WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO SEEK ENDORSEMENT BY THE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE OF LOWER MERION AND NARBERTH?
Every spring, Pennsylvania holds a primary election in which the Democratic Party elects the candidates that will represent them in the general election in the fall. The process for seeking the Democratic Party’s endorsement runs from January through May each year, ahead of the spring primary.
The primary election cycle begins with an open call from DCLMN—any Democrat interested in running can take part by filling out and submitting a candidate interest form, found on DCLMN’s website. Candidates running for school board are encouraged to review the Pennsylvania School Board Association Candidate Guide, including eligibility, before pursuing a candidacy for School Board Director.
The first step after applying is for candidates to meet with the Candidate Recruitment Committee (CRC) for an interview to introduce themselves, share their experience and priorities as well as answer informational questions about themselves and their background. These conversations help the CRC members get to know each candidate and inform a written report shared by the CRC with the full DCLMN Committee, which may include endorsement recommendations.
Throughout the process, candidates are encouraged to engage with community members and elected committee people, both individually and at DCLMN events which will include two DCLMN candidate forums in the primary cycle, one focused on School Board Director and the other on Lower Merion Township Commissioner.
Only candidates whose names appear on the ballot will be eligible for DCLMN’s endorsement. It is the candidate’s responsibility to collect signatures from registered Democratic voters eligible to vote for the seat they are seeking and submit the required petitions to appear on the ballot. Key petition deadlines can be found in the link HERE.
Shortly after Pennsylvania’s March 16, 2027 petition period ends, the committee will hold an endorsement meeting in order to determine which candidates, if any, will be endorsed by the Committee. The endorsement process for the DCLMN is covered in detail in Article VIII of our bylaws. The date of such meeting will be determined by the committee each year which is based on the timing of the petition period set by the state.
Endorsements are decided by a vote of over 90 committee people who were elected to represent their precincts. Committee people dedicate significant time to learning about each candidate, gathering input from constituents, and asking direct questions of the candidates. A candidate must earn at least 60% support of members present and voting. If there are one or more positions for which the 60% threshold is not reached, there will be no endorsement for those positions.
WHAT ARE COMMITTEE PEOPLES’ RESPONSIBILITIES TO ENDORSED CANDIDATES?
It is the duty of all committee people and DCLMN to actively and meaningfully support all endorsed candidates. A committeeperson is an elected position that serves as the point of contact between democratic voters in a precinct and the Democratic Party. Their responsibilities include canvassing, phone banking, and passing out sample ballots at every polling precinct on Election Day that highlight all endorsed candidates.
CONTACT YOUR COMMITTEEPERSON
Your voice is important in ensuring that committeepeople are representing the interests of their constituents. Prior to DCLMN’s Endorsement meeting, voters are encouraged to contact their committeeperson directly and share their feedback and insights about any candidate eligible for DCLMN endorsement. A committeeperson is an elected position that serves as the point of contact between democratic voters in a precinct and the Democratic Party.