Pennsylvania
Related: About this forumCould I get a crash course in how Dem convention delegates are chosen and elected?
This is the first Dem primary campaign I've helped on, and I've come to realize how much I don't know, especially about convention delegates.
I've learned that each delegate, representing his or her congressional district must obtain 250 verifiable Dem. district signatures, each on a separate petition based on county of residence. Does not this favor those in urban/suburban, heavily D districts, and handicap those in rural, gerry-mandered red districts?
What happens if the delegate fails to obtain and submit enough verified signatures? Is a space left open on the primary ballot to write-in the delegate?
If voters can write-in delegates on the primary ballot, what are the rules for advertising that possibility to Dem voters in the district?
Are local, county Dem organizations allowed to support one candidate over the other? I know they help circulate delegate petitions, and I'm wondering if the rules say they must circulate them all. I assume they must.
Finally, who makes these rules? Are they agreed on by the PA State Dem. organization, or the DNC?
I'm trying to help a friend, but frankly, I never was taught this aspect of elections in my old high school civics class (way back when).
Thanks, PA Group!
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)So contact the Democratic Party in your state and they will be able to fill you in on this.
In caucus states, you can become a delegate by showing up at the first caucus, getting selected to go on to the next level, and so on. In primary states there will be other mechanisms in play.
grntuscarora
(1,249 posts)And I'm curious about those "other mechanisms" that are in play.
rug
(82,333 posts)The answer is somwhere in those 42 pages.
If it's not, contact your county committee.
grntuscarora
(1,249 posts)Thanks so much!
rug
(82,333 posts)I'm in Pike County where the County Committee is fairly moribund. At least a quarter of the offices don't have a Democratic candidate running. Although the 2008 Primary was very vigorous.
grntuscarora
(1,249 posts)femmocrat
(28,394 posts)I'm pretty sure you have to get the 250 signatures, plus some extras just in case some of them are incorrect. I got help and advice from my union. Collecting signatures was actually fun and people were very friendly.
I didn't even get my name on the ballot because my candidate (Clark) dropped out before the filing deadline.
It seemed that party insiders (such as county officials) got the slots on the ballot. They were all Kerry delegates.
I think your local party headquarters should be able to help you or point you in the right direction. Good luck to your friend!