How CDA Officers Are Elected

Throughout the summer, the College Democrats of America (CDA) has seen incredible interest in the future of CDA and the officer elections happening this October in Las Vegas, Nevada

Furthering our commitment to host the most open and transparent officer elections, I have drafted a Q&A for CDA officer elections. I hope this answers any questions you have, but if not, please feel free to contact me via email at MarvMcMoore@gmail.com. I’ll get back to you.

How often do CDA officer elections happen?

So many young people across the country are fired up about the election of the next National President and Officers of the College Democrats. This is essential as the Executive Board and National Council play a huge role in shaping the agenda of the organization and its ability to engage millennials. The election of the officers of the Executive Board and National Council (hereon referred to as CDA Officers) occur every year at the CDA National Convention.

What are the offices of CDA and what are their duties?

CDA President

1. Attend and preside over meetings of the Executive Board, be responsible for determining the goals and direction of CDA, and provide quarterly reports to the Executive Board and regular reports to the National Council;
2. With the assistance of Designated Staffer and Vice President, be responsible for the implementation of the goals of CDA as set by the Executive Board;
3. Appoint ex-officio members of the Executive Board with the advice and consent of the Executive Board, except for Regional Directors, who shall be appointed by the officers of the National Council;
4. Submit bimonthly reports from every Executive Board officer to the Executive Board and the National Council; and
5. Perform all other duties specified in the CDA Constitution and these Bylaws or any special tasks assigned by the Executive Board.

CDA Vice President

1. Attend Executive Board meetings and preside over meetings in the absence of the President, assist in determining the direction and goals of CDA, and provide bimonthly reports to the President;
2. Along with the Designated Staffer and President, be responsible for the implementation of the goals of CDA as set by the Executive Board;
3. Assume the office of the President upon the President’s death, removal, resignation, or incapacitating disability; and
4. Perform all other duties specified in the CDA Constitution and Bylaws or any special tasks assigned by the Executive Board.

CDA Director of Communications

1. Attend Executive Board meetings, assist in determining the direction and goals of CDA, and provide bimonthly reports to the President;
2. Along with the Designated Staffer and President, be responsible for the implementation of the communications goals of CDA as set by the Executive Board;
3. Manage all activities regarding all internal and external communications of CDA including, but not limited to, maintaining good relationships with members of the press; distributing information and opportunities regarding the goals of CDA; and the development of CDA’s presence in any old, earned, new, or emerging media. All such duties shall be subject to the supervision of the Designated Staffer who shall be notified in advance of any official public statements issued by CDA; and
4. Perform all other duties specified in the CDA Constitution and these Bylaws or any special tasks assigned by the Executive Board.

CDA Director of Development

1. Attend Executive Board meetings, assist in determining the goals of CDA, and provide bimonthly reports to the President;
2. Along with the Designated Staffer and President, be responsible for the implementation of the fundraising goals of CDA as set by the Executive Board;
3. Manage all CDA fundraising including, but not limited to, developing and implementing necessary fundraising methods, programs, and events; overseeing the management of the CDA Honorary Council and providing all necessary information and developments to the CDA Executive Board, National Council, National Staff, and membership;
4. Overseeing the Finance Committee, which shall aid the Director of Development in fundraising and all work therein. Members will be appointed by the Director of Development at the time and process of their choosing, and all members must be approved by the Executive Board. The terms of all members will expire at the conclusion of the general floor session of the National Convention; and
5. Perform all other duties specified in the CDA Constitution and these Bylaws or any special tasks assigned by the Executive Board.

CDA Director of Membership

1. Attend Executive Board meetings, assist in determining the goals of CDA, and provide bimonthly reports to the President;
2. Along with the Designated Staffer and President, be responsible for the implementation of the membership goals of CDA as set by the Executive Board;
3. Manage all activities regarding membership of CDA including, but not limited to, assisting in the creation of new Campus Chapters and State Federations; increasing membership on all levels of CDA; re-certifying and certifying Campus Chapters and State Federations, in cooperation with the Designated Staffer; and managing distribution of necessary credentials for the National Convention. The Membership Director will also be responsible, with the CDA Historian, for the maintenance of records and relationships with CDA alumni; and the records are kept on file with DNC National Staff; and
4. Perform all other duties specified in the CDA Constitution and Bylaws or any special tasks assigned by the Executive Board.

CDA Director of Political Affairs

1. Attend Executive Board meetings, assist in determining the goals of CDA, and provide bimonthly reports to the President;
2. Along with the Designated Staffer and President, be responsible for the implementation of the political goals of CDA as set by the Executive Board;
3. Manage all activities regarding the political affairs of CDA including, but not limited to, managing all political and issue-based campaigns with which CDA involves itself and overseeing the caucuses; and
4. Perform all other duties specified in the CDA Constitution and these Bylaws or any special tasks assigned by the Executive Board.

CDA Director of Programs

1. Attend Executive Board meetings, assist in determining the goals of CDA, and provide bimonthly reports to the President;
2. Along with the Designated Staffer and President, be responsible for the implementation of the programming goals of CDA, as set by the Executive Board;
3. Manage all programs within CDA including, but not limited to, communicating with relevant parties necessary for CDA events; highlighting and promoting events that are pertinent to achieving CDA’s goals;
4. Working with the Director of Political Affairs in implementing caucus programs and issue-based campaigns; and
5. Perform all other duties specified in the CDA Constitution and Bylaws or any special tasks assigned by the Executive Board.

CDA National Council Chair

1. Attend Executive Board meetings, assist in determining the goals of CDA, and provide bimonthly reports to the President;
2. Along with the Designated Staffer and President, be responsible for outreach to State Federations within CDA;
3. Assist the Executive Board in the development of chartered State Federations, and foster communication between existing State Federations; and
4. Perform all other duties specified in the CDA Constitution and Bylaws or any special tasks assigned by the National Council.

CDA National Council Vice Chair

1. Attend Executive Board meetings, assist in determining the goals of CDA, and provide bimonthly reports to the President;
2. Along with the Designated Staffer, President, and National Council Chair, be responsible for outreach to State Federations within CDA;
3. Assist the National Council Chair in the development of chartered State Federations, and foster communication between existing State Federations; and
4. Perform all other duties specified in the CDA Constitution and these Bylaws or any special tasks assigned by the National Council.

CDA National Council Secretary

1. Attend Executive Board meetings, assist in determining the goals of CDA, and provide bimonthly reports to the President;
2. Along with the Designated Staffer, President, and National Council Chair, be responsible for outreach to State Federations within CDA;
3. Serve as the official correspondent and record keeper of the National Council and the Executive Board, and maintain the roster of the National Council; and
4. Perform all other duties specified in the CDA Constitution and these Bylaws or any special tasks assigned by the National Council.

Who’s running for CDA offices?

In order to run for a CDA office, an individual must meet the qualifications for membership. Membership is defined as any full time or part time student enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, including those on approved temporary leave or absence from their college or university, without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, physical handicap, socioeconomic status, age, gender identity or sexual orientation. If a candidate does not meet any of the aforementioned qualifications, they will be disqualified from running.

In order to be considered for any of these officer positions, candidates must be registered for the CDA Convention and declare their candidacy by October 13th, following the procedures outlined by the CDA Executive Board, DNC, and Elections Committee. Because the filing deadline has not yet passed, there is not currently a final list of candidates.

What is the CDA Elections Committee?

The Elections Committee, which shall include one member from each CDA region within the National Council and one additional member from the Executive Board, shall be responsible for certifying candidates for National Office as specified in these Bylaws. The chair and membership of the Elections Committee shall be appointed by the Presiding Officer (the CDA President), and must be approved by a majority of the Executive Board. There are a some rules regarding the governance of the Elections Committee:

1. No individual who agrees to serve on the Elections Committee shall be permitted to run for any CDA elected office at the convention at which they will preside.
2. Members of the Elections Committee shall remain neutral in all races. If a member of the Committee fails to remain impartial or does not complete their responsibilities as a member, the committee may recommend their removal by a majority vote. The Executive Board may then remove that member by a two-thirds vote. A vacancy shall be filled through an appointment by the Presiding Officer (CDA President) and must be approved by a majority of the Executive Board.
3. The Elections Committee shall have original jurisdiction over all cases in which a candidate petitions for an injunction against another candidate, official member of the candidate’s campaign, or CDA elected or appointed officer, as it pertains to ensuring and administering a fair and honest election.

This year, Matthew Cauthen of South Carolina will serve as Chair of the CDA Elections Committee.

What are the rules for CDA Elections?

Each election for a CDA Officer shall be conducted by ballot voting. Each ballot must be signed by the person casting the vote. Each chartered State Federation shall be granted four votes (National Council Members), plus one additional vote for each chartered Campus Chapter located in that state. These votes shall be cast individually. Chapters located in that state shall be cast by the President, or their chosen representative, of such chapter. Each chartered Campus Chapter that is present at the time of voting and that does not belong to a State Federation shall cast one vote.

If a vote for any Executive Board position fails to produce a majority, the candidate who received the least number of votes shall be removed from the ballot and the next ballot shall be conducted amongst the remaining candidates until a one candidate receives a majority of voting delegates.

Nomination speeches for each the President and Vice President shall be no longer than three minutes. Nomination speeches for other Executive Board positions shall be limited to two minutes.Candidates for national office will be expected to participate in a scheduled candidate question and answer forum prior to the election, moderated by the Elections Committee Chair. The rules of the forum shall be developed by the Elections Committee Chair. During the General Session on National Officer Elections, candidates for President shall speak for no longer than five minutes. Candidates for all other CDA offices shall be limited to three minute statements.

Elections shall be conducted in the following order: President/Vice President, Director of Communications, Director of Development, Director of Membership, Director of Political Affairs, and Director of Programs. Elections of the National Council will be held at the conclusion of the National Council meeting and only National Council members (or their proxy) may vote in this election. Chapter presidents do no vote in National Council Elections.

Who can vote in a CDA elections?

Each chartered State Federation shall be granted four votes (National Council Members), plus one additional vote for each chartered Campus Chapter located in that state in the election of National Executive Board member. Only National Council members (or their proxy) may vote in National Council elections. Chapter presidents do no vote in National Council Elections.

Is proxy voting permitted?

Proxy voting shall be permitted. However, no CDA member may at any one time hold or exercise more than three proxy votes. To cast a proxy vote on the behalf of a National Council Officer, the proxy holder must go to school in the state of that National Council Officer. To cast a proxy vote on the behalf of a chapter president, the proxy holder must go to the same school as the chapter president.

This year, the proxy voting process will be conducted electronically. All eligible voters will be notified of their ability to cast a proxy vote. They will be responsible for finding a proxy and completing the electronic form. Proxy voting ballots will be accepted from October 13th- 17th.

These rules seem different than in previous years. Was this changed?

Yes, these rule have been updated. As a part of an extensive review of the CDA Constitution and Bylaws that I oversaw with the DNC Office of Party Affairs and Legal Counsel in 2015, the CDA elections procedures was updated to be in compliance with the DNC Bylaws and to get rid of weighted voting. These reformed procedures ensure that every state federation and campus chapter has an equal opportunity in electing CDA Officers. The first election to be in compliance with this procedure was the election of CDA Officers at the National Convention in 2016 in Philadelphia.

Can you vote for a President and Vice President running on different ticket?

The answer is no. Candidates for President must run on a ticket with a candidate for Vice President of a differing gender identity. Candidates for President and Vice President on the same ticket must submit their two candidacy statements together. President and Vice President shall be elected as part of the same vote.

What are the rules that govern CDA campaign finance?

Candidates for CDA office shall be required to disclose all funds raised and all donors for their campaigns. Candidates must also disclose all campaign expenditures, including on printed and electronic communications and on campaign travel. Funds raised and expenditures shall be reported to the Elections Committee two weeks before National Convention, and 48 hours before the elections are held. The Elections Committee shall be responsible for distributing the initial financial reports to the National Council, and for distributing the final report to all convention attendees, along with their statements of candidacy.

What if a candidate violates the rules outlined in the CDA Constitution and Bylaws?

If a candidate for office is found by a two-thirds vote of the Elections Committee to be guilty of committing, or conspiring to commit, a violation of the Constitution or its Bylaws, or the DNC Charter and Bylaws, the Elections Committee shall have the authority to:

1. Temporarily suspend the candidate from all campaigning or from specific types of campaigning;
2. Order the removal of any or all of that candidate’s campaign materials from public space; and
3. Disqualify the candidate from the election.

I have a question that wasn’t answered in this guide. What should I do?

Email me! My email address is marvmcmoore@gmail.com. I’ll get back to you.