Project Description

The Jewish Vote endorsement processes

STEP ONE / Opening up an Endorsement Process: The Steering Committee of The Jewish Vote decides which races to consider for endorsements. Factors we consider include:

  • Do we have a base in the district?

  • Are allied organizations and movements also considering or actively organizing as part of this race?

  • Are there candidates in the race our members are excited to learn more about?

  • Is there a key Jewish role that needs to be played in the race? 

  • Does endorsing in this race set us up for our strategy in 2023, 2024, and beyond?

The Jewish Vote is pleased to invite members of JFREJ to participate. JFREJ members can bring proposals and recommendations for candidates and races to the TJV steering committee by filling out this form (click here).

 

STEP TWO / Questionnaire & Interviews: The Jewish Vote Steering Committee will invite candidates for selected races to submit a questionnaire and join us for a candidate forum. Interviews will be held in several open fora and all dues-paying JFREJ members will be invited to participate.

 


STEP THREE / Voting: After questionnaires have been submitted and interviews completed, members will deliberate and then vote in a straw poll on the endorsement. To vote in our process, you must be a JFREJ member in good standing, participate in interviews, and affirm our endorsement principles. The results of the vote will go to the steering committee of The Jewish Vote, which will send the final slate of proposed endorsements to the 2022 Endorsement Team.


STEP FOUR / Endorsement Team: The Endorsement Team is made up of: two reps from the JFREJ Board; two reps from the TJV Steering Committee; one rep from the Jews of Color Caucus; one rep from the Poor & Working Class Caucus; one rep from the Mizrahi/Sephardi Caucus; one rep from the Disability Caucus; one rep from the Caring Majority Campaign Leadership Team; and one rep from the Freedom to Thrive Campaign Leadership Team. The Endorsement Team is the representative decision-making body for all candidate endorsements. After wider membership has conducted interviews and voted in straw polls, the Endorsement Team makes the final decision on our slate of endorsed candidates. All endorsements require a supermajority (7 out of 11) to be approved.

 

The above endorsements process is for new candidates. For incumbent endorsements, The Jewish Vote Steering Committee examines legislators’ records and determines if their votes and decisions while in office align with our principles.