Who runs the caucuses?
The caucuses are run by the campaigns in question, following rules that are listed in the Massachusetts Delegate Selection Plan. Each campaign holds their own caucuses, at their own sites.
Are these like the caucuses that we have been reading about? Do we get more delegates if we get a lot of people to the caucuses?
These caucuses are very different from those that get a lot of media attention and determine the numbers of delegates for each candidate. In Massachusetts, the numbers of Obama and Clinton pledged delegates elected in Congressional District Caucuses were determined as a result of the Presidential Primary in February. These caucuses decide which of the supporters running for delegate will be elected. The numbers of delegates are fixed.
How many caucuses will be held? Where will they be located?
There will be twenty caucuses, two in each Congressional District. There will be one Clinton caucus and one Obama caucus in each district. Locations are listed on www.massdems.org.
When are the caucuses? When should I arrive?
All of the caucuses are held on Saturday, April 5 at 1:00 PM. It is a good idea to get there early. Anyone in line by 1:15 PM will be registered and allowed to vote. Registration is closed after everyone in line at 1:15 PM is registered.
Who can vote at the caucuses?
Only Democrats registered to vote within the Congressional District as of February 13, 2008 shall be allowed to vote on any matter at the caucus or be elected a delegate or alternate. Every participant must sign indicating name and voting residence, a pledge in good faith that he or she is a Democrat and a statement of support for the Presidential candidate in whose caucus he or she wishes to participate. Each caucus will have a list of registered Democrats from within the respective Congressional District.
How is voting conducted?
All ballots shall be written and signed. There will be no absentee or proxy voting at any caucus for any reason. Separate ballots shall be utilized for male and female delegates and alternates.
Do candidates need a plurality or majority?
Election at Congressional District caucuses shall be held by a majority of those present and voting. If all delegate and alternate slots are not filled on the second ballot because fewer than the required number of candidates receives a majority on the second ballot, those candidates receiving less than 15% of the total vote on the second ballot will be dropped on the third ballot and subsequent ballots until a number of candidates equal to the number of delegates or alternates to be elected has received a majority vote, provided that on all ballots subsequent to the second ballot the number of candidates remaining shall be at least twice the number of positions remaining to be filled. Those who are elected by majority vote will not appear on subsequent ballots.
What about the other at-large delegates?
The Democratic State Committee will elect the At-Large and PLEO (Party Leader Elected Officials) delegates and alternates a meeting on May 10. There will be separate elections for each category.
Will the DNC members elected on May 10 vote at the convention in Denver?
No. The election on May 10 is for a term that begins the day following the convention.
ALLOCATION OF MASSACHUSETTS DELEGATES
Massachusetts has a total of 121 delegates and 16 alternates. The results are proportional, but candidates must reach the 15% threshold.
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DELEGATES
61 delegates and 10 alternates will be elected at Congressional District caucuses. These delegates are pledged. They are proportional based on the results of the primaries in the respective Congressional Districts. This is the breakdown:
CD 1 Clinton: 2 Male, 1 Female, 1 Male alternate
CD 1 Obama: 1 Male, 2 Female
CD 2 Clinton: 2 Male, 2 Female, 1 Female alternate
CD 2 Obama: 1 Male, 1 Female
CD 3 Clinton: 2 Male, 2 Female, 1 Male alternate
CD 3 Obama: 1 Male, 1 Female
CD 4 Clinton: 2 Male, 2 Female, 1 Female alternate
CD 4 Obama: 1 Male, 2 Female
CD 5 Clinton: 2 Male, 1 Female, 1 Male alternate
CD 5 Obama: 1 Male, 1 Female
CD 6 Clinton: 2 Male, 2 Female, 1 Female alternate
CD 6 Obama: 1 Male, 1 Female
CD 7 Clinton: 2 Male, 2 Female, 1 Male alternate
CD 7 Obama: 1 Male, 1 Female
CD 8 Clinton: 1 Male, 1 Female
CD 8 Obama: 2 Male, 2 Female, 1 Female alternate
CD 9 Clinton: 2 Male, 2 Female, 1 Male alternate
CD 9 Obama: 1 Male, 1 Female
CD 10 Clinton: 2 Male, 2 Female, 1 Female alternate
CD 10 Obama: 1 Male, 2 Female
12 PLEO (Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official) Delegates. They are proportional based on the results statewide. They are elected by the DSC at a meeting on May 10.
–7 Clinton
–5 Obama
20 At-Large Delegates and 6 At-Large Alternates. They are proportional based on the results statewide. They are elected by the DSC at a meeting on May 10.
–12 Clinton delegates
–8 Obama delegates
–3 Clinton alternates
–3 Obama alternates
UNPLEDGED – The “Super Delegates”
26 Unpledged Party Leader and Elected Official Delegates. 10 DNC Members (4 at large elected by DSC, Party Chair and 2 Vice Chairs, 3 add-ons)
–13 US Senators and Members of Congress and Governor
–3 Distinguished Party Leaders (former DNC chairs Debra DeLee, Steve Grossman and Paul Kirk)
PLUS
2 Unpledged at-large delegates, elected on May 10 by the DSC.
Thanks for the info, Kate!
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p>Now, does anybody have any advice — what could one do to improve one’s chances?
…aside from bringing in 150 “friends”? Your best shot is to join up with an existing slate, if possible. A lot of the activity, I’m told, is union-centered…if you’re a union member, your best shot is likely to see if someone from your union or sector is running.
150 friends? Seriously? Cripes. I could probably rustle up 30 or so from my CD, but not five times as many…
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p>Ah well, it’ll still be interesting to see some quality sausage-making first-hand…
The campaigns should have returned their lists to the state party yesterday.
Thanks for sharing so much, you give us a detail. I also want to know if there will be any public announcement of the delegate candidates.