Texas caucus attendees MUST be aware of this!

[crispini]

There are a few little-known nuances of the Texas precinct convention system that you should know about if you are involved in this process at all. Please kick and recommend and post elsewhere.

FIRST. The delegate elections at the convention are NONBINDING. That means once a delegate is elected, that delegate can change his or her mind at any point in the process. It is important to elect people to represent you who are supporters that you trust.

SECOND. If you find yourself with (for example) 10 spots for delegates, but only 5 people there want to go on to the next stage in the process (Senatorial or County Convention), then you can fill out those spots with people who are not there but have previously told you that they want to go on to the next stage. If you do not fill out those spots, you will lose them, thereby weakening your position at the next stage in the process. You must do this during your caucus.

THIRD. If you sign up to be a delegate and do not attend the next convention in the process, you will greatly weaken your position there, because at the Senatorial District / County Convention, delegates are re-allocated according to how many people sign in for that presidential preference.

[Freida5]

1. Are all caucuses (other states) non-binding???

[crispini]

3. Ya know, I have no idea.

Since I only live in this one. :hi: Maybe some caucus attendees from other states will help out. :D

[eridani]

6. Yes, AFAIK

Usually people will stick to their initial choice, but this is not required. The good aspect is that delegates can respond to changing situations, like their candidate dropping out. If the race is close by the time of the county or LD caucuses, people are more likely to stick with their original choice.

[Ravy]

7. I think all pledged delegates essentially are.

They usually choose very strong supporters for national delegates.

The reason I say "essentially" are is even at the electoral college level in national elections, electors have changed their votes before.

A primary is a party process, so there are more "rules" than laws governing them. What is the penalty for breaking a party rule? I think most of this is pretty much undefined.

But, that being said, it rarely would happen because the most ardent supporters generally become the delgates.

[Danger Mouse]

2. Kicked and recommended...

doesn't applied to me, but i figure i'll do that much for you :hi:

[crispini]

4. Thanks!

:hi:

[Yael]

5. Adding a K&R from PA

:hi:

[thevoiceofreason]

8. Let me add something on to that.

Make phone calls that night (hopefully it's not to late) if you need to to folks who were not able to make the convention but who voted according to the voter rolls. In other words, have your cell phone at the convention and, while doing your candidate's caucus, if you have open spots, call up people who aren't there and ask them to be delegates. You need to do this before you have the entire precinct vote on and approve your slate of delegates. A good idea might be to have some names of phone bank i.d'ed supporters from your candidate of choice before you get to the convention.

Good for you for good convention posts! And thanks!

[MagickMuffin]

9. Thanks for the update, crispini

I'm planning on trying to be a delegate.

Of course not having any money to proceed to the state and national conventions, it will be tricky.

In one of the seminar training classes, it was suggested you could seek funds if you didn't have them. However, a delegate couldn't take corporate money, union money, unless it was from a PAC within those groups, and that a delegate would have to file with the FEC.

A question I have is.....

When signing in at the precinct convention, do you have to sign in who you want to caucus for?.?.?

I was considering being nominated for the Permanent Secretary.

Do you have any info on if you declare who you're preference is for candidate, would I be challenged?.?.?


This should be very interesting.

:hi:

[crispini]

10. Yes, you sign in with your preference. I was just looking at the sheets.

You might be challenged for the secretary's spot. You probably want to get your ducks in a row with your own delegation and make sure you have a good turnout so you can win any challenge. Perhaps have as plan B that you ask to appoint a co-secretary or something from the other delegation. Hm, that's not a bad idea, I might ask my convention to that anyway. :D

[thevoiceofreason]

11. Here;s how we were told the order should go

The temporary chair announces the commencement of the convention.
The temporary secretary is announced.
The sign in takes place.
The election of the permanent chair takes place.
The election of the permanent secretary takes place.
The sign in is given one last round, then the rolls are closed (for presidential preference voting and apportionment)

So, your preference will be known before the election for secretary takes place.

[MagickMuffin]

12. Here's some info I got from one of the campaigns

Just work to have a Clinton person in one position and an Obama person in the other. And keep your own minutes, verify the delegate percentages, etc. And expect them to do the same.

I guess I'm a little concerned with the duties of the Secretary sending in the info, before the deadline, and if any tampering of the process.

Sheesh, I hate it that I have these feelings, under the circumstances with everyone wanting to be involved this election cycle it is overwhelming and I just want things to turn out good for our state.

Thanks for all you do.

[crispini]

13. I'm pretty sure it's the chair that sends in the info.

I'm under that impression.

And I agree with that info, by the way. Everything is open and honest. :D

[crispini]

14. Kick

:kick:

[yourguide]

15. K&R

If you havent already, contact Obama state HQ in austin and make sure THEY are clear. texas.barackobama.com

[crispini]

16. .

:kick:

[TriMetFan]

17. And that is why the best way to vote.......

is to just do it like we do here in Oregon. You vote in only the party you belong to and if you want to vote for some one in another party in the primary election then you would have to switch party's. There is none of the bull of crossing party line to vote in some else's primary, then run back to your party.