As adopted by the January 2026 General Body Meeting
This policy defines the criteria and process by which The Greater Baltimore chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (herein referred to as “The Chapter”) will endorse ballot measures and candidates for consideration within its jurisdiction. As the highest decision-making body within the chapter, the decision to endorse ballot measures or candidates resides with the General Assembly. This policy takes precedence over other resolutions passed by the chapter and requires a two-thirds majority in the General Assembly to amend.
- Members of the chapter may request endorsement of ballot measures or candidates within the jurisdiction of the chapter
- Approval of ballot measures may be considered for both the signature-gathering or general-election portion of the ballot measure process.
- If a ballot measure is endorsed for signature gathering, the endorsement carries through to the general election portion.
- Prior to being agendized for consideration by the General Assembly, the chapter Steering Committee shall review and approve all endorsement requests by majority vote.
- Endorsement requests submitted for consideration at one meeting of the General Assembly shall be voted on at a subsequent meeting of the General Assembly.
- All endorsements shall require a two-thirds majority in the General Assembly.
- Following any endorsement, the chapter shall create a working group to facilitate campaign activities.
- In the event of multiple endorsed candidates, this working group may facilitate activities for multiple campaigns.
- This working group shall be responsible for managing the budget and fundraising activities for GBDSA’s part in the campaign as well as performing all regulatory activities associated with GBDSA’s part in the campaign.
- The chapter shall abide by all Federal Election Commission requirements for 501(c)4 organizations for electoral activity.
Candidates
- To be eligible for endorsement, Candidates must be members in good standing of the chapter.
- The chapter shall prioritize members of the Chapter with a history of active involvement for endorsement.
- The chapter shall prioritize candidates from historically marginalized groups for endorsement.
- Candidates seeking endorsement shall complete the Candidate Questionnaire provided by the National Electoral Committee. This questionnaire may be amended by the Steering Committee.
- Candidates must disclose all sources of income to the chapter when seeking endorsement
- Candidates shall attend at least 1 meeting with the Steering Committee with no less than one hour total allocated for questions from the Steering Committee.
- Candidates shall attend at least 2 meetings open to chapter membership with no less than one hour total allocated for questions from chapter members.
- Upon endorsement by the chapter, the chapter will seek national endorsement for all candidates.
- Candidates shall openly identify as Socialists or Democratic Socialists throughout their campaign including but not limited to literature, voter guides, websites, yard signs, and social media bios.
- Candidates shall promote DSA as a political project, along with the ‘Workers Deserve More’ national platform.
- Candidates shall recruit membership for the chapter, support the activities of the chapter beyond their own campaign, and share campaign data with the chapter to support its activities.
- If elected, Candidates shall meet quarterly with the Chapter Socialists In Office Committee if the Chapter establishes one, or an alternative body designated by the chapter Steering Committee if one is not established yet.
- If elected, Candidates shall hold at least one town hall per year open to all Chapter members where members are able to directly ask questions of the Candidate.
- Candidates shall not cross any of the “Red Lines for Endorsement” described in this policy.
Non-endorsed Candidates
- Members of the chapter may run for office without endorsement
- Non-endorsed candidates shall not associate their campaign with the chapter or the national organization
- Associating an non-endorsed campaign with the chapter or the national organization is grounds for expulsion from the chapter and will be referred to the national organization for expulsion
- Non-endorsed candidates may not use chapter spaces or resources to recruit for their campaign.
- Violation of this policy will be treated as a violation of the DSA code of conduct and will be subject to disciplinary action.
Red Lines for Endorsement
- Candidates shall be anti-Zionist in accordance with the GBDSA Resolution: For an Anti-Zionist Greater Baltimore DSA in both Principle and Practice and the 2025 National Convention Resolution R22: For A Fighting Anti-Zionist DSA
- Candidates shall support anti-carceral solutions for public safety, and must vote against all increases to police budgets when up for consideration
- Candidates shall vote against all increases in military or national security spending
- Candidates shall not be current members of the military or employed by national security agencies
- Candidates shall not work in the defense or national security industry
- Candidates shall not be current law enforcement, prosecutors, correctional officers, or other professions that directly enable the carceral system
- Candidates shall not own and rent property they do not live in.
Revoking Endorsement
- Candidates may have their endorsement revoked for violating any portion of this endorsement policy, the DSA national code of conduct, or for acting in their official capacity in ways that are not aligned to the values of The Chapter.
- To begin the revocation process, three chapter members must bring the request to the Steering Committee
- Prior to the revocation request being forwarded to the General Assembly for consideration, the Steering Committee must approve the request by majority vote
- The endorsement will be revoked if the candidate cannot reach a two-thirds majority in the General Assembly to retain the endorsement.