Electing Champions for Education Equity and Racial Justice
ABOUT STAND’S ENDORSEMENT PROCESS
All elections impact public health, public safety, and education equity. When elections take place – whether for City Council, County Commission, School Board, or the Criminal Legal System – we have to determine whether or not to get involved. Our member-driven endorsement process helps us understand if a candidate is a leader who will work towards true public safety where everyone has what they need to survive and thrive, and who will stand up for what is best for youth in our community.
Not just anyone can be endorsed by Stand for Children. We run a rigorous endorsement process. By using surveys, forums, and candidate interviews, our members and supporters have the opportunity to ask tough questions of candidates to understand where they stand on key issues. From there, we decide who has what it takes to be a champion for education equity and racial justice.
Once we endorse a candidate, we want that candidate to win. To help them do so, we engage our members and supporters to assist us with:
- virtual organizing
- phone banking
- direct mail
- radio ads
- and other tactics
Electing equity and justice champions is a key part of co-creating a future where we can all feel safe and thrive. All together, we can create change.
Memphis SHelby County School Board Election – Thursday, August 1, 2024
To say the past four years were unprecedented would be an understatement. Most of the current School Board Members sat on the Board during the onset of the pandemic, resulting public health measures, pandemic-induced learning loss, the resignation of Dr. Joris Ray, and the two-year process to select a new superintendent. After all that, this August voters will decide whether those running for re-election will get another term, or whether newcomers will get a chance to lead MSCS. School Board Districts 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 are up for election, and we have begun our endorsement process. We hope to make endorsements by the end of May, stay tuned!
Memphis MUNICIPAL General Election
Thursday, October 5, 2023
We are at a pivotal moment in Memphis – this October, we will choose a new mayor to lead our city forward for the next four years. After decades of failed tough-on-crime policies, we can put Memphis on a new trajectory to truly address the roots of crime and holistically improve public safety for us all.
After a rigorous endorsement process, the candidates we endorsed demonstrated – through past experience, current perspectives, and stated goals – that they aligned most closely with our values of supporting youth opportunity and success (both in and out of school), improving public safety through non-punitive systemic approaches, and investing in our communities. We sincerely thank all of our endorsed candidates for running for office and for their commitment to Memphis. To the candidates who did not move on to the general election, we wish you all the best in your future work and hope we can continue to partner in different ways to create a brighter future for us all.
Shelby County General Election
Thursday, August 4, 2022
Congratulations to our newly elected champions for justice! We look forward to working with you to advance justice and safety for all youth and adults in every corner of Shelby County.
Helpful Voter Links
- Early Voting is July 15 – 30: Find a location near you!
- Election Day is August 4: Find your polling location
- Register to vote
- Check your district
We have a once-in-a-decade opportunity to vote for a new District Attorney, as Tennessee’s DA’s serve for 8-year terms (the longest in the nation). In addition to key offices in the criminal legal system, our entire County Commission is up for re-election – all 13 Commissioner seats and the County Mayor. We will also vote for MSCS School Board and judge positions in August, including Juvenile Court Judge. Districts 1, 6, 8, and 9 are up for election for the School Board. We need everyone to vote all the way down the ballot – these positions have enormous impacts on our youth and our future.
We’re proud to announce our General Election endorsements for the Justice System, County Commission, and School Board! These candidates align most closely with our values of supporting youth opportunity and success (both in and out of school), improving public safety through non-punitive systemic approaches, and investing in our people and communities. We sincerely thank all of our endorsed candidates for running for office and for their commitment to Memphis and Shelby County.
After a rigorous endorsement process, the candidates we endorsed in the May primary races demonstrated – through past experience, current perspectives, and stated goals – that they aligned most closely with our values of supporting youth opportunity and success (both in and out of school), improving public safety through non-punitive systemic approaches, and investing in our communities. We sincerely thank all of our endorsed candidates for running for office and for their commitment to Memphis and Shelby County. To the candidates who did not move on to the general election, we wish you all the best in your future work and hope we can continue to partner in different ways to create a brighter future for us all.
