Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

Massachusetts Presidential Caucuses

By

With the Iowa caucuses generating interest and discussion here about the role of delegates in the nominating process I thought I would share some basic information about the Massachusetts Presidential Caucuses.  But wait, you’re thinking, I thought we had a primary rather than caucus model to select our delegates.  We do have the presidential primary on March 1st to determine our preferences, but we still need to hold caucuses to determine which individuals actually get the privilege of attending the national convention as our delegates.  So before we go any further, mark Saturday April 9th on your calendars.  This is the day of the national caucuses in Massachusetts.

OK, now that you’ve marked that date here is the rundown of our delegate allocation:

  • 59 delegates chosen by Congressional district, six or seven per district, gender balanced AND apportioned by candidate support within that district assuming (as I do) that each candidate gets at least 15% of the March 1st vote.
  • 1 alternate from each CD except for the 8th, gender of each determined by state party, four of each total.
  • 20 at-large pledged delegates apportioned by candidate’s statewide total, gender balanced, chosen by the Democratic State Committee at their May 7th meeting.
  • 12 party leaders and elected officials (PLEOs) who pledge to a candidate.  Those eligible for these slots include Democratic constitutional officers, legislators, county officials, mayors, and (I think) DSC members
  • 24 “superdelegates” who go automatically: ten members of the DNC from MA, eleven members of our Congressional delegation, three “distinguished party leaders” (I believe this refers to the current MDP Chair and former DNC Chairs Steve Grossman and Paul Kirk.)

A couple of other deadlines of note:

  • February 10th – deadline to register as a Dem to participate in caucuses
  • March 14th – deadline to file for CD delegate
  • April 1st – deadline to file for at-large delegate

Other notes:

  • Potential delegates should be known to campaigns through their volunteering or fundraising efforts.
  • There are affirmative action goals that slates and campaigns consider, but there are no add-on delegates like we have for state conventions.
  • Delegates are responsible for their own expenses which could run 3-4K, but are encouraged to fundraise.

For more information and to access appropriate paperwork see the state party website.  If you are free April 9th I encourage you to attend the caucus in your CD for the candidate you support.  They have been at 1PM in previous years, but that has not been officially stated yet this year.  We also do not yet have caucus locations at this writing, but the linked page should be updated when that information becomes available.

Please share widely!
fb-share-icon
Tweet
0

Comments

  1. this is a nice summary.

    I would add that a large portion of those who caucus are active in their town committees. Introducing yourself at their regular meetings via invitation from Town Chairs will get you better known.

    A list of the Town Chairs is listed at MassDems.org with contact information. You will have to know which towns are included in a state senate Congressional District. It can be a wide swath.

    You are only allowed to speak 2 minutes before the Caucus.

    Sign in requires finding you on a list of Democratic voters, and then given a credential card..

    You will also need seconds to vouch for you. I believe it’s 2 if my memory serves you correctly.

    Having supporters to introduce you before the vote, and giving out literature with your background also helps.

    And it’s fun.

  2. … any information (or response of any sort) when trying to contact Boston Ward 18. Ward 19 is very open to folks, but I’m a few blocks on the wrong side of the dividing line.

    • It is Saturday March 26th at 10AM at Hyde Park Municipal Building, 1179 River Street. If you are a registered Dem just show up. At very least that will be your chance to introduce yourself to the Chair. In a year like this there’s a good chance you can even get yourself elected delegate as there is likely to not be much contest.

      However, just so we don’t confuse the issue, this diary was about the NATIONAL caucuses which are by congressional district so as I mentioned the locations are still to be determined and are on April 9th. Your ward committee does not play a role in organizing those.

Archives