Rick Hardy Political Science Department Western Illinois University
Session 1D
Democratic Caucuses and Primaries
Tuesday, October 23, 2007 Union Grand Ballroom 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Purpose of Session 1D. The purpose of Session 1D is to select state delegates to the Democratic National Convention (Sessions 2D and 3D) either through state presidential caucuses or presidential primaries. The Delegate Selection Process National Party Rules. The next Democratic National Convention will be held in Denver, Colorado, from August 24-28, 2008. The National Democratic Party determines: a) the total number of delegates that may attend the Democratic National Convention (4,367 in 2008), b) the number of delegates’ votes needed to win the Democratic Party nomination (2,184 in 2008), and c) how many delegates each state is entitled to send to the Democratic National Convention. State Delegate Apportionment. The number of delegates that each state may send to the Democratic National Convention is based on a complex formula. Each state is entitled to a base number of delegates determined by a state’s relative population, plus bonus Delegates for electing Democratic officeholders. For example, if a state has a Democratic governor and a Democratic U.S. Senator, then that state gets extra delegates to the National Convention. Thus, in 2008, Illinois will have extra delegates to the Democratic National Convention because it has a Democratic Governor and two Democratic U.S. Senators in Congress. See Table 1D for the apportionment of state delegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention. State Delegate Selection. While the National Democratic Party determines the total number of delegates each state is entitled to send to the Democratic National Convention, it is generally up to the individual states to determine when and how those delegates are selected. The process begins traditionally with Iowa in January and continues until the final states have selected delegates in June of the election year. In 2008, however, the process has been “front loaded” so that most of the states will select their delegates by March. Indeed, the vast majority of Democratic delegates will be chosen on February 5, 2008, so-called “Super Tuesday.” By that date, 27 states will have selected 2,321 delegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Hence, it is possible, although not probable, that a Democratic presidential candidate could wrap up the nomination by Super Tuesday. In general, the states employ two methods for selecting delegates to the Democratic National Convention—a) Presidential Caucuses and b) Presidential Primaries (or often called “Presidential Preference Primaries”).
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Rick Hardy Political Science Department Western Illinois University
Presidential Caucuses. In caucus states, qualified Democratic voters attend meetings near their homes at a date and time determined by state law. Meeting places could include grade schools, town halls or public libraries. At those assemblages, the caucus goers first review the party rules and discuss the qualifications and issue positions of the various Democratic presidential hopefuls. The meeting concludes when the caucus goers physically divide into candidate camps. Citizens supporting Candidate A will move to one part of the room, while those favoring Candidate B will walk to another portion of the room, and so on. If a presidential candidate does not amass a minimum number of supporters, his or her supporters will be given an opportunity to move over to another presidential grouping. This process will continue until every caucus attendee has had a final chance to align with a viable presidential contender. Presidential Primaries. In presidential primary states, qualified voters go to the polls and cast ballots for the presidential candidate of their choice. Note that many states have closed presidential primaries. In those states, citizens must first register to vote by party affiliation and then may only participate in the primary in which they are registered. Thus, only registered Democrats may vote in Democratic presidential primaries. Other states are open primaries. There citizens do not have to declare a party affiliation when they register to vote and therefore have the option of voting in either a Democratic presidential primary or a Republican presidential primary. Regardless of whether a state uses a closed or open presidential primary, the candidate with the most popular votes wins that state’s delegates to the Democratic National Convention, typically in proportion to the popular votes they receive. The Mock Presidential Selection Process Session 1D will simulate the Democratic presidential delegate selection process from the Iowa caucuses (January 14, 2008) through Super Tuesday (February 5, 2008). Five states will employ caucuses (Iowa, Nevada, Alaska, Colorado and Minnesota) and 21 states will use presidential primaries (New Hampshire, Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah). Again, a total of 2,321 Democratic delegates are at stake in Session 1D. Please note there are two types of delegates—pledged and unpledged delegates. Pledged delegates are those who must vote for the person who wins their state caucus or primary at the Democratic National Convention in Session 3D. All of the delegates up for grabs in Session 1D are pledged delegates! Unpledged delegates are those who are free to vote for anybody they desire at the Democratic National Convention in Session 3D. These are the so-called “Super Delegates” comprised of Democratic officeholders and officials from each state. For example, Florida will have a total of 210 delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Session 3D. Of those, 185 are pledged delegates (selected in Session 1D) and 25 are the unpledged “Super Delegates” who attend Session 3D uncommitted to any presidential candidate.
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Rick Hardy Political Science Department Western Illinois University
In our simulation, all Democratic caucus and primary states will use proportional voting to assign delegates to our mock Democratic National Convention (Sessions 2D and 3D). For example, if Candidate X wins 33 percent of the votes in the Iowa caucus, then he or she will win 15 of Iowa’s 45 pledged delegates to the Democratic National. Recall, however, that these are pledged delegates. In Session 3D, Iowa will have a total of 60 delegates to the Democratic National Convention—45 pledged delegates and 15 unpledged or Super Delegates. Mock Roles Professors and Graduate Students. In preparation for Session 1D, Professors should familiarize themselves with the basic rules and layout of the Grand Ballroom. They should arrive at least 30 minutes early to assist in checking identification badges. Each Professor and Graduate Student will be assigned to a particular state, and each state will have a packet of handouts. As the session progresses, Professors and Graduate Students distribute the handouts for their state delegations. Staff must constantly remind Delegates that they are to represent their assigned states—not their actual home states. To assist them, Professors and Graduate Students might gather information about how their assigned state voted in the last election, the demographic makeup of the state, and the latest polling data. This information can be found online by looking at the U.S. Statistical Abstract or state newspapers. In the caucus states, Professors and Graduate Students will be responsible for dividing the Delegates into smaller groups and counting the Delegates. In the primary states, Professors and Graduate Students will be charged with distributing and counting the paper ballots. It will also be up to the staff to oversee the calculations of the Delegate apportionment. At the conclusion of Session 1D, Professors and Graduate Students will administer a final attendance sheet and see that all Democratic Delegates exit the hall in a timely and orderly fashion. Campaign Managers and Field Workers. Prior to Session 1D, Campaign Managers and Field Workers should become familiar with the delegate selection process and the apportionment of Democratic state delegates. They should also become thoroughly familiar with their candidate’s background, experience, and positions on critical issues. Remember, each Campaign Manager is responsible for submitting his or her candidate’s stance on the 20 issues that the convention will address. Campaign Managers and Field Workers also should develop strategies with respect to when and where to campaign in order to maximize their votes. All camps should also acquire or construct signs to promote their candidates and design buttons, armbands, T-shirts or other distinctive markings for instant candidate identification. Finally, all camps should prepare and deliver a three- to five-minute speech extolling the virtues of their respective candidates. A student, a surrogate speaker, or the actual candidate may deliver these speeches. If at all possible, each camp should attempt to secure a video of the actual presidential contender to show during the proceedings. At the conclusion of the opening speeches, Field Workers should fan out among the state delegations to extol the virtues of their candidates and cajole Delegates to support their candidates. Campaign Managers should
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Rick Hardy Political Science Department Western Illinois University
consider issuing press releases, holding impromptu news conferences, and making deals with rival camps in order to maximize their candidate’s chances of winning. Delegates. In preparation for Session 1D, the Delegates (really caucus goers or primary voters) should familiarize themselves with the Democratic rules and presidential contenders. It is also important for each Delegate to become familiar with the state he or she will represent. Remember, Delegates are to represent their assigned state and vote the way a typical voter from that state would vote—not necessarily the way they would vote in their actual hometown. A student from Galesburg, Illinois, who is assigned to represent Alabama should therefore think and vote like an Alabamian and not like a resident from Galesburg, Illinois! Similarly, a student from Chicago who is assigned to represent Kansas, should think and vote like a delegate from Kansas—not like a person from the Windy City. In preparation for this role, each Delegate should examine his or her assigned state’s demographic data, voting trends, partisan splits, polling data and issue concerns. Delegates are also encouraged to use laptop computers to check data and follow the mock newspapers that will be posted during the evening. Every participant will need a badge to enter the Grand Ballroom. Upon arrival, Delegates should first check in at their assigned state. Simply look for the tall, three-sided state sign. Attendance will be taken several times during the evening to insure that students are actually participating in the events. Hence, do not expect to get credit for the simulation if you simply check in and dart out. During Session 1D, Delegates should listen carefully to the candidate speeches and compare and contrast the contender’s position on critical issues. Delegates should compare notes with other Delegates, analyze voting records, ask questions of Field Workers, speak with Reporters, and weigh all options presented. At the close of the session, Delegates will be asked to complete a questionnaire and cast a vote for the Democratic presidential contender they feel best represents the people of their state. Journalists. Well before the start of Session 1D, Journalist must become familiar with the rules, all presidential candidates and the Campaign Managers. Journalists might consider writing previews of the various candidates and their issue positions. During the session, Journalists should feel free to circulate among the state delegations and presidential camps to report events, campaign strategies, and possible voting trends. The polling of state delegations may also be possible. Journalists should also be prepared to cover news releases and impromptu press conferences during the evening. Various forms of media are encouraged, including posting on the internet, distributing hard copies, and television coverage. At the conclusion of Session 1D, Journalists should write and disseminate results of the caucuses and primaries. Journalists are also encouraged to write and circulate editorials or commentary concerning candidate performance and strategies.
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Rick Hardy Political Science Department Western Illinois University
Important Items to Remember 1. Don’t lose your Mock Election Badge. You cannot participate without it. 2. Remember to play your assigned role! If you are a delegate from Alaska, then think and vote like a delegate from Alaska. If you are a delegate from Massachusetts, then think and vote like a delegate from Massachusetts. Consider the issues important to the people of your assigned state, how that state normally votes, and whether there is a presidential candidate from your assigned state. 3. Delegates are encouraged to bring laptop computers. The Grand Ballroom is a wireless facility and Delegates may want to check the internet for facts and keep abreast of the events on our mock media outlets. 4. All participants should dress appropriately for the events. Students are especially encouraged to wear something red, white or blue. 5. All participants are encouraged to voice their opinions and demonstrate for the candidates of their choice. The louder the better. However, all discourse and signage should be civil and mindful of others’ feelings. 6. Please be on time and do not leave early. Attendance will be taken throughout the session using various forms. 7. Please do not bring Silly String or confetti. These items are strictly forbidden! 8. Please do not deface the three-sided state signs; they will be needed for nine separate sessions over the five evenings. 9. Remember that the event will be televised. Please show your spirit and enthusiasm, and always be good ambassadors for Western Illinois University.
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