Path to the National Convention

Selection of Democratic National Convention Delegates from Denver County
Colorado’s Congressional District 1 (covering all of Denver County and parts of Arapahoe County including parts or all of the cities of Englewood, Cherry Hills Village, Sheridan, Aurora and Glendale) will hold its convention on May 10. The business of the convention meeting includes the nomination of a presidential elector (who casts one of the Colorado’s electoral votes for president), and election of delegates to the national convention.

There are two different paths to become elected as a national delegate. You must be elected as a delegate or alternate to the county convention from your precinct caucus and then you must be elected to the congressional district convention from the county convention in order to be considered as a national delegate (called a district level delegate). Alternatively, you must be elected as a delegate or alternate to the county convention from your precinct caucus and then you must be elected to the state convention from the county convention in order to be considered as a national delegate (called an at-large delegate).

For the most part, National Convention delegates are elected positions. You will need to campaign actively for these positions Types of Delegates The national party allocates each state a certain number of delegates to the convention, based on its population and Democratic voting strength. The state of Colorado has been allocated 70 delegates and 9 alternates.

There are 5 types of delegates:

A. District Level delegates: Congressional District 1 will elect: 3 males 3 females and 1 male alternate. To run as a district-level delegate, an individual must be registered as a Democrat to vote within the district and must file a written declaration of candidacy and a signed “pledge” of support for a particular presidential candidate (“or uncommitted”). The name of each person who files to run as a delegate pledged to a presidential candidate will be given to the presidential candidate or their designated representative before the selection. Each candidate has the right to approve or disapprove anyone who signs a pledge for him or her. Delegates should contact the respective campaign to express their desire to support and represent their selected candidate.

B. Pledged “Party Leaders and Elected Officials” (PLEO) Colorado is allocated 7 pledged party leader and elected officials (PLEO) delegates. This category includes big city mayors and statewide elected officials (to be given equal consideration); state legislative leaders; state legislators; other state, county and local elected officials and party leaders.

C. Unpledged Delegates 1. Members of the DNC, members of the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, Democratic Governor, and “Distinguished Party Leader” who all reside in the State of Colorado will be confirmed by the DNC. This group has no alternates.

D. At-Large Delegates 1. Colorado has 12 at-large delegates and 2 alternates who will be elected at the state convention on May 17, 2008 in Colorado Springs at the World Arena. Candidates for this delegate position must file a Statement of Candidacy with the state party no later than 5:00 pm MDT on April 17, 2008. The delegates at the State Convention will be responsible for ensuring the equal division between men and women, meeting or exceeding the goals of diversity established by the Outreach Commission. The Outreach Commission goals for establishing diversity are as follows: African-American 7 Hispanics 17 Native American 2 Asian/Pacific Americans 3 LGBT 4 People with Disabilities 4 Youth (18-35) 13

E. Unpledged Add-on Colorado has 1 unpledged add-on who will be elected at the State Convention on May 17, 2008 in Colorado Springs. Individuals for this position will be nominated by the State Party officers (Chair, Vice Chair, 2nd Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer) and by DNC members who submit the nomination in writing to the State Party no later then April 17, 2008, 5:00pm MDT.