Taylor County Democratic Convention
Where delegates to go on to
the Texas State Democratic Convention will be elected
Sat., April 21st,
Door open @ 9:30am, Convene @ 10:00 am
Abilene Convention & Visitor's Bureau
1101 N. 1st St., Abilene TX
snacks & drinks will be provided
Please Contact Ed Conley or Lara Carlin
to file paperwork to file for Precinct Chair!
325-677-1776 (Ed) or 325-660-6758 (Lara)
or send/deliver filing to:
6357 Huntington Pl.
Abilene, TX 79606
Message from the Texas Democratic Party
There is a new process for the County/Senatorial District Conventions. Please Read carefully!
The Texas Convention and Delegate Selection process will begin on April 21, 2012 with the County/Senatorial District conventions. There will be no precinct conventions.
The exact time and locations of these conventions will be set by local Democratic county executive committees in March 2012. Should the CEC be unable or fail to act the time and location will be set by the County Chair. However, no county/senatorial district shall convene earlier than 9 AM or later than 8:30 PM CDT. The County Chair will notify the Texas Democratic Party and local media outlets as soon as the time and location of the convention is set. The TDP will provide the times and locations of all conventions on the TDP website as soon as they are available.
Counties totally contained within one senate district will hold county conventions. Counties having more than one or parts of more than one senate district will hold senatorial district conventions.
The Rules governing these conventions will be the standard county/senatorial district rules—TDP Rules Art IV, A. & C., Robert’s Rules of Order and the 2012 TDP Delegate Selection Plan. If any conflicts exist the Delegate Selection Plan supersedes the TDP Rules for these conventions. Standard delegate allocation formulas as outlined in the Rules and the Delegate Selection Plan will apply.
The Senate Districts are the 2012 districts as agreed to by the plaintiffs and the state. The precincts used will be the “best available”. If new precinct lines are available they will be used. If some new precinct lines are available while others are incomplete the new ones will be used along with best local knowledge as to how partial precincts should be aggregated. CECs and County Chairs are encouraged to wait as long as possible for new precinct lines before grouping precincts.
The conventions will be open to any qualified voter who signs an oath of affiliation with the Democratic Party. (See Attached) You must be registered to vote 30 days before the County Convention. Every participant who signs in is entitled to participate as a delegate at the convention—to be seated and participate with their appropriate precinct delegation. On convention matters where precincts are entitled to full voting strength each participant shall cast whatever percentage of the precinct’s vote their individual participation represents.
The first order of business will be for all participants to sign-in and identify their presidential preference or uncommitted status. The sign-in may take place before or after the convention is called to order. Each sign-in at the convention will count proportionately towards the percentage of delegates to the State Convention the participant’s preference shall be allotted. Each sign-in will also count as a single vote in the participant’s senate district of residence. These single votes shall be tallied with all the other votes in the senate district to determine the percentage of the senate district’s District Level Delegates to the Democratic National Convention the participant’s preference shall be allotted.
The Convention can be called to order by the County/Senate District Chair or, should they not be available, any qualified Democrat. After the sign-in is completed and the Convention is called to order the delegates elect a Permanent Convention Chair and a Permanent Convention Secretary and the Chair announces the results of the sign-in. The Chair should also appoint chairs and members for Nomination, Platform, Rules and Resolutions committees. It is acceptable for the County Chair or CEC to appoint committees in advance so that they can begin work but they should be confirmed by the convention.
Precincts (or precinct groupings) should caucus to select delegates and alternates to the State Convention. Please note the delegate counts do not include any ex-officio delegates (county chairs, SDEC members, former State Chairs) Once these selections are known the Nominations Committee will use the results of the precinct caucuses to allocate at-large delegates among preferences so that the delegation as a whole reflects the proportionate share of sign-ins for each preference. Caucuses receiving less than 15% of the sign-in are not awarded at-large delegates. The Convention should also hear and consider the reports of the various committees and pass those issues favorably recommended on to the State Convention. Upon completion of the committee reports the convention should adjourn.
The conduct of the State Convention will be standard for a presidential year convention. (See Attached How to be a Delegate to the 2012 National Convention)
Cynthia Flint
Primary/Convention Director
cflint@txdemocrats.org
Texas Democratic Party
(512) 478-9800 Office
(805) 433-3332 Mobile
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What it means to be a Democrat ...
Democrats stand for Hope, Equal Opportunity, and Fair Play. These are the values
Texans share in our personal lives and the values we expect to define our economic
and social policies. Texas Democrats are building a better state and a stronger
nation where those who work hard and play by the rules can achieve their American
dream.
We believe ...
· In equal opportunity for all citizens.
· In rewarding, honest, hard work with a living wage in a tax system that is fair.
· In family values that are more than a political slogan.
· In quality education that gives all citizens the opportunity to reach their potential.
· In freedom from government interference in our private lives and personal decisions.
· In the benefits of individual strengths in our diverse population.
· In security in our homes and safety on our streets. Criminals should face swift and certain punishment.
· In separation of Church and State to preserve the freedom to pursue our beliefs.
· In a strong United States—morally, economically and militarily.
· In support of laws that protect our environment, including common-sense
reforms that give us cleaner and safer air and water.
To preserve these values and to ensure that our state continues to provide
economic opportunity to all Texans, we must be able to conduct effective election
campaigns.
Renewing America's Promise
The Democratic Agenda
We come together at a defining moment in the history of our nation –- the nation that led the 20th century, built a thriving middle class, defeated fascism and communism, and provided bountiful opportunity to many. We Democrats have a special commitment to this promise of America. We believe that every American, whatever their background or station in life, should have the chance to get a good education, to work at a good job with good wages, to raise and provide for a family, to live in safe surroundings, and to retire with dignity and security. We believe that quality and affordable health care is a basic right. We believe that each succeeding generation should have the opportunity, through hard work, service and sacrifice, to enjoy a brighter future than the last.
But today, we are at a crossroads. As we meet, we are in the sixth year of a two-front war. Our economy is struggling. Our planet is in peril.
A land of historic resourcefulness has lost its patience with elected officials who have failed to lead. It is time for a change.
We can do better.
Taken from the DNC Website