Endorsement Instructions

**UPDATED ENDORSEMENT INFORMATION**

After reviewing the logistics of our original timeline, we’ve made a few adjustments to ensure the process remains fair, transparent, and workable for both candidates and our volunteers on the Endorsement Committee.

Our initial plan was to delay final endorsement/approval decisions until after the May 8 filing deadline so that all candidates—early filers, late filers, and incumbents—would have an equal opportunity to participate.  While that approach was ideal in theory, a review of our bylaws and the Secretary of State’s deadlines makes this original path unworkable in practice in a way that would be helpful to candidates. 

Candidates often seek endorsements early so they can use them in campaign materials, fundraising, and potentially in their voter pamphlet statements.  At the same time, our bylaws require a multi‑step process: questionnaire review, a potential interview with the Endorsement Committee (which is run by volunteers), recommendations from the Endorsement Committee to the LD 26 Executive Board, and finally a vote of the general membership.

Because voter pamphlet statements are due to the Secretary of State on May 19, 2026, and our last general membership meeting before that deadline is May 7, 2026, waiting until after filing week would not leave enough time to complete this process in a meaningful way.  We have revamped the timeline, and hope that this is a workable approach for all involved.

Updated Timeline

• Questionnaire due date for early endorsement consideration: April 8, 2026.
  Candidates who have already submitted are on track; we will reach out soon if an interview is needed.
• Interviews must be completed for early endorsement consideration: April 24, 2026.
  Candidates who submit after April 8 may still be considered, but only if interviews can be completed by this date.
• Final general membership meeting before pamphlet deadline: May 7, 2026

After April 24

If we are unable to interview a candidate by April 24—including those who file during filing week—the most that LD 26 can offer is an “approval” at a future general membership meeting.  Our bylaws do not allow dual endorsements. However, any approved candidate who advances through the primary would automatically receive an endorsement for the general election.

A Final Note Regarding Endorsement

Our standing committee rules and bylaws do not require the Committee to interview every candidate, and they may at their discretion submit recommendations to the Executive Board regarding candidates they believe should receive endorsement.  This includes even before April 24, 2026.  This is not common practice, but may be employed in situations in which the Committee believes that incumbents or unelected candidates already known well enough to the membership meet the qualifications of early endorsement, even if there are potentially other candidates in the race. 

This approach will be rarely used, and these recommendations may be sent back to the Committee from the Executive Board for a continuation of the standard operating process.  

We appreciate your understanding with all of these changes and clarifications to our existing rules. 

Questionnaires

Please return the form as soon as possible.

Completed Endorsements

Once completed, these forms may be sent to 26th LD Democrats by email to 26thdemocrats@gmail.com.

You will be contacted by a representative of our organization shortly thereafter to confirm receipt of your forms.

Any questions regarding the process should be submitted to 26thdemocrats@gmail.com

Please note: Endorsement/approval from the 26th LD Democrats is limited to our organization only. There is a separate endorsement process for Pierce County Democrats and Kitsap County Democrats.

updated: March 28, 2026