How Do I Fill Out an Endorsement Questionnaire? A Step-by-Step Guide
You want to get endorsements, but there’s a logistical hurdle that’s the bane of every candidate’s existence: the endorsement questionnaire.
If you’re running for office or working on a campaign, you’ve probably encountered an endorsement questionnaire or two (or twenty). These forms are typically sent out by political organizations, unions, advocacy groups, and PACs. And while some of them are straightforward and match your office, others ask for the equivalent of a white paper or a comprehensive plan to solve climate change or bring peace to the Middle East.
While daunting and tedious, questionnaires are a crucial part of securing endorsements to boost your campaign's visibility and credibility — but if you answer them incorrectly, you may lose the endorsement opportunity or worse, break the law.
Follow our guide to submitting these questionnaires to ensure that you put your best foot forward in securing endorsements from the folks you care about.
Why Endorsements Matter
Securing an endorsement doesn’t just give you a name to put on your campaign materials — an endorsement from the right organization can provide added credibility, momentum, and money, especially if you're a first-time candidate or running in a crowded race.
From better name ID to new voter bases, networks of donors, and valuable volunteers, endorsements give you a strategic edge with support from key leaders in your constituency.
Let’s dive into how exactly you should answer endorsement questionnaires.
Step 1: Do Your Homework
Before you start answering questions, take some time to research the organization or group sending you the questionnaire. This will help you tailor your answers to align with their mission and values.
Key Tips:
Consider your values alignment: Should you fill this out in the first place? Is it aligned with your platform and values? Just because you're invited to apply for an endorsement doesn't mean you have to or should.
Check their website: Look for their policy positions, past endorsements, and any public statements. This will give you insight into what they care about.
Understand the audience: Consider who this organization represents. Are they focused on labor rights, environmental issues, or social justice? Knowing their priorities will help you craft a more focused and relevant response that shows you align with their values.
Step 2: Candidate First
It’s an unspoken secret of the political industry that many (if not most) questionnaires are answered by staffers, not the candidates themselves. That said, if the candidate fills out the first questionnaire for each issue area or type of interest group, it’ll save you more time since you know their position already and can represent it accurately using their words. Plus, once you get through a couple of questionnaires, you’ll have a general idea of how to answer the most common questions, so it’ll become less time-consuming as you go on.
Key Tips:
Stick to the word limit: If there’s a word count limit, respect it. Being concise shows you respect the committee’s time.
Use bullet points or short paragraphs: You can always build out responses later, but having their ideas as a guide means you have a strong foundation that will save you both time.
Get to the heart of the issue: Answer the question directly. Don’t beat around the bush or go off on tangents.
Step 3: Highlight Your Core Values and Key Policies
This is your chance to showcase what you stand for and how your platform aligns with the organization's priorities. Tie your core campaign values to their mission whenever possible.
Key Tips:
Be honest: Committees can tell when a candidate is simply telling them what they want to hear. Be authentic about where you stand, even if you don’t agree on every issue. Remember: questionnaires are on the record. They are often leaked or published, and if you say one thing to one group and the opposite to another — it’ll eventually come out.
Connect your policies to their work: If you’re filling out a questionnaire from an environmental organization, make sure to highlight your climate change platform. For labor unions, talk about your position on workers’ rights and collective bargaining.
Provide specific examples: Instead of saying, "I support education," provide a concrete example of how you plan to improve public schools. Specificity shows that you’ve thought deeply about the issues. Bonus points if you have any lived, professional, or political experience you can highlight.
Step 4: Anticipate Tough Questions
Many questionnaires include tough or controversial questions that might make you pause. These could be about issues where your position may not perfectly align with the organization’s stance. It’s crucial to handle these questions with care.
Key Tips:
Don’t dodge the question: If you try to avoid the issue or give a vague answer, it could hurt your credibility. It’s better to be honest and explain your position.
Frame your response thoughtfully: If your views differ from the organization’s, try to find common ground. For example, “I share your commitment to [related issue], and I believe we can work together to find solutions that benefit all of us.” Another strategy is emphasizing the less controversial aspects of your stance.
Read carefully: Sometimes questions may be worded differently or in a confusing way (double negatives are a popular trap) in order to ensure that your team has truly read the questionnaire and isn’t just copying and pasting responses. Be detail-oriented and double-check the questions and answers.
Final Thoughts
Endorsement questionnaires may seem daunting at first, but they’re an excellent opportunity to secure support from key organizations’ leaders in your district and the wider movement. As an extra tip, as with anything your campaign should be doing, always remember to carefully proofread your work and submit it on time. Track deadlines and create proper approvals workflows to ensure you don’t miss the forest for the trees.
By following these steps, you’ll not only submit polished and persuasive responses but also show that you’re a serious, thoughtful candidate.
At Evinco, we specialize in guiding candidates through the nuances of campaigning, from answering endorsement questionnaires to building winning strategies. Have more questions or need help on the campaign trail? Book a FREE 15-minute strategy session with us today!