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Delegate Selection to the 2008 Democratic National Convention
45th Democratic National Convention ~ August 25-28, 2008 ~ Denver, Colorado
Pledged Delegate Allocation *determined by January 29 Florida Democratic Presidential Preference Primary Results
| QUICK LINKS |
Click here for a list of At-Large Delegate Candidates
Florida has a total of 211 delegates and 31 alternates.
The "first determining step" of Florida's delegate selection process will occur on Tuesday, January 29, 2008, with a "binding" Presidential Preference Primary.
Participation in Florida's delegate selection process is open to all voters who wish to participate as Democrats and register as a Democratic voter no later than Monday, December 31, 2007. Florida is a closed primary state.
In order to encourage full participation by all Democrats in the delegate selection process and in all Party affairs, the Florida Democratic Party has adopted and will implement programs with specific goals and timetables for African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian/Pacific Americans and women. Additionally, in order to achieve full participation from other groups that may be under-represented in Party affairs, including members of the GLBT community, people with disabilities, military veterans and youth, the Florida Democratic Party has adopted and will implement Inclusion Programs.
DISTRICT-LEVEL DELEGATES
Florida is allocated 120 district-level delegates and 25 district-level alternates.
District-level delegates and alternates shall be allocated to presidential preferences through a proportional representation system based on a Presidential Preference Primary. The post-primary congressional district caucus is on Saturday, March 1, 2008.
An individual can qualify as a candidate for district-level delegate or alternate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention by submitting the following:
1. Loyalty Oath (This form is no longer available.)
2. Statement of Candidacy & Pledge of Support (This form is no longer available.)
Forms must be filed with the Chair, Vice-Chair, State Committeewoman or State Committeeman of the local Democratic Executive Committee in the county in which you are registered to vote. Persons receiving these forms shall certify the date and time of receipt. Names, addresses and telephone numbers of such Party officers can be obtained from the Florida Democratic Party's website or by calling 850-222-3411.
All district-level delegate candidates shall be identified as to a presidential preference or uncommitted status.
QUALIFYING DATES:
Begins - Monday, December 3, 2007 at 9 AM EST
Closes - Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 12 PM EST
District-level delegate and alternate positions shall be allocated to fairly reflect the expressed presidential (or uncommitted) preference of the primary voters in each district.After the district-level delegates are elected, those persons not chosen will be considered candidates for district-level alternate positions unless they specify otherwise when filing.
The post-primary congressional district caucus is on Saturday, March 1, 2008.
The District-Level delegates and alternates are apportioned to districts as indicated in the following chart: Click Here
AT-LARGE DELEGATES
Click here for a list of At-Large Delegate Candidates
The state of Florida is allotted 40 at-large delegates and 6 at-large alternates.
- Senator Hillary Clinton - 24 At-Large Delegates - 14 Female / 10 Male, 3 At-Large Alternates - 1 Female / 2 Male
- Senator John Edwards - 1 At-Large Alternate - 1 Female
- Senator Barack Obama - 16 At-Large Delegates - 10 Female / 6 Male, 2 At-Large Alternates - 1 Female / 1 Male
All delegates will be equally divided between men and woman. Edwards delegate and alternate will both be female.
An individual can qualify as a candidate for at-large delegate or at-large alternate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention by submitting the following:
1. Loyalty Oath
2. Statement of Candidacy & Pledge of Support
Forms can be filed with the Florida Democratic Party at 214 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32301-1705.
All at-large delegate candidates shall be identified as to a presidential preference or uncommitted status.
QUALIFYING DATES:
Begins - Monday, April 7, 2008 at 9 AM EST
Closes - Friday, April 25, 2008 at 5 PM EST
The Florida Democratic Party State Executive Committee will select these delegates. Receipt of a plurality of the votes cast shall constitute election as a delegate.After the at-large delegates are elected, those persons not chosen will be considered candidates for at-large alternate positions unless they specify otherwise when filing.
The selection of the at-large delegates and at-large alternates will occur on Saturday, May 17, 2008 in Tampa, FL.
PLEDGED PARTY LEADERS (PLEO)
Florida is allotted 24 pledged Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) delegates.
- Senator Hillary Clinton: 14 PLEO delegates
- Senator Barack Obama: 10 PLEO delegates
All delegates will be equally divided between men and woman.
Individuals shall be eligible for the pledged Party Leader and Elected Official delegate positions according to the following priority: big city mayors and state-wide elected officials (to be given equal consideration); state legislative leaders, state legislators, and other state, county and local elected officials and party leaders.
An individual can qualify as a candidate for a position as a pledged PLEO delegate by submitting the following:
1. Statement of Candidacy & Pledge of Support (This form is no longer available.)
The form can be filed with the Florida Democratic Party by mail at 214 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32301-1705. An individual may or may not have previously filed forms for other positions and still may be eligible to file under this category.
Pledged PLEO delegate candidates must be identified as to a presidential preference.
QUALIFYING DATES:
Begins - Monday, February 25, 2008 at 9 AM EST
Closes - Friday, March 14, 2008 at 5 PM EST
The Florida Democratic Party State Executive Committee will select these delegates. Receipt of a plurality of the votes cast shall constitute election as a delegate.Selection of the PLEO delegates will occur on Saturday, April 5, 2008 in Orlando, FL.
UNPLEDGED ADD-ON DELEGATES
Florida will select three (3) unpledged add-on delegates.
Individuals are nominated for these positions by the Chair of Florida Democratic Party. The Florida Democratic Party State Executive Committee will select these delegates. Receipt of a plurality of the votes cast shall constitute election as a delegate.
Selection of the unpledged add-on delegates will occur on Saturday, April 5, 2008.
AUTOMATIC DELEGATES - UNPLEDGED PARTY LEADERS & ELECTED OFFICIALS
Florida has 22 automatic delegates.
Automatic delegates include Florida's members of the Democratic National Committee and Florida Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.
CONVENTION STANDING COMMITTEES
Florida has been allocated eight (8) members on each of the three standing committees for the 2008 Democratic National Convention for a total of 24 members. The committees are Credentials, Platform and Rules.
The Florida Democratic Party State Chair and the presidential candidates will nominate such candidates to serve on the Convention Standing Committees.
The members of the standing committees shall be approved by a quorum of Florida's National Convention delegates.
Approval of committee members will occur on Saturday, May 17, 2008.
DELEGATION CHAIR & PAGES
Florida is allotted one (1) Delegation Chair and five (5) individuals to serve as Florida's Convention Pages.
The Delegation Chair will be selected by a quorum of Florida's National Convention Delegates. Convention Pages will be selected by the Chair of the Florida Democratic Party in consultation with the members of the Democratic National Committee from the state.
The selection of the Delegation Chair and the Convention pages will take place on Saturday, May 17, 2008.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What role will Florida delegates have if the DNC does not permit them to participate? Although the DNC has said it will not recognize delegates from Florida, the Florida Democratic Party plans to appeal to the eventual Democratic nominee for President to be seated at the Convention. While there are no guarantees that this will happen, the Party will continue the delegate selection process to elect the actual delegates to the Democratic National Convention and will use the results of the January 29th Presidential Preference Primary to determine the apportionment of those delegates.
What is the role of a delegate? Delegates at the national convention represent their state, their congressional district and their community in casting a vote to decide who the Democratic nominee will be. This convention may be historic with the possibility of nominating a woman or an African American for the first time in history!
Do I have to be a registered Democrat to run as delegate? Anyone who was a registered Democratic voter by December 31, 2007 is eligible to run for delegate. An individual would have had to be eligible to vote as a Democrat in the January 29th Primary. DNC Rules state "No persons shall participate or vote in the nominating process for the Democratic presidential candidate who also participates in the nominating process of any other party for the corresponding elections (Rule 2.E.).
What should one budget for the trip? What are the expenses? This depends on the individual. Generally, travel to and from Colorado, travel within Denver and the hotel stay are the main costs. (The hotel hosting the Florida delegation is still being worked out.) Additionally, food, reception fundraisers and miscellaneous recreational opportunities around Denver should also be considered.
I really want to be a delegate, but I don't think I can afford to go. What are my options? Unfortunately, the Florida Democratic Party is not in a position to cover the expenses of any delegates to the national convention. Individuals who are interested in fundraising opportunities to cover such costs should contact their county Democratic Executive Committee as well as their respective caucuses.
Did I have to be a state delegate to the 2007 convention in order to run for a national delegate position? No. The only prerequisite to run for a national delegate position is that you are a registered Democratic voter by December 31, 2007. However, attending the State Convention in October provides both great networking opportunities as well as training sessions on how to run successfully as a delegate.
If I am a delegate, can my family go as well? While members of your family are welcome to go on the trip, they will be unable to enter the convention hall unless they too are a Florida delegate. Furthermore, any events or parties that the delegation is invited to will most likely require the purchase of a ticket for additional guests.
Do both delegates and alternates go to Denver? Yes. But only delegates are able to cast their official vote in the nominating process.
Do the presidential candidates have to do anything to ensure the diversity goals of the delegation are met? Yes. By September 14, 2007, all Democratic candidates for president must submit a written statement to the Florida Democratic Party indicating the specific steps their respective campaign will take to encourage full participation in Florida's delegate selection process. An individual who announces their candidacy after this date must provide his or her written statement no later than ten (10) days following the official announcement.
What is the difference between district-level delegates and at-large delegates? If I did not win at the district level, can I apply for an at-large position? While District Level Delegates are apportioned to Presidential candidates through the results of the January 29th Primary within that Congressional District (and only to those presidential candidates that received a minimum of 15% in that District), At-Large Delegates are apportioned to Presidential candidates through the statewide results of the Primary (and only to those presidential candidates that received a minimum of 15% statewide). While Senator John Edwards reached 15% of the vote in some Congressional Districts therefore receiving delegates at the district level, he did not receive the 15% needed statewide to receive At-Large delegates. The qualifying period for At-Large begins on April 7 - forms will be available online at www.fladems.com/2008DNC. Those not elected at the district level will also be able to apply for such positions as long as they re-apply.
For more information, please visit:
www.demconvention.com
www.denverdnc2008.com
www.denverconvention2008.com (unofficial)
For questions, comments or to sign up for an email alert when at-large delegate forms become available: Click Here