Democratic Party of Wisconsin 2016 Delegate Selection Plan
1) General Information on the 2016 DNC Convention
2) About the Delegate Selection Process
a) Types of Delegates
b) Convention Standing Committee Members
c) Diversity goals
3) How to Run for Delegate
4) Summary of Deadlines
General Information on the 2016 Democratic National Convention
The 2016 Democratic National Convention will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 25 to 28th, 2016. The convention is a major event in the life of a political party and convention delegates are at the heart of all decisions made. In addition to voting for the party’s presidential and vice presidential nominee, delegates to the Democratic National Convention have an opportunity to vote on the party’s platform and resolutions, as well as the rules that govern the party.
Wisconsin will select a total of 89 delegates and 7 alternates for the 2016 convention.
About the Delegate Selection Process
Any qualified Wisconsin elector who subscribes to the beliefs of the Democratic Party is eligible to run for a spot as a convention delegate to Philadelphia. There are four types of delegates:
- Congressional District Level Delegates
- Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official Delegates
- At-Large Delegates
- Unpledged Delegates
In addition, the party will elect members to serve on the convention’s three standing committees: Credentials, Platform and Rules.
Types of Delegates
1) Congressional District Level Delegates
Wisconsin has a total of 52 district-level delegates and 5 alternates. Each congressional district is allotted a percentage of those delegates based on the 2012 and 2014 Democratic performance in that district. The breakdown for the 2014 convention is as follows:
By District
|
Delegates |
Alternates |
|||||
|
Males |
Females |
Total |
Males |
Females |
Total |
|
|
#1 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
– |
– |
0 |
|
#2 |
5 |
5 |
10 |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
#3 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
– |
– |
0 |
|
#4 |
5 |
4 |
9 |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
#5 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
– |
– |
0 |
|
#6 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
#7 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
#8 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
26 |
26 |
52 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
2) Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official Delegates
Wisconsin is allotted ten Pledged Party Leader and Election Official (PLEO) delegates.
Individuals shall be eligible for the PLEO delegate positions according to the following priority:
- Large city mayors (Milwaukee and Madison) and state-wide elected officials
- State legislative leaders
- State legislators
- Other state, county, and local elected officials and party leaders
If persons eligible for PLEO delegate positions have not already made known their presidential preference (or uncommitted status) as candidates for district-level or at-large delegate positions, their preference shall be ascertained through their statement of intent.
3) At-Large Delegates and Alternates
Wisconsin is allotted 17 at-large delegates and two at-large alternates. The statement of candidacy for at-large delegates and for at-large alternates will be the same. After the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s Administrative Committee elects the at-large delegates, those persons not chosen for delegate will then be considered candidates for at-large alternate positions unless they specify otherwise when filing.
In the selection of the at-large delegation, priority consideration will be given to African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian/Pacific Americans. Additionally, in order to continue the Democratic Party’s ongoing efforts to include groups historically under-represented in the Democratic Party’s affairs, priority consideration will also be given to other groups by virtue of age, sexual orientation/gender identity or disability.
4) Unpledged Delegates
Wisconsin has ten unpledged delegates. These individuals are automatic by virtue of respective public or Party office as provided in Rule 8.A. of the 2016 Delegate Selection Rules. Individuals in this category include members of the Democratic National Committee who legally reside in the state and all of Wisconsin’s Democratic Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.
Convention Standing Committee Members
Wisconsin will also send members to participate in the Democratic National Convention’s three standing committees: the Platform Committee, the Credentials Committee, and the Rules Committee.
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is allotted three members per committee. Any Democrat who is a qualified elector (being 18 years of age on or before April 5, 2016) is eligible to apply for a committee position. One does not have to be a delegate to apply for this position.
Committee members will be selected by a quorum of Wisconsin’s delegation to the DNC convention on June 4, 2016, following the adjournment of the State Convention. Presidential candidates will be responsible for submitting names to be considered for those spots.
Diversity Goals
It is important to note that the party strongly invites all interested individuals to run for a position as convention delegate. To encourage the fullest participation, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin has established delegation goals for traditionally underrepresented groups. The party will make efforts to reach out to leaders in these communities and conduct trainings and provide other information necessary to encourage people of all backgrounds to participate in the process. Wisconsin hopes to send the most diverse delegation possible to Philadelphia in 2016. The chart below will show the delegation goals that have been set by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
|
|
African Americans |
Hispanics |
Native Americans |
Asian/Pacific Americans |
LGBT Americans |
People with Disabilities |
Youth |
|
% in Democratic Electorate |
12.0% |
6.0% |
3.0% |
2.0% |
12.1% |
9.0% |
19.5% |
|
Numeric Goals for Delegation |
12 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
12 |
9 |
19 |
How to Run for Delegate
In order to run for delegate, one must be:
- 18 years old on or before April 5, 2016
- A resident of Wisconsin and a citizen of the US
- A registered voter in the district in which he or she is running
Step One: Statement of Intent
In order to qualify as a district-level delegate or alternate, an individual must file a statement of candidacy designating his or her presidential (or uncommitted) preference and a signed pledge of support for the presidential candidate (including uncommitted status) with the State Party headquarters by 5:00p.m. on Friday, April 8, 2016. These forms will be available on February 8, 2016.
Step Two: County Level Caucus
Wisconsin operates on a two-tier caucus system. The first tier will take place at the county level on Sunday, April 17, 2016. One must register between 1:00p.m. and 2:00p.m. The caucus will begin at 2:00 p.m. and will choose delegates to represent the county at the congressional district caucus. The exact location of each caucus will be released by the county parties no later than March 11, 2016.
Step Three: Congressional District Caucus
The congressional district level caucuses on Sunday, May 1, 2016. One must register between 1:00p.m. and 2:00p.m., at which time the caucus will begin. The exact locations of the congressional district caucus will be released no later than March 25, 2016. Congressional district caucuses will select delegates and alternates, pending approval of the presidential campaigns.
To run as an a PLEO or at-large delegate, one must submit the same statement of intent for this position to the state party by May 20, 2017.
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s Administrative Committee will select the 10 PLEO delegates, 18 at-large delegates and two at-large alternates at its meeting on Friday, June 3, 2016. The Administrative Committee will be meeting in Green Bay, Wisconsin prior to the convening of the 2016 Democratic Party of Wisconsin State Convention.
Summary of Deadlines
|
Type |
Delegates |
Alternates |
Date of Selection |
Selecting Body |
|
Filing Requirements and Deadlines |
||||
|
District-Level District-Level Alternates |
52 |
5 |
5/1/16 |
County candidate caucuses shall be held on Sunday, April 17, 2016 beginning at 2 PM. Congressional District candidate caucuses shall be held on Sunday, May 1, 2016 beginning at 2 PM. |
|
District level statement of intent shall be filed with the Democratic Party of Wisconsin no later than April 8, 2016. |
||||
|
Unpledged Party Leader and Elected Official Delegates* |
10 |
N/A |
N/A |
Automatic by virtue of respective public or Party office as provided in Rule 8.A. of the 2016 Delegate Selection Rules. |
|
Pledged Party Leaders and Elected Officials (PLEOs) |
10 |
** |
6/3/16 |
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s Administrative Committee |
|
PLEO level statement of intent shall be filed with the Democratic Party of Wisconsin no later than May 20, 2016. |
||||
|
At-Large Delegates At-Large Alternates |
17 |
2 |
6/3/16 |
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s Administrative Committee |
|
At-large statement of intent shall be filed with the Democratic Party of Wisconsin no later than May 20, 2016. |
||||
|
TOTAL Delegates and Alternates |
89 |
7 |
|
|
* Unpledged Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) delegates includes the following categories, if applicable, who legally reside in the state: the Democratic National Committee 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 Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) alternates are selected with the At-Large alternates.
