The precinct is the smallest political unit in the country. It is your neighborhood. You know the people and you know what issues are most important to them, from elementary education to taxes, roads, sewers, utilities, etc.
What Is The Purpose of Precinct Delegates?
Precinct delegates are elected directly by the voters of each precinct to serve as a “bridge” between voters and the Democratic organization itself. As a precinct delegate, you represent the Democratic Party in your neighborhood and you represent your neighborhood at Democratic Party meetings.
The role of a precinct delegate is one of the most important yet least understood of any elected office. It is the active precinct delegate who keeps voters informed on issues, and ultimately the precinct delegates are the people who win elections in any campaign.
As a precinct delegate, you will:
- Help Democrats register to vote.
- Take information on issues and candidates to the voters in your precinct.
- Identify other Democrats, and recruit new party members.
- Help turn out the Democratic votes in your neighborhood on Election Day.
- Help organize poll workers for a strong Democratic GOTV (Get Out The Vote) on Election Day.
- Keep Democratic leaders informed about the issues that concern voters.
How Are Precinct Delegates Elected?
Precinct delegates are elected on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 in the Democratic primary throughout the entire State of
Precinct delegate candidates must file a PRECINCT DELEGATE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY with their county clerk, city clerk or township of residence for ballot access. YOUR AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY MUST BE NOTARIZED.
Precinct delegates are automatically delegates to the State Convention. The state convention will debate and adopt a platform, nominate candidates for Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Supreme Court Justices, State Board of Education, and university boards. These conventions may also debate or adopt resolutions for recommendation to the state convention’s platform committee.
The filing deadline for precinct delegates is Tuesday, May 11, 2010 by 4:00 p.m. Precinct delegates only need one vote to be elected, if they have no opponent.