualified candidate. With that anointing, support for anybody else dried up, funding dried up, and any other Democratic candidate would have to use some method of running alternative to the traditional "raise a ton of money and spend it like water" method. This I did. I've done what I do best, knocking on doors of 130,095 registered DEM-IND (NPP-IND- OTH)-GRN-PF voters so far, with the resulting votes: Votes I have received (thank you everyone): 5,028-2012 Primary 11,005-2014 Primary 18,576-2016 Primary In April 2016 my DCCC-anointed opponent and his allies got worried and mounted an aggressive phone drive and moved some 4 or 5,000 votes from me to him. That would not have been quite enough, but for the Primary it was closer than people might think. This does show that even unanointed, un-endorsed candidates can grow. One intensely annoying hurdle for my candidacy has been the non-refundable $340 charge by CDP for being "considered" for endorsement. The Party makes this charge even though in my case the Party has had no intention whatsoever of endorsing me, that once the DCCC makes its choice, all levels of the Party and most levels of the AFL-CIO fall in line and any other candidate is no longer viable through conventional campaigning. One might think that local DCCs would be free of that pressure, but they aren't - in each Primary their awareness and acceptance of the DCCC's anointing has been early and obvious.
It's a bit like if you came into my store and placed and paid for a special order and then said "When can I expect delivery?" "Oh, I won't be making delivery, I've already sold it to somebody else, but I will be keeping your payment." Most everybody in the world can see how morally wrong that is, but so far the CDP hasn't. This should be changed. When you have no intention of delivering on what you charge for, you should make the $340 a deposit, not a non-refundable fee. As anyone can see from various donor records, I have no objection to making a $340 donation to the party, but I really do not like having such funds taken from me under false pretenses. My own candidacy has grown to the point where I personally may no longer need this rule change but what about all the other struggling candidates who are winding their way through the process? We all still face the prejudice implied in the "withdraw" language in that Section, that somehow the anointed and thus endorsed candidate is a better choice. On paper, I am one of the most qualified candidates in the country. There is an implication in that "withdraw" language that the DCCC and thus the entire Party structure and AFL-CIO have done an adequate job of vetting and have chosen the more qualified candidate, and thus no other candidates need apply. In the case of my anointed opponent in the past two Primaries this has resulted in the endorsement of a person about whom we know almost nothing of his history and who has steadfastly refused for 4 years to release any sort of resumé. The only full time job that he has held over the past 30 years that I know about comes from a quote from an interview he did with the Honolulu Star in 2006, that he was 7 years a bartender with The Wave Nightclub in Honolulu. Certainly there is nothing wrong with endorsing and electing an unemployed bartender to Congress, but at least the anointing and endorsing bodies ought to know that is what they are doing. An appropriate additional amendment to that Section might be "No candidate shall be anointed or endorsed without first being adequately vetted" but that is beyond the scope of this petition. It's not beyond the scope of your duty. Most candidates give up the race in the face of the many hurdles thrown at the un-anointed. With the moral imperative of addressing the gun problem in this country, I cannot give up, hence this petition. Thank you and best wishes, --Mike Barkley, Progressive DEM Candidate CA-10/CD-10 2012/14/16/18 167 N. Sheridan Ave., Manteca, CA 95336 209/823-4817 mjbarkl@inreach.com platform: mjbarkl.com/run.htm
Submitted by Vincent Casalaina on April 17, 2017 I'm looking at the 2017 Rules Agenda, Item 9C - my proposal to ensure candidates seeking endorsement read the platform. Here is the slightly revised version I would like considered by the Rules Committee if at all possible. There are no substantive changes, only a few word changes. If that is not possible, then the earlier version is good to go. Article VIII Section 3 new item C (does not replace existing Item C) All candidates seeking the endorsement of this Committee shall affirm in writing that they have read the most current party platform before they are eligible for consideration to be endorsed. Once a candidate has received the endorsement of this Committee and within 15 days of the publication of a new party platform, the candidate shall affirm in writing that they have read the new platform. The consequence for not affirming having read the platform within the specified time will be the possible loss of the CDP endorsement and a statement of "no endorsement" by the CDP in their race. Further if the election has two Democrats in the General Election both candidates need to affirm in writing that they have read the then current platform. Thanks - Vincent (3) Each candidate seeking the endorsement of the California Democratic Party shall be mailed, or provided via email, a link to a copy of This Committee's most recently adopted Platform, at least ten (10) days prior to the pre-endorsing conference, or in the case of a Special Election the endorsing conference, in the relevant district and shall submit to This Committee a non-reimbursable filing fee in advance of the first level of the process in which his/her name is considered. The filing fee shall be set by the Finance Committee and duly adopted by the Executive Board at least six months prior to the ratification date for endorsement. All candidates seeking the endorsement of this Committee shall affirm in writing that they have read the most current party platform before they are eligible for consideration to be endorsed. Once a candidate has received the endorsement of this Committee and within 15 days of the publication of a new party platform, the candidate shall affirm in writing that they have read the new platform. The consequence for not affirming having read the platform within the specified time will be the possible loss of the CDP endorsement and a statement of "no endorsement" by the CDP in their race. Further if the election has two Democrats in the General Election both candidates need to affirm in writing that they have read the then current platform.
Submitted by Patrick Weiss on Endorsements Corporate Money on April 17, 2017 Reducing The Influence of Unfriendly Democratic Money or Corporate and PAC Money in the California Democratic Party (CDP) WHEREAS registered California Democrats expect California Democratic statewide federal, and legislative officeholders and CDP elected officers to be guided by the adopted CDP platform and resolutions; and WHEREAS unfriendly democratic money is defined as corporate or political action committee (PAC) donations given to California Democratic statewide officeholders, federal, and legislative officeholders or CDP elected officers that may influence said officeholders to take positions contrary to the adopted platform and resolutions of the California Democratic Party; and WHEREAS friendly democratic money is defined as corporate or PAC donations given to California Democratic statewide federal, and legislative officeholders or CDP elected officers that may influence said officeholders to take positions that support the adopted resolutions and platform of the California Democratic Party. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the California Democratic Party requires that to receive the endorsement of the CDP that California Democratic statewide, federal, and legislative officeholders and CDP elected officers list ALL corporate and PAC donors on their election materials and campaign website. Or via typed in search sites; sos.ca.gov, and fec.gov. research funding for full transparent disclosure; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to California Democratic statewide, federal, legislative officeholders and CDP elected officers. Authored by Patrick Weiss (3) Each candidate seeking the endorsement of the California Democratic Party shall be mailed, or provided via email, a link to a copy of This Committee's most recently adopted Platform, at least ten (10) days prior to the pre-endorsing conference, or in the case of a Special Election the endorsing conference, in the relevant district and shall submit to This Committee a non-reimbursable filing fee in advance of the first level of the process in which his/her name is considered. The filing fee shall be set by the Finance Committee and duly adopted by the Executive Board at least six months prior to the ratification date for endorsement. All candidates seeking the endorsement of this Committee shall agree to list all corporate and PAC donors on their election materials and campaign website.
April 18, 2017 The Honorable John L. Burton Chair of the California Democratic Party via e-mail to john@cadem.org Dear Senator Burton: We are proposing some changes to the Bylaws relating to the election of ADEM Delegates and Representatives as well as endorsement of candidates and the election of DNC Committee Members. Thank you for your consideration of the proposed changes to the Bylaws. Sincerely yours, /s/ Christopher P. Robson, Chair of Yes We Can Democratic Club; AD 70 Delegate /s/ Carrie Scoville, Chair, San Pedro Democratic Club; AD 70 Delegate /s/ N. Yosh Yamanaka, Our Revolution Long Beach; AD 70 Delegate Addendum G Endorsement of candidates endorsed by Yes We Can Democratic Club, Hubert H. Humphrey Democratic Club, Christopher Duvali, Treasurer of HHHDC & AD 70 Delegate Addendum G. ARTICLE VIII: ENDORSEMENT OF CANDIDATES FOR PARTISAN AND NONPARTISAN OFFICE, AND ENDORSEMENT AND OPPOSITION TO STATE BALLOT PROPOSITIONS, INITIATIVES, REFERENDUM, AND RECALL Section 3. PARTISAN PUBLIC OFFICES OTHER THAN PRESIDENT c. Composition of Endorsing Caucuses, Timing, Qualifications for Candidate Consideration, Provision of Platform Link, Quorum, Written Ballot, No Endorsement Option, Number Endorsed, Vote Required: (8) Endorsement of an incumbent candidate seeking reelection shall require a vote of simple majority of the caucus members present and voting; provided, however, that should more than one incumbent be seeking the endorsement of the same caucus, Aany endorsement shall require sixty percent (60%) vote of those caucus members present and voting. Endorsement of all
nonincumbent candidates shall require sixty percent (60%) vote of those caucus members present and voting. In the event This Committee fails to endorse on the first ballot, no further votes shall be taken and the position of This Committee in that race shall be NO CONSENSUS. A candidate shall be considered an incumbent for the purposes of this section only if the candidate is seeking reelection to the same body in which that candidate currently serves and that candidate currently represents a district within the State of California. d. Consent Calendar, Ratification, Objection to Ratification, Process for Consideration of Objection: (3) Formal objection to the ratification of an endorsing caucus decision may only be made after the recommendation of the Endorsing Caucus has been made, as follows: (a) If the endorsed candidate received less than two-thirds of the vote at the Endorsing Caucus, formal objection must be signed by at least 300 100 credentialed members of This Committee on a form prescribed by the Secretary issued after the decision of the Endorsing Caucus has been made and filed with the State Chair no later than 11:00 p.m. the evening before the each candidate shall be entitled to designate one observer who may be present during the signature verification process. (6) The California Democratic Party shall be considered to have made "no endorsement where a caucus decision has been vacated unless the members of This Committee decide to endorse a substitute candidate. (c) To become the endorsed candidate of the California Democratic Party, a substitute candidate must receive seventyfive percent (750%) of the vote of the members of This Committee present and voting. g. Pre-endorsing Conferences Time, Place, Absentee Voting, Notice, Convenor, Participants, Certification of Roster, No Proxy Voting, Address by Candidate, Offering of Name, Single Roll Call Vote, Prohibition on Vote Retraction, Participant s Residency, Transmission of Results, Incumbent Consent Calendar Placement and Removal Process, Process for Endorsement in General Election: (12) An incumbent seeking election to the same office currently held shall be automatically placed on the consent calendar of This Committee s endorsing convention unless:
(a) (b) There is more than one incumbent seeking the same office, or By a date that is between: i. the date that the pre-endorsing conference roster of eligible participants has been determined by the Chair of This Committee, and ii. ten (10) days prior to the pre-endorsing conference, twenty percent (20%) of the eligible participants file a petition to include the incumbent in the endorsement process otherwise indicated in this Section. (13) The name of a non-incumbent or of an incumbent subject to Section 3.g.(12) (a) or Section 3.g.(12(b) may be placed on the consent calendar of This Committee's endorsing convention upon receiving a seventy percent (70%) vote at a pre-endorsing conference. The consent calendar shall be approved by a simple majority vote of This Committee. Upon approval of the consent calendar the candidate shall become the endorsed candidate of the Democratic Party. A name may be removed from) the consent calendar by at least twenty percent (20%) of the members of This Committee resident and qualified by a date selected by the Chair of This Committee and publicized on the Party s website that is between sixty (60) and ninety (90) days prior to the State Endorsing Convention in the District in question or by at least twenty percent (20%) of the members of This Committee by filing a letter of objection with the State Chair no later than ten (10) days prior to the State Endorsing Convention. If a name is removed from the consent calendar, the By-Laws of This Committee regarding endorsements shall apply. j. Process When No Convention Scheduled at Least Forty-Nine (49) Days Prior to the Partisan Primary: In the event a duly noticed "endorsing convention" is not scheduled at least forty- nine (49) days prior to the partisan primary: (1) For districted races, the Chair of This Committee shall cause to be convened an endorsing caucus of the members of This Committee resident in the each relevant district, except that those members appointed by the appointing authorities for the offices described in Article II, sections 2a(10) and 2a(12) and not appointed pursuant to Article II, section 3c shall not be eligible to participate (or be counted in any calculation of percentages needed for endorsement under this section) unless the appointee is registered to vote in the same electoral District as the one that the appointing authority represents may group such districts on a regional basis as necessary and shall designate a convenor. No proxy voting shall be allowed - each member shall be sent a vote-by-mail ballot which shall be read off as though it
were a roll call vote. Once received by the designated convenor of the caucus, a ballot may not be retracted, rescinded, or otherwise changed and shall be counted in the totals. Lost ballots may be replaced at the caucus prior to the close of balloting. Each caucus may place on a consent calendar of the Executive Board of This Committee (a) by a majority vote of those present and voting, the name of an incumbent Democratic Party Candidate for partisan public office, or (a b) by a sixty (60) percent vote of those present and voting, the name of a nonincumbent Democratic Party candidate for partisan public office. Such consent calendar shall be voted upon by the Executive Board of This Committee in a single motion which may be approved by a majority vote of those present and voting. (4) The Executive Board may also vote upon endorsement of a candidate for Statewide office; with a majority vote of those present and voting required for the endorsement of an incumbent Democratic candidate, or with sixty (60) percent vote of those present and voting, for the endorsement of an incumbent or non- incumbent Democratic candidate.