We hear a
lot of accusations from some of our current presidential candidates and others about our “rigged” political party presidential nominating
system. Are the systems rigged?
Those of you in other states might want to
examine how effectively your state political party nominating system works.
Here’s a look at how California’s system works with links to sources:
(Note: forms and most time deadline information that
must be submitted I have omitted in this abbreviated recap. Only the two major political party systems are shown here in alphabetical listing.)
In order to
be a California delegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention you must be a registered Democrat and be
selected as one of three types of delegates:
District-Level, At-Large or PLEO.
July 25-28 in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania California’s Delegation to the 2016 Democratic National Convention
Delegates: 317
Alternates: 30
At-Large
Delegates: 105 Alternates 10
PLEO Delegates: 53
Unpledged Delegates: 71
Total Number of
Delegates: 546 Alternates:
40
District-Level:
Each of California’s 53 congressional districts (CDs) are allocated a number of
district level delegates and alternates, based upon population and presidential
voting from the 2008 & 2012 elections. Potential candidates for district level
delegates must pledge their support during the filing period to a presidential
candidate, Caucuses will be held in each CD where Democrats registered in the
CD will be able to vote to slate delegates. Presidential vote levels per CD in
the primary will determine which district level delegates are selected, based
on the caucus rankings.
At-Large: At-large
delegates are selected from a statewide pool and offer another way for
Democrats to participate in the national convention. Potential candidates for
at-large delegate must pledge their support to a presidential candidate, within
the filing period. Selection of at-large delegates will be confirmed at the Statewide
Delegation Meeting.
PLEO: Party Leaders and Elected Official (PLEO) are
Democrats from one of the following categories: big-city mayors and statewide
elected officials; state legislative leaders and state legislators; other state
county and local elected officials; California Democratic Party leaders. PLEO
candidates must pledge their support to a presidential candidate, during the
filing period. Selection of PLEO
delegates will be confirmed at the Statewide Delegation Meeting.
Here’s a link to the Democratic delegate selection plan for more detail.
The Democratic presidential candidate must win a majority of votes from the estimated 4765 delegates which would be one more than half -- 2383.
* * * * *
National California Delegation Total: 341
172
delegates
-- 159 (3
delegates per Congressional District)
-- 10 delegates at large
-- 3 pre-determined (State Chair, National
Committeewoman, National Committeeman)
169
alternates
--159 (3
delegates per Congressional District)
-- 10 delegates at large
Who
chooses the delegates? Delegates are chosen by the
Presidential candidates, NOT by the CRP or the RNC.
Do
I need to select a candidate to support when I apply? Yes. By selecting the candidate you
support we are able to provide those same candidates with a comprehensive list
of delegate candidates
How
does the winner-take-all primary work? California’s primary is a
winner-take-all system by Congressional District. The Presidential candidate
who wins any given Congressional District will receive all 3 delegate
appointments for that district. In addition, 10 at large delegates are awarded
to the presidential candidate receiving the largest number of votes statewide.
I’m
a delegate to the California Republican Party does that mean I’m part of the
California Delegation? No. The delegates to the Republican
National Convention are chosen by the Presidential candidates and are not in
any way related to your status as a member or delegate to the California
Republican Party.
What
are the requirements for being a delegate?
You must
be a registered Republican and a resident of the Congressional District you are
representing. You must attend the Delegation Meeting. You must commit to vote for the presidential candidate by whom you
are selected.
If
I am a delegate to the California Republican Party can I be a delegate to the
Republican National Convention? No. The delegates to the Republican
National Convention are chosen by the Presidential candidates and are not in
any way related to your status as a member or delegate to the California
Republican Party.
Essentially,
to win the Republican nomination, a candidate must secure the support of 1,237
(half plus one) of the 2,472 expected delegates that will be present at the
Republican National Convention (RNC).
The allocation of delegates for each state and territory has
been determined in advance according to Rule 14 of the rules for the election and
government of the Republican National Committee. The major points of the rules
are as follows:
(i)Each state is allocated ten delegates at large
(ii) The chairman, national committeeman and national
committeewoman of every state and territory’s Republican Party is a delegate at
large
(iii) The total number of U.S. House of Representatives seat
in each state x 3 district delegates
(iv) States that voted for Mitt Romney in 2012 are awarded
4.5 delegates at large plus additional delegates amounting to 60% of the number
of electoral votes of each respective state. For D.C., an additional 30%
instead of 60%, if qualified (all rounded up higher)
(v) Fixed number of additional delegates at large for each
territory and D.C. (6 x American Samoa, 16 x District of Columbia, 6 x Guam, 6
x Northern Mariana Islands,20 x Puerto Rico, and 6 x Virgin Islands)
(vi) One delegate at large each for states with a Republican
governor and for states which has a majority in its respective state
legislature and Senate.
(vii) One delegate at large for states with an elected
Senator for the U.S. Senate state within six years prior to January 1, 2016
* * *
Here's a link at This Nation.com to a site providing their summary of the processes described above.
* * *
Should your state political party consider a change in
this presidential primary voting process for future elections?
If you think so, I suggest you start working now beginning at your local level to make any changes
for future elections as it's too late for this 2016 presidential primary election.
* * *
Tuesday, June 7, 2016 -- California Presidential Primary Election
Currently the top two Democratic party candidates, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are reported to be tied in the latest primary polls.
Donald Trump is reported to be the presumptive Republican party nominee.
