| We will take it section by section.
"When you get there don't expect anyone to know where it's occurring or who's in charge." - While I understand the sentiment, the words are totally unnecessary. Anyone who has ever PARTICIPATED in the running of an election knows that it is a very hectic time.
Election Judges (who are often times the Precinct Chair - because it's extremely hard to find dedicated Democrats, who are willing to do the hard work like actually running an election) have to close the polls and get things delivered to the county elections department.
So, excuse us if we seem a little distracted when it comes to our Precinct Conventions. Which, by the way, - no one has ever bothered to show up to before, even though these have been the rules Of the Texas Democratic Party for many decades.
WHAT HAPPENS IN A NUTSHELL - The information in this section mostly true, but there are some technical issues that are totally wrong.
1. You do not have to sign in under a presidential preference. You can sign in as uncommitted.
2. The TDP rules do NOT indicate that the "chair along with representatives from each candidate" calculate anything. It would be up to the Permanent Chair of the Convention to allow this process.
3. In addition to hearing any resolutions, upon reconvening the entire delegation must elect a Delegation Chair to represent the entire delegation at the Senatorial District Convention.
WHAT YOU NEED
Every document needed to run the Precinct Convention will be included in the election supplies given to the Election Judge. There will be a Precinct Convention Packet at the precinct convention location. It will contain the items listed on the "handy" guide.
- Just because you have never met your Precinct Chair, does not mean that person does not exist. - I suggest you try to find the person who will be the Temporary Convention Chair.
Also, you may find yourself on the wrong end of a cussing out if you walk in thinking you are going to take over - simply because DFT told you, "JUST DO IT". (Especially if you live in the 16th or 23rd Senatorial Districts)
Try to find the Precinct Chair or Temporary Convention Chair.
It is highly unlikely that your Precinct Convention packet will not have necessary documents for recording the convention properly. Please exhaust all possibilities by contacting the local or state party, before you resort to jotting things down on any other piece of paper. Remember that this information has to pass the Credentials Committee at the Senatorial District Convention.
WHO ATTENDS
Your vote counts 100% at the time you cast it. You DO NOT need to vote twice. As a matter of fact, it is illegal to vote more than once.
Participation in the Precinct Convention is NOT a second vote. It is simply the 1st step in becoming a delegate to the Democratic Party's National Nominating Convention in Denver Colorado.
Any person who has voted in the Democratic Primary is a qualified participant for Precinct Convention purposes.
You do not need to return to the Precinct Convention to "validate" your vote. Your vote counts 100% at the time you cast it.
SIGNING IN FOR OBAMA AT THE PRECINCT CAUCUS.
First, it's a Precinct Convention not a caucus. The words Convention and Caucus are not interchangeable. The participants have the ability to caucus during the convention, but it is not a Precinct Caucus.
"Once the signature is on the list, the person has "voted" in the caucus for the allocation of delegates and may leave." WRONG! Texas Democratic Party rules state as follows: Article IV Section B Precinct Convention 6(b) Order of Business; "Preparation by the Precinct Chair of the Temporary Roll of the Convention. This shall be a list of qualified participants who are present" - Page 22 of the Texas Democratic Party Rules 2006-2008
PLEASE NOTE: ONLY PEOPLE WHO ARE PRESENT CAN SIGN IN TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PERCENTAGE USED TO CALCULATE DELEGATES. If you attempt to sign people in who are not present to be included in the roll used to calculate delegate counts, YOU WILL BE IN VIOLATION of Texas Democratic Party rules and your credentials could be denied at the Senatorial District Convention.
If you would like to be considered as a delegate and cannot attend the Precinct Convention, you may be added to the sign in sheet with a double asterisk. You can be considered for a delegate position, but you will not be counted as part of the roll used to calculate delegate counts.
Election of Chair and Secretary
"The advantage of being Secretary is that you get to take home the sign in list." and every sentence following this sentence in this paragraph is WRONG!
7. Submission of Records. The record and a copy shall be signed officially by the Permanent Convention Chair, sealed, and transmitted safely in person, no later than the third day after the convention, or by certified mail, return receipt requested, no later than the second day after the Convention, by the Permanent Chair to the County Chair or County Executive Committee Secretary, who shall send a copy of the delegate and alternate list to State Party headquarters. Copies shall be retained on file at both the county and state office until the end of the primary election year. (Texas Election Code ยง174.027) Page 22 of Texas Democratic Party Rules.
As stated above, the Permanent Convention Chair, NOT the Permanent Convention Secretary is responsible for getting all documents to the State and Local Democratic Party. The Convention packet MUST be sealed and then transported by the Chair.
I think the writers of this handy need to take a closer look at the Texas Democratic Party rule before they transmit more incorrect information to the masses of Barack Obama supporters out there.
When people show up and they have been mis-informed by those seeking to help his campaign, they are going to be upset. And this "handy" guide is not going to matter. It all boils to this: "If you're going to play the game properly, you'd better know every rule." - Barbara Jordan
In Dallas County attend one of three Precinct Convention Trainings given by the Dallas County Democratic Party:
Date: Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Plumbers & Pipefitters Union Hall
3629 W. Miller Rd.
Garland, TX 75041
Date: Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: Communications Workers of America Hall
1408 Washington Ave.
Dallas, TX
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2008
Time: 1:00 PM
Place: Frank Crowley Courthouse - Central Jury Room
133 Industrial Blvd.
Dallas, TX |
