Peace Voter
Elect pro-peace candidates.
Peace Voter is MAPA’s electoral program to elect pro-peace candidates, defeat pro-war candidates, and connect peace politics to real electoral power.
Program Purpose
Peace Voter connects MAPA’s peace agenda to elections.
In U.S. Senate and House races, MAPA endorses strongly pro-peace candidates in the primary phase.
In the final phase, MAPA may endorse a candidate with flawed peace credentials if that candidate is significantly better than their opponent.
Board Standard
Endorsements require Board approval.
- At least 60% of those voting must support endorsement.
- Yes votes must equal at least 50% of the full Board membership.
- Board members receive at least 4 days’ notice before a vote.
Endorsement Process
How federal and statewide endorsements work
The process combines member input, Legislative/Political Committee review, and Board decision-making.
Recommendation starts
Any MAPA member may initiate discussion by recommending a possible endorsement to the Executive Director or a Co-Chair of the Legislative/Political Committee.
LPC reviews the race
The Legislative/Political Committee reviews the candidate and makes endorsement recommendations to the Board.
Members are polled
For federal races, candidates recommended by the LPC are presented to MAPA members and supporters in the district for an advisory straw poll.
Board votes
The Board receives the LPC recommendation and polling results before the endorsement discussion and vote.
Review Criteria
What the LPC considers
The Legislative/Political Committee considers issue positions, questionnaires, voting record, public and private statements, viability, and MAPA’s ability to influence the race.
Questionnaires and public positions.
Past votes and legislative behavior.
Public and private candidate statements.
Campaign seriousness and strategic impact.
Well-intentioned candidates running educational campaigns with little to no chance of winning are generally not recommended for endorsement.
State Legislature Races
State legislative races use an alternate process.
Only candidates endorsed by statewide progressive groups such as Mass Alliance, Progressive Massachusetts, Our Revolution Massachusetts, or Incorruptible Mass are usually considered.
Usually requires statewide progressive endorsement.
The candidate must ask MAPA for endorsement.
The candidate must show agreement with MAPA’s peace perspective.
The LPC may use the full federal process if needed.
Board Procedure
How endorsement votes may be conducted
Votes on endorsement may be conducted at regular Board meetings, special Board meetings, by email, by phone vote, or through a combination of email and telephone balloting between regular meetings.
The Board must be given the opportunity to conduct a conference call discussion of proposed endorsements. Before the vote, the Board receives the recommendation of the Legislative/Political Committee and the results of membership polling, except for certain incumbents.
Updated August 2016; edited August 2022.
Take Action
Help build political power for peace.
Follow MAPA’s legislative work, contact us about Peace Voter, or get involved in MAPA’s campaigns.