HOW YOU CAN HELP PICK THE 2008 DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT
by Mark Brewer, Chair Michigan Democratic Party
Michigan Democrats will have the historic opportunity to play a key role in determining who the Democratic Candidate for President will be in 2008 by voting in the Michigan Democratic Presidential Primary on January 15, 2008. This fact sheet explains how you can help pick the 2008 Democratic Candidate for President. 1. Q: What is the date of the Michigan Democratic Presidential Primary?
A: The Michigan Democratic Party’s Executive Committee has decided that the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) will participate in the Presidential Primary on Tuesday, January 15, 2008. 2. Q: What is the difference between a Presidential Caucus and a Presidential Primary Election?
A: A primary election is run under state law and paid for by the state, while a caucus is a nomination process paid for by a political party and run under its rules. 3. Q: When and where will the Democrats nominate a Presidential Candidate?
A: Democrats will nominate their candidates for President and Vice-President and adopt a platform at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. The Convention will be held in Denver, Colorado on August 25-28, 2008. 4. Q: Who will represent Michigan at the National Convention?
A: Michigan will be represented by a delegation of 156 Delegates, 21 Alternates, 18 Convention Committee members and 4 Pages. 5. Q: How will that delegation be selected?
A: The delegation will be selected in 3 steps. First, on Tuesday, January 15, 2008, voters will cast ballots in the Michigan Democratic Presidential Primary. Candidates for President or uncommitted who receive at least 15% of the vote will earn delegates to the National Convention in proportion to their vote. Then, on March 29, 2008, 83 delegates and 15 alternates will be elected at 15 Congressional District Conventions based on the results of the January 15, 2008 Primary.
Finally, on May 17, 2008, based on the results of the January 15, 2008 Primary, 45 delegates, 6 alternates, 18 Convention Committee members and 4 pages will be elected at a meeting of the Democratic State Central Committee in Grand Rapids. All of these elected delegates, alternates, committee members, and pages, together with 28 super-delegates – Michigan's Governor, 2 U.S. Senators, 6 U.S. Representatives and 17 Democratic National Committee Members and 2 others– will make up Michigan's delegation to the National Convention. 6. Q: How will the January 15, 2008 Primary work?
A: In most ways, it will be like a regular public election. Voters will vote at their regular polling places between 7 A.M. and 8 P.M. Voters can vote by absentee ballot if they meet one of the requirements – out of town, age 60 or older, disability, etc. The deadline to register to vote is 30 days before January 15, 2008 or December 17, 2007. In order to vote at a polling place, a voter must show a photo ID or sign a statement that they do not have a photo ID with them. Absentee voters do not have to produce a photo ID. 7. Q: Is there anything different about the Primary?
A: Yes, voters will be asked whether they want a Democratic or Republican ballot, and a record will be made of which ballot they take. But the voter’s choice of candidate will be secret as in all public elections. 8. Q: What are the choices on the ballot?
A: The Democratic ballot will have 6 choices: Hillary Clinton Christopher Dodd Mike Gravel Dennis Kucinich Uncommitted Write-in 9. Q: What is “uncommitted”?
A: A vote for “uncommitted” is a vote to send delegates to the Democratic National Convention who are not committed or pledged to any candidate. Those delegates can vote for any candidate they choose at the Convention. 10. Q: If my candidate’s name is not on the ballot, should I write it in? A: No. Supporters of Joe Biden, John Edwards, Barack Obama and Bill Richardson are urged to vote “uncommitted” instead of writing in their candidates’ names because write-in votes for those candidates will not be counted under state law. 11. Q: How can I run for delegate or alternate to the National Convention? A: To qualify as a candidate for delegate or alternate, an individual must file a “declaration of candidacy” form with the MDP. The forms will be available from the MDP after January 1, 2008. An individual can qualify as a candidate for district-level delegate or alternate by joining the Michigan Democratic Party and by filing a statement of candidacy with the Chair by 5 P.M. February 28, 2008 at 606 Townsend St., Lansing, MI 48933. An individual can join the Party by completing an application and submitting it by hand-delivery, mail, FAX, e-mail or at the Party's website.
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There are no exceptions to the deadlines. Presidential candidates have the right to approve all candidates for delegate or alternate pledged to them. After a person timely files and is approved by a presidential candidate, they must campaign for election as a delegate or alternate at the congressional district or state level. 12. Q: Are there affirmative action goals for delegates and alternates? A: Yes, affirmative action is very important to the MDP. The delegates must be equally divided among men and women. The affirmative action goals are African Americans: 37 Delegates, 5 Alternates; Arab Americans: 6 Delegates, 1 Alternate; Hispanics: 6 Delegates, 1 Alternate; Asian/Pacific Americans: 3 Delegates, 0 Alternates; Native Americans: 2 Delegates, 0 Alternates; GLBT: 6 Delegates, 1 Alternate; People with Disabilities: 8 Delegates, 1 Alternate; Young People (age 18-35): 19 Delegates, 3 Alternates. 13. Q: Who is eligible to vote for delegates and alternates at the March 29, 2008 Congressional District Conventions? A: Enrolled Democrats are the only persons eligible to participate in the district conventions. Enrolled Democrats include only the following: 1) Precinct delegates who were duly elected at the primary election held August 8, 2006 and the nominees for county and legislative office as set forth in Michigan Democratic Party Rules Article 5.C. In order to vote at the district conventions, these persons must be members of the Michigan Democratic Party on or before March 29, 2008. They may become members that day when they register at the district conventions; and 2) Members of the Michigan Democratic Party at least thirty (30) days prior to March 29, 2008 or by February 28, 2008. Any eligible person may become a member of the Michigan Democratic Party, and there exists no requirement for any financial contribution to the Party in order to join. 14. Q: How can I join the Michigan Democratic Party? A: You can join at our website: www.michigandems.com. You can also get a membership form by calling (517) 371-5410, faxing (517) 371-2056, e-mailing midemparty@michigandems.com, or by writing 606 Townsend, Lansing, MI 48933. Forms should be returned to the MDP at 606 Townsend, Lansing, MI 48933. 15. Q: Who is eligible to vote for delegates and alternates at the May 17, 2008 State Central meeting? A: State Central Delegates, Alternates, Michigan DNC Members, and MDP Officers and Officers-at-Large are eligible to vote. There is no proxy voting. 16. Q: Who is in charge of this whole process? A: MDP Chair Mark Brewer supervises the entire delegate selection process. 17. Q: How can I get more details on the whole process? A: This document is simply a summary of some key issues and the Delegate Selection Plan is the official governing document. You can get a copy by visiting our website at www.michigandems.com, calling the MDP at (517) 371-5410, faxing (517) 371-2056, or writing 606 Townsend, Lansing, MI 48933.
Authorized and paid for by the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee 606 Townsend St., Lansing, MI 48933 12/7/07
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