JustCitizens.us Candidate Pledge

State & Local Offices

Sign the Just Citizens Candidate Pledge
Candidates who sign this pledge affirm their commitment to transparency, ethics, citizen-centered representation, support for citizens’ assemblies, constitutional self-government, and effective, accountable governance at the state and local level.

The Pledge

I am not running to serve a party. I am running to serve the people.

If elected, I commit to the following principles:

1. Truth & Transparency

- I will operate in the open whenever possible.
- I will clearly communicate my positions, decisions, and reasoning to the public.
- I will work to ensure that budgets, policies, and decisions are visible and understandable to the citizens I serve.

2. Integrity & Independence

- I will place the public interest above party pressure, donor influence, or personal gain.
- I will not trade my vote or influence for political favors.
- I will uphold the highest ethical standards in both public and private conduct.

3. Citizen-Centered Governance

- I will actively seek out and represent the informed will of my constituents—not just party leadership or narrow interests.
- I support the use of Citizens’ Assemblies and other forms of direct civic input to guide complex decisions at the state and local level.
- I will remain accessible to the people I serve, engage regularly with my community, and listen with the intent to understand. 
- I will strive to solve real problems facing my community with care, practicality, and accountability.

4. Effective & Accountable Government

- I will work to ensure that government functions effectively, responsibly, and in service of the public good.
- I will act as a careful steward of taxpayer resources, promoting transparency and long-term community benefit in budgeting and decision-making.
- I will support reforms that improve accountability, reduce dysfunction, and strengthen trust in public institutions.
- I will uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, and respect the laws and constitution of my state, as the foundation of legitimate self-government.

Final Commitment

I understand that public office is a public trust. If I fail to uphold these principles, I invite the citizens I serve to hold me accountable.

Signed,
Candidate for State or Local Office

Instructions: State & Local Candidates

For candidates running for state or local office, you may sign the pledge physically or digitally. We require your first and last name, office sought, geographic designation of your race, campaign email address for contact (will not be shown on the website), and date (if signing physically). A campaign website and party affiliation are optional.

Geographic Designation

Please use a clear and consistent format based on the office you are seeking:

• Statewide Offices (e.g., Governor, Attorney General):
  Office-State Abbreviation
  (e.g., Governor-WA, AG-CA)
• State Legislature (House/Assembly/Senate):
  State Abbreviation + Chamber + District Number
  (e.g., OR-Sen-10, CA-Asm-45, TX-House-12)
• County Offices:
  County Name + Office + State Abbreviation
  (e.g., Orange County Supervisor-CA, Salt Lake County Council-UT)
• City / Municipal Offices:
  City Name + Office + State Abbreviation
  (e.g., Denver City Council-CO, Mayor-Boise-ID)

If you are unsure of the proper designation, use your best clear description of the office and jurisdiction.

After submission, please confirm your email through the verification message we send you. Approved candidates may then be added to the public signer registry.

By submitting this form, I authorize JustCitizens.us / Common Sense 250 to publicly display the campaign information I submit here, including my name, office sought, geographic designation, party affiliation (if provided), and website after review and approval.

By signing this pledge, you consent to being listed on our website until such time as you notify us of your desire to remove your name from the pledge at [email protected]. Your acceptance of the JustCitizens.us Candidate Pledge does not constitute an endorsement from Common Sense 250, our nonprofit sponsor organization.