Precinct Convention Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions about participating in the Texas Democratic Precinct Conventions. If you have a question and can't find the answer below, please contact the TDP at 1-888-DEM-3254.
Your Precinct Convention is held the same place where you vote on Primary Election Day, and begins at 7:15PM, or when the last person votes if there are still people in line then. For answers to frequently asked questions about the Texas Democratic Primary, please click here.
- If a candidate wins the popular vote in my precinct, can another candidate win all of the delegates?
- We do not have enough people at the caucus to fill all of the delegate positions. What should we do?
What is a Precinct Convention?
A meeting held at 7:15pm on March 4, right after the primary election polls close at 7pm or after the last person in line casts their ballot, whichever occurs later. The attendees at the convention “caucus” to elect delegates to the County Convention – or, in large counties, to the Senatorial District Convention - who support their preference for Presidential candidate (or uncommitted preference). Participants also conduct official party business, propose resolutions, etc.
Who can participate in the Precinct Convention?
Anyone who lives in the precinct and voted in the 2008 Democratic Primary can participate, including those who voted early, voted by mail (absentee ballot) or voted on Election Day, March 4th.
It is the meeting of those attending the precinct convention (i.e. convention attendees) who have signed in for their presidential preference. Each caucus will elect the number of delegates and alternates to the County/Senatorial District convention proportional to the number of convention attendees favoring each candidate/preference.
Why do we do we have a primary and precinct convention?
The hybrid system ensures that we allocate delegates to the respective presidential candidates based on both the choices of Primary voters and the participation of grassroots Democrats who meet in their neighborhoods and communities at their precinct convention (“caucuses”). 75% of the delegates to National Convention from Texas are based on the results of the Primary and the rest are allocated based on the results of the sign-ins for each presidential preference at the State Convention.
When does the Precinct Convention start?
The Precinct Conventions begin at 7:15 pm, or when the last person in line has cast their ballot - whichever occurs later. Under the Texas Election Code, you may not begin the precinct convention until the last person in line before the polls close at 7 pm has voted. (See Texas Election Code §174.022)
Where is the Precinct Convention held?
Your precinct convention location will be held at your precinct’s Election Day polling location. If the Precinct Convention is moved to another location (e.g. due to lack of space), a sign will be posted at the original location directing you where to go to participate.
I voted early, can I still go to the Precinct Convention?
Yes.
I voted early and want to participate in my Precinct Convention. Do I go where I voted or to my regular polling place?
You will go to your precinct’s Election Day polling/voting location (i.e. the polling location you would have gone to had you voted on March 4th).
I voted early and lost the voting receipt they gave me to vote. Can I still participate in the Precinct Convention?
Yes. Your name will still appear on the voter rolls showing that you early voted – so you still qualify to participate in the Precinct Convention.
I voted early and I lost my voter registration card. Can I still participate in the Precinct Convention?
Yes. Your name will still appear on the voter rolls showing that you early voted – so you still qualify to participate in the Precinct Convention.
I voted in the Primary (early or on Election Day) but the election clerk did not stamp my voter registration card. Can I still participate in the Precinct Convention?
Yes. Your name will still appear on the voter rolls showing that you voted – so you still qualify to participate in the Precinct Convention.
I voted by mail, can I still participate in the Precinct Convention?
Yes. Your name will still appear on the voter rolls showing that you voted by mail – so you still qualify to participate in the Precinct Convention.
I voted by mail and want to participate in my Precinct Convention. Where do I go to participate in my Precinct Convention if I voted by mail?
You will go to your precinct’s Election Day polling/voting location (i.e. the polling location you would have gone to had you voted on March 4th).
I voted in the Primary (early or on Election Day) but I did not bring my stamped voter registration card or any proof that I voted, and a copy of the voter roll is not at the precinct as it’s supposed to be. Can I still participate in the Precinct Convention?
Yes, you may participate on a provisional basis.
I voted a provisional ballot – can I still participate in the Precinct Convention?
Yes, you may participate as a provisional voter. Provisional voters may sign in as provisional voters, but they will not count in the initial allocation of delegates. However, a second allocation shall be made that includes provisional voters, so when provisional participants are subsequently deemed eligible, delegate allocations can be adjusted as necessary.
How many delegates are assigned to each precinct?
The number of delegates your precinct gets to elect to the County/Senatorial District Convention is based on the number of votes cast in your precinct for the Democratic candidate for Governor in 2006 (i.e. Chris Bell).
How is the number of delegates from each precinct calculated?
The number of delegates your precinct gets to elect to the County/Senatorial District Convention is determined by the rules of the Texas Democratic Party. A precinct will receive one (1) Delegate and one (1) Alternate to the County/Senatorial District Convention for every 15 votes Chris Bell received in the precinct.
At the precinct convention caucus, you (or a friend, spouse, etc., if you cannot attend on March 4th) will submit your name for consideration as a delegate to the County Convention. An election is held and the highest vote-getters will be elected as delegates, and the next highest will be alternates to the County/Senatorial District Convention.
Why should I attend my Precinct Convention?
Attending your precinct convention has a direct impact on the number of delegates your presidential candidate will have at the national convention. The delegates and alternates the precinct sends to the County/Senatorial District Convention will determine who becomes a delegate to the State Convention, where 67 delegates (more than all the delegates in many states) are allocated to the presidential candidates based on the results of the sign-ins. Precinct Convention attendees also facilitate the business of the party by presenting resolutions at the convention and voting on whether to pass those resolutions onto the County/Senatorial District convention for consideration.
If I cannot come to the precinct convention tonight, can I still be a delegate?
Yes. You do not have to be present to be elected as a delegate. You can have another person submit your name to your precinct convention’s attendees to be considered for election as a delegate or alternate to the County Convention.
How does the precinct convention process work?
- The Precinct Convention is called to order
- Everyone signs in on a sign in sheet at the beginning of the precinct convention for a particular presidential preference (or uncommitted). Provisional voters will be notated as such on the sign in sheets.
- The convention attendees elect a permanent chair and secretary to run the convention
- The permanent chair announces how many delegates the precinct is entitled to elect to the County/Senatorial District Convention
- The chair and representatives from each candidate calculate how many delegates and alternates each candidate will be allocated based on who signed in on the sign in sheets in support of that candidate (or uncommitted). Voters who arrive after this point may participate, but they cannot change anything that has occurred prior to their arrival, and their attendance will not count toward the delegate allocation.
- Each candidate’s supporters caucus separately and elect delegates and alternates to the County Convention
- The convention as a whole considers other business, such as resolutions
- The Precinct Convention is adjourned
What if I run out of sign-in sheets because we have so many people participating in our precinct convention?
You can downlaod and print out additional sign-in sheets by clicking here. If you are in a situation where you do not have internet access, you can simply take scratch paper and create a mock sign-in sheet. You’ll need to make copies of those scratch paper sign-in sheets and send them to the State and County Parties as well.
Who is in charge of the precinct convention?
The first person to be in charge is the Temporary Chair. The Temporary Chair is usually the Precinct Chair, unless that person is absent or the Precinct Chair position is vacant. If the Precinct Chair is not in attendance, any eligible voter can start the convention as the Temporary Chair. The first order of business after all convention attendees sign in is to elect a Permanent Chair, who runs the rest of the precinct convention.
How do you “win” the precinct convention?
Under the rules of the Democratic Party, the delegates are awarded to each presidential candidate on a proportional (or percentage) basis; therefore, the candidate “wins” whatever percent of delegates sign in supporting that particular candidate.
If a candidate wins the popular vote in my precinct, can another candidate win all of the delegates?
Yes. The delegates elected at the precinct convention to the County/Senatorial Convention are determined by the sign-ins at the convention and are separate from the votes cast in the primary in that precinct.
What do I need to bring to the Precinct Convention? Do I need my voter registration?
If you have your voter registration card, you should bring it. If you don’t have it, you can still participate in the precinct convention. A Calculator, pen/pencil and scratch pad are also helpful.
What if I sign in and leave before the Precinct Convention is over?
Once the precinct convention has been called to order by the Temporary Chair and everyone has signed in for their presidential preference (or uncommitted), convention attendees may leave and their sign in will be counted towards the delegate allocation. However, those who’ve left before their caucus meets to elect delegates and alternates will not have the opportunity to participate in the election of delegates and assist with other Party business, such as resolutions.
A delegate is a person who voted in the Democratic Primary who attends their precinct convention and is elected to represent their precinct at the County/Senatorial District Convention on March 29th.
An alternate is a person who voted in the Democratic Primary who attends their precinct convention and is elected to represent their precinct as an alternate at the County/Senatorial District Convention on March 29th. Alternates will attend the March 29th Convention and if a delegate vacancy occurs, the alternate will step in and cast votes to elect delegates and alternates to the State Convention and consider resolutions or other Party business.
What is the role of the secretary?
The Permanent Secretary is charged with keeping the minutes of the Convention on the prescribed form provided in the precinct packet.
What is the role of the temporary chair?
The Temporary Chair obtains the packet and a copy of the voter roll from the election judge and calls the convention to order. The Temporary Chair also appoints the Temporary Secretary. Before any business is conducted, the Temporary Chair asks for the convention attendees to sign in on the sign in sheets with their name, address, presidential preference, etc. Finally, the Temporary Chair asks for nominations for Permanent Chair.
What is the role of the permanent chair?
The Permanent Chair is charged with overseeing the entire convention, facilitating the election of delegates and alternates and addressing any Party business. The Permanent Chair closes the roll, performs the EZ Math and announces the allocation of delegates between the presidential preferences (or uncommitted).
How do you elect the permanent chair and permanent secretary?
The Temporary Chair calls for nominations for the Permanent Chair; nominations are taken and convention attendees vote on the nominees. The Permanent Chair is elected by majority vote of the attendees. The Permanent Chair then calls for nominations for a Permanent Secretary. Nominations for the position are taken, and convention attendees vote on the nominees. The Permanent Secretary is elected by a majority vote of the convention attendees.
How are the delegates allocated?
Delegates are allocated based on the number of convention attendees who sign in on behalf of a presidential preference (or uncommitted). The raw number of sign ins is converted into a percentage, and a particular presidential preference (or uncommitted) is allocated their share or percentage (e.g. 40%) of the delegates. However, before a group supporting a particular presidential preference (or uncommitted) can caucus to elect delegates, that candidate must first meet a numerical threshold as calculated on the EZ Math form.
A threshold is the number of convention attendees who must sign in on the sign in sheets on the precinct convention in support of a particular presidential preference (or uncommitted) in order for that preference to be eligible to be awarded delegates.
It is calculated based on the following formula:
The Number of people attending the Precinct Convention; Divided by
The Number of delegates to the County/SD Convention to which the precinct is entitled; Equals
The Number of sign-ins needed to form a caucus - aka the “Threshold.” (This number is always rounded up, e.g. 5.1 = 6)
What happens if my candidate does not meet the threshold?
If a group does not have enough members to be eligible caucus on behalf of a particular presidential preference because they did not meet the threshold, group members have the option of joining the caucus of their second choice.
What happens to the math if we have group members who don’t meet the threshold and they decide to join the caucus of their second choice?
The caucus numbers must then be recalculated and the delegates allocated accordingly. (Note: If individuals join the caucus of their second choice, the threshold figure does not change; you simply need to go to Step 2 of the EZ Math and determine how many delegates each caucus gets. You will again allocate the delegates according to the percentage in support of their presidential preference).
Do we have to hold an election for each individual delegate?
Once we have determined the allocation of delegates among the presidential preferences (or uncommitted), each group caucuses separately to elect their delegates. Each caucus will hold one election in which the highest vote-getters become the delegates and the next highest become the alternates.
Do we have to have a unanimous vote to select delegates and alternates?
No. An election will be held within the presidential preference (or uncommitted) caucus and the highest vote-getters become the delegates and the next highest become the alternates.
How many votes do I get in my caucus?
Each caucus member casts as many votes as the number of delegates allotted to their caucus (e.g., If a caucus qualifies for two delegates, each member of the caucus can cast two votes. Caucus members can split the votes between multiple people or cast them all for one person).
What to do when there is a tie for a delegate?
The winner will need to be determined by the flipping of a coin or drawing of straws.
I signed in for one candidate but changed my mind, can I change?
No. If a particular candidate caucus makes the threshold (i.e. has enough sign-ins to be eligible to be awarded delegates), then the convention attendees who are caucusing on behalf of that candidate must remain with that candidate’s caucus. (At the County/Senatorial District Convention however, the delegates and alternates who were elected from their precinct with one presidential preference (or uncommitted) may sign-in on behalf of a different preference).
I was selected as a delegate for one candidate and now I want to be a delegate for another candidate. Can I change my mind?
Yes. At the County Convention, you can sign in as supporting a different presidential preference than what you signed in as at the Precinct Convention.
What do I do with the results of our precinct convention after it convenes?
You need to call in the results to the Texas Democratic Party’s “Results Hotline,” 1-800-336-3248 using the unique access code provided to your precinct in the precinct packet. You then need to mail the white (top) copies of the Minutes and all Sign-in Sheets (aka “Exhibit A”) to the State Party by March 5th in the envelope provided in the precinct packet and send the yellow and pink copies to the County Party within 3 days after the Convention (i.e. by March 7th).
I reported the wrong number of delegates for a candidate to the Results Hotline. How do I fix this?
An operator at the TDP's Results Hotline will be able to unlcok the precinct for you.
What are resolutions? Who can introduce a resolution for consideration?
A Resolution is a document used to help facilitate the business of the Democratic Party. A resolution is typically used to advocate for the adoption and support of certain public policies and to amend the Party Rules or Platform. The resolution can be introduced by a person participating in their precinct convention, and it must then be voted on by the convention as a whole.
What happens if the Resolution passes (is adopted)?
If a resolution passes at the precinct convention, a copy of the resolution is attached to the Precinct Convention Minutes. This resolution will then be further considered at the County/Senatorial District Convention by the delegates elected from their precinct convention.
Can I bring my kids to the precinct convention?
Yes. The precinct conventions are open to the public; however, only those individuals who voted in the Democratic Primary and signed in on the sign in sheets may participate.
How long will the precinct convention last?
It varies. The length of the convention depends on how many individuals show up to participate, the number of delegates and alternates your precinct convention is entitled to elect and whether your precinct convention has any resolutions to consider.
What if I cannot be there at 7:15? Can I still come to the precinct convention?
Yes, but you can not change anything that has already happened. For instance, if the number of delegates awarded to each candidate has already been announced by the time you arrive, your attendance will not have an effect on that number.