Candidate Evaluations 2008
About CEC
The Municipal League of King County provides the region's only independent non-partisan,
non-agenda driven evaluation of candidates for public office. The ratings, which are based
on each candidate's involvement, effectiveness, character and knowledge, are a widely
respected tool to help citizens make informed voting decisions.
Ratings are determined after careful research by citizen volunteers, extensive interviews
in front of citizen volunteer committees and vetting by the Municipal League's board of
trustees. Completed questionnaires by candidates and notes from the rating process are published
in print and online ahead of the primary election.
Volunteers
Citizen volunteers make the candidate evaluation process possible. Volunteers need to attend a
training session and commit to a series of evening sessions in order to conduct candidate interviews.
Committees are organized by geography and are generally held in Seattle, the Eastside and South King County.
Candidate Evaluation Committee Expectations
Time Commitment
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Training sessions:
June
3 and 4. Meeting 6 – 9 p.m. in Seattle. Individuals who
cannot attend all the training sessions can view them on video tape.
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Candidate Investigation:
June 9 - 13. In addition to the evening meetings, each evaluator
investigates 2-3 candidates; checks references, collects information on campaign donors
and other background and presents to the committee.
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Candidate Evaluation
Interview meetings: June 16 – 19 and June 23 – 26. Committees
meet Monday through Thursday, usually from 5:45 - 9 p.m. Evaluators are expected to attend
at least 50% of candidate interviews.
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Final Review:
July 7 and 8. 6 p.m. Each committee will schedule its own final review during the week of
July 16 in order to finalize recommendations to the Municipal League board. Final review
meetings generally last two to three hours, depending on the number of candidates evaluated.
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Board Final Review:
July
14 - 15. Each committee has approximately 90 minutes to present
their recommendations for final approval by the Municipal League board.
Evaluators' commitment
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Examine candidates fairly and without prejudice.
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Refrain from actively supporting any candidate rated by the Municipal League during
the 2007 election cycle.
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Refrain from endorsing, making monetary contributions or attending campaign events
of any candidate the League rates during 2007.
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Maintain complete confidentiality of all committee matters during and after the ratings process.
Evaluators’ Rewards
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Training by leading experts about important issues facing King County.
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Opportunity to meet, interview and rate candidates for county, judicial, and city offices
throughout King County.
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Meet and work with other concerned, involved citizens who care about the future of King County.
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Make a difference by having work published in a format that helps voters make informed decisions.
2008 Timeline
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Training sessions
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June 3 and 4
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Candidate Investigation
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June 9 - 13
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Candidate Evaluation Committee meetings
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June 16 - 19
and 23 - 26
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Final Review
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July 7 and 8
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Board Final Review
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July 14 and
15
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Candidates
In 2008, the League will
be evaluating candidates running for State Representative and Senate races the
fall within King County and that are contested seats.
Candidates should submit background information prior to their interview with a candidate
evaluation committee. The questionnaire forms the basis of the evaluation process and will be
distributed to the committee. Except for the confidential section, the questionnaires will be
published on the Municipal League's website.
The ratings are non-partisan and based on four criteria: involvement, effectiveness, character,
and knowledge. The process has been developed and refined over nearly 100 years.
About The Ratings
Past Candidate Evaluation Results
Candidate Evaluation reports for the last several years are available on-line. To see a
report, just click on the desired year.
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