During election years (2008, 2010, etc.), ECDC will consider endorsing candidates or issues at stake in the election. In order to do this, the group sponsors meetings with the candidates and public debates about ballot initiatives. ECDC also organizes Democrats to have an effect on the outcome of the election, by coordinating members in an effort to spread ECDC's ballot recommendations to voters in every precinct of the El Cerrito-Kensington area

This page presents the major activities of ECDC during elections, which you can link to below:


ECDC Endorsements For The June 3, 2008 Primary

El Cerrito Democratic Club
ENDORSEMENTS FOR THE JUNE 3, 2008 PRIMARY

Office Or MeasureECDC Action
7th Senate DistrictMark De Saulnier
9th Senate DistrictLoni Hancock
Proposition 98 No
Proposition 99 Yes
14th Assembly District No Endorsement


Where To Vote: Your sample ballot will have the location of your polling place. But if it is not available, you can find your voting location by:

  • Visiting the Contra Costa County Election Department on the web at http://www.cocovote.us (and click on “Polling Place and Sample Ballot Look Up” Tab).
  • Contact El Cerrito Democratic Club President, Hilary Crosby at 510-375-5647.

Making ECDC Endorsements A Reality


Usually before every national, state or local election, ECDC calls on its members to help provide copies of ECDC's election endorsements and recommendations to voters in El Cerrito and Kensington. ECDC's ballot recommendations are effective only if its members are able to spread the club's message for election day. ECDC prepares a short ballot guide that is distributed to Democratic and Independent voters.

Many members of ECDC typically volunteer to distribute the ECDC election guide to their neighbors -- committing to dropping off the guide on the doorsteps of between 50 and 100 households in their neighborhood. Generally, a member can get assigned a precinct near to where they live and distribute the ballot recommendations to neighbors.

Each precinct walk generally covers about 50 residences. Many members sign up to do more than one precinct. In the February 2008 Presidential Primary, ECDC distributed all of its ballot recommendation fliers to democratic voters in El Cerrito and Kensington.

For the June 3, 2008 Primary Election, ECDC will do precinct walking in El Cerrito and Kensington beginning in early May. You can sign up to walk a precinct at the following Link:

Sign Up Here Do Your Part: Precinct-Walk

ECDC President Hilary Crosby is coordinating precinct walkers, to ensure that there is no overlap in coverage. Materials to be distributed to democratic households in the precinct one chooses to walk will be available by May 3, 2008. Because nearly 40% of the voters in El Cerrito vote by mail, ECDC urges walkers to cover their precincts early in May, if possible, rather on the Memorial-day weekend or a few days before the June primary. The materials for a walk can be picked up at 1001 Elm Court, El Cerrito.

For volunteers to distribute the guide, ECDC supplies a walking list, a small map, and ECDC election guide fliers. Each volunteer decides how much time and when they are free to walk around their neighborhood, leaving information at progressive voter's residences. A typical neighborhood walk could take between one to two hours. Generally, ECDC members cover almost every precinct in Kensington and El Cerrito. For ECDC members who would have a difficult time walking, ECDC has other things they can do from home or that aren't too strenuous.

ECDC's ballot recommendations are effective only if its members are able to spread the club's message for election day. The ECDC precinct walk is a return to "grass roots" politics. It is one important action taken by ECDC to achieve the vision outlined by Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean for restoring a progressive agenda for America:

“Election by election, state by state, precinct by precinct, door by door, vote by vote…we’re going to lift our Party up to take this country back for the people who built it.”


How ECDC Decides Endorsements


Prior to every election in the El Cerrito-Kensington area of Contra Costa County, California, ECDC considers whether to endorse federal, state, or local candidates, or to take a position on state or local ballot measures. ECDC does this through use of a forum or forums where members have an opportunity to educate themselves about the candidates and issues. ECDC then votes on whether to make endorsement or election recommendations. The procedures used to decide this are set out by ECDC Endorsement Standing Rules.

To request that ECDC consider a specific ballot issue or candidate, you can send a letter or email to ECDC stating 1) the candidate or issue in which you are interested, 2) your relation, if any, to the candidate or issue (e.g., are you a campaign member? an interested citizen? etc.); and 3) how to contact you. Use the Contact Page to suggest any particular endorsement by ECDC.

As of April 2008 ECDC has completed its endorsements for the June 3, 2008 Primary Election. The next period in which endorsements will again be an issue for ECDC will be in the fall, when the group will consider candidates and measures on the November 2008 general election ballot.


Information On June 3 Election Candidates And Issues


14th Assembly District Candidates

Phil Polakoff – Assembly Seat for 14th Assembly District

ECDC Made No Endorsement In the 14th Assembly District Race

Dr. Polakoff, Democratic candidate,14th Assembly District, spent his life improving our health, protecting our environment, and championing our civil and human rights. He now wants to put his life experiences to work for the people of his Assembly District, and all Californians.

  • President of his medical school class at Wayne State University in Detroit. While there, he became actively involved in New Detroit, the community-based organization tasked with re-building the city after the race riots of 1967.
  • Worked for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health investigating work sites throughout the country for potential health hazards.
  • Earned a Masters’ Degree in Public Health from UC Berkeley, where he was active in the anti-war movement and worked for equal opportunity in education, health and employment.
  • Formed a non-profit health and environmental organization that screened and treated East Bay shipyard and longshoreworkers exposed to asbestos and other toxics.
  • Was a family practitioner for over 20 years in the East Bay.
  • Served as Senior Consultant to the California Legislature on health care, job safety, worker’s compensation and employment policy issues.
  • Served as President/CEO of his own successful consulting firm that was engaged in improving health care by expanding patient access to nurses.
  • Developed computer technologies that improve treatment while controlling costs.
  • Wrote a nationally syndicated column for consumers, authored several health related books, lectured at U.C. Berkeley and Stanford and hosted a weekly radio show.
  • Has lived in the East Bay for over 35 years
  • Served as President of the Claremont Elmwood Neighborhood Association, Director of the League to Save Lake Tahoe, Director of Group, a local drug abuse rehabilitation program, and is a lifelong member of the Sierra Club.
  • He and his wife, Nancy Pfund, have a son Elliott, a college freshman and a daughter Camilla, a high school sophomore
Nancy Skinner – Assembly Seat for 14th Assembly District
ECDC Made No Endorsement In the 14th Assembly District Race

A 35-year East Bay resident, Nancy Skinner is a grassroots activist with a long record of public and community service. Nancy is currently on the East Bay Regional Parks Board, where she has worked to protect open space and expand District programs for schools and residents of West Contra Costa County.

Nancy was a leader in UC’s Anti-Apartheid movement and helped found AGSE, the union of graduate student employees. Elected to the Berkeley City Council in 1984 Nancy initiated groundbreaking policies such as Berkeley’s energy efficiency ordinances and waterfront protections that led to Eastshore State Park. Nancy’s introduction of Berkeley’s 1988 Styrofoam ban, first in the nation, sparked McDonald’s to stop Styrofoam throughout the US.

Restoring California’s leadership in education and rejecting the criminalization of our youth are the core of Nancy’s run for AD14. Nancy will be an activist legislator, confronting the structural inequities in California’s budget system and challenging the legislature’s refusal to raise necessary revenues.

Nancy can get things done. An active parent in Berkeley’s schools, she has a Masters in Education and worked to pass Berkeley’s school parcel tax. On the local board of the National Women’s Political Caucus, Nancy has helped elect numerous women candidates. Nancy is a nationally renowned leader in the fight against global warming and launched Cities for Climate Protection — the US movement of Mayors and cities. Nancy will ensure that California enacts a carbon fee to produce new revenues, promote clean energy and enhance our economy.

Nancy is committed to be the channel through which community organizations throughout AD 14 can have their needs and issues addressed. She welcomes legislative proposals from progressive leadership throughout AD14. Nancy is honored to be endorsed by our outstanding Assemblymember Loni Hancock, former Assemblymembers Dion Aroner and Tom Bates, as well as many other local leaders.

Tony Thurmond – Assembly Seat for 14th Assembly District
ECDC Made No Endorsement In the 14th Assembly District Race

I am honored to ask to be your Democratic candidate for the 14th Assembly District. As a Richmond councilmember and your neighbor in Contra Costa County, I am excited to take on the challenges in our neighborhood such as protecting our environment, improving education, and fighting for universal health care. As the former chair of the West Contra Costa County Democratic Coordinated Club, I know how important it is to elect progressive candidates to fight for the needs of our citizens.

As a husband and father I know how important it is to help families and working people in the district. That’s why I work as Executive Director of a Non-profit Organization in Alameda County that provides oversight and mentoring to help former foster youth make successful transitions into adulthood. I have raised more than $1 million to support emancipated foster youth in Alameda County, and helped allocate nearly $1 million in funding to support child abuse prevention efforts in Contra Costa County. I’ll fight for all the children, families and working people in the 14th Assembly District.

Our community and our nation need change more than ever if we are to recover from an illegitimate war and those who profited from our dependence on oil while the environment suffers. Let’s not wait for the changes we hope to see. Join me now and help bring change to the 14th district to our community and our state.

Thank you, Tony Thurmond

Chris Worthington – Assembly Seat for 14th Assembly District
ECDC Made No Endorsement In the 14th Assembly District Race

I am a Democrat with Backbone, and a people person (a Progressive, Effective, Original, Practical, Leader, with Experience).

PROGRESSIVE: I was inspired by the Civil Rights and Peace movements to become an activist at age 14. I consistently challenge racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, ageism, class-ism, hate crimes, prejudice and discrimination and I repeatedly offer positive suggestions of solutions.

EFFECTIVE: One study showed my extraordinarily effective 98% success rate at introducing hundreds of pieces of progressive legislation and seeing them through to success. First man in history honored by the COSOW for outstanding service to women getting hired, appointed, and elected.

ORIGINAL: My original well-researched budget proposals won millions of dollars for affordable housing, education, seniors, labor, health care, youth, and public-transit. My coalition building skills united unlikely allies fighting for jobs, and social justice.

PRACTICAL: My professional career: day care teacher, caregiver, running home for mentally retarded adults, homeless women’s shelter, food coop, and housing coop. I was local Sierra Club Chair, NAACP, and NOW Board member. Raised more money than any other progressive Council district candidate, and won, against $125,000 and a corporate PAC attack.

LEADER: I have PROVEN PROGRESSIVE LEADERSHIP as the only candidate who served in a divided government with a “moderate” executive and a “liberal” legislative body. We need a Democrat with Backbone to stand up to Arnold, and to encourage other Democrats to stand up to him too.

EXPERIENCE: Forty years of activism. Elected workload includes the most bills, immense individual problem casework, continued community activism, and service on ten regional bodies.

INDEPENDENT: I strongly opposed incumbents’ support for 40,000 more prison beds, which would have taken billions of dollars from education.

To learn more about why I am the Democrat with Backbone YOU need in Sacramento, call me at 548-8796 or check out: www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/Council7 and www.krissworthington.com

Senate District Candidates


Mark DeSaulnier – Senate District 7
Mr. DeSaulnier was Endorsed by ECDC in the 7th Senate District Race

Mark DeSaulnier has proudly served Contra Costa County as Supervisor and State Assemblymember, advocating for children, universal health care,transportation improvements, and protection for our natural resources.

Throughout his decade of service on the California Air Resources Board, he has been a strong advocate for the environment and was the first elected official in the Bay Area to receive the prestigious Green Business Award from the Bay Area Green Business Program. As such, he has the endorsements of the Sierra Club and the California League of Conservation Voters.

DeSaulnier authored 40 bills and coauthored an additional 29 bills for the 2007-2008 Legislative Session. His bills address the need to fight truancy among school children and increase access to preschool, to prevent suicide and childhood obesity, to reduce pollution of our environment, to better manage state-wide growth and to create opportunities for at-risk youth.

As your Senator, he will continue to fight for working families, protect our environment, improve local air quality and reduce crime and gun violence. In particular, he will be absolutely dedicated to expanding access to affordable healthcare to the millions of people, particularly children, who are currently uninsured.

Make no mistake; DeSaulnier knows these are challenging times. “The sad fact is we have spent over $1 trillion on a disastrous war in Iraq and have ignored critical issues here at home. We must work together to defeat George W. Bush and put an end to this war and bring our troops and resources home,” said DeSaulnier.

We need leaders who will stand up for progressive values and stand up for our local communities. I hope El Cerrito Democrats will stand with me. DeSaulnier has already garnered the endorsements of Congressman George Miller, Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher, Senator Tom Torlakson, and numerous local leaders. Visit www.markdesaulnier.com for more information.

Wilma Chan – Senate District 9

Assemblywoman Wilma Chan has been an outspoken advocate on behalf of California’s children and their families.

During her six years in the Assembly, Wilma focused her legislative attention on progressive issues that matter to all of us: access to quality health care, expanded educational opportunities, affordable housing, living wage jobs, senior services, environmental health and economic development.

Wilma Chan Gets Things Done. She authored and passed more than 55 bills into law including:

  • Increased access to pre-school through a $100 million budget allocation
  • Stopped hospitals from price gouging lower and middle income families without insurance
  • Passed legislation to make plumbing fixtures safer – making California first in the nation
  • Passed legislation to ban hazardous PBDE chemicals – again, putting California first
  • Authored landmark legislation to expand health coverage to 800,000 uninsured children (vetoed) and is strong supporter of Universal Healthcare (single payer)

Wilma Chan Leads With a Purpose. Wilma has distinguished herself as a leader who stays focused on the issues. She works tirelessly to build consensus to get things done – not an easy task in Sacramento – and served as: Assembly Majority Whip

Assembly Majority Leader – first woman & first Asian American to hold that position Chair, Assembly Committee on Health

Wilma Chan Knows What It Takes. Wilma has served as a local elected official. As a Member of Alameda County Board of Supervisors and Trustee of Oakland Board of Education, she knows what it takes to make a difference in education, health care, and economic development.

Wilma holds a B.A. from Wellesley and a Masters Degree in Education Policy from Stanford University. Since being termed out of the Assembly in 2006, Wilma has been teaching at UC Berkeley.

Wilma Chan has endorsed Barack Obama for President and is a member of his state leadership group. For more information visit www.wilmachan.org or call 510-464-1077.

Loni Hancock – Senate District 9
Ms. Hancock was Endorsed by ECDC in the 9th Senate District Race

From serving as one of President Clinton’s top education officials to two terms as the first woman elected Mayor of Berkeley to three terms in the Assembly, Loni Hancock has spent more than three decades as a progressive advocate for top-quality schools, responsive government, and social justice. As Chair of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee for the past three years, she co-authored landmark legislation to create an enforceable cap on greenhouse gases, and helped make California a leader in the fight against climate change. That’s why Loni is endorsed by the Sierra Club and League of Conservation Voters.

In the 1990s, she led the Clinton Administration’s efforts in four western states to launch after-school, college preparation, and early reading programs. On the Assembly Education Committee, Loni authored California’s exciting new law to improve hands-on learning and reduce California’s unacceptably high dropout rate.

As the author of the California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act, she pushed to get special interest money out of state elections through a publicly financed system based on successful models in Arizona and Maine. Loni helped lead efforts to adopt universal healthcare in California and fought to protect our social safety net. She has the endorsement of the California Nurses Association.

As a State Senator, she’ll use her experience in local, state, and national government to fight for universal healthcare, stricter environmental protections, and better schools.

Loni’s endorsers include:

  • U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee, George Miller, and Ellen Tauscher
  • State Senator Don Perata, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, Assemblymember Sandré Swanson, and over 25 other Senators and Assemblymembers
  • Many of the Mayors, City Council Members, County Supervisors, School Board Members and other elected officials throughout the Senate District.

Judicial Elections

Originally the June 3 primary ballot was to place before voters the names of nine current judges of the Contra Costa County Superior Court:
  • Contra Costa County Superior Court, District 1: Patricia Scanlon (I)
  • Contra Costa County Superior Court, District 2: George Spanos (I)
  • Contra Costa County Superior Court, District 3: Charles Treat (I)
  • Contra Costa County Superior Court, District 4: Lewis Davis (I)
  • Contra Costa County Superior Court, District 5: Suzanne Fenstermacher (I)
  • Contra Costa County Superior Court, District 6: Diana Smith (I)
  • Contra Costa County Superior Court, District 7: Harlan Grossman (I)
  • Contra Costa County Superior Court, District 8: Cheryl Mills (I)
  • Contra Costa County Superior Court, District 9: Bruce Mills (I)

However, this election was canceled because no one filed to contest the currently sitting judges. California has 58 trial courts – known as the Superior Courts - one in each county. In these superior courts, a judge or jury hears witnesses' testimony and other evidence. These local courts hear all criminal cases in California, including felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic matters. They also consider all civil cases including family law, probate, juvenile, and general civil matters. Nearly 8.8. million cases were filed in the trial courts throughout California during 1998-1999.

While there are 58 Superior Courts in the state, they all apply the same state law and also same and rules of evidence and procedure. This differs from the federal trial court that covers Contra Costa County - the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (located in San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose). The federal court applies federal law as well as its own rules of evidence - the Federal Rules of Evidence (which can be found and downloaded from the Federal Evidence Review.

California Propositions

Two competing propositions are on the June 3, 2008 ballot. As explained by the San Jose Mercury News :

"The abuse of eminent domain powers for private profit by everything from shopping mall developers to sports team owners has led to competing initiatives in California. The conservative one, Proposition 98, would even ban rent control, but the other, Proposition 99, would merely restrict private abuse of eminent domain. At present there is overwhelming support for the latter, which means that even if Proposition 98 also wins, 99 will rule the day."


ECDC Recommends:
PropositionECDC Recommendation
Proposition 98No
Proposition 99Yes

ECDC Discussion Of The Propositions: At its March 2008 meeting ECDC considered two state propositions – 98 and 99 – which will appear on the June ballot in addition to these Senate and Assembly District contests. At the meeting Norman LaForce spoke and emphasized that Prop 98, in the tradition of the Jarvis-Gann initiatives and heavily (but quietly) backed by entrenched forces of commercial property, actually would do more than limit eminent domain and roll back residential rent control; it’s an opening salvo in a comprehensive attempt to “privatize private property,” and might ultimately deny the state government any influence over real estate. As presented, it’s very deceptive legislation. ECDC resoundingly voted not to endorse it. The Club did endorse Prop 99, a much more specific restriction on eminent domain originally introduced by the League of California Cities.

More On Proposition 98 [ECDC Recommends A "NO" Vote]

  • Copy of the proposition is available at the California Secretary of State Office.
  • Analysis of the proposition is available from the State Legislative Analyst's Office.
  • Main sponsors: Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, California Farm Bureau and the California Alliance to Protect Private Property Rights. ECDC voted to oppose Proposition 98.
  • No private property can be taken by eminent domain for private use such as building a shopping center, auto mall or industrial park.
  • Government could not seize private property and then use it in the same way the private owner did. For example, government could not buy an apartment building and use it for housing.
  • Prohibits government from using eminent domain to sell the natural resources.
  • Prohibits cities and counties from enacting new rent-control ordinances and slowly phases out existing ordinances on residential units and mobile home parks when tenants move out.
  • Government cannot pass regulations that reduce the economic value of property. For example, developers would no longer be required to provide affordable housing units in new subdivisions or condo developments.
  • Allows government to seize property to reduce public nuisances or Advertisement criminal activity or during a state of an emergency.
  • If a public agency takes property and abandons its plans, the property must be offered for sale to the original owner at the original price

More On Proposition 99 [ECDC Recommends A "YES Vote]
  • Copy of the proposition is available at the California Secretary of State Office.
  • Analysis of the proposition is available from the State Legislative Analyst's Office.
  • Main sponsors: League of California Cities and the California League of Conservation Voters. ECDC Endorsed Proposition 99.
  • Prohibits government agencies from using eminent domain to take an owner-occupied home and transfer it to another private owner or developer.
  • An owner must have lived in the residence for at least one year.
  • Homes could be seized to protect public health and safety, prevent serious and repeated criminal activity, respond to an emergency or remedy an environmental contamination that poses a threat to public health and safety.
  • Does not apply to eminent domain proceedings initiated by government agencies 180 days after June 3.
  • Voids Proposition 98 if more voters support Proposition 99. If they both pass, but Proposition 98 gets more votes, both measures would be in effect.

ECDC Standing Rules On Endorsements

In the process of making endorsements, ECDC is guided by its Standing Rules for Endorsements. A copy of the rules follows below:

El Cerrito Democratic Club (ECDC)

ECDC Standing Rules on Endorsement Procedures


Effective: August 26, 2003

ECDC may endorse candidates for public office, take action on ballot issues, and contribute to political campaigns according to the procedures set by the ECDC Bylaws and these ECDC Standing Rules.

A. Definitions. As used in these rules:

  1. "Action" on a ballot issue means endorsement or disapproval. However, ECDC may also decide to take no position on a ballot issue or not to consider a ballot issue, which are not considered "actions".
  2. "Ballot Issue" means an initiative, referendum or measure placed before voters.
  3. "Candidate" means a person seeking elected public office. There are various types of elected public offices, as specified in Chart A of these standing rules.
  4. "Candidates’ Forum" means an ECDC meeting at which 1) candidates or representatives of candidates are heard and questioned and/or 2) reports and recommendations are made regarding the election of candidates. The type of Forum for a particular office is specified in Chart A of these standing rules.
  5. "Democrat" means a person whose voter registration reflects that he or she is a member of the Democratic Party at least 30 days prior to a Candidates’ Forum.
  6. "ECDC member" or "member" means a Democrat listed for at least 30 days on the membership roll of ECDC who is current in payment of ECDC dues.
  7. "Election" is either a "general" or "special" election, in which voters make a final selection of candidates for elected public office and/or determine ballot issues, or a "primary" in which candidates are selected by the Democratic Party as nominees for Legislative and State/Federal offices.
  8. "Endorsement meeting" means an ECDC meeting to which members have received notice that ECDC will vote on whether to endorse candidates. This is held after or concurrent with a candidate’s forum.

B. Candidate Endorsements:
  1. 1. Election Schedule: By August of each year, the Executive Board will identify offices to be filled in any elections scheduled for the next calendar year. Based on this information the Board will present, no later than at the September ECDC meeting, a tentative schedule for candidates’ forum(s) and endorsement meeting(s), if any, for the next calendar year. Unless rejected by ECDC or later amended, this schedule governs the timing of ECDC endorsement determinations. In addition, members will receive notice of the date, place and time for a candidates’ forum or an endorsement meeting, in the ECDC News or otherwise, mailed at least ten days prior to the meetings.
  2. 2. Scope of Candidates’ Forums: Unless otherwise directed by ECDC, the nature of any particular candidates’ forum will reflect the Forum Type specified by Chart A.
  3. 3. Notice of Candidates’ Forums. ECDC shall provide notice to candidates eligible to participate in a forum as specified in Chart A. The notice shall include a copy of these Standing Rules on Endorsement Procedures and shall invite the candidate to provide written material for those attending the meeting. .
  4. 4. ECDC Endorsement. ECDC may endorse a candidate for elected public office when:
    1. a. five days have passed from the deadline for filing a statement of intention, if applicable, and if not applicable, filing for the office;
    2. b. notice has been provided to Democratic candidates as required by section B.3 (Notice of Candidates’ Forums) of these standing rules;
    3. c. the candidate is a Democrat;
    4. d. at least 15% of ECDC membership are eligible to vote in the election for which the candidate is to be endorsed; and
    5. e. the endorsed candidate receives an affirmative vote of at least 60% of the members present and voting, but not less than 5% of the membership or 10 members, whichever is greater.

    5. ECDC Endorsement Voting:

    1. Date for Endorsement Vote: An endorsement vote should not occur before members have an opportunity to hear about the candidates at a candidates’ forum.
    2. Candidate Endorsement: Before an endorsement vote occurs, members should have a reasonable opportunity to present and hear arguments for and against endorsement of candidates.
    3. Method of Voting: All members present at the endorsement meeting are eligible to vote on all endorsements. Balloting on candidates for the primary for legislative offices, or for traditionally-endorsed or regional offices shall be by secret ballot. All votes for other elected public office endorsements shall be by show of hands, unless a secret ballot for that particular office is approved by the ECDC at a meeting prior to the date of the endorsement vote. All voting shall contain the option of "no" endorsement for any office. If a member votes for no endorsement, that vote is to be counted in the total present and voting. For each office in which endorsement is considered, the voting shall consider only candidates who are Democrats.
    4. Voting Administration: The Executive Board shall select a member to act as a judge for the election. The election judge shall administer the process for voting, arrange for the format, printing and security of the ballots, and shall monitor the fairness of the voting. The election judge shall enlist other members to help administer and count the vote, ensuring that members of opposing candidates’ campaigns have the same opportunity to assist.

    6. Endorsement Voting Methods for the secret ballot shall be as follows:

    1. Where the number of Democratic candidates does not exceed the number of seats to be filled in the election for an office, all candidates meeting the requirements of Section B.4 (ECDC Endorsement) shall be endorsed.
    2. When the number of Democratic candidates exceeds the number of seats to be filled, ECDC shall determine endorsement through use of a ranked-choice or instant runoff ballot. Before such balloting, the ECDC election judge shall explain to members how ECDC’s ranked-choice or "instant runoff" voting method works.
      1. The Ballot: The ballot shall allow members to rank candidates in order of preference. When there are several seats open for Democratic candidates, the ballot will allow members to vote as many first choices in a race as there are open seats; however, a member cannot give the same candidate more than one vote.
      2. Endorsement Count: The ballot count will proceed as follows:
        (i) only first-preference rankings are counted as an affirmative vote, and
        (ii) once the first place votes on all ballots are counted and those gaining 60% affirmative vote determined, only one instant run off count will occur for those seats where no candidate received 60%. The candidate(s) receiving the lowest number of votes before the runoff will be eliminated and the ballots designating the eliminated candidates as the first preference will be transferred to the candidate marked next in preference.
      3. Endorsement Determination: All candidates meeting the requirements of Section B.4 (ECDC Endorsement) shall be endorsed.

      7. Endorsement Voting Methods for non-secret voting (show of hands) shall be as follows:

      1. Show of Hands: Voting on candidates for the general election for legislative offices, or for State /Federal office, or judicial office (as indicated on Chart A of these standing rules) shall be by show of hands and in conformity with Section B.5(c) (Method of Voting).
      2. Show of Hands Runoff: If upon a show of hands vote no candidate(s) receive(s) the votes necessary to endorse, one runoff will be conducted as follows:
        a) if there are more than two Democratic candidates for a seat, a runoff election between the two candidates with the most votes shall be conducted.
        b) if an office has multiple seats to be elected and for at least one seat no candidate received the votes necessary to endorse, a runoff will be conducted by eliminating the candidate(s) with the least number of votes.
        c) In any show of hands balloting or runoff, all candidates meeting the requirements of Section B.4 (ECDC Endorsement) shall be endorsed.

      C. Ballot Issue Actions

      1. Schedule: Action on a ballot issue can be considered by members only after notice is provided to members of the date, place and time for considering endorsement of the ballot issue(s) in the ECDC News or otherwise, mailed at least ten days prior to the meeting. Before taking action, members shall have a reasonable opportunity to present and hear arguments for and against taking action.

      2. ECDC Action: ECDC may take an action on a ballot issue when:

      1. notice has been provided to members as required by Section C.1 (Schedule).
      2. at least 15% of ECDC membership are eligible to vote in the election on the ballot issue; and
      3. the proposed action receives an affirmative vote of at least 60% of the members present and voting, but not less than 5% of the membership or 10 members, whichever is greater.

      3. Voting Method: All members present at the meeting are eligible to vote on a ballot issue. The vote shall be by show of hands, unless a secret ballot is approved by ECDC at a meeting prior to the date of the vote. It will be conducted by the presiding officer, with the assistance of other members as the presiding officer may consider appropriate. Members will be asked to: a) endorse, b) oppose, or c) take no position. If the requirements of C.2 (ECDC Action) are met, ECDC will have acted to take a position. If the requirements of C.2 are not met, ECDC will have taken no position.

    D. Contributions to Political Campaigns

    1. ECDC Contribution: ECDC may contribute money to a political campaign when:

    1. notice has been provided to members of the date, place and time for considering a political contribution in the ECDC News or otherwise, mailed at least ten days prior to the meeting. Such notice shall specify the amount to be contributed and the expected impact of such contribution on the ECDC budget,
    2. ECDC previously endorsed the candidate or issue to which a contribution is proposed, pursuant to sections B or C of these standing rules; and
    3. at least 60% of the members present and voting, but not less than 5% of the membership or 10 members, whichever is greater, affirmatively vote to contribute.

    2. Voting Method: All members present are eligible to vote on a contribution to a political campaign. The vote shall be by show of hands, unless a secret ballot is approved by ECDC. The vote to be put to members regarding any contribution shall be to: a) contribute the proposed amount; b) oppose the contribution; or c) take no position. The vote will be conducted by the presiding officer, with the assistance of other members as the presiding officer may consider appropriate.