How to Become a California Delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention

From the California Democratic Party

Remember These 2008 Dates: January 15 • April 2 • April 13

If you want to run to be one of California’s 241 District-Level Delegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention (August 25-28, 2008 at the Pepsi Convention Center, Denver), here are the simple steps you will need to take to get started.

First, you must be a registered Democrat. While Democrats do allow Independents to vote in our Primary, we don’t allow anyone but a “card carrying” Democrat to run as a Delegate.

Second, what is your congressional district? If you don’t know because you recently moved or have a hard time keeping track of numbers, check the “2008 Delegate & Alternate Allocations by Congressional District” available on the CDP website at www.cadem.org/Delegate08 to find the name of your Congressmember. This list also shows how many Delegates and Alternates are allocated to each congressional district (CD). You can also enter your voter registration address in the “Resources” section at www.cadem.org to confirm your CD.

Third, beginning on January 15, 2008, Form A will be available on the California Democratic Party website. You may fill out Form A online or print out and submit via fax – but remember that we also need your original signature on file to be “official,” so be prepared to mail the original to our Sacramento office. When filing Form A, you must pledge your support for one presidential candidate. However, should your chosen candidate drop out of the presidential race prior to the Form A filing deadline of April 2, 2008, you have the option to re-file Form A and pledge your support to one of the remaining candidates (sort of like having a “Plan B” for your Form A).

Fourth, start hitting the gym . . . and your community, your work, local clubs, friends, relatives, high school classmates you haven’t seen in 20 years (great excuse to get back in touch) – any registered Democrat who lives in your same congressional district can attend the district Caucus and vote for you. They can even register as a Democrat right on site – that’s how easy we make it!

You and your supporters attend your presidential candidate’s Caucus on Sunday, April 13 -- although people can arrive earlier, sign in and cast a vote (they don’t need to stick around to hear the speeches or stay until the meeting is over). Voting can begin once a person has signed in and received their ballot. The Caucus will begin at 3pm, (but the doors open at 2pm for people to begin signing in -- and voting if they don’t want to stay. Anyone in line at 3pm will be allowed to sign in and vote.

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