2010 Caucus Rules

Rules for the Precinct Caucus
Between Presidential Years
March 16, 2010
 
1.            Inclusion: The Denver Democratic Party and the participants in this caucus are required to take steps to encourage participation in the delegate and candidate selection process of the Democratic Party at all levels – by young people, women, minority groups, and the disabled. Inclusion should occur in reasonable relationship to any given groups’ presence in the full population. This goal shall not be accomplished, either directly or indirectly, by the Party’s imposition of mandatory quotas.
2.            Who May Participate: A person may vote at the precinct caucus, be elected a delegate or an alternate from the caucus and/or be elected as a precinct committee person if, according to the registration records of the county clerk and recorder’s office, they have resided in the precinct since February 16 and have been registered as a Democrat on or before January 19. Any person who has attained the age of eighteen (18) or has become a naturalized citizen within the two month period immediately preceding the caucus shall be eligible to vote at the caucus even though that person has not been a registered Democrat for the full two months. A person who moved away from the precinct in which they registered after the residence date of February 16may vote in the old precinct, but may not become a delegate or committee person. Other persons may attend the caucus but cannot vote.
3.            Additional Rules: Participants in the caucus may adopt additional rules, provided they do not conflict with either state or county rules, state election laws or other instructions to the caucus chair. Give participants a full opportunity to be heard and permit full discussion of all relevant questions.
4.            Disputes: Any person desiring to dispute any matter concerning the caucus must file a written protest with the County Chairperson within 7 days of the caucus, or by March 23, 2010. Otherwise, the certification of caucus delegates and alternates and committee people will be final. Disputes are to be sent to the attention of the Chair, Cindy Lowery, 574 S Broadway, Denver, CO80209 or emailed to info@denverdemocrats.net .
5.            Secret Ballot: Voting shall be open at all meetings, except at precinct caucuses. At precinct caucuses, voting shall be open unless a secret ballot is requested by anyone eligible to vote. (State Party Rules, Part 4, Article II, Section A.)
6.            Proxies: No proxy voting shall be permitted at the caucus.
7.            Late Arriving/Early Leaving:A person must be present to participate. Those arriving late or leaving early may only take part in caucus business occurring while they are present.
8.            Open Voting: No delegate or alternate shall be instructed to vote for or against any candidate or measure.
9.            Election Procedure: Persons receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected.
10.        Ties: If two or more candidates for delegate or alternate receive an equal number of votes, the winner is to be determined by lot (coin toss or drawing straws) by such candidates. If more than two candidates for the position of committee person receive an equal number of votes the winner shall be determined by lot of such candidates. 
11.        Delegate Selection: Delegates and alternates to all party assemblies are to be chosen in a manner which fairly reflects the division of candidate preference, expressed by those participating in the nominating process, including those expressed by minority and divergent views. Equal division between men and women is to be achieved, if possible.
 
12.        Becoming a Delegate for a Specific Candidate: Some people want to participate in only a portion of the election process. The process for becoming a delegate eligible to vote for candidates in certain races is a stepped process. Candidates for the General Assembly are nominated at the CountyAssembly. Candidates for other offices are nominated as follows:
For Congressional Delegates:
Step 1. Get elected to the Denver County Assembly (Saturday, April 10, 2010 – Denver University – sign in 9:00 a.m.; meeting starts promptly at 10:00 a.m.) The official call will be mailed prior to the CountyAssemblyto all delegates
Step 2. At the County Assembly, get elected to the First Congressional District Assembly, which will be announced at a later date. The official call will be mailed prior to the County Assembly to all delegates
For U.S. Senate, Governor, or other State wide candidates.
Step 1. Get elected to the Denver County Assembly (Saturday, April 10, 2010 – Denver University – sign in 9:00 a.m.; meeting starts promptly at 10:00 a.m.) The official call will be mailed prior to the CountyAssembly to all delegates
Step 2. At the County Assembly, get elected to the State Assembly, Broomfield Event Center on May 23. The official call will be mailed prior to the State Assembly to all delegates
 
13.        Threshold: A preference poll based upon the US Senate race shall be used for the selection of delegates and alternates to the CountyAssembly A candidate must receive a minimum of fifteen percent (15%) in a preference poll to be awarded delegates and alternates. Use the caucus math worksheet to determine the number of delegates to be awarded for each candidate who attained the threshold.
14.        Uncommitted Votes: Not every one wants to commit to a candidate. Thereforetreat “uncommitted” votes as if the vote was cast for a candidate for determining the threshold and awarding delegates, i.e., pretend there is a candidate named “uncommitted.”
15.        Automatic delegates: No person shall become an automatic delegate or alternate to a higher assembly by holding any party or public elected office.
16.        Caucus Agenda:
1.      Check In and determine eligibility of participants
2.      Call meeting to order and read caucus rules aloud
3.      Elect caucus chairperson and secretary
4.      Pass caucus buck bag
5.      Take a preference poll on the U.S. Senate race for Assembly delegates and any desired straw polls
6.      Elect delegates and alternates to CountyAssembly
7.      Elect precinct committee people
8.      Announce election judge sign up information
9.      Consider the proposed Party Platform and resolutions
10. Other business
11. Adjournment
17.        Turn in materials: All forms on white paper are to be turned in to the site coordinator. Captains are to take all materials to The Democratic Party of Denver's headquarters (574 S. Broadway), NO LATER THAN 11:00 PM ON CAUCUS NIGHT. If materials are not delivered by 11:00 pm, they will not be accepted.
 

For a printable copy of the 2010 Caucus Rules, please click here.

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