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please don't take any chances. stay so that you are counted!
now i'm off. i am heading over to eastside to canvass voters today. you guys please hit the phone banks. we need your help this weekend. thanks!
John Cornyn is an asshole with shoes. Support Rick Noriega!
by anna on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 07:54:25 AM PDT
and make sure she's on the same page?
NetrootNews coming soon!
by ksh01 on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 08:00:49 AM PDT
[ Parent ]
i really have to get out of here now. we have so much work to do today. i'm off, gotta hop in the shower and get outta here.
by anna on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 08:01:22 AM PDT
by assa9 on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 08:38:19 AM PDT
Reposting my comment from the other diary, from THE RULES OF THE TEXAS DEMOCRATIC PARTY: (pdf - p. 23)
(a) The Convention Chair shall announce the number of eligible voting members on the roll, the number of Delegates and Alternates the Convention is entitled to elect, and the number and percent of each presidential preference or uncommitted status reflected on the roll. (b) On the basis of such determination, those preferring each presidential candidate and those who are uncommitted shall caucus separately to elect the same proportion of County or Senatorial District Convention Delegates and Alternates as their group represents at the Precinct Convention.
(a) The Convention Chair shall announce the number of eligible voting members on the roll, the number of Delegates and Alternates the Convention is entitled to elect, and the number and percent of each presidential preference or uncommitted status reflected on the roll.
(b) On the basis of such determination, those preferring each presidential candidate and those who are uncommitted shall caucus separately to elect the same proportion of County or Senatorial District Convention Delegates and Alternates as their group represents at the Precinct Convention.
I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction, of the Constitution. - Barbara Jordan
by Janet Strange on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 09:01:58 AM PDT
This lettter was sent to precinct chairs last night.
by assa9 on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 09:09:20 AM PDT
This is from assa9's linked .pdf above, I just wanted to put the relevant text out for clarity.
Precinct Convention Sign-In – Tex. Elec. Code § 174.022 (c), Texas Democratic Party Rules Article IV, Section B (6)(b) Participants may NOT begin signing in until the precinct convention has been called to order. The call to order may not occur until 7:15 pm or until the last voter has voted (whichever is later). If, after the convention has been called to order and participants have signed in, any participant who wishes to leave may do so, and their sign in WILL count toward the delegate allocation for each candidate. Sign-In ends when the last person present waiting to sign in has done so.
Democratic Party Rules Article IV, Section B (6)(b)
Participants may NOT begin signing in until the precinct convention has been called to order. The call to order may not occur until 7:15 pm or until the last voter has voted (whichever is later). If, after the convention has been called to order and participants have signed in, any participant who wishes to leave may do so, and their sign in WILL count toward the delegate allocation for each candidate. Sign-In ends when the last person present waiting to sign in has done so.
"Our time has come, our movement is real, and change is coming to America."
by lizah on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 09:17:29 AM PDT
by assa9 on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 09:40:52 AM PDT
and are counted. They may not change their vote if they choose to leave after signing in. For example:
This would be more important for someong signing in as undelclared or for one of the other candidates still on the ballot, like Edwards. If the undeclared or Edwards people do not form a minimum for a caucus of their own, they may choose to caucus with one of the other groups that have met the minimum. If they have already left, they may not do that...and their sign in becomes in effect, irrelevant.
But you are right, a person may not vote by proxy nor may they vote if they arrive and sign in AFTER the convention is called to order.
Tuesday is going to be one LONG night in TX for people signing in, verifying and doing the so-called E-Z Math to allocate delegates.
Obama's my candidate! Fired up in Texas - let's turn Texas BLUE!
by blue armadillo on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 09:41:23 AM PDT
try to avoid giving misinformation.
Texas law specifically says that participants may not begin signing in until the convention has been called to order.
Here's the DNC memo with the text of the law (pdf): Frequently Asked Questions about the Precinct Convention Process
I like his ears, they are big and well suited to listening, and his lips have the hue of a democratic future.
by laderrick on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 09:51:19 AM PDT
I think the confusion comes with the signing in part.
It is apparently pretty common practice for precinct chairs to let people begin to sign in as they arrive, just to speed things up. If you do this, but leave before the caucus has been called to order by the precinct chair, you've broken the rules. We don't want anyone to have a basis for contesting the results of the caucuses.
by elmo on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 10:03:12 AM PDT
I printed it off the other day just to be sure.
But either that was an error or they have just clarified what procedures they want everyone to go by. I understand that updates are coming fast and furious to the elected party officials on the ground.
I had originally been told that once the convention was called to order, no more sign ins would could towards delegates!!!!
It will be a confusing night for many folks I think. We are having at least one more training tomorrow night in our area, so I hope that by then, we'll all be on the same page!!!
I do have links to the latest updates! Thank goodness. I also have a packet to review from this morning's training. phew!
by blue armadillo on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 10:48:34 AM PDT
this is not the relevant rule, but an interpretion by someone in the Texas Democratic Party, of the rule. Unsigned memo.
by elmo on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 10:00:07 AM PDT
that "unsigned" memo IS signed by Jim Boynton.
by elmo on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 10:05:22 AM PDT
there is nothing in that alert - which i received as a precinct chair - that says you can just sign in, leave, and still participate.
the ONLY exception to this is that people who sign in and leave CAN be nominated and elected as delegates. they still do not get to vote in the precinct caucus. they still do not get to be counted in the EZ math formula.
by anna on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 10:41:14 AM PDT
now i'm even more confused than i was this morning. thank you for clarifying. this is going to be a giant fucking clusterfuck.
we were specifically told in tarrant county that if you leave, you won't count. now the TDP is saying the opposite and frankly i don't know what to believe.
thank you for linking that. i didn't get it until after this was posted. mea culpa.
by anna on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 10:46:16 AM PDT
Please make sure people know that they should show up for the caucus even if they early voted without a voter-registration card.
Just this morning, somebody told me yet again that they had heard that they couldn't participate in the caucus because they didn't have their registration card with them on the day they early voted to get the "Democratic" stamp.
Complete bullshit. Yes, it's easier and better if you got that stamp, and yes, it will take those of us who will be running a caucus more time to check you in, but YOU NEED TO SHOW UP. Just bring a state-issued photo ID and we can work with that.
DO NOT make the mistake of not showing up for the caucus because you don't have a physical peace of paper. The polling place WILL have a record of your early vote (or, perhaps I should say, SHOULD have a record.)
You need to be at that caucus!!!!
"Oh, TV. Is there anything you can't do?" -- Homer Simpson
by Melody Townsel on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 08:00:53 AM PDT
by Melody Townsel on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 08:02:48 AM PDT
"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." --Thomas Jefferson
by frisco on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 10:02:52 AM PDT
with DEM printed on it. I think that will suffice at the caucus.
by pundette on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 08:49:07 AM PDT
that Hillary is telling her people to be at the caucus' at 6:45 pm and Obama is telling his to caucus at 7:00 pm. Smells similar to what occurred in NV with some door closing at 6:59.
by ZinZen on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 08:59:38 AM PDT
may begin until all voters have voted in that precinct. I just heard that no early sign ins are to be allowed either - the local party said there have been some last minute emails from the party to precinct chairs and executive committee folks.
This is going to be a rough night I think.
I just got in from a precinct convention run-through and man, I can see where it will be rough for precincts with large turnout.
Wish us luck!
by blue armadillo on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 09:45:00 AM PDT
From my understanding (Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong here.)
This is not a "Doors Close at 7:15 pm" state. The March 4th Primary Polls officially close at 7:00 pm and anyone still in line at that time will be allowed to vote in the Primary and caucus in the convention, if they choose to do so. The Precinct Convention (caucus) doors officially open at 7:00 pm. The call to order is at the latter of: 7:15 pm or after the last March 4th voter in line who wishes to caucus has voted and been admitted. People can still join and participate after the call to order, but cannot change earlier results.
I would still suggest showing up early for the caucus, especially given the crowd sizes expected. Also, you may want to bring a bottle of water and a jacket/umbrella. Lines will probably be long and some precincts may choose to caucus outdoors in order to better accommodate the larger turnout. (Texas weather permitting, of course.)
And please do stick around for the full convention! This is a chance to actively participate in the choice for our Presidential Nominee. Texas residents don't get the opportunity to have a real impact very often. Enjoy it!!
by debheadley on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 10:16:45 AM PDT
by mainecabinfever on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 08:17:16 AM PDT
And I'm sharing the following info so no one will be discouraged from getting out to caucus.
We had an amazing and overwhelming turnout! It was so exciting to meet and rub shoulders with thousands of like-minded people! (Most of us didn't know so many Democrats even existed in our area)!
Our site was at one of the local colleges, and it was packed to the hilt - lots of young and first-time voters
They had different rooms designated for each of the many wards in our precinct.
At one ward, that had previously only had 3 voters, over 200 turned out!
Each person was told that they could cast their Presidential Preference ballot and leave (due to the huge crowd and lack of space) - but also that they could stay to be a part of caucusing for the U.S. Senate candidates, to become a delegate to the county convention, etc. if they wanted to.
Every ward ran out of both sign-in sheets and ballots, so extra copies had to be made. While waiting for the copies, voters were allowed to use blank sheets of paper to sign in on, and small scraps of paper were used for ballots. We had a severe shortage of pens, which only delayed things further.
So...Be sure to bring the 3 P's - PAPER, PENS & PATIENCE!
As a result of the long waits and crowded conditions, out of 77 votes cast in our ward only 19 voters stayed to be part of the caucus process. (The previous vote turnout had been around 10 in the ward we belonged to).
People leaving early did not affect the results of the Presidential Preference vote in any way.
Everyone who cast a ballot had their vote counted.
Barack Obama won over 70% of the vote at our precinct, and 68% overall in Minnesota.
Because of our ward/precinct size, we could normally have up to 24 delegates selected for the county convention. Since only 19 stayed, each one automatically became a delegate. But also, because we did not have at least 24 delegates, we were not allowed to do any further official business, except for counting the Presidential Preference ballots. Once votes were cast, we reported the results to those in the room, sealed the envelope, and sent the results in.
The 19 of us who automatically became delegates (because we stayed until the Presidential Preference voting was completed) will be able to caucus for our U.S. Senate candidates, etc. at the county convention.
I encourage everyone who can, to stay for the entire process! (You can help shape your local party platform, etc.)
But realize this:
If your main reason for getting out to caucus is to cast a vote for your Presidential Preference, you don't have to stay for the rest of the caucus. Your vote will count!
Visit www.soapbox4truth.org
by keenekarl on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 08:54:03 AM PDT
that assa9 linked to below (pdf): Frequently Asked Questions about the Precinct Convention Process
by laderrick on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 09:39:56 AM PDT
The comments on this thread are literally all over the map and could cause more confusion, among them:
Ugghh - it needs an official to step up with an advisory for voters - and I think bwintx lizah and assa9 have it right.
With something this important for both candidates, it deserves some FP space to eliminate the confusion.
by frisco on Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 10:15:02 AM PDT
wide narrow
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