- All current MADSA endorsed elected officials and future endorsement applicants are informed by the MADSA Executive Committee that endorsed members and candidates are held to follow the expectations outlined below:
- Obtain and/or retain membership in DSA.
- Meet at least 3 times per year with the Executive Committee (or another body appointed by general membership to liaise with elected members).
- Make a best effort to attend monthly General Meetings (at minimum an average of one per quarter).
- Attend and participate in at least one chapter political education event per year.
- Not publicly disparage DSA or its principles.
- Vote in accordance with any future platforms or resolutions passed by general membership outlining political redlines for the chapter. This does not apply to any chapter positions or platforms passed before the 2025 Chapter Convention, unless these are brought back to a future general meeting and membership votes to reaffirm those positions.
- All endorsed members holding elected office are held to follow the expectations outlined below regarding caucusing and endorsements with other endorsed DSA members:
- Work to build a socialist caucus in the relevant body they are elected to, if multiple endorsed DSA members are elected to the same body. This does not preclude participation in other caucuses in the same body.
- Bloc vote with other endorsed DSA members in whatever body they are elected to as a socialist caucus. This applies for votes where the socialist caucus has agreed to vote as a bloc, and for votes which MADSA or National have made part of their platform.
- An endorsed DSA member is expected to endorse other members running for office endorsed by Madison Area DSA.
- An endorsed DSA member is expected to not endorse against a DSA member endorsed by Madison Area DSA or another DSA chapter.
- MADSA commits to the following expectations for supporting electoral campaigns for candidates endorsed by the chapter.
- MADSA will host or encourage general membership to turn out to at least three phonebanks or canvasses for a candidate endorsed by the chapter, unless both the candidate and the chapter agree on adjusting this expectation.
- MADSA commits to the following for developing the chapter’s relationship with endorsed members currently in office.
- The Executive Committee or its assigned liaisons shall maintain regular communication with endorsed elected officials. Communications should include resolutions passed by the chapter or national DSA that should inform votes, as well as updates on other campaign endorsements when those are being considered.
- The Executive Committee and any other bodies appointed by the chapter will work with endorsed members in office to investigate and develop strategies for providing chapter support for endorsed members.
- This group should consider strategies including but not limited to:
- Socialist-in-office (SIO) committees
- Political education briefings from chapter members with relevant expertise as requested by elected members.
- MADSA member(s) providing support as part-time volunteer staffers or a kitchen cabinet for electeds.
- This group should prepare one or more proposals based on the above discussions to bring to chapter membership at a general meeting before the end of 2025.
- This group should consider strategies including but not limited to:
- Endorsed members and the MADSA Executive Committee, in coordination with any other relevant bodies empowered by the chapter, shall report to membership quarterly on the activity of endorsed members (including but not limited to participation in chapter activities and key votes taken in office).
- The chapter shall intervene either by a resolution passed by membership or a motion passed by the Executive Committee to inform an endorsed member of the violation of any of these expectations and ask for correction. The endorsed member shall be notified of the purpose ahead of time and invited to join the debate regarding a resolution or motion.
- Endorsed members who continue to not commit to the aforementioned expectations after chapter intervention may be subject to the revocation of their chapter endorsement, following the process defined in the chapter bylaws.
- These expectations, and any other steps around the local endorsement process, will be listed on the chapter’s website for reference.