Navigating the Last Stages of the Delegate Process

The Young Voter PAC has put together a resource guide for young people looking to run as delegates to the convention. A valuable resource for those struggling to navigate the process, especially amid all the cuts by the campaigns.

Navigating the Last Stages of the Delegate Process:
A resources guide from the Young Voter PAC and Young Super Delegates

The Young Voter PAC and Young Super Delegates want all young people to be able to run in their state’s delegate races. While we understand the rules affirm campaigns can cut their lists to the minimum amount required by the rules (which we post below), we still believe it is critical, in order to continue to build the Democratic Party and secure the youth voting bloc, that young people be given the opportunity to run and that young people be considered for “At-Large” or “PLEO” delegate spots.

Since this is the first time so many young people are running as delegates, making sure young people know the rules so they have the best possible shot at getting elected to represent their candidates as a delegate in an important role for everyone involved in the Democratic family.

There are some things you can do as a young person in order to get elected in your state to be a “pledged delegate” for your candidates of choice in Denver, CO at the DNC’s National Convention.

It should be noted, that we are talking about pledged delegates. There is no room (this time around) for you to become an “unpledged delegate” at this point in the process because those slots are given to your State Party leaders, state DNC Members, Democratic Congressional Members and Distinguished Party leaders. But, if you are looking ahead to 4 years from now—you can and should try to become a DNC member in your state.

If you have any questions, please email info@youngvoterpac.org or visit www.youngvoterpac.org.

General Tip

Get known by all the decision makers and opinion leaders. Being known is critical. Do NOT be humble in this process. Create a Facebook or MySpace page making the case for your delegate status, talk to the campaign, write letters to your DNC members especially the Chair (and share a copy of the letter in the resources section), write letters to your elected officials…reach out to folks and make the case.

If You Were Cut or Think You Might be Cut

If your state has NOT gone through the “cutting” process yet, now is the time to make your case to opinion leaders (e.g. vocal youth voting advocates in your state, young staff at the State Party level who might be able to help you make the case, young elected officials, etc.) as well—and most important-- as the campaign you are supporting that you are one of the best people to represent the candidate as well as young people. You should locate the Regional or State Director of the campaign you want to serve as a delegate for and reach out to that person.

State Party staff does NOT decide who or if someone is cut, that is a decision by the campaign. State The reality is, often times the “cutting” process is staff in a room looking at the list and doing their best to figure out who their top supporters are—and since this is often young people’s first time running as a delegate, the staff might not know who you are, so you have to make that happen.

If you state has gone through the “cutting” process and you got the rejection email, now is the time start to Plan B. If you happen to be a young elected official or a Party leader, you might be able to get to serve as a delegate in the role of a “PLEO” which means you are in the category of "Party Leaders and Elected Officials." Even if you are not an elected official or Party leader, the DNC’s Youth Council and the Association of State Party Chairs, Mike Brewer, sent a letter to all State Party Chairs encouraging them to appoint young people as PLEOs, so you can and definitely should, try that strategy in order to become a delegate.

Otherwise, you could also try to get one of the “At-Large” delegate slots that your Party has control over. These are positions that go to people for various reasons—some to reach diversity goals, some to reach gender balance, and there is no reason you can’t make the case to your State Party that young people are critical this election cycle and that you want to serve as a leader in the Party to help secure that voting bloc.

Other Resources

The Democratic National Convention Committee has a great resource up that walks you through the process of becoming a delegate, the definition of the various types of delegates and an interactive map of your state that shows the number of delegates pledge and unpledged your state is allotted.

The DNC’s Youth Council and the Association of State Parties sent a letter (pdf) to each State Party Chair encouraging them to appoint young people as PLEOs, use this letter to help make your case for a PLEO delegate spot.

The DNC’s Youth Council is holding conference calls to help people navigate the process in your state, check out their Facebook page to see when one is happening in your state.

Jane Fleming Kleeb wrote a piece on MTV’s chooseorlose.com site that she tailored for her state. You can take her blog post and simply edit the state section and post on your blog or Facebook or MySpace page.

Delegate Selection Rules

The full document of rules is on the Democratic National Convention Committee’s website. Below are a few pertinent rules.

According to Rule 12.D in the 2008 Delegate Selection Rules for the Democratic National Convention, state parties are required to supply to each presidential candidate a list of all persons who have filed for a delegate or alternate position pledged to that candidate. Candidates and their campaigns have the right to remove from the list those individuals that are not considered bona fide supporters of that candidate.

According to Rule 12.E, those individuals that have been removed from the list of bona fide supporters are not at all eligible to run for a position as delegate or alternate.

According to Rule.12.E(1), presidential candidates may only remove individuals from the list of bona fide supporters if at a minimum, there will be three (3) names for every one position in which that presidential candidate is entitled.

According to Rule.12.E(2), presidential candidates, in consultation with the state party, may remove any candidate for at-large and pledged party leader and elected official delegate or alternate position if at a minimum, one (1) name remains for every delegate position that candidate is entitled.

According to Regulation 4.23.A, when removing bona fide supporters, presidential candidates shall use their best efforts to make sure that delegate candidates meet the equal division goals and the affirmative action goals.

According to Regulation 4.23.C, delegate candidates removed from the list of bona fide supporters by a presidential candidate may file to run for another level as delegate, such as PLEO or at-large, and may also pledge to another candidate.

Each State Party Democratic Chair is required to certify to the Co-Chairs of the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee that each presidential candidate used their best efforts to ensure that their district-level delegate candidates meet the affirmative action and inclusion goals of the Affirmative Action plan for each state.