Roanoke Indivisible Endorsement Criteria for Statewide and Local Candidates

Indivisible is a big tent and does not coordinate with or support a particular candidate due to political affiliation. The candidate must demonstrate a commitment to key progressive human rights priorities such as racial and social justice, reproductive freedom, economic equity, climate action, environmental sustainability, immigrant rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and access to healthcare and education.
The candidate should have a track record (or if a new candidate, a stated intention) of community engagement and be accessible and responsive to constituents. We prioritize candidates who show up, listen, and maintain transparent, two-way communication with community members—especially those historically marginalized.
The candidate must clearly and publicly reject authoritarianism, white nationalism, election denialism, and policies that erode civil rights and democratic norms.
The candidate must advocate for fair elections, voting access, redistricting reform where appropriate, and efforts to protect democratic institutions at the local and state level.
Preference is given to candidates who engage in people-powered campaigning—such as small-dollar fundraising, volunteer engagement, and organizing door-to-door efforts—rather than relying on corporate or special interest funding. Corporate donation sources alone are not disqualifying, but we encourage a broad base of donors focusing on individuals.

The candidate must demonstrate understanding of and propose equitable solutions for issues that impact the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas—such as affordable housing, public transportation and roads, education funding, environmental justice, internet access, and access to rural healthcare.
The candidate should be open to partnership with local advocacy groups and demonstrate respect for grassroots coalitions, including Indivisible and allied movements.
The candidate must present a platform with actionable goals and policies that reflect progressive values and can be realistically pursued at the office level they are seeking.
Endorsed candidates should be able to clearly and compellingly articulate policy positions in public forums, debates, and media appearances.
When multiple viable candidates are in a race, our endorsement will only be made if one clearly meets our criteria above the others. We aim to unify progressive energy, not divide it unnecessarily.