It’s time for all of you who support Democrats but are not registered as Democrats to think of changing your party registration. If you support the values of the Democratic Party, an important way to show your support is to register as a Democrat.
There are many good reasons to register as a Democrat. The reason to register now is that it will allow you to be eligible to become a member of your local Democratic Committee. Being elected to a Democratic Town or Ward committees is an excellent way for an individual to get involved with Democratic politics at the grassroots level. You must be a registered Democrat by August 16 to be eligible to appear on the ballot for election to a Democratic Committee.
In addition to being eligible to be elected to a local Democratic Committee, Democratic Party registration is a requirement for voting at the upcoming caucuses in February and possibly to be a delegate to the Democratic Convention. Under the Party Charter, if you are a registered Democrat as of the last day of December, you are eligible to take part in your local caucus to elect delegates to the Convention.
With a number of candidates running for U. S. Senate, each delegate will have a real voice in who will be on the ballot and who will have the endorsement of the Democratic Party.
Many BMG readers have participated in caucuses and conventions over the years. Others might have been interested but didn’t know that the end of the year deadline would have an impact. Please see below for information on the upcoming convention.
Already a Democrat? Recruit an unenrolled friend to become a Democrat!
Do you want to learn more about what Democratic Town Committees do and meet some candidates to U. S. Senate? Come to a forum in Westborough sponsored by a number of area Democratic Committees. Join us at 7 PM on Tuesday, August 16 at the Tatnuck Booksellers at 18 Lyman Street in Westborough. Mayor Setti Warren and Representative Tom Conroy will be joining us at an event that is part of our effort to bring candidates for U. S. Senate to our area. In keeping with BMG tradition we will be going to Ruby Tuesday’s after the forum ends at 8:30 PM. All are welcome!
The caucuses helped propel Deval Patrick in 2006. His victory was shockingly wide and made him almost the frontrunner.
As I recall it DID make him frontrunner, no questions asked.
…either on the ballot for your district or as an add-on?
The Democratic party has disappointed me time and time again. I see the Democratic party as a centrist party that has all but abandoned its commitment to progressive issues. In my mind, by registering as a Democrat, I am supporting the direction the Democratic party is moving in (further and further to the right). State and National Democratic leaders don’t seem particularly interested in what I have to say – they love my $ but not my ideas. Seems to me that I can make more of a statement by withholding my support (and letting the party know why I am doing so). As a resident of Boston the ability to affect change at a local party level feels impossible – seems like a pretty tight group of insiders control local politics here. So what’s the point in signing on to a party that doesn’t represent my interests? Seems to me that my best hope for changing anything is to get involved with political organizations outside the party system rather than inside. Can you convince me otherwise?
Thanks for the great post, Kate!
I disagree with a lot of the points you made in the beginning of your statement, but respect your opinions greatly. As party leaders, it’s beneficial to hear how some folks feel disenfranchised with the Party organization at times. As chair of a Democratic ward committee in downtown Boston, I offer my assistance to you in getting involved with the Party. I moved to Boston roughly 5 years ago and found my local Democratic committee (Boston Ward 5 Dems) to be more than welcoming and accepting of the many views expressed by its potpourri of members. The folks I met through the Committee have become lifelong friends, are trusted advisors and were/are civic leaders (outside of politics). In terms of affecting change, this past election, we put together a great campaign plan through various election activities and were successful in getting our message across.
Regardless of what you choose to do, I wish you the best of luck and hope you stay involved – via whichever vehicle you choose.
I can be reached at JLouisDawson@gmail.com, or at 617.777.2027. I look forward to seeing and meeting you soon.
Best regards,
Josh Dawson
Chair, Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee
Democratic State Committeeman, Second Suffolk Senate District
My second paragraph on was meant for “Gold3” and not Kate!
Gold3, did you have a chance to read Josh’s response? I know that with the attention to Elizabeth Warren’s post you may not have checked in here. If you could just post here that you saw this, I would appreciate it.
Josh, thanks for posting about your experience in the Boston area.