Working Families Party asks members to vote on endorsement

NEW YORK, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- The progressive Working Families Party is asking its members to vote on which Democratic presidential candidate the party should endorse in the 2016 race.

On Monday, the WFP posted to its Facebook page asking people to join the party and cast their ballot on whether to endorse Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton or former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley.

Voters registered with the WFP cannot vote in the Democratic primary, but WFP often throws its support behind Democratic candidates. The party's relevance has grown in recent years. WFP support played a major role in the victory of New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio in 2013, according to The New York Times.

This year, two WFP candidates won state legislative seats in New York. The party has also successfully elected a number of New York City Council members and has successfully pushed progressive ballot measures.

The Huffington Post reports voting opened Monday and will remain open for a week. An endorsement by the party is expected next week.

WFP's New York chapter endorsed Barack Obama in the 2008 race, but only after he had secured the Democratic nomination.

"As 2015 comes to a close, people are tuning into the presidential race," Working Families Party National Director Dan Cantor told The Huffington Post. "There are strong opinions on all sides, and it's a healthy debate. Our membership has helped us win big fights before, and we're eager to hear what they think is the best move for progressives in 2016."