R4: Electoral Strategy: Toward Political Independence and a Mass Socialist Party
Whereas:
Workers need a democratic political organization to fight for their interests, separate from the capitalist class;
The Democratic Party, which is internally undemocratic and controlled by capitalists, will not be that organization;
Most progressives who run on the Democratic ballot line quickly submit to the Democratic establishment, and the rare exceptions are often due to individual fortitude rather than any repeatable strategy;
DSA members across the country, including many who are eager to participate in elections, are disillusioned with progressive Democrats and are looking for a real alternative;
Rhode Island DSA has made some progress by setting strong standards for its candidates, but it is difficult to agitate for working-class political independence while only endorsing Democrats for office;
Be it resolved:
Rhode Island DSA will begin endorsing independent socialist candidates in order to encourage the construction of a working-class socialist party in Rhode Island. Due to the public’s low confidence in the possibility of breaking out of the two-party system, independent campaigns will be chosen carefully with the intention of winning.
Long-Term Goals
Rhode Island DSA advocates for a mass socialist party. The party will need the following features, some of which are not addressed by the electoral tactics in this resolution:
A commitment to defeat capitalism through class struggle. The party’s goal is to win political power for the working class, but with the understanding that the current system of government is only partially democratic and workers will not be able to wield power by simply electing a majority.
Oppositional politics. The party does not make alliances with capitalists or their politicians. Socialist politicians avoid backroom deals and instead fight for reforms by calling out corrupt officials, unmasking the capitalist system, and encouraging mass movements.
Electoral accountability. The party’s politicians understand themselves to be delegates of the membership — accountable to the democratic decisions of the general body and bound to the party platform. They must not accept a salary higher than that of the average worker in their district (and donate any remainder to the party). Party members may vote to withdraw support for a politician at any time.
A broad membership rooted in the multiracial working class. Membership is open to anyone who agrees with the socialist mission of the party, and recruitment is aimed at bringing in a majority of working-class people.
A base in the labor movement. The party needs strong ties to a large section of unionized workers, who eventually must be willing to strike for political demands.
Democratic decision-making. The membership collectively determines the actions and policies of the party, and party officers must carry out the resolutions voted on by members. All party officers must be elected, recallable, and paid no more than the average worker’s wage.
Freedom of opinion. Members are free to debate, publicly disagree with party decisions, and form factions when they wish (while respecting the will of the majority, which determines party policy). The political coherence of the party is maintained through its educational programs and political organizing by cadre, rather than by top-down decrees.
Social institutions. The party remains present in members’ lives year-round through political education, social clubs, and forms of support such as childcare.
Democratic funding. The party is funded by membership dues, not corporate money or corporate-affiliated NGOs.
Internationalism. The party aims to be part of one socialist movement, extending beyond Rhode Island to the rest of the country and the world.
Electoral Tactics
DSA-endorsed independent campaigns will be used to help build the first four features listed above: they will explicitly agitate for class struggle and socialism, provide clear opposition to the two capitalist parties, put forward candidates who are fully accountable to DSA membership, and recruit working-class people to Rhode Island DSA.
Rhode Island DSA recognizes that building a new party is an ambitious project, and the chapter does not take a sectarian approach. Rhode Island DSA distinguishes between the following categories:
Allies. These are politicians whom Rhode Island DSA does not endorse, but who also do not work at cross-purposes to socialists. An ally is defined as someone who opposes the Democratic Party leadership, refuses to accept corporate donations, and adheres to a minimum platform agreed to by the chapter (such as the May 2022 coalition agreement). Rhode Island DSA will coordinate with allies when deciding where to run candidates for office.
Current endorsees. Rhode Island DSA will honor existing relationships where clear expectations were already agreed upon. Endorsed politicians will continue to receive the chapter’s support if they abide by the minimum requirements in the chapter’s bylaws and maintain a voting record consistent with the chapter’s platform.
DSA representatives. These are independent candidates (not on the Democratic ballot line) who are elected through fully DSA-accountable campaigns run by DSA members. The campaign takes direction from the chapter on messaging and hiring of staff, and holds voter data outside VAN (independent of the Democrats). DSA representatives are not only expected to maintain a good voting record, but also must publicly promote the chapter platform, accept guidance on political messaging, and actively recruit constituents to Rhode Island DSA. They are required to endorse all other candidates Rhode Island DSA endorses, are permitted to endorse allies (as defined above), and may not endorse any other politicians without a vote of the chapter.
Going forward, all new candidates endorsed by Rhode Island DSA shall be DSA representatives.
Timeline and Logistics
As early as 2024, Rhode Island DSA will endorse a single independent campaign in a small district with 3,000-4,000 general election voters. Before February 2024, Rhode Island DSA members will need to have chosen the district (in coordination with allies and current endorsees), recruited a candidate to run, assembled a campaign team of at least ten people, written a detailed campaign plan, and signed up supporters from out of state. If this is not possible, the chapter will postpone endorsement to 2026.
Ballot Access and Campaign Coordination
In Rhode Island, any candidate who runs as an independent is allowed to choose a three-word political party designation to print next to their name on the ballot, as long as it does not include the words “Republican” or “Democrat.” An independent socialist may choose a moniker (for example, “RI Workers’ Party”) and organize under that name. The campaign may also put the moniker and/or “Rhode Island DSA” on campaign literature and signs, as long as this is paid for through the campaign’s account rather than Rhode Island DSA’s.
Rhode Island DSA does not intend to create a political party in the legal sense of the term, in compliance with its status as a 501(c)(4) organization.
Personnel Requirements
In a small House district, the campaign will need to knock roughly 13,000-14,000 doors. Door-knocking must also include voter registration for at least the first six months. Considering that the average volunteer canvasser can be expected to complete five shifts over the course of a campaign, at least 50 canvassers must be recruited, in addition to a core group of about ten people who canvass once per week.
There are many socialists from out of state who may be eager to participate in an exciting and principled electoral campaign. These out-of-state volunteers can help assemble a voter database through Nation Builder (which was used by Kshama Sawant’s campaign) or another non-VAN program. They can also assist with fundraising, phone-banking, and (when travel is feasible) canvassing. The campaign should aim to recruit 100 volunteers from out of state to provide this extra support.