August 2026 County Convention and Endorsement Meeting

Saturday, August 15, 2026, 2:00 – 6:00 pm

Registration closes on Thursday, August 13, 12:00 pm

Location provided with registration

 On August 15, onsite check-in and credentialing will open at 1:00 pm. Arrive no later than 1:30 pm to enable timely admission.

Check-in and credentialing closes at 2:15 pm.

2026 Endorsement Meeting Protocol

Get a copy here.
 
Purpose of this double meeting:

 

  1. ounty Convention: The purpose of this brief MDP-mandated Convention is to elect 2 members and 2 alternates to the Credentialing Committee for the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) State Endorsement Convention to be held on August 29. All information about these positions can be found in the Call for Nominations.
  1. Endorsement Meeting: The purpose of this meeting is to formally endorse candidates for the November 3 general election, to appear in WCDP’s Voter Guide and MIvoter.org.

Please note: This document may be updated with minor changes.

 

Understandings re: process and demeanor
 
  1. Roberts Rules of Order will be followed to ensure all participants understand the question on the table, equitable time is allowed for discussants, and process clarity and order are maintained.
  2. Proxy voting is not allowed, per the MDP bylaws and Roberts Rules of Order. You must be present and in the room to vote.
  3. Per MDP bylaws all votes of the membership are public and transparent. That means others in the room will know how you voted, and vice versa. In votes using paper ballots, the name of the person who casts each ballot will be written on the ballot and disclosed when votes are counted.
  4. Any member may choose to abstain from voting for any reason. Abstentions will not be counted. Majority and plurality counts will be based on the total number of individuals voting in that particular contest.
  5. Respect for the rules and collegial conduct are required for participation. The Chair has the authority to rescind voting privileges for disruptive conduct after a second warning.

County Convention Agenda

 

Purpose: to elect members to the Credentials Committee for MDP’s August 29 State Nominating Convention. 
  1. Call to Order
  2. Approval of the Agenda
  3. Election of permanent convention Chair
  4. Election of permanent convention Secretary
  5. Credentials Report​ (Membership Committee – how many members pre-registered to participate; how many have joined the meeting? Sharon Simonton)
  6. Rules Report (Convention Chair – Theresa Reid)
  7. Voting per instructions

Note: See the Call for Nominations for details. The deadline for submission to allow publication in convention materials is August 13 at noon. Washtenaw County’s allocation is as follows:  

    • 1 man, man-identified, or non-binary member
    • 1 woman, woman-identified, or non-binary member
    • 1 man, man-identified, or non-binary alternate
    • 1 woman, woman-identified, or non-binary alternate

 The Call for Nominations to serve on these committees has been posted on our website since July 21 and published in the newsletter since July 23.

    • Name current nominees
    • Call for nominations from the floor, with the understanding that nominees, if elected, will participate in specified MDP meetings
    • 30 seconds for each nominee to speak
    • Vote – by simple majority/plurality, using show of hands.
    • If no candidate arises for a specific position, it remains unfilled.
  1. Adjournment of County Convention 

 

Registration

 

You must have been a member in good standing by Thursday, July 16 and at the time of the meeting in order to participate. If you have questions about your membership status – including if you will be a member on August 15 – contact Melissa Pendolino, MDP Membership Director, at mpendolino@michigandems.com at least one week in advance.

  • Register for this double meeting at this link.
  • Registration in advance is required to enable confirmation of membership status. Registration deadline is noon Thursday, August 13.
  • Members will check in at tables positioned at the two entrances to the auditorium, organized alphabetically by last name. Photo ID is required for check-in. If you lack a photo ID you may complete an affidavit of identity in order to vote.
  • Upon check-in, members will receive a hand stamp that is required for re-entry to the auditorium, and an index card with their name on it to hold up to vote. It is imperative to keep track of this card, as you will get only one.

 

WCDP 2026 Endorsement Meeting Agenda

 

Purpose: To formally endorse candidates and ballot proposals for the November 3 general election.

Please note per WCDP bylaws, Section 10, except statewide candidates, all candidates – Democrats who won their primaries as well as nonpartisan candidates – must request endorsement in order to be considered for endorsement, and per WCDP rules must complete the candidate questionnaire in order to inform WCDP members about candidates being considered. These requirements and the candidate questionnaire have been published on WCDP’s website since March and communicated repeatedly to candidates.

A. Call to Order
B. Approval of the Agenda
C. Election of permanent convention Chair
D. Election of permanent convention Secretary
E. Credentials Report​ (Membership Committee – how many members pre-registered to participate; how many have joined the meeting? Sharon Simonton)
F. Rules Report (Convention Chair)
G. Voting per instructions.

There are two categories of voting process:

    • One for races in which one or more candidates are vying for a single seat, or for proposals. In these races, endorsement will be by simple majority or plurality of those voting, through show of index cards.
    • One for nonpartisan candidates in multi-seat races such as school boards.

 

Steps for voting in races for single seats or proposals

 

These include (a) candidates who are endorsed by the MDP on August 29, (b) primary winners, (c) partisan candidates who did not have primaries, (d) non-partisan candidates who are running for an uncontested single seat, and (e) proposals.

Candidates for Uncontested Single Seats:

    1. The list of candidates in each category will be presented for an up or down vote on the entire list. Proposals will be presented separately.
    1. The chair will request members with objections to any name on the list to state their objection.
    1. Names of candidates objected to (if any) will be set aside, and the chair will ask for an up or down vote on the remaining candidates.
    1. Individuals who have objected to a candidate will be asked to state their objections, having one minute to do so.
    1. Rebuttal and discussion may ensue for up to 10 minutes. Each discussant may speak for one minute, one time.
    1. Following the discussion the chair will request an up or down vote, using index cards, on the individual candidates under discussion. Simple majority determines the results.

 

Candidates for Contested Single Seats:

Each individual candidate will have an opportunity to speak for 1 minute, with the order determined alphabetically by last name. After all candidates in each race have spoken, the chair will request members with objections to any candidate to state their objection for up to 1 minute. The candidate has the opportunity to respond for 1 minute. After objections are heard, the chair will ask for a vote on each candidate individually, with voters using index cards. Simple majority or plurality determines the result.

 

Proposals

Members were required to submit proposals for endorsement consideration by end of day on July 28. Proposals not submitted for consideration will not appear in WCDP publications.

Submitted proposals will be considered one at a time.

The first vote will answer the question, “Should we take a position on this proposal?”

If the majority votes no on that question, no further action will be taken, and WCDP publications will remain silent on the issue.

If the majority votes yes on that question, the meeting will vote to support or oppose the proposal on the table.

  • Support – these appear in the Voter Guide and MIvoter.org as endorsed by the WCDP.
  • Oppose – these appear in the Voter Guide and MIvoter.org as specifically, affirmatively opposed by the WCDP.                        

 

If a vote is deemed warranted:

    1. The proposal will be introduced by the person requesting formal endorsement or opposition. That individual has 2 minutes to speak for or against the proposal.
    1. An individual on the other side of the question has 2 minutes to respond.
    1. Discussion may ensue for a total of 10 minutes, with each questioner having one opportunity to speak for 30 seconds, and responders 1 minute to reply.
    1. Following discussion, the chair will request an up or down vote on the proposal, using index cards. Simple majority determines the outcome.

 

 

Steps for endorsing nonpartisan candidates in multi-seat races

 

When the number of candidates who have requested endorsement is less than or equal to the number of seats to be filled

Each individual candidate will have an opportunity to speak for 1 minute. The chair will request members who have objections to the candidate to state their objection for up to 1 minute. The candidate has the opportunity to respond for 1 minute. After objections and the response are heard, the chair will ask for a vote on that candidate, with voters using index cards. Simple majority determines the outcome. This process will continue for each candidate in each race in this category.

When the number of candidates who have requested endorsement exceeds the number of seats to be filled

Each individual candidate will have an opportunity to speak for 1 minute. The chair will request members who have objections to the candidate to state their objection for up to 1 minute. The candidate has the opportunity to respond for 1 minute. After objections and the response are heard, the next candidate in that race will speak.

 

After all candidates in all races in this category have spoken, voting will take place by paper ballot as described below.

Ballots will be pre-printed with the names of candidates and instructions, in this sample format.

    1. Ballots will be distributed by volunteers in the room at the time the vote is to be taken. You must be in the room to vote.
    1. Ballots will be collected by volunteers at the end of the voting period. Participants are free to leave when they have finished voting.
    1. Counting will be completed in three different locations, steps from the main meeting space to ensure counting is completed in a timely fashion.
    1. Each campaign is invited to have a single observer in each location as votes are counted. The names of the individual who voted each ballot will be announced when the results reflected on each ballot are announced and recorded. Observers may view, but not touch, ballots.
    1. When counting is complete and campaigns are satisfied with its accuracy, results will be announced from the stage.
    1. Ballots will be stored securely in case recounts are requested by a candidate or supporter or opponent of a ballot proposal. Requests for a recount must be made to chair@washtenawdems.org within one hour of the announcement of the results of the voting and state a reason or reasons for the requested recount. WCDP election administrators will determine whether to grant the request for a recount and will provide an explanation of their decision. If approved, recounts will be completed by Tuesday, August 18 and results announced by email to all participants on Wednesday, August 19.

H.  Good and welfare
I.   Adjournment