NEW: RI Dems Encouraged to Declare Candidacy to Become Delegates for National Convention
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
With the declaration period approaching, the Rhode Island Democratic Party is calling on Democrats across the state to declare their candidacy and run for delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention to officially nominate President Obama. Delegates will travel, at their own expense, to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina the week of September 3, 2012.
The Rhode Island Democratic Party will be traveling throughout the Ocean State to educate interested Rhode Island Democrats on the process. The “RIDP 2012 Delegate Academy: How to Run for Delegate” will focus on filing deadlines, garnering signatures and other matters related to the convention. While attendance at an academy is recommended, attendance is not required in order to become a delegate.
To qualify as a candidate for delegate in Rhode Island’s April 24 Presidential Preference Primary, candidates must be a registered voter in Rhode Island by January 24, 2012 and must declare by February 22 through February 23 with the Rhode Island Secretary of State Elections Division, located at 148 West River Street in Providence. In addition, candidates must also file the Rhode Island Democratic Party’s Pledge of Support form which, for convenience, is distributed at the time and location of declaration. The Pledge of Support form is also available on the Rhode Island Democratic Party’s website, www.ridemocrats.org.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTOnce declarations have been submitted, the Secretary of State’s Elections Division will produce nomination papers. To qualify for the ballot, all declared candidates for delegate must collect at least 150 signatures from qualified voters within the Congressional District from which they reside.
The Rhode Island Democratic Party is especially encouraging minorities; women; and members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgender community to campaign to become delegates.
“In years past, Rhode Island’s convention delegations have been diverse groups of Democrats and we of course want to continue that trend. The Delegate Academies are a chance for as many interested folks as possible to hear from us what they need to know before deadlines approach. We want to ensure Rhode Island’s Democratic demographic makeup is properly represented at the National Convention,” said Chairman Ed Pacheco.
Rhode Island’s April 24, 2012 Democratic Presidential Preference Primary is a binding primary and the first determining step in the two-part process. During the April 24 primary the voters of Rhode Island will elect 22 delegates and two alternates to the National Convention, with 11 delegates from the First Congressional District and 11 from the Second Congressional District.
For more information on the Rhode Island Democratic Party’s Delegate Selection Process and for a copy of the Delegate Selection Plan please visit the RIDP website, www.ridemocrats.org.
