Candidate Commitments (Promises & Plan)

A standardized commitments format so voters can compare plans side-by-side.

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Why We're Asking for Standardized Commitments

Campaign promises are easy to make and hard to compare. We're asking candidates to publish commitments in a standard format so voters can evaluate plans side-by-side. This template emphasizes commitments that are measurable, time-bound, and finance-aware—including likely resource impacts and constraints involved in delivering results.

Candidate Commitments Statement (Template)

Candidates: copy/paste the template below into a document (PDF preferred) and submit it for posting.

  1. 1) Candidate Name + Office Sought

    • Name: _______________________
    • Office sought: _______________________
    • Election date: _______________________

  2. 2) Top 5 Commitments (12–24 months)

    Write each as Action + Outcome + Deadline.

    Commitment # Action Outcome Deadline
    #1 _______ _______ _______
    #2 _______ _______ _______
    #3 _______ _______ _______
    #4 _______ _______ _______
    #5 _______ _______ _______

  3. 3) How You'll Pay For It / Resource Impact

    For each commitment, choose one and explain briefly:

    • ☐ Reprioritize existing funds
    • ☐ Reduce costs / improve efficiency
    • ☐ Seek grants / outside funding
    • ☐ Bond / long-term financing
    • ☐ Utility rate impact (describe)
    • ☐ Not yet costed (explain what info is needed and when you'll provide an estimate)

  4. 4) Operational Plan (How it gets done)

    For each commitment identify:

    • Who does the work (departments/partners): _______________________
    • What approvals are required (board votes, hearings, procurement steps): _______________________
    • What outside help is needed (engineer, auditor, counsel, planner, etc.): _______________________
    • What the first 90 days look like: _______________________

  5. 5) What You Will NOT Do (3 items)

    • I will not _______________________
    • I will not _______________________
    • I will not _______________________

  6. 6) Decision Standards (How you will vote / decide)

    Examples:

    • • Competitive bids and documented procurement
    • • Debt tolerance and financial guardrails
    • • Ratepayer protections and impact analysis
    • • FOIL responsiveness and record transparency
    • • Evidence-based decision making with public citations

    Your standards: _______________________

  7. 7) Transparency Pledge

    Check all that you commit to:

    • ☐ Publish sources and documents when making major claims
    • ☐ Disclose conflicts and recuse when appropriate
    • ☐ Support clear public meeting materials before votes
    • ☐ Respond to FOIL lawfully and promptly
    • ☐ Provide periodic public updates on progress vs commitments

Constraints Candidates Should Address

Candidate Commitments Submissions

Candidate submissions may be posted here as they are received.