How to Become a California Delegate to the Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention will be held August 25-28, 2008 in Denver, Colorado (Pepsi Center). At present, there are 4,367 delegate slots nationally (this number will change). Each state must have a Delegation which is 50% female, 50% male or within one, and must have a Delegate Selection Plan that includes Affirmative Action Goals (quotas are prohibited).
If you would like to run to be one of California’s District-Level Delegates here are the simple steps to take to get started:
You must be a registered Democrat and know your congressional district.
Beginning on January 15, 2008, the District-level delegate candidate declaration form, known as “Form A,” will be available on the California Democratic Party website: Click here for more information about how to run to be a delegate..
You must file Form A in order to be run. When completing your form you must pledge your support for one presidential candidate. Should your chosen candidate drop out of the presidential race prior to the Form A filing deadline of April 2, 2008, you have the option to file a new Form A and pledge your support to one of the remaining candidates.
Additional information about how to run to be a delegate is available on the CDP website.
The California Delegation to the National Convention Democrats will include:
441 Delegates (221 females, 220 males)
62 Alternates (31 females, 31 males)
503 TOTAL (252 females, 251 males)
‘08 Affirmative Action Goals
African-American 16%
Asian/Pacific Islander 9%
Hispanic/Latino 26%
LGBT 12%
Native American 1%
Persons wih Disabilities 10%
Youth (Under 30) * 10%
66 Superdelegates [35 females, 31 males]
32 Democratic National Committee (DNC) Members, 33 Congressional Members and 1 Former DNC Chair.
(Actually, there are 36 Democrats in Congress (34 House, plus Boxer and Feinstein) but four of our Congressional Members are on the DNC and are counted as DNC Members.)
241 District-Level Delegates [121 females, 120 males]
There will be 3 to 7 delegates allocated in each of California’s 53 Congressional Districts (CDs).
In addition, 40 CDs will each get 1 Alternate. Delegates are allocated to each Presidential candidate who receives 15% or more of the vote in any CD on February 5, 2008. Caucuses, open only to registered Democrats, to choose district-level delegates will be held on April 13, 2008 by each such presidential campaign in each of California’s 53 CDs. [File 1/15/08 through 4/2/08]
48 Pledged Party Leaders / Elected Officials and PLEOs
A PLEO is a registered Democrat from the categories below, who is committed to a candidate (who receives at least 15% of the statewide vote). If Candidate A receives 50% of the statewide vote, then Candidate A gets 24 PLEO delegates. PLEOs are confirmed by a vote of the 241 district-level delegates at the May 18, 2008 statewide meeting. [File 2/11/08 through 4/23/08]
PLEO Categories [in order]:
– big-city mayors (population 250,000 or more) and statewide elected officials
– state legislative leaders and state legislators
– other state, county and local elected officials
– California Democratic Party leaders
81 At-Large (i.e. Statewide)
Any registered Democrat who is committed to a candidate can apply. At-Large delegates are confirmed the same way as the PLEOs, based on a candidate receiving at least 15% of the statewide vote. [File 2/11/08 through 4/23/08]
Delegate Confirmation Meeting
Delegation Meets [May 18, 2008 - City TBD]
The 241 District-Level delegates will meet and confirm the 134 statewide delegates (5 “uncommitted” Add-ons, 48 PLEOs & 81 At-Large), plus 22 statewide Alternates.
The Superdelegates (66 & the 5 Add-ons) & the 370 pledged to candidates = 441 total.
The Delegation will confirm 51 National Standing Committee members (17 Credentials, 17 Platform and 17 Rules). There are 161 slots on each committee nationally, with 158 full votes.
The Delegation Co-Chairs will also be confirmed.
FYI - Only registered Democrats can run or apply to be a delegate. Independents (registered to vote in CA as “Decline to State”) can vote in our presidential primary but can’t be delegates.
Democrats abolished the Winner-Take-All system nationwide after the 1972 Convention. Delegates are responsible for all their expenses - travel, hotels, etc.
