Progressive group lets membership pick Clinton-Sanders-O’Malley endorsement

The progressive advocacy group Democracy for America, which has exerted new influence in the 2016 presidential election, has come up with a novel way to endorse a Democrat in advance of the Iowa caucuses: put it to a membership vote.

Unlike other groups where executives and board members decide in a conference room, DFA announced Monday that it will hold a membership vote and announce the winner December 17.


While the million-member group offers a “Don’t Endorse” option on its ballot, if members do vote to endorse, as expected, it would be the first time the group decided to back a candidate in the primaries.

“DFA was founded on the firm belief that the Democratic Party is stronger when it listens to and invests in the organizing of its grassroots, progressive base. Our open presidential endorsement process is specifically designed to reflect our time-tested faith in the progressive movement’s grassroots wisdom, energy, and enthusiasm,” said Charles Chamberlain, DFA executive director.

The group was an early influencer in the 2016 election, pushing a campaign with MoveOn.org to get Sen. Elizabeth Warren into the race. After she said no, the groups ended the campaign.

But they have also give voice to Sen. Bernie Sanders, letting him conduct telephone townhalls with members who are supportive of many of the candidate’s platforms.

Here’s how it will work:

— Voting will take place at 2016.DemocracyForAmerica.com.

— The options on the endorsement ballot include: Sec. Hillary Clinton, Former Gov. Martin O’Malley, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and “Don’t Endorse.”

— In order to receive DFA’s endorsement, a single candidate must secure a supermajority (66.67% or more) of the votes cast.

— All progressives are encouraged to cast a ballot in DFA’s endorsement vote. Individuals can cast their vote — and change their mind — as many times as they like over the course of the voting period, but only their most recent vote will count.

— DFA members will be able to follow discussion of the endorsement vote via DFA’s hashtag on Facebook, Twitter, and elsewhere: #DFA2016vote.

— Voting will begin on Monday, December 7, 2015 and end at 11:59pm ET on Tuesday, December 15.

— Results will be announced — following a complete security review of the votes — at 12pm ET on Thursday, December 17.

Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].

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