Equal Vote Local
Candidate Endorsement

Equal is an organization that empowers women, traditionally underrepresented groups, and young people to step forward and take on the mantle of leadership, work to get out the vote, and to respectfully engage in politics. We use our voices to ensure equality, freedom, and social justice for all.

Endorsements are not a statement about an opponent, but rather an assessment of candidates who meet Equal’s criteria, pass vetting procedures, and fit with Equal’s purpose and values. We, therefore, may endorse multiple candidates in the same primary. We hold no promises that an endorsement by Equal will result in the election of a candidate to office. Eligible voters going to the polls and voting determines who will win.

If candidates have some, but not all of our values, Equal may still work with them because they are compelling in other ways or they may be evolving. Some potential candidates may be delayed in the endorsement process if they are still building their campaign platform. (Equal does not provide financial funding, but Equal’s resources and support may help those candidates reach their goals.)

Our endorsement process has no time limit, but it is recommended that candidates get an early start. Equal’s administrators are volunteers and are actively involved in the election process. Administrators will recuse themselves from making decisions about candidates with whom they are already actively involved.

To be considered for endorsement, please fill out this application. Endorsement applications are available on a rolling basis. Though we cannot endorse all candidates who apply, Equal seriously considers each application. You do not need to be a member of Equal to apply and receive an endorsement, but we hope you will join us.

ENDORSEMENT CRITERIA

In order to be eligible for an endorsement, candidates must:

● Be 18 or older on Election Day

● Be eligible by law to become a candidate

● Have a campaign committee

● Be committed to running a clean, above-board campaign

● Not running as a third party candidate

● Believe in diversity and inclusiveness

● Represent progressive values

● Be able to articulate or are open to developing a clear path to victory

● Agree to place Equal link on your campaign website next to your Equal endorsement

ENDORSEMENT PROCESS

To be endorsed, the candidate must follow this process of endorsement:

● Apply

● Be interviewed
● Be vetted, which may include:

a. Public criminal record search on IDtrue and sex registry,

b. Media search,

c. Extensive social media review,

d. Public record search of voting history or verifiable public records,

e. Personal history (voting records, newspaper articles, advocacy,

f. FEC search, if a repeated candidate or politician,

● Provide letters of recommendation (optional) Email letters to EqualVoteLocal@gmail.com

All answers will be available to the public.

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* 1. Please provide your contact information

Name

Street Address

City/Town

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Email Address

Phone Number

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* 2. What is your age range?

18 - 24

25 - 34

35 - 44

45 - 54

55 - 64

65+

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* 3. Which race/ethnicity best describes you?

White or European American

Black or African American

Asian American

Native American

Hawaiian American or other Pacific Islander

Alaskan American

Hispanic/Latino

Two or more races

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* 4. What is your gender?

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* 5. Which is the position you are running for?

President of the United States

U.S. House of Representative

U.S. Senator

Governor

Lt. Governor

State Senator

State Representative

State Attorney General

School Board

Judge

Local Government (city, town, village, county, borough). Please specify.

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* 6. If you are running for state office, which state will you represent?

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* 7. Which major party are you affiliated with?

Democrat

Republican

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* 8. Have you ever run for another office?

Yes

If yes, please tell us which offices you campaigned for and which years you served if you were successful.

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* 9. Are you seeking re-election?

Yes

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* 10. Which parties have endorsed you?

Democrat

Republican

Working Families

Green

Other (please specify)

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* 11. Please tell us how important these values are to you.

	Extremely important	Very important	Quite important	Not important at all
Individual freedom	Individual freedom Extremely important	Individual freedom Very important	Individual freedom Quite important	Individual freedom Not important at all
U.S. Constitution	U.S. Constitution Extremely important	U.S. Constitution Very important	U.S. Constitution Quite important	U.S. Constitution Not important at all
Opportunity for a better life	Opportunity for a better life Extremely important	Opportunity for a better life Very important	Opportunity for a better life Quite important	Opportunity for a better life Not important at all
Equal opportunity	Equal opportunity Extremely important	Equal opportunity Very important	Equal opportunity Quite important	Equal opportunity Not important at all
Freedom of religion	Freedom of religion Extremely important	Freedom of religion Very important	Freedom of religion Quite important	Freedom of religion Not important at all
Freedom of assembly	Freedom of assembly Extremely important	Freedom of assembly Very important	Freedom of assembly Quite important	Freedom of assembly Not important at all
Freedom of speech free from unconstitutional hate speech	Freedom of speech free from unconstitutional hate speech Extremely important	Freedom of speech free from unconstitutional hate speech Very important	Freedom of speech free from unconstitutional hate speech Quite important	Freedom of speech free from unconstitutional hate speech Not important at all

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* 12. Have you ever advocated for progressive values even when it was not popular or there was pressure not to do so?

Yes

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* 13. Do you have a written plan that will lead to a clear path to victory?

Yes

If no, what is your plan to develop one?

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* 14. How would you rank these issues of importance?

	Extremely important	Very important	Quite important	Not important at all
Change in current border security strategies	Change in current border security strategies Extremely important	Change in current border security strategies Very important	Change in current border security strategies Quite important	Change in current border security strategies Not important at all
Safeguard food, air, water	Safeguard food, air, water Extremely important	Safeguard food, air, water Very important	Safeguard food, air, water Quite important	Safeguard food, air, water Not important at all
Protect the environment	Protect the environment Extremely important	Protect the environment Very important	Protect the environment Quite important	Protect the environment Not important at all
Oppose all forms of discrimination	Oppose all forms of discrimination Extremely important	Oppose all forms of discrimination Very important	Oppose all forms of discrimination Quite important	Oppose all forms of discrimination Not important at all

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* 15. Tell us how important these values are to you.

	Extremely important	Very important	Quite important	Not important at all
Hard work is rewarded	Hard work is rewarded Extremely important	Hard work is rewarded Very important	Hard work is rewarded Quite important	Hard work is rewarded Not important at all
Living wages and benefits	Living wages and benefits Extremely important	Living wages and benefits Very important	Living wages and benefits Quite important	Living wages and benefits Not important at all
Guaranteed earned sick days	Guaranteed earned sick days Extremely important	Guaranteed earned sick days Very important	Guaranteed earned sick days Quite important	Guaranteed earned sick days Not important at all
Create viable pensions	Create viable pensions Extremely important	Create viable pensions Very important	Create viable pensions Quite important	Create viable pensions Not important at all
Social Security	Social Security Extremely important	Social Security Very important	Social Security Quite important	Social Security Not important at all
Medicare	Medicare Extremely important	Medicare Very important	Medicare Quite important	Medicare Not important at all
Universal healthcare	Universal healthcare Extremely important	Universal healthcare Very important	Universal healthcare Quite important	Universal healthcare Not important at all
Paid Family and Medical Leave	Paid Family and Medical Leave Extremely important	Paid Family and Medical Leave Very important	Paid Family and Medical Leave Quite important	Paid Family and Medical Leave Not important at all

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* 16. Please identify which of the following actions you have committed to during your campaign. (Check all that apply).

Mail advertising

Door-to-door canvassing

Phonebanking

Handwriting postcards

Holding focus groups

Holding Meet & Greets

Recruiting volunteers

Staffing campaign office

Holding rallies

Holding other community meetings

Holding Town Hall meetings

Using social media to communicate

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* 17. How would you best describe your relationship with voters you will represent?

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* 18. Do you have any conflict(s) of interest you will need to report?

Yes

If Yes, how will you address them?

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* 19. Have you ever been reported for an ethical or campaign violation?

Yes

If yes, is the case currently under investigation?

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* 20. Which volunteer activities, clubs, or political groups do you belong to?

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* 21. How likely is it that people in your jurisdiction know your name?

Extremely likely

Very likely

Somewhat likely

Not likely at all

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* 22. How likely is it that you will have money and resources to win your political race?

Extremely likely

Very likely

Somewhat likely

Not likely at all

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* 23. Have you ever been a member of a governmental or political committee?

Yes

If yes, which ones?

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* 24. Describe how you are creating an inclusive, diverse campaign?

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* 25. Please tell us how important these values are to you.

	Extremely important	Very important	Quite important	Not important at all
Renewable energy	Renewable energy Extremely important	Renewable energy Very important	Renewable energy Quite important	Renewable energy Not important at all
Eliminate racial and ethnic profiling	Eliminate racial and ethnic profiling Extremely important	Eliminate racial and ethnic profiling Very important	Eliminate racial and ethnic profiling Quite important	Eliminate racial and ethnic profiling Not important at all
Protect immigrants from harassment	Protect immigrants from harassment Extremely important	Protect immigrants from harassment Very important	Protect immigrants from harassment Quite important	Protect immigrants from harassment Not important at all
Ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identify	Ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identify Extremely important	Ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identify Very important	Ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identify Quite important	Ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identify Not important at all
Protect security of children, elderly, disabled, disadvantaged	Protect security of children, elderly, disabled, disadvantaged Extremely important	Protect security of children, elderly, disabled, disadvantaged Very important	Protect security of children, elderly, disabled, disadvantaged Quite important	Protect security of children, elderly, disabled, disadvantaged Not important at all
Support legislation to ensure elder care, companion care	Support legislation to ensure elder care, companion care Extremely important	Support legislation to ensure elder care, companion care Very important	Support legislation to ensure elder care, companion care Quite important	Support legislation to ensure elder care, companion care Not important at all
Increase minimum wage	Increase minimum wage Extremely important	Increase minimum wage Very important	Increase minimum wage Quite important	Increase minimum wage Not important at all

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* 26. What is your plan to engage underrepresented groups to vote for you?

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* 27. How will you ensure an equitable and secure election system in your district?

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* 28. How would you rate the education system in your district?

Excellent and equitable for all students

Good to very good; equitable for the majority of students

Not so great; needs work to ensure all students get a quality education

If there are schools in your district that are not equitable, how would you propose to change it?

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* 29. Please tell us how important these values are to you.

	Extremely important	Very important	Quite important	Not important at all
Public education system that is equitable for all students	Public education system that is equitable for all students Extremely important	Public education system that is equitable for all students Very important	Public education system that is equitable for all students Quite important	Public education system that is equitable for all students Not important at all
Equal opportunity to achieve	Equal opportunity to achieve Extremely important	Equal opportunity to achieve Very important	Equal opportunity to achieve Quite important	Equal opportunity to achieve Not important at all
Smaller class sizes	Smaller class sizes Extremely important	Smaller class sizes Very important	Smaller class sizes Quite important	Smaller class sizes Not important at all
Higher teachers' salaries	Higher teachers' salaries Extremely important	Higher teachers' salaries Very important	Higher teachers' salaries Quite important	Higher teachers' salaries Not important at all
Job creation	Job creation Extremely important	Job creation Very important	Job creation Quite important	Job creation Not important at all
Free enterprise with equal opportunity	Free enterprise with equal opportunity Extremely important	Free enterprise with equal opportunity Very important	Free enterprise with equal opportunity Quite important	Free enterprise with equal opportunity Not important at all
Afterschool opportunities	Afterschool opportunities Extremely important	Afterschool opportunities Very important	Afterschool opportunities Quite important	Afterschool opportunities Not important at all
Universal pre-K	Universal pre-K Extremely important	Universal pre-K Very important	Universal pre-K Quite important	Universal pre-K Not important at all

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* 30. Do you believe in gun control?

Yes

If yes, what would you change?

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* 31. It is important for Americans to know how important you feel these issues are. Please rate them.

	Extremely important	Very important	Quite important	Not very important
Keep abortion safe and legal	Keep abortion safe and legal Extremely important	Keep abortion safe and legal Very important	Keep abortion safe and legal Quite important	Keep abortion safe and legal Not very important
Ensure access to all reproductive health services	Ensure access to all reproductive health services Extremely important	Ensure access to all reproductive health services Very important	Ensure access to all reproductive health services Quite important	Ensure access to all reproductive health services Not very important
Move criminal justice system to restorative practices vs retribution and punishment	Move criminal justice system to restorative practices vs retribution and punishment Extremely important	Move criminal justice system to restorative practices vs retribution and punishment Very important	Move criminal justice system to restorative practices vs retribution and punishment Quite important	Move criminal justice system to restorative practices vs retribution and punishment Not very important
Decriminalize substance use	Decriminalize substance use Extremely important	Decriminalize substance use Very important	Decriminalize substance use Quite important	Decriminalize substance use Not very important
Make substance abuse and mental health treatment accessible	Make substance abuse and mental health treatment accessible Extremely important	Make substance abuse and mental health treatment accessible Very important	Make substance abuse and mental health treatment accessible Quite important	Make substance abuse and mental health treatment accessible Not very important
Promote opportunities for at-risk youth	Promote opportunities for at-risk youth Extremely important	Promote opportunities for at-risk youth Very important	Promote opportunities for at-risk youth Quite important	Promote opportunities for at-risk youth Not very important
Invest in prevention, intervention, interdiction, treatment	Invest in prevention, intervention, interdiction, treatment Extremely important	Invest in prevention, intervention, interdiction, treatment Very important	Invest in prevention, intervention, interdiction, treatment Quite important	Invest in prevention, intervention, interdiction, treatment Not very important
Prevent veteran suicide	Prevent veteran suicide Extremely important	Prevent veteran suicide Very important	Prevent veteran suicide Quite important	Prevent veteran suicide Not very important
Improve veteran homelessness	Improve veteran homelessness Extremely important	Improve veteran homelessness Very important	Improve veteran homelessness Quite important	Improve veteran homelessness Not very important
Not incarcerate nonviolent offenders	Not incarcerate nonviolent offenders Extremely important	Not incarcerate nonviolent offenders Very important	Not incarcerate nonviolent offenders Quite important	Not incarcerate nonviolent offenders Not very important

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* 32. Do you agree to a public search on your personal history (voting records, newspaper articles, advocacy record, government records open to the public, FEC) and social media?

Yes

If yes, please provide your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and other account names.

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* 33. How can the endorsement committee connect with you about your qualifications or opportunities you may find helpful?

Twitter

Facebook

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* 34. How did you hear about Equal?

Internet search

Invited by a friend

Invited by an Equal administrator

Twitter

Facebook

Equal Vote Local Candidate Endorsement

Question Title

* 1. Please provide your contact information

Question Title

* 2. What is your age range?

Question Title

* 3. Which race/ethnicity best describes you?

Question Title

* 4. What is your gender?

Question Title

* 5. Which is the position you are running for?

Question Title

* 6. If you are running for state office, which state will you represent?

Question Title

* 7. Which major party are you affiliated with?

Question Title

* 8. Have you ever run for another office?

Question Title

* 9. Are you seeking re-election?

Question Title

* 10. Which parties have endorsed you?

Question Title

* 11. Please tell us how important these values are to you.

Question Title

* 12. Have you ever advocated for progressive values even when it was not popular or there was pressure not to do so?

Question Title

* 13. Do you have a written plan that will lead to a clear path to victory?

Question Title

* 14. How would you rank these issues of importance?

Question Title

* 15. Tell us how important these values are to you.

Question Title

* 16. Please identify which of the following actions you have committed to during your campaign. (Check all that apply).

Question Title

* 17. How would you best describe your relationship with voters you will represent?

Question Title

* 18. Do you have any conflict(s) of interest you will need to report?

Question Title

* 19. Have you ever been reported for an ethical or campaign violation?

Question Title

* 20. Which volunteer activities, clubs, or political groups do you belong to?

Question Title

* 21. How likely is it that people in your jurisdiction know your name?

Question Title

* 22. How likely is it that you will have money and resources to win your political race?

Question Title

* 23. Have you ever been a member of a governmental or political committee?

Question Title

* 24. Describe how you are creating an inclusive, diverse campaign?

Question Title

* 25. Please tell us how important these values are to you.

Question Title

* 26. What is your plan to engage underrepresented groups to vote for you?

Question Title

* 27. How will you ensure an equitable and secure election system in your district?

Question Title

* 28. How would you rate the education system in your district?

Question Title

* 29. Please tell us how important these values are to you.

Question Title

* 30. Do you believe in gun control?

Question Title

* 31. It is important for Americans to know how important you feel these issues are. Please rate them.

Question Title

* 32. Do you agree to a public search on your personal history (voting records, newspaper articles, advocacy record, government records open to the public, FEC) and social media?

Question Title

* 33. How can the endorsement committee connect with you about your qualifications or opportunities you may find helpful?

Question Title

* 34. How did you hear about Equal?

Equal Vote Local
Candidate Endorsement