How to become a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention
Want to be a delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver? Six Frequently Asked Questions
Question: I want to become a convention delegate and I am supporting a particular presidential candidate. Should I contact the Presidential campaign and express my interest in serving as a delegate at the convention?
Answer: Yes, contact the Presidential Campaign that you are involved in and express your interest.
Question: What is the formal process for becoming a Presidential delegate? Where do I file to become a delegate?
Answer: An individual can qualify as a candidate for a 2008 Democratic National Convention delegate or alternate position and run in Democratic Primary by:
a) filing a statement of candidacy,
b) designating your presidential preference and
c) signing a pledge of support for the Presidential candidate.
These materials must be filed with the Maryland State Board of Elections. You can file beginning November 15, 2007 and the deadline to file is December 3, 2007. 151 West Street, Suite 200 Annapolis, MD 21401 Office hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday (800)222-8683 Info@Elections.State.MD.US
Question: Once I file, what happens next? Is my name placed on the ballot to be voted on during the February 12, 2008 primary?
Answer: The State Party Chair shares the list of filed delegate candidates with the Presidential campaigns on December 4, 2007. The Presidential campaigns may approve a number of names that is the same as a or greater than -- the number of delegate positions. So, if you want to be on this approved list, again, you should contact the Presidential campaign of your choice. The top vote getters for the Presidential candidates are entitled to delegates (if the Presidential candidate garners more than 15%).
So, if Presidential candidate A is entitled to 2 delegates and candidate B is entitled to one delegate, the top 2 vote getters for candidate A win and the top one voter getter for candidate B wins, even if the top vote getter for candidate B has less votes than the third vote getter for Candidate A. To review the names of the individuals that were selected in 2004, go to: http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/40party/html/demc.html
Question: If I run in the primary, what are my chances of being selected?
Answer: Each Presidential candidate will be given delegates based upon the percentage of votes that the Presidential candidate garners. Convention delegates and alternates will be given to Presidential candidates that receive at least 15% of the primary vote.
Question: Should I campaign and ask people to vote for me? Do I have to report my expenditures to the Federal Government?
Answer: Yes, you should engage in an active campaign to secure voters and feel free to contact neighbors and friends, etc. to ask them to vote for you. You can raise money for this effort (campaigning, travel to the convention), but the money must come from federally-permissible donors (individuals); you may not receive funds from unions, corporations or non-citizens of the United States. You do not have to file a report with the Federal Election Commission unless you are part of a slate. For more information about delegate compliance, please go to http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/delegate.shtml.
Important Dates Date Activity
-December 3, 2007 Deadline for Convention Delegates to File a Statement of Candidacy with the State Board of Elections
-December 4, 2007 The State Party gives a list of those candidates that have applied to the Presidential campaigns
-December 6, 2007 Presidential campaign provides a list of approved delegates to the State Party
- February 12, 2008 Primary Election April 18, 2008 At-large delegate candidate deadline for filing the statement of candidacy and pledge of support forms with the State Party
To read the entire Maryland Delegate Selection Plan, go to www.mddems.org and click 2008 Maryland Delegate Selection Plan