Sunday, April 13 -- District-Level Delegate Caucuses
Caucuses open at 2pm - you must be in line by 3pm in order to receive a ballot to vote. Caucuses are open to registered Democrats who live in that Congressional District. You may attend and vote at only one Caucus.
Clinton Caucus Locations ½ Obama Caucus Locations ½ List of Delegate Candidates
Delegate Selection FAQ
Q. How will California’s delegates to the national convention be selected?
On Sunday, April 13, 2008, 241 delegates and 40 alternates will be elected in 53 Congressional District Caucuses. The delegate allocation per candidate is based on the results of the February 5, 2008 Primary.
On Sunday, May 18, 2008, the 241 District-Level Delegates will meet and confirm the 48 PLEO’s (Party Leaders and Elected Officials), 81 At-Large Delegates and 22 At-Large Alternates.
All of these elected delegates, alternates, and committee members, together with 66 Super-Delegates (comprised of California DNC members, members of Congress and a Former DNC Chair) will make up California's delegation to the National Convention – 441 Delegates, 62 Alternates, and 51 Committee Members.
Q. How will the April 13, 2008 District Level Caucuses work?
Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama received 15 percent or more of the vote in each of California’s 53 congressional districts (CD), so both campaigns will hold caucus meetings in each congressional district at different sites in each CD. Click here for final delgate allocations.
The caucuses will open officially at 2pm. The Caucus begins at 3pm, with (approx) one-minute candidate speeches. Registered Democrats who live in that CD can vote once they have signed in – and as long as you are in line by 3pm, you will receive a ballot to vote.
You are not required to stay for the entire caucus to cast your vote. You may sign in, cast your ballot and leave. Voters must complete a ballot, including a public declaration that they are registered to vote as a Democrat (can register or re-register to vote at the Caucus – voter registration cards will be available) or if not 18, will be a registered Democratic voter before the November election. (This is for those who are 17 but will turn 18 before or by November 4, 2008.) After each caucus is complete (i.e. all candidates who wish to speak have spoken), the votes will be counted and the results announced immediately on site and reported back to the California Democratic Party that day.
Q. Who is in charge of the caucuses?
The presidential campaigns are in charge of locating, staffing and running the caucuses. Each campaign has a designated steering committee for California that oversees the process.
Q. How can I find the location of the caucus where I vote?
Click here for a list of Clinton caucus locations. Click here for a list of Obama caucus locations.
Q. After I have filed my Form A, what should I be doing to get elected at my District Caucus?
You should be lining up your supporters -- registered Democrats who live in your same congressional district and support your candidate -- to attend the Caucus and vote for you.
Q. Is campaigning allowed at the District Caucuses?
Yes, campaigning by the delegate and any other democratic candidate (signs, leaflets, etc.) and similar activity will be allowed under rules set out by the California Democratic Party.
Q. Can I vote by mail or online for a District-Level Delegate?
No. All voting must be done in person. However, you may cast your vote as soon as you have signed in and received your ballot. You do not have to stay for the entire Caucus.
Q. Can people attend more than one Caucus?
No. Registered Democrats are only allowed to attend and vote in one Caucus.
Q. Do I vote for just one person, or can I vote for more than one?
You may vote for up to the number of delegates (and an Alternate if there is one) in that Congressional District. For instance, in CD 2, Hillary Clinton would get one male and one female Delegate and one female Alternate. Therefore in CD 2 at the Clinton Caucus, you can vote for one or up to a total of three delegates of any gender. Likewise, in CD 2 for Obama, there are two Delegate slots -- one female and one male – therefore, you could vote for up to two delegates.
Q. How are the votes tabulated?
Again, using CD 2 as an example – the female with the most votes would win, the male with the most votes would win, and the female with the second highest number of votes would be the Alternate.
Q. Will we know the winners on April 13?
Yes. The votes are counted onsite and the winners are announced. In the case of any ties, coin tosses are done immediately.
Q. Are there any other requirements to become a Delegate?
You must be committed to the candidate and registered to vote as a Democratic in that CD (declaring under penalty of perjury). The delegates to the national convention are responsible for their own travel expenses, such as airfare, lodging and meals (approx. $2,500), including travel costs to the May 18 delegation meeting in Sacramento. Please note that presidential candidates have the right to approve (by April 7) all applicants for candidacy for district-level Delegate or alternate as qualified candidates in the April 13th Caucus.
Q. Are there affirmative action goals for delegates and alternates?
Yes, a delegation reflecting the diversity of California is very important to the Democratic Party and the presidential candidates. Each state must have a Delegation which is 50% female, 50% male or within one, and must have a Delegate Selection Plan that includes Affirmative Action Goals (quotas are prohibited).
California Democrats will have: 441 Delegates (221 females, 220 males)
62 Alternates (31 females, 31 males)
503 TOTAL (252 females, 251 males)
California’s affirmative action goals are:
Hispanic / Latino 26%
African-American 16%
LGBT 12%
Youth 10% (those born 8/29/78 or later)
Asian / Pacific Islander 9%
Persons with Disabilities 10%
Native American 1%
Q. How are the affirmative action goals addressed?
The Party’s Affirmative Action goals will be kept in mind when the campaigns select their At-Large and PLEO Delegates, who will be confirmed at the May 18th delegation meeting in Sacramento.
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