DC Latino Caucus Announces Endorsement Process and Criteria for Candidates in 2024 Democratic Primary Elections
The DC Latino Caucus will be issuing endorsements of candidates running in the Washington DC 2024 Democratic Primary for the following offices:
US President
US Delegate/House of Representatives
US Shadow Representative
US Shadow Senator
DC Council At-Large
DC Council Ward 2
DC Council Ward 4
DC Council Ward 7
DC Council Ward 8
Endorsements are made by the vote of active, dues-paid DCLC members and represent the candidates that they believe best represent the interests of the Latino community in DC.
Candidate Criteria for Endorsement
Based on lessons learned in past cycles, this year the DCLC is establishing a set of minimum criteria that candidates (except for US President) must meet in order to be considered eligible for endorsement:
Questionnaire: Each candidate must submit answers to a questionnaire on issues of importance to the DC Latino community no later than Wednesday February 21, 2024. Answers will be posted publicly on our website.
Fundraising: Each candidate must be registered, and have a campaign finance report on file, with the relevant office of campaign finance (local or federal). The most recent report on file must show a minimum of $1000 raised in contributions.
Personal Appearance at Candidate Forum: each candidate must make a personal, in-person appearance (no campaign surrogates permitted) at the DCLC member endorsement meeting to be held on Wednesday March 6, 2024, 6:30pm to 9:30pm, at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School, Sonia Gutierrez Campus, 514 V St NE, Washington DC 20002. Candidates will be given a brief opportunity to speak and possibly take questions from the DCLC Executive Committee and Carlos Rosario audience. (The forum will be streamed online; in person seated is limited to the Carlos Rosario community and active DCLC members). UPDATE: the Board updated this rule to allow non-attendees at the forum to appear on the endorsement ballots, with a note highlighting their non-attendance—letting members decide for themselves whether to endorse or not given the non-attendance.
Endorsement Process and How to Vote
The endorsement process will be conducted in accordance with current DCLC rules.
Who can vote: Only individuals who have paid annual dues in 2024 as of February 7, 2024 will be allowed to vote. Our rules require that member voters be registered at least 30 days before the vote. No exceptions will be made.
How to become a member/Renew membership: Membership is open to any individual who supports the political participation and engagement of the Latino community in DC.
Endorsement meeting: Members and the public are invited to the DCLC endorsement meeting on Wednesday March 6, 2024, 6:30pm to 9:30pm, at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School Auditorium. You will hear the candidates speak as to why they are the best choice for our endorsement.
Voting: Voting will begin on March 7 and will be conducted on an online platform.
Endorsement threshold: Candidates must receive 51% of the vote to obtain endorsement. If no candidate receives that on the first round of voting, a second runoff vote will be held between the top two candidates to see if either one gets 51%. If not, then DCLC will issue “no endorsement” in that race.
Results will be announced the week of March 10.
Please reach out to information@dclc.org with any questions.