Lead by Committeeman David Fagus, on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 the Board of the Democratic Party of the 49th Ward met and established the schedule and the procedures that will be followed for the endorsement process this election cycle.
The Democratic Party of the 49th Ward will hold its endorsement process on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at a 49th Ward location that will be confirmed shortly. The process will begin at 9:30 am and is expected to last for several hours. All Democratic Party candidates that appear on 49th Ward ballots, with the exception of Appellate and County-wide Circuit Court Judge Candidates, will be invited to attend, present their credentials, answer questions and stand before the members of the organization for a vote.
The basic process and rules are simple. Based on the office sought, candidates have an opportunity to introduce themselves, answer questions as time allows, and either close or take 1 additional question. In order to receive a binding vote of endorsement from the membership a candidate will be required to obtain 66.6% +1 votes cast. In any race in which no candidate receives this total, the matter will be referred to the Board of the organization for additional considerations which could result in actions such as a vote to endorse one of the candidates, to take no action, or to actively choose to make no endorsement.
Candidates seeking the positions of Appellate Court Judge and Circuit Court Judge (County-wide) will be asked to submit a package of information to include but not be limited to a current resume and current and past bar association ratings. Candidates may include other information that they feel will be helpful to their candidacy as well. The 49th Democratic Party of the 49th Ward places great importance on the bar associations ratings and candidates for these positions will not be endorsed without a positive rating from either the Chicago Bar Association or the Chicago Council of Lawyers.
In addition, all elected members of the Board are up for re-election. We fully anticipate vacancies in the Vice-President position and at least one Member of the Board position. That said, every elected position on the Board of Directors is open. Members who are interested in running for any elected positions on the Board will be asked to either nominate themselves or have someone nominate them by email to the following address: davidfagus@49thward.com. The Board's elected positions are President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Board of Director positions. Nominations are open to all persons who are members in good standing of the Democratic Party of the 49th Ward. Nominations are open now and will close on December 2, 2009 at 11:59 pm. Once you agree to become a candidate you will be required to submit a brief statement about yourself and your candidacy. You will also make a short presentation at the endorsement session where the voting will take place.
More information is available regarding any of these items by email at davidfagus@49thward.com.
