I wonder which of these abysmal candidates ACDC insiders are supporting? or neither? anyone have insights?

OP, sometimes party insiders do push a candidate from the get go. For example, Cristina D-T was basically hand picked by Katie Cristol. But sometimes candidates just come forward.

I'm a Democrat, and have had to break the pledge in the general election, because that candidate was better aligned with my values. I'm sure there were many others who did the same. We all know which election that was.

(The Independent did not win.)

Essentially, because Arlington is so overwhelmingly Democrat, whoever wins the caucus is the next SB member(s). The actual election merely is confirmation that the caucus decides the next board member(s).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The ACDC voting members (very active party insiders) had an election to decide whether to keep the caucus. they voted overwhelmingly to continue to hold the caucus despite criticism that it is undemocratic. https://www.arlnow.com/2022/02/03/arlington-dems-vote-overwhelmingly-to-keep-school-board-caucus-process/

An Arlington voter that is willing to sign a pledge stating they are a Democrat is allowed to vote in the caucus. The winner of the caucus is endorsed by the Democratic party and goes on the sample ballot. The caucus is completely separate from the primary and very few people vote in it.

Thank you for trying to explain it, but I still don't quite understand the "caucus". Who are the very active party insiders? How did they get to be there, and is residence in Arlington a prerequisite? It seems like anyone could sign this piece of paper, you mentioned, if that is all it is (you don't have to show up to meetings, pay dues, be a member for several years, proof your residency in the country, etc.?)

The caucus is effectively a primary run by the local Democratic party because the position is "non-partisan" and doesn't have a normal primary. Anyone who is willing to sign a piece of paper saying they are a Democrat can vote in it. The losing candidates in the caucus agree not to run in the open election.

But don’t the voters also have to agree to vote for the winner of the caucus in the general election? So in a case like this one, where neither candidate may be the best choice, if you want to vote in the caucus, you have to agree to support the winner. What bugs me is that a true blue democrat (like a federal employee who can’t run in the caucus) could later announce their candidacy, and anyone who voted in the caucus couldn’t vote for them.

How is that best for our schools and students??? This is what really bugs me!

Yes, the caucus is undemocratic. We all know, they don't care.

Here's the pledge: I certify that I am a resident of and registered to vote in Arlington County, Virginia; I am a Democrat; I believe in the principles of the Democratic Party; and I do not intend to support, endorse or assist any candidate who is opposed to a Democratic nominee or endorsee in the ensuing election.

It is, of course, completely non-binding. Also, you can sign a statement in May that you don't intend to support another candidate and then change your mind later. In the context of a completely unethical attempt to control a non-partison election, I don't see an issue in fudging the pledge.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The ACDC voting members (very active party insiders) had an election to decide whether to keep the caucus. they voted overwhelmingly to continue to hold the caucus despite criticism that it is undemocratic. https://www.arlnow.com/2022/02/03/arlington-dems-vote-overwhelmingly-to-keep-school-board-caucus-process/

An Arlington voter that is willing to sign a pledge stating they are a Democrat is allowed to vote in the caucus. The winner of the caucus is endorsed by the Democratic party and goes on the sample ballot. The caucus is completely separate from the primary and very few people vote in it.

Thank you for trying to explain it, but I still don't quite understand the "caucus". Who are the very active party insiders? How did they get to be there, and is residence in Arlington a prerequisite? It seems like anyone could sign this piece of paper, you mentioned, if that is all it is (you don't have to show up to meetings, pay dues, be a member for several years, proof your residency in the country, etc.?)

The caucus is effectively a primary run by the local Democratic party because the position is "non-partisan" and doesn't have a normal primary. Anyone who is willing to sign a piece of paper saying they are a Democrat can vote in it. The losing candidates in the caucus agree not to run in the open election.

But don’t the voters also have to agree to vote for the winner of the caucus in the general election? So in a case like this one, where neither candidate may be the best choice, if you want to vote in the caucus, you have to agree to support the winner. What bugs me is that a true blue democrat (like a federal employee who can’t run in the caucus) could later announce their candidacy, and anyone who voted in the caucus couldn’t vote for them.

How is that best for our schools and students??? This is what really bugs me!

I mean we still have a secret ballot in this country. No one is stopping you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The ACDC voting members (very active party insiders) had an election to decide whether to keep the caucus. they voted overwhelmingly to continue to hold the caucus despite criticism that it is undemocratic. https://www.arlnow.com/2022/02/03/arlington-dems-vote-overwhelmingly-to-keep-school-board-caucus-process/

An Arlington voter that is willing to sign a pledge stating they are a Democrat is allowed to vote in the caucus. The winner of the caucus is endorsed by the Democratic party and goes on the sample ballot. The caucus is completely separate from the primary and very few people vote in it.

Thank you for trying to explain it, but I still don't quite understand the "caucus". Who are the very active party insiders? How did they get to be there, and is residence in Arlington a prerequisite? It seems like anyone could sign this piece of paper, you mentioned, if that is all it is (you don't have to show up to meetings, pay dues, be a member for several years, proof your residency in the country, etc.?)

The caucus is effectively a primary run by the local Democratic party because the position is "non-partisan" and doesn't have a normal primary. Anyone who is willing to sign a piece of paper saying they are a Democrat can vote in it. The losing candidates in the caucus agree not to run in the open election.

But don’t the voters also have to agree to vote for the winner of the caucus in the general election? So in a case like this one, where neither candidate may be the best choice, if you want to vote in the caucus, you have to agree to support the winner. What bugs me is that a true blue democrat (like a federal employee who can’t run in the caucus) could later announce their candidacy, and anyone who voted in the caucus couldn’t vote for them.

How is that best for our schools and students??? This is what really bugs me!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The ACDC voting members (very active party insiders) had an election to decide whether to keep the caucus. they voted overwhelmingly to continue to hold the caucus despite criticism that it is undemocratic. https://www.arlnow.com/2022/02/03/arlington-dems-vote-overwhelmingly-to-keep-school-board-caucus-process/

An Arlington voter that is willing to sign a pledge stating they are a Democrat is allowed to vote in the caucus. The winner of the caucus is endorsed by the Democratic party and goes on the sample ballot. The caucus is completely separate from the primary and very few people vote in it.

Thank you for trying to explain it, but I still don't quite understand the "caucus". Who are the very active party insiders? How did they get to be there, and is residence in Arlington a prerequisite? It seems like anyone could sign this piece of paper, you mentioned, if that is all it is (you don't have to show up to meetings, pay dues, be a member for several years, proof your residency in the country, etc.?)

The caucus is effectively a primary run by the local Democratic party because the position is "non-partisan" and doesn't have a normal primary. Anyone who is willing to sign a piece of paper saying they are a Democrat can vote in it. The losing candidates in the caucus agree not to run in the open election.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The ACDC voting members (very active party insiders) had an election to decide whether to keep the caucus. they voted overwhelmingly to continue to hold the caucus despite criticism that it is undemocratic. https://www.arlnow.com/2022/02/03/arlington-dems-vote-overwhelmingly-to-keep-school-board-caucus-process/

An Arlington voter that is willing to sign a pledge stating they are a Democrat is allowed to vote in the caucus. The winner of the caucus is endorsed by the Democratic party and goes on the sample ballot. The caucus is completely separate from the primary and very few people vote in it.

Thank you for trying to explain it, but I still don't quite understand the "caucus". Who are the very active party insiders? How did they get to be there, and is residence in Arlington a prerequisite? It seems like anyone could sign this piece of paper, you mentioned, if that is all it is (you don't have to show up to meetings, pay dues, be a member for several years, proof your residency in the country, etc.?)

The “insiders” are the party volunteers. It takes a lot of work to run a local party and GOTV efforts. It includes precinct captains, comms, tech, various affinity caucuses, etc. There are monthly meetings you can attend to get more involved. There are no membership dues required just willingness to volunteer, which of course required it’s own privilege. You don’t have to be an arlington resident to belong to the local party but it would be very strange to be an outsider. The party voted to continue with the caucus process. The caucus itself is open to any arlington voters that will sign the pledge affirming they are a Dem.

Anonymous wrote:The ACDC voting members (very active party insiders) had an election to decide whether to keep the caucus. they voted overwhelmingly to continue to hold the caucus despite criticism that it is undemocratic. https://www.arlnow.com/2022/02/03/arlington-dems-vote-overwhelmingly-to-keep-school-board-caucus-process/

An Arlington voter that is willing to sign a pledge stating they are a Democrat is allowed to vote in the caucus. The winner of the caucus is endorsed by the Democratic party and goes on the sample ballot. The caucus is completely separate from the primary and very few people vote in it.

Thank you for trying to explain it, but I still don't quite understand the "caucus". Who are the very active party insiders? How did they get to be there, and is residence in Arlington a prerequisite? It seems like anyone could sign this piece of paper, you mentioned, if that is all it is (you don't have to show up to meetings, pay dues, be a member for several years, proof your residency in the country, etc.?)

The ACDC voting members (very active party insiders) had an election to decide whether to keep the caucus. they voted overwhelmingly to continue to hold the caucus despite criticism that it is undemocratic. https://www.arlnow.com/2022/02/03/arlington-dems-vote-overwhelmingly-to-keep-school-board-caucus-process/

An Arlington voter that is willing to sign a pledge stating they are a Democrat is allowed to vote in the caucus. The winner of the caucus is endorsed by the Democratic party and goes on the sample ballot. The caucus is completely separate from the primary and very few people vote in it.

Anonymous wrote:You find answers to many do your questions by going to the AC/DC website and reading about the caucus. It’s always a big controversy because the caucus is the real race and they voted overwhelmingly to keep the caucus.

"vote overwhelmingly to keep the caucus" - what does that mean?

I assume the "caucus" are dues paying party members that live in the county?

Sorry, not originally from here.

Anonymous wrote:Can someone educate me? I understand that there is a Democratic caucus and that whoever is elected there is (in practice) the next school board member. But what happens before the caucus? I assume anyone who is a member of ACDC can run. Is that right? Does ACDC put forward any candidates or strongly encourage anyone to run? I tried to make it through the Miranda/Angelo thread and I guess what I’m wondering is this:

Can’t we assume ACDC had some input into who was running? Or that they would put forward a 3rd person if they were overly concerned with this race? Could that still happen?

Sorry, I’m clueless.

Thanks for asking this, OP. I could have posted this (feeling confused, too).

You find answers to many do your questions by going to the AC/DC website and reading about the caucus. It’s always a big controversy because the caucus is the real race and they voted overwhelmingly to keep the caucus.

Can someone educate me? I understand that there is a Democratic caucus and that whoever is elected there is (in practice) the next school board member. But what happens before the caucus? I assume anyone who is a member of ACDC can run. Is that right? Does ACDC put forward any candidates or strongly encourage anyone to run? I tried to make it through the Miranda/Angelo thread and I guess what I’m wondering is this:

Can’t we assume ACDC had some input into who was running? Or that they would put forward a 3rd person if they were overly concerned with this race? Could that still happen?

Sorry, I’m clueless.