Questions about precint convention (kind of urgent)

[Vas Liz]

Hi all,

I just got done for voting (for DK) at my precint in Texas. The people there asked me to come back tonight at 7:15. (which is why I say kind of urgent)

Anyway, I was planning to go because the Kucinich campaign asked used to. However, I honestly don't even fully understand what a precint convention is.

Also, the election people there told me there was a real possibility I may be alone (or among a handful) of people. Apparently less than 10 people have come to vote so far for the dem primary today, while the repub primary in another room was pumping them out. (I live in a heavily repub area)

They said if I was alone I would essentially be "in charge" and offered that to me. They also said I might be a delegate. I said I would come back, and didn't really give any answers as I want to learn more about what I would be getting in to.

So I have some questions hopefully the more politically learned here can answer.

1. What exactly does a precint convention do?

2. What would be my obligations there? esp if I was alone or among a handful of people.

3. I understand what a delegate is. If I went there would I be obligated to be one? (I don't think I would object, but how many days would I be away doing that?)

Thanks for any info.

edit: Mods this might belong in 2004 primary... please move if so.

[ChickMagic]

1. I'm kind of a babe in the woods too

But here's my take on it that I've been able to glean:

1. What exactly does a precinct convention do?

It's where the precinct chairman (or any voter sans a precinct chair) figures the percentages of votes per candidate. From those percentages they assign a number of delegates to the senatorial district convention. Also, resolutions can be submitted.

2. What would be my obligations there? esp if I was alone or among a handful of people.

If you're alone, or with a handful, and there is no precinct chair, you can declare the caucus open.

3. I understand what a delegate is. If I went there would I be obligated to be one? (I don't think I would object, but how many days would I be away doing that?)

You're not obligated, but since there may not be enough people to be delegates, you might want to be like me and go in nearly blind! Mar 27 is the senatorial district convention (they'll tell you where). Just one day. From there, they select the delegates for the state convention.

Hope this helps!

[RoundRockD]

2. I too am clueless.

I also live in a heavily repub district. I hope I'm not the only democrat when I go vote tonight.

[Zookeeper]

3. Check the website for your Democratic party...

Or, better yet, call their headquarters for more information.

In Minnesota, we have precinct caucuses where we elect delegates and pass resolutions that go on to the district caucus, which is a one-day event. Then the delegates at the district level, elect delegates for the state caucus. If you go tonight, I wouldn't think you would be obligated to be a delegate.

Edited for typo.

[Vas Liz]

4. Are district caucuses

local?

[ChickMagic]

5. Yes

It will be somewhere in your senatorial district.

on edit: I guess that depends on where you are.

[seabeyond]

6. man what a mess

i went to democrat and i am going to go to the precinct thing tonite at 7:15, but........in voting democrat i couldnt vote for who i wanted for state senator cause it was by party and all the people are republican. so be to do was voting for kerry. not why i went down there. gonna have to apologize to the workers tonight when i go back. got pissed, too much of this crap

[Bucky]

7. "GO!!!!", long time Texas Dem answering (pro Clark, but Dennis needs you)

1. What exactly does a precint convention do?

it's where actual delegates are selected for the local conventions. The final tally from the primary vote earlier in the day determines the final delegate count going to Boston, but who the delegates actually are requires you to go to your convention.


2. What would be my obligations there? esp if I was alone or among a handful of people.

Go and find out! I think you need 15% of those there to get a delegate out. But if only, say, 13 people show up, Dennis gets his 15% from two delegates. Depending on how many show up, yall both might become delegates to the district convention. If you don't get 15%, yall can re-caucus with the undecideds and still switch to Dennis at the district (or if you're rural, the county convention).


3. I understand what a delegate is. If I went there would I be obligated to be one? (I don't think I would object, but how many days would I be away doing that?)

If you've voted, you can be a delegate. If you're a delegate, you will spend about four hours at a bigger convention in about three Saturdays from now, speaking up for Dennis and his causes.

Short answer: GO!!

[Zookeeper]

8. Hey, Vas Liz....

Did you go? Tell us about it!

[Vas Liz]

9. Hey!

Yes I did! I just got back and I'm nervous, but kind of excited at the same time.

I was the only person to come, and around 11 people or so voted today. (there are hundreds people in my precint, the majority repub) It's hard to believe no one else came.

The election workers called the dem party, and they said to just have me alone assume everything.

So I was "elected" a delegate. I was also "elected" chair and secretary of this precint. There could have been 3 delegates in my precint. These things said "permanent" so I don't know if that means I still hold those positions. If so I probably need to figure out how to step down...

I also submitted a few resolutions from the Kucinich platform, and one that was not. (suspension of Texas death penalty pending review)

I'm not entirely sure what my obligations will be as a delegate later this month, but I will ask when I turn in the papers.

[Yupster]

10. A precinct convention

does two things.

1. It elects delegates and alternates to the county convention. At most precinct conventions, everyone who shows up is elected.

2. Present platform resolutions to be considered by the platform committee at the local county convention.

At the county convention, the delegates will do two things.

1. Elect delegates to the state convention.

2. Write platform planks to be submitted to the state convention.

The county conventions are usually not too democratic. The delegates and platform planks are written by committees, pretty much ahead of time. The county delegates just vote yes or no.