As a file for download:   DPVA DNC Delegate Selection Q&As.

• I. The Democratic National Convention
• II. The Virginia Delegate Selection Process
• III. The Virginia National Delegate Selection Process
• IV. The March 6, 2012 Primary
• V. Allocation of Virginia’s National Convention Delegates Among Presidential Candidates
• VI. The Virginia Caucuses
• VII. Congressional District Conventions
• VIII. State Convention
• IX. Affirmative Action & Outreach
• X. Additional Information
• Attachment A: Virginia Delegate Selection Summary
• Attachment B: Timeline

 REVISED January 8, 2012

I. THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

1. What does the Democratic National Convention do?

It nominates the Democratic Party’s candidates for President and Vice President of the United States and adopts the Party’s Platform.

2. When and where is the Democratic National Convention?

The Convention will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 3-6, 2012.

3. How many people will attend?

The National Convention will have approximately 5,500 Delegates and 400 Alternates.

4. How can I attend the convention?

You can be elected as a Delegate or Alternate, be selected to serve on a standing committee, or volunteer with the Democratic National Committee or a campaign.

5. How do I volunteer to work at the Convention?

The Charlotte 2012 Convention Host Committee is organizing volunteers. To volunteer for the Convention, contact the Democratic National Convention Committee at 704-330-­2012 or http://charlottein2012.com/involved/volunteer/. The DNCC office is located at 400 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202.

6. How does the Nomination Process work?

Rather than voters directly nominating a presidential candidate, their votes are translated into delegates that are distributed according to the level of support the candidates receive. Each state receives a certain number of delegates according to a formula agreed upon in advance of the convention. Those delegates are selected by rules formulated at the state level in keeping with national guidelines. More than 85% of the delegates already “pledged” to candidates based on the voting in state primaries and caucuses, so the nominee could be known in advance. Once a candidate locks up a majority of the delegates, that candidate can receive the party nomination.

7. What is the National Platform?

The National Platform is an official statement of the Party’s position on a wide variety of issues. A new platform is adopted every four years by the Democratic National Convention. The Platform Committee is responsible for drafting and recommending a proposed National Platform for approval at the Convention. Any person may submit a written statement concerning the Platform to the Platform Committee at any time prior to the Committee’s meeting.

II. THE VIRGINIA DELEGATE SELECTION PROCESS

1. How is the Virginia Delegation to the National Convention selected?

Virginia has a two part process:

First, the Democratic Party of Virginia (“DPVA”) called for a primary to be held on March 6, 2012. President Obama timely filled the required number of signatures and was the only Democratic candidate to do so.  The Democratic primary there was cancelled and he was declared the winner.  President Obama, therefore, will receive 100% of Virginia’s delegates to the National Convention (“National Delegates”).

Second, cities and counties across the Commonwealth will hold caucuses that will select “State Delegates” to Congressional District Conventions and a State Convention. The State Delegates will also all be committed to President Obama. The State Delegates will then elect the National Delegates.

2. How many National Delegates does Virginia get?

Virginia will elect 123 National Delegates and 9 Alternates. Each of Virginia’s 11 Congressional Districts will elect between 4 and 8 National Delegates and most will elect one Alternate. The State Convention will then elect the remaining 23 Delegates and 2 Alternates, and 14 pledged Party Leaders and Elected Officials (“PLEOs”). Another 17 National Delegates are Party Leader and Elected Officials who are “automatic” delegates by virtue of their offices (e.g., Governor, Democratic National Committee member).

3. Is the Virginia Delegate Selection Process open?

Yes, the process is open to all members of the Democratic Party regardless of race, sex, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, economic status, or physical disability. The Party also has an active affirmative action and outreach program to encourage full participation by all Democrats in the process.

4. How do I become a delegate?

Read on.

III. THE VIRGINIA NATIONAL DELEGATE SELECTION PROCESS

1. Who can be a National Delegate?

The process is open to all voters who wish to participate as Democrats. The times, dates, places and rules for the conduct of delegate selection meetings will be publicized.

2. How much does it cost?

There is no mandatory cost or fee required to become a National Delegate.

3. What are the types of delegates and how are they selected?

Pledged delegates must openly commit to a candidate before the vote and are subject to review by that candidate. “Automatic” delegates (“unpledged” or “super” delegates) must identify their presidential preference by June 2012.

District-Level Delegates – Virginia has 69 National Delegates that will be elected at the Congressional District Conventions to be held on May of 2012. National Delegate candidates must file a statement of candidacy designating their presidential preference and a signed pledge of support the candidate five days prior to the District Convention. National Delegate candidates must run for election in the district in which they are registered to vote, and are subject to review by the candidate they support.

At-Large Delegates – Virginia has 23 National Delegates who will be selected At-Large at the State Convention on June 2, 2012. Candidates for At-Large National Delegate must also file a statement of candidacy designating the presidential preference and a signed pledge of support for the candidate five days in advance of the Convention.

Pledged Party Leaders and Elected Official (PLEO) Delegates – Virginia will elect 14 “Pledged PLEO” National Delegates at the State Convention. These positions are considered according to the following priority: big city mayors and state-wide elected officials, state legislative leaders, state legislators, and other state, county and local elected officials and party leaders.

Unpledged PLEO National Convention Delegates – DNC Members, Democratic House and Senate members, Democratic governors, and former Democratic Party leaders are automatically confirmed to the state parties. Virginia currently has 17 such Delegates.

4. What about National Convention Alternates?

National Alternate Delegates are selected by same process as Delegates. State parties provide for the conditions under which alternates may “replace” a Delegate at the National Convention. Virginia will elect a total of seven alternates at the Congressional District Conventions and two at the State Convention.

5. What are the National Convention Standing Committees?

The National Convention will have Platform, Rules, and Credentials Committees. Virginia will have four members on each committee. The Virginia Delegation will elect the committee members at the State Convention.

6. What about Pages?

Virginia will have four pages, selected by the State Democratic Party Chair.

IV. THE MARCH 6, 2012 PRIMARY

1. Did the Democratic Party call for a Democratic primary?

Yes, pursuant to Virginia Code, the DPVA called for a primary to be held on March 6, 2012.

2. Will the primary be held?

No. President Barack Obama timely filed petitions containing over 10,000 signatures, with at least 400 from each Congressional district. He was the only candidate to do so, the primary was cancelled and he was awarded 100% of Virginia’s delegates.

3. Will the Virginia Republican Party have presidential preference primary on March 6, 2012?

Yes.

V. ALLOCATION OF VIRGINIA’S NATIONAL CONVENTION DELEGATES AMONG PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

1. How are Virginia’s National Convention Delegates allocated among Presidential candidates?

The Presidential Primary result totals are used to allocate the National Delegates. In 2012, only President Obama filed, so he was allocated 100% of the delegates.

2. How was the primary used to allocate the State Convention delegates (who will elect the National Convention delegates)?

The allocation process worked the same way – all of the state convention delegates are also allocated to President Obama.

VI. THE VIRGINIA CITY AND COUNTY CAUCUSES

1. What do the Virginia caucuses do?

The caucuses will elect 2,500 State Delegates and 500 Alternates who will attend their Congressional District Convention and the State Convention and elect the National Convention Delegates.

2. When are the Caucuses held?

They will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 12:00 noon or Monday, April 23, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

3. Who can participate in the Caucuses?

Any registered voter may participate. The voter, however, must sign a certification that he or she is a registered voter in the jurisdiction, is a Democrat, believes in the principles of the Democratic Party, and does not intend to support a candidate opposed to the Democratic nominee in the next election.

4. What are the different types of caucuses?

Caucuses may be “assembled” (or mass meetings) where the doors are closed at the starting time and the elections proceed or “unassembled” (or “firehouse primaries”) where voters attend, cast ballots, and leave over a period of several hours.

5. Are slates of State Delegate candidates allowed?

Yes.

6. How are State Alternates selected?

It is up to the city or county committee calling the caucus. Alternates may be the next highest-vote getters or may be separately elected.

7. Is pre-filing required to be a State Delegate?

Yes, the deadline is five days prior to the caucus: April 16 for April 21 caucuses and April 18 for April 23 caucuses.

8. Can the caucus be cancelled if only the necessary number (or fewer) of State Delegates and Alternates pre-file?

Yes.

9. How are the State Convention Delegates apportioned among Virginia’s cities and counties?

The State Delegates are apportioned among Virginia’s cities and counties using a formula based on population and Democratic vote in recent elections. The allocation is included in the DPVA Call to Convention.

VII. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CONVENTIONS

1. What do the Congressional District Conventions do?

These Conventions elect four to eight National Delegates and seven CDs will each elect one National Alternate. The district conventions also elect one representative to the Electoral College.

2. When are the Congressional District Conventions held?

The Congressional District Conventions will be held on May 12 or 19, 2012.

3. Where will they be held?

Each Congressional District Democratic Committee will determine the date and location and publicize that information.

4. Who can attend District Conventions?

The State Delegates and Alternates elected at the city and county caucuses will attend and cast votes for National Delegates. The Conventions are open to observers.

5. How many National Convention Delegates will each Congressional District Convention elect?

The number and gender of the National Delegates elected at the District Conventions is as follows:

6. Are there gender requirements for National Delegates elected at the District level?

Yes, Virginia’s National Delegates must be equally divided between men and women, and so the gender of the National Delegates to be elected at the Congressional District level is predetermined (as shown above).

7. Do District Conventions adopt resolutions?

Yes, as determined by the Congressional District Committee, the District Convention may have a Resolutions Committee and adopt resolutions.

8. Do District Conventions have standing committees?

VIII. STATE CONVENTION

1. What does the State Convention do?

It elects the At-Large and Pledged PLEO Delegates and Alternates. It also elects two representatives to the Electoral College, Virginia’s four members of the Democratic National Committee, and adopts a Platform.

2. When and where will the State Convention be held?

June 2, 2012 in Fairfax, Virginia, at George Mason University.

3. How many National Convention Delegates will the State Convention elect?

As discussed above, Virginia will elect 23 At-Large Delegates, 14 Pledged PLEOs, and 2 At-Large Alternates.

4. Are there gender requirements for National Convention Delegates elected at the State Convention?

Yes, the State Delegation must be equally divided between men and women.

5. Will the State Convention adopt a platform?

Traditionally, the State Convention does adopt a platform. A Platform Committee will be selected prior to the Convention and receive submissions.

6. What are the State Convention Committees?

There will be State Platform, Rules and Credentials Committees

The District Conventions have Rules and Credentials Committees and may have a Resolutions Committee.

IX. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION & OUTREACH

1. Does Virginia have an affirmative action and outreach plan?

Yes, to ensure that the Democratic Party at all levels is an open Party that includes rather than excludes people from participation, Virginia has adopted a program of effective affirmative action

2. What are the principles of the Virginia Democratic Party’s Affirmative Action effort?

• We welcome all into our Democratic Party.

• We conduct outreach to all communities.

• We seek to increase participation of All constituencies.

• We especially focus on outreach to Democratic constituencies including African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian/Pacific Americans, women, ethnics, youth, persons over 65 years of age, veterans, lesbians and gay men, workers, persons with a high school education or less, persons with disabilities, and persons of low and moderate income.

3. Who implements this plan?

A State Affirmative Action Committee was selected in 2011. It is chaired by State Senator Louise Lucas and Gaylene Kanoyton.

4. How is the Affirmative Action Plan implemented?

The Committee will publicize the primary and the delegate selection process to all media. It will focus special efforts on minority, student, constituency media, press and publications. The Committee will also Work with City, County, District Affirmative Action/Outreach Committees and contact and inform constituency organizations about the process.

5. Will a Speaker’s Bureau be set up to talk to my group about Virginia’s delegate selection process?

Yes; contact the State Democratic Party for additional information.

6. Are there goals for representation of groups in Virginia’s National Convention Delegation?

Yes, as part of its Affirmative Action Plan, the Democratic Party has adopted the “Representation goals” of 44 African-Americans, 7 Hispanics, 5 Asian/Pacific Americans and 1 Native American. These goals constitute neither a ceiling nor a floor.

In addition, the Party has adopted Inclusion goals of 16 Youth (age 35 and under), 9-10 Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender and 6 People with Disabilities.

X. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1. Where can I get additional information about the Virginia process?

Contact: Democratic Party of Virginia, 1710 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23223, Telephone: 804-644-1966 (or toll-free 1-800-322-1144), Fax: 804-343-3642, Web Site: www.vademocrats.org.

2. What materials are available?

Materials include the Delegate Selection Plan itself, this Q&A form, a one-page summary, a brochure, and a PowerPoint presentation.

3. Where can I get information about the National process, including volunteering for the National Convention?

See: www.charlottein2012.com See also the Democratic National Committee website: http://www.democrats.org/ourparty.html

4. Where can I get more information about the President’s campaign? Contact the website: Obama for America – http://www.barackobama.com

5. Is there a summary of the Delegates Selection Process in Virginia?

See Attachment A.

6. Is there a timeline of important events in the Virginia Delegate Selection Process?

See Attachment B.

ATTACHMENT A: VIRGINIA DELEGATE SELECTION SUMMARY

Unpledged PLEO delegates includes the following categories, if applicable, who legally reside in the state: the DNC Members, the Democratic President, the Democratic Vice President, all Democratic Members of Congress, the Democratic Governor, and any other Distinguished Party Leader as specified in Rule 9.A. of the 2012 Delegate Selection Rules. The exact number of Unpledged PLEO Delegates is subject to change due to possible deaths, resignations, elections or special elections.

** Pledged PLEO alternates are selected with the At-Large alternates.

ATTACHMENT B: TIMELINE