PDA email about voting on Tuesday

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Dear New York Progressive Democrats:

Several of you have contacted me with questions about how the delegate selection and voting process happens in New York State. This is very relevant information for those who may want to vote strategically for delegates along with their choice for presidential candidate in the upcoming Super Tuesay Primary Election on February 5, 2008.


Well, I wish that the delegate selection process in NY was simple enough to convey in a short email, but no such luck. So I have included links to pages on the NY State Democratic Committee website that explain the whole process in more detail.


However, I can also distill the voter's decision on delegates down to this "simple" directive:

1. Vote for the presidential candidate of your choice

2. Vote for the number of delegates you can vote for in your Congressional District-- you can vote for less than the number allowed, but you cannot vote for more than the number allowed. You can choose the delegates you wish to vote for from any of the candidates' lists of pledged delegates. For example, say you vote for Candidate A and you also vote for a delegate who is pledged to Candidate B. Your vote for candidate is still for Candidate A, but if Candidate B gets at least 15% of the vote in your district, then you will have furthered the chances of the "Delegate-who-is-pledged-to-Candidate-B" (whom you voted for delegate) being one of the delegates that represents & votes for Candidate B in the first round of voting at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, CO.

Wow-- really "simple" huh? For more information, see the following links:

1. This link goes to an article which explains pledged delegates, at-large delegates and super-delegates and how they each will play a role in nominating the Democratic Presidential Candidate at the National Convention in Denver, CO. (Note: this blog was posted prior to Edwards dropping out of the race, but the information is still valid).

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/28/mysteries-of-new-york-democratic-delegates-explained/

2. This link provides more comprehensive information on the delegate selection process.

http://nydems.org/delegate_selection.php

3. This link takes you to the homepage of the NY Dems website, where you can find out all sorts of (hopefully useful & accurate) information on Super Tuesday in New York.

http://nydems.org/supertuesday.php


Whatever you do, VOTE! And if you see any election irregularities, disenfranchisement, intimidation or violations of election law, please call the Election Protection Hotline 1-866-OUR-VOTE

In Solidarity,

Frances Anderson - New York State Coordinator