Precinct Convention Training

1
Precinct Convention Training

• How to make REAL change in the Democratic Party
• Prepared by the Tarrant County Democratic Party,
  with information provided by Democracy for Texas
  and the Progressive Populist Caucus of the TDP

2
What is the Precinct Convention?

• The First Step
• To be a Senate District Delegate
• To be a State Convention Delegate
• To be a National Convention Delegate in
  Presidential Years
• For Resolutions for change in the Platform and
  Rules of the Democratic Party

3
When and Where is the Precinct Convention?

• At the polling location of your Precinct
• Primary Day at 715
• March 7, 2006
• Election Judges MUST POST THIS INFORMATION in the
  Polling Location on Primary Day

4
Who can attend?

• Anyone who has voted in the 2006 Democratic
  Primary whether they voted
• Early
• By Mail
• On Primary Day

5
So Im there, how do I get this thing started?

• When you arrive
• Find the Democratic Election Judge and determine
  if they are participating or if you or someone
  else will convene the convention
• If the Judge is not convening the convention
• Get the Precinct Convention Packet from the
  Election Judge supplies.
• If the judge has already left, you may convene
  the convention without the required paperwork
  PLEASE NOTE WHAT NEEDS TO BE TURNED INTO
  DEMOCRATIC HEADQUARTERS
• Gather your precinct in the appropriate location
• Maybe a corner of the cafeteria, a classroom, or
  a spot in the foyer of the polling location or
  right outside

6
Were gathered, what next?

• There are five easy steps to the convention
• 1 Everyone signs in
• 2 A chair and secretary are elected for the
  convention
• 3 Delegates and alternates are elected by
  individual vote OR by a slate
• 4 Resolutions are discussed and voted on
• 5 Adjourn the convention

7
Why are Sign-ins Important?

• To be sure each delegate has voted in the 2006
  Primary
• a Credentials Committee will review each Delegate
• To be sure each delegate GETS SENATE DISTRICT
  CONVENTION INFORMATION and State Convention
  Information
• Emails are extra helpful in this endeavor!

8
How many delegates?

• Delegates are allotted to each Precinct based on
  the number of votes in the last Gubernatorial
  Election
• For each delegate there should be an alternate

9
What if I cant attend but want to be a delegate?

• Be sure someone in your Precinct knows you want
  to attend the Convention
• The Precinct Chair
• The Election Judge
• A friend or neighbor who is attending the
  Precinct Convention
• names and addresses can be found at
  www.tarrantdems.org
• Call or email Democratic Headquarters at
  817-335-8683 or tcdp_at_tcdp.net if all else fails
  to be added to a list for the credentials
  committee to review

10
What are Resolutions?

• Resolutions are suggestions for change to the
  Democratic Party concerning
• Rules
• Platform

11
Where do Resolutions come from? Where do they go?

• Anyone can write a resolution
• Only resolutions which are passed at the Precinct
  Convention level are considered at subsequent
  Convention levels
• Each delegate should try to bring at least 3
  copies of any Resolution they would like passed

12
What else should I know?

• You can take charge!
• If the Judge or Precinct Chair doesnt show, you
  can convene the convention without them
• Anyone can be the chair it doesnt have to be
  the Precinct Chair even if they are there
• Delegates are named from the list of voters in
  that Precinct who have voted in the 2006 Primary
• Take lists of friends or neighbors from your
  Precinct who can attend Senate Convention
  SATURDAY MARCH 25 to name them delegates as well.

13
Weve adjourned, now what?

• Return your Precinct Convention materials to
  Democratic Headquarters
• The Election Judge may drop them off at the
  Election Materials Drop-off Point
• THOUGH BE SURE THEY GET DIRECTLY IN THE HANDS OF
  THE OFFICIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY REPRESENTATIVE
• Bring them to Democratic Headquarters
• Either that evening OR the next morning

14
Plan on attending

• 2006 Tarrant County Convention
• March 25, 2006
• 9 a.m. 4 p.m.
• Arlington Heights High School
• All three Senate Districts in Tarrant County
  convene at the same time and place!
• Join us at NOON
• For the Democratic Pic-nic
• and Rally

15
What if the packet wasnt available?

• Be sure everyone signs in
• Name, address, voter reg , phone, email
• Be sure you accurately note who will be delegates
  to the Senate District Convention
• Be sure to return copies of any passed
  Resolutions

16
What else can I do to make my Precinct Convention
successful?

• Call you friends and neighbors
• BRING A CROWD!
• Check in with your Precinct Chair do they need
  help calling others in your Precinct?
• Honestly think about Resolutions what can you
  suggest to make change in the Democratic Party?