Running for a Village of Mamaroneck 

Office on the Democratic Party Line

 

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The Village of Mamaroneck Democratic Committee seeks to identify qualified candidates for elected office. We look for competent and actively engaged persons. In each case — in keeping with Democratic ideals of fairness, inclusion and transparency — we aim to inspire, inform and enlist all interested local Democrats in our activities. In so doing, the Committee aims to engage in best practices to advance Democratic values.

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​What you need to know:

 

  1. Elected Offices

    The following are the six elected office positions for the Village of Mamaroneck: Mayor (1), Trustee (4), and Village Justices (2). The Mayor and Trustees serve two-year terms. The Village Justices serve four-year terms.
     
  2. Election Announcement

    In or around December of each year, the Village of Mamaroneck Democratic Committee (the "Committee”) will announce which Village offices are up for election in the following year. The Committee will also announce a time period during which persons seeking the Committee’s endorsement, including elected incumbents, may submit a current résumé and letter of introduction stating their qualifications and experience and their goals for the Village.   Once the Committee has this information, it will publicize which incumbents are seeking re-election.

    All prospective candidates who have submitted their résumés and letters of introduction before the announced deadline will be invited to present to the Committee members to be held in January and/or February, after which Committee members will meet to decide whether and whom the Committee will endorse.
     
  3. Endorsement – Benefits and Limitations

    Limitations:

    Endorsements do not guarantee any candidate will get on the ballot or win the June Democratic Primary. The Committee's endorsement does not determine which candidates will run for office or appear on the Democratic Party ballot line in the General Election -- registered Democratic voters of the Village of Mamaroneck determine the Democratic candidates in the June Primary Election, in the case of a contest.

    All candidates     for Village office are required to participate in the designating petition process that is administered by the Westchester County Board of Elections pursuant to New York State Election Law. 

    Endorsed candidates are expected to form their own political committee to finance and run their campaigns. Candidates, other than candidates for Village Justice, may form joint political committees with other candidates.

    Benefits:

    Typically, Committee members carry designating petitions for endorsed candidates, which can be an onerous task.  It is expected that all endorsed candidates will also carry designating petitions for themselves and other endorsed candidates.  In addition, the Committee will typically promote the candidate on its website and social media.  Committee members often volunteer at events to promote endorsed candidates.
     
  4. Getting on the Ballot – Eligibility and Process

    Per New York State law, all candidates for Village office must be reside in the Village.


All candidates must also submit a designating petition with the required number of valid signatures to the Westchester County Board of Elections for certification, and must do so within the deadline specified in the current year’s New York State Political Calendar.

If more than one candidate submits qualified petitions for a particular office, those candidates will participate in the Democratic Primary Election held annually on the fourth Tuesday in June.

Sample forms, signature requirements, and other essential information can be found at Running for Office Forms and Election Dates and Calendars on the Westchester County Board of Elections website, and Running for Office on the New York State Board of Elections website.
 

  1. Campaigning

    The Committee expects its endorsed candidates to engage actively with the public during the campaign phase, whether or not the positions they seek are contested. Activities include participation in candidate forums; appearances at community gatherings; door-to-door canvassing and distribution of campaign literature. The Committee will offer assistance for these activities to its endorsed candidates.

    In the event of a Democratic Party primary, the Committee will endeavor to ensure that a candidate forum is conducted through the local League of Women Voters.
     
  2. Primary Election

    The New York State Primary Election is held on the fourth Tuesday in June preceded by nine days of early voting and the opportunity for absentee voting by mail.
     
  3. General Election

    The General Election is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, preceded by nine days of early voting and the opportunity for absentee voting by mail.

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What the Committee Looks for in a Mayor or Trustee Candidate:

 

  • Professional skills or other experience relevant to serving in Village government
  • Demonstrated commitment to the community, preferably on at least one of the Village’s volunteer boards or committees
  • Basic understanding of the structure of Village government
  • Basic understanding of the different roles of Village, Town, County, and State government
  • Familiarity with and aligned positions on current Village issues  
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills
  • Commitment to fundamental Democratic Party values and goals, in particular as may be applied at the village level of government


 What the Committee Looks for in a Village Justice Candidate:

 

  • Legal training, admission to the NY Bar and experience relevant to the issues and cases under the jurisdiction of the Village Justice (e.g., allegations of violations of the Penal Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, Landlord/Tenant disputes and Village Code) 
  • Demonstrated commitment to the community, preferably on one of the Village’s volunteer boards or committees
  • Administrative skills/experience to ensure effective management of court staff and the Village Court’s caseload
  • Good writing, communication and interpersonal skills
  • Commitment to fundamental Democratic Party values and goals, and an exhibited capacity for empathy and fairness

While the Village Justice position is an elected office and typically campaigns on a party line, NY ethics laws that pertain to judges prohibit judges from being involved in politics except with respect to their own campaigns.

 

 

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