Deldems Adopt Delegate Selection Plan

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

NEW CASTLE, DE— On Wednesday, May 23^rd, the Delaware Democratic Party’s State Executive Committee unanimously adopted the 2008 Delegate Selection Plan. The plan will now be sent to the Rules and Bylaws Committee of the Democratic National Committee for final approval.

“After input from a diverse group of party members from all over the state, I think we have put together an excellent plan,” said Molly Jurusik, Executive Director of the Delaware Democratic Party. “I believe our plan will help ensure that our delegation is truly representative of the Delaware population as a whole.”

Summary of the 2008 Delegate Selection Plan
Per the Call of the Convention, Delaware will send 23 delegates and 4 alternates to Denver, CO from August 25-28, 2008. The delegates will consist of:

10 subdivision-level delegates, consisting of 2 delegates each from Wilmington, Kent and Sussex Counties, and 4 from New Castle County;
7 unpledged party leader and elected official delegates, consisting of the Governor, both U.S. Senators, and the party’s four DNC members;
3 at-large delegates, who can come from anywhere in the state;
2 pledged party leader and elected official delegates, although any elected official can run for this position, preference is given to statewide elected officials and big city mayors, and;
1 unpledged add-on delegate, who can come from anywhere in the state.

The alternates will consist of 1 each from New Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties, and 1 at-large alternate who can come from anywhere in the state.

The first step in becoming a 2008 delegate will be to register as a Democrat by December 1, 2007. Interested parties must then fill out a pledge of support and a delegate/ alternate application by January 31, 2008. These forms will be available at State Party HQ, 19 E. Commons Blvd. 2^nd Floor, New Castle, DE 19720 starting on January 7, 2008.

Based on the February 5^,2008 primary, any candidate receiving 15% or more of the vote will be eligible to receive delegates based on the actual percentage of the vote received in each representative district. During the month of February 2008, each representative district will then hold a caucus to elect delegates to the state convention, tentatively scheduled for April 5, 2008.

At the state convention, all 23 delegates and 4 alternates will be chosen. Delaware will also send 1 member to each of the three standing committees, 2 convention pages, and 1 delegation chair. These positions will be voted on by a quorum of subdivision level delegates at the April 5^th convention.

A tentative calendar of events is attached to this release.

Anyone with comments or questions should contact Molly Jurusik at mjurusik@deldems.org or (302) 328-9036.