Situation
Our political party-based election system fails to qualify candidates based on their character. Historically effective groups like the League of Women Voters and the bar association have lost support from the public. A self-appointed nonpartisan grass-roots organization in each of America’s 3,000 counties could re-establish this core function for the benefit of both parties and our country.
Proposal
Create a county level “Candidate Appraisal Board” as an independent not-for-profit organization. Nonpartisan. 100 members. 4-year terms. 2 groups of 50 join every other year.
Evaluate primary and general election candidates. Not issues, party convention delegates or judges.
Focus on character, constructiveness, community and service as qualifiers for the honor and duty of holding office as a representative of the people. Not evaluating political views. Not evaluating professional qualifications. Seeking to qualify candidates. Multiple qualified candidates per office is possible and expected. Not discounting candidates based upon their personalities, strong views, extreme views, communications styles or strategies.
Board member candidates randomly selected from November registered voters list. Maximum 55% from any one sex. Maximum 40% from one party that voted in the previous primary election. Maximum 25% from any single municipality or township. Rolling nomination and acceptance rounds until seats are filled.
For the first group of 50 board members, ask 5 local Rotary clubs to nominate 10 politically diverse founding members each.
Candidates are deemed “qualified” if they get positive votes from at least two-thirds of the voters with a minimum quorum of 80 voters. Positive qualification votes require “yes” answers on all four dimensions of the evaluation form.
The independent organization seeks small dollar donations from citizens and community groups. It does not accept support from commercial organizations, interest groups, candidates or their families.
The organization defines its own procedures and elects its own officers: president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.
Evaluation Form
Is candidate John Q. Smith fully qualified to hold public office and serve our community?
- This candidate displays high character in speech and deed
- Personal integrity, trustworthy, responsible, reliable, diligent
- Honest, transparent, forthcoming
- Respectful, trusting, patient, courteous
- Emotionally stable, mature, wise
- Uses power responsibly and fairly
- Acts and communicates ethically
- Honors truthful communications; not stretched, shaded, misleading, false or fake claims
- This candidate values our community
- Supports our democratic system, including its election laws and processes
- Upholds the “rule of law” for all citizens
- Obeys laws, regulations, administrative and judicial rulings
- Thinks, acts and speaks in terms of “the common good”
- Pursues actions that are supported by a large majority of citizens
- Respects the equal rights and interests of all citizens and minority groups
- Represents all citizens
- Considers moral standards such as “the golden rule” when making political choices
- Puts the public interest ahead of self-interest and supporters when required
- This candidate speaks and acts constructively
- Leads with issues, policies and solutions
- Highlights possibilities, positive results, substantive messages
- Focuses on voters’ priorities rather than “wedge issues”
- Disavows fear/hate messages and misleading attack ads
- Engages in positive dialogue with the public and other candidates
- Creatively finds ways to work with other elected officials to find consensus
- Considers win/win solutions, accepts trade-offs and compromise as part of politics
- Builds bridges with others, considers alternate views and cooperates
- This candidate willingly serves others
- Highly skilled at listening and communicating
- Applies problem solving skills to deliver practical results
- Actively participates in civic duties
- Serves a variety of organizations
- Contributes leadership, time, experience and financial support
- Listens to others and follows through on promises
Historical Reminder: “I’ll never tell a lie” 😦
https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/jimmy_carter_453546
Good News 
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