Following are answers to the questions we have been asked most frequently about the Democracy Awards. Read on to learn how your office can apply for an award, or why your Member of Congress was chosen. Don't see your question answered? More answers can be found on this page.

What is the Democracy Awards Program?

The Democracy Awards Program was created by the Congressional Management Foundation to recognize non-legislative achievement and performance in congressional offices and by Members of Congress in four categories.

How were the award categories and criteria developed?

CMF developed categories and criteria for the awards over the last five years with input from former Members of Congress, current and former congressional staff, and the Maxwell School for Public Policy and Citizenship at Syracuse University.

What are the award categories and criteria?

• Constituent Service – Recognizes offices for their outstanding practices or achievements acting as ombudsmen with the federal government or assisting constituents through service or casework. [criteria here]
• Innovation – Recognizes offices employing unique or innovative methods in their constituent interactions, communications, or office operations [criteria here]
• "Life in Congress" Workplace Environment – Highlights offices that have established both formal policies and informal cultures that enhance the work-life fit and professional development of their staffs. [criteria here]
• Transparency and Accountability – Honors offices that provide clear and relevant information on their work and performance, and publicly acknowledge metrics for that performance. [criteria here]
• Lifetime Achievement – Singles out two Members (one Democrat and one Republican) and one congressional staffer for their lifetime of work in the service of Congress. [criteria here]

How are the finalists and winners chosen?

Representative and Senate personal offices nominate themselves for Democracy Awards using an online questionnaire for the four office categories. For the Lifetime Achievement award, current congressional staff may nominate other current Members of Congress and Legislative Branch staffers for recognition. The Congressional Management Foundation follows up with award applicants to gather documentation and assess the office's adherence to the established criteria. For example, CMF staff reviews their nomination material and supporting documentation, examines their social media platforms and website, and conducts interviews with staff. Following this extensive review, CMF staff selects finalists from both parties.

After the finalists are chosen, an expert committee comprised primarily of former Members of Congress and former congressional staffers (representing both parties and chambers) will select two winners (one Republican and one Democrat) from each of the Democracy Award categories. This outside review is done in “blind” fashion, meaning that the names and parties of the finalists will not be known to the committee. They only know the practices/policies of each finalist they are reviewing in each category. Once the winners are selected, they will be announced in May and both the finalists and winners will be recognized at an awards ceremony in July.

Additional Information

Don't see your question answered? More answers can be found on this page.