As part of our local convention in 2026, Salt Lake DSA adopted this statement as our position on electoral campaigns:
Salt Lake DSA runs openly socialist electoral campaigns which are undeniably DSA organized. Our candidates must be demonstrably committed to the socialist movement and DSA as a party, typically (but not necessarily) through a long period of organizing in DSA. Our candidates will subject the validity and basic strategy of their campaign to the democratic process of SLDSA, meaning they will not run if SLDSA votes against it, and will not launch their campaign until SLDSA approves it. After the campaign is launched, the candidate will subject the campaign to the democratic process of SLDSA. The campaign committee will be primarily composed of DSA activists, who will earn their position of leadership through tireless organizing for a socialist future. Our goal is to build a Democratic Socialist Party, with or without its own ballot line.
How does someone apply to be endorsed by the Salt Lake DSA?
Step 1: Submit Basic Information
Candidates should email saltlakedsa@gmail.com with a basic introduction, state their interest in endorsement, the seat they’re running for, and all relevant basic information. The cochairs of our Electoral Working Group will follow up shortly after to establish a meeting time.
Step 2: SLDSA and the Candidate meet
This will be a brief, relatively informal meeting where members can get to know the candidate’s basic positions, communicate the process and expectations of being a candidate endorsed by Salt Lake DSA, answer any questions, and the candidate can communicate what they think it’ll take to win. After this meeting, the candidate can fill out the questionnaire.
Step 3: Candidate Completes Questionnaire
The questions in our current questionnaire can be found at this link. The candidate’s answers will be available to all members of Salt Lake DSA when they are finished.
Step 4: Gather Member Co-signers
After the questionnaire is completed, the candidate’s endorsement will need at least 25 co-signers. Salt Lake DSA is a member led organization, and if there is not a large section of our membership actively supporting and advancing a candidate’s endorsement, then there is no reason to continue. However, if 25 members co-sign the candidate’s endorsement application, the chapter moves onto the forum.
Step 5: Chapter Wide Forum with Q&A
The candidate will be expected to answer questions in a meeting available to all members. There will not be a debate between members on the endorsement at this particular meeting. Attendance is taken at this meeting, as only members who are present for either this forum OR the following special session will be eligible to vote on the candidate’s endorsement.
Step 6: Special Session of SLDSA, Debate, and Voting
Shortly after the forum, a special session of SLDSA’s general body is called to debate and vote on the endorsement. The candidate will give a final pitch, leave the room, and members will debate the question. After debate is concluded, members will vote. In order to vote on the candidate’s endorsement, the person must be a member of Salt Lake DSA in good standing and have attended the chapter wide forum OR the special session.
Voting is open for 7 days. The candidate requires a supermajority (2/3s) to be endorsed. Endorsement may be rescinded by a second supermajority vote at any subsequent general meeting.
Requirements for Endorsed Candidates
If a member of DSA is endorsed and they hold a leadership position (steering committee member, co-chair of a committee or working group, or HGO) they must step down from their leadership role within fourteen days.
At least one member of Salt Lake DSA, who became a member prior to the initiation of the applicable candidate’s endorsement process, must be on the candidate’s campaign committee or kitchen cabinet. This person(s) will be responsible for updating Salt Lake DSA regularly about the progress of the campaign.
If the endorsed candidate wins their seat:
They must meet with the chapter at least bi-monthly in a town hall style meeting to answer any questions the chapter has for them.
They must have a bi-weekly check in with a member or members of the Electoral WG and designated by a motion of that WG who will relay those updates to the Steering Committee. These updates will also be shared in the chapter Slack.
Prior to taking votes, they must be in contact with a Salt Lake DSA so that we understand what’s going on and give input on the vote. Salt Lake DSA will designate members who will be in contact with the endorsed candidate at these times and these members will relay the information to the chapter.