1. Democratic Caucus & Convention 2018 Elizabeth Silver – 12/18/17
CAUCUS TRAINING
Democratic
Caucus & Convention
2018
Elizabeth Silver – 12/18/17

2. Caucuses – What’s the Point?

3. Working Backwards   <--- <---
Election – November 6, 2018
Primary – September 18, 2018*
Determines Democratic Candidate
Convention – Saturday, June 2, 2018**
Determines Who Gets on the Primary Ballot
Caucuses – February 3 – March 4, 2018
Determines Who Votes for Who Goes to the Convention
*This date may change
** Convention related activities also on Friday, June 1

4. CONVENTION What: “Endorsing,” or “Nominating Convention”
Governor, AG, Treasurer, Senator (Warren), U.S. Reps
DCU Center, Worcester
Convention Rules:
State-wide candidates must receive at least 15% of delegate votes on the first ballot to be eligible to be on the Democratic Primary ballot in September 2018.
If a candidate gets >50% of delegate vote on first ballot, no more ballots.
A second ballot for endorsement (if needed) shall include only the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes on the first ballot who are still in contention for the endorsement.
The person receiving the majority of votes is the ENDORSED candidate of the Democratic Party and shall have the first position on the primary ballot and be identified on the same as the “ENDORSED CANDIDATE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS DEMOCRATIC PARTY” (Subject to legislative change)

5. CAUCUSES WHEN: February 3 – March 4
WHERE: Location must be chosen by city or town chair by January 15, 2018
To find your caucus date, time, and place:

6. CAUCUS Running and Voting
WHO
Any registered Democrat living in that city or town as of the day of the caucus may run and/or vote (chair will have lists from clerk)
Democrat? Same day registration allowed. (Go early! Doors should open 30 minutes before caucus begins)
Anyone who will be 18 years old by the 2018 primary (i.e. birthday of 9/18/2000 or earlier. MA law allows 16 and 17 year olds to pre-register to vote)
Must be present to run (unless active duty members of military who notify chair of intention to run before 2/1/18)
Must be present to vote – no exceptions
Cannot run for delegate if person publicly supported or endorsed any candidate opposing a nominee of the Democratic Party in current or prior partisan election. Duration: 4 yrs presidential; 2 yrs other
Guests allowed, but sit separately

7. Agenda AGENDA Introduction and Overview
Affirmative Action Statement (add-ons)
Review the Rules
Ex Officio Delegates
Letter from the Chair
Delegate Fee Waiver
Nomination and Election (must begin within an hour of calling the caucus to order)

8. The Rules Where to Find the Rules Method of Selecting Delegates
Convention Rules

9. The Rules Gender Breakdown*
Delegates must be equally divided between males and females
If an odd number of Delegates: one male, one female, one either
Separate ballots for male and female Delegates.
If an even number of Delegates, there are two elections, one for females and one for males.
If an odd number of Delegates (and greater than one), there will be three elections: one for females and one for males, and one for the “either” seat. This “either” election is last so anyone who lost in the first round can run again.
Alternates are elected after Delegates by the same method.
* There have been unsuccessful attempts to move the state party beyond binary

10. The Numbers Number of Delegates: Examples:
- Formula based on Democratic Party registration in the city/town
- Equal number of male and female (town and ward committee Chairs are ex-officio delegates and aren’t included in the total number of delegates allocated for the caucus)
Examples:
11 Delegates: 5 males, 5 females and 1 of either gender*
If, e.g., 2 males and 15 females are candidates – then 2 males and 5 females can be elected; and a 6th female can be elected to fill the either gender seat.
4 Delegates: 2 males and 2 females. There is no third election*
* Committee Chair and DSC members from that town or ward are ex-officio and not included

11. The Numbers Number of Alternates:
If 2 or fewer delegates, then 1 alternate (but can’t have more alternates than delegates)
If 3 delegates, then have 3 alternates
If 4 – 20 delegates, then have 4 alternates
For every 10 delegates above 20 delegates, there is 1 additional Alternate:
e.g : 5 alternates; : 6 alternates etc.
Alternates are ranked according to the number of votes each receives. Ties are decided by lot. If there was no election because the alternates were uncontested, rank is determined by lot. Order matters in case of need to fill in for delegate who can’t go to convention.

12. Nominations, Speeches, Voting
Elections
Nominations, Speeches, Voting
Nominations
- Nominations must be made and votes cast separately for each candidate and not for the slate as a whole, although slate making is not prohibited.
- Nominations are closed by two-thirds (2/3) of those present and voting or by general consent. Unless unopposed, names of candidates should be posted
- Nominations can be reopened by a majority of those present and eligible to vote.
Speeches
- Each candidate allowed up to 2-min speech (but this can be waived or amended by 2/3 of those present and eligible to vote) People can vote for as many candidates as they want up to the maximum number of persons to be elected.
Voting
- Written and secret ballot, unless running unopposed
- Election is by plurality of those present and voting (i.e. candidates receiving the greatest number of votes on the first ballot are elected). In case of tie there is a runoff.

13. Election Strategies Strategies
If you want to run for delegate, bring supporters from your ward to the caucus
If you’re supporting a specific candidate, get names of supporters in your ward through that campaign
Anyone can vote for you as long as they’re a registered Democrat and they live in your ward

14. Paperwork Paperwork, Paperwork Caucus booklet sign-in
Consent to Nominate
Delegate/Alternate Certification Form
Call to Convention:

15. Add-Ons
Add-ons: additional delegates besides those elected at a caucus
Youth (through 35), LGBT, disabled, minority
Preference to unsuccessful caucus candidates
Applications at caucus and online
Online:
Due 3/23/18

16. Some Details Registration Fee $75 per delegate UNLESS
$50 Senior, Student
Due Date
- Must be mailed or completed and received by the Party by April 20, 2018.
Late Fee
$25.00 if registration received after April 20, 2018.
Can pay online:
Fee Waiver - waives some or all of the fee
- Application forms 1) will be at the caucus or 2) online at:
- Due by April 20
- Some ward and town committees will help with cost

17. CONVENTION Meet the candidates Attend social events
Support your candidate
Help decide who will be the Democratic candidate on the September primary ballot!