Florida has a total of 210 delegates and 36
alternates.
The "first determining step" of Florida's delegate selection
process will occur on Tuesday, January 29, 2008, with a
"binding" Presidential Preference Primary.
Participation in Florida's delegate selection process is open to all voters
who wish to participate as Democrats and register as a Democratic voter no later
than Monday, December 31, 2007. Florida is a closed primary
state.
In order to encourage full participation by all Democrats in the delegate
selection process and in all Party affairs, the Florida Democratic Party has
adopted and will implement programs with specific goals and timetables for
African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian/Pacific Americans and
women. Additionally, in order to achieve full participation from other groups
that may be under-represented in Party affairs, including members of the GLBT
community, people with disabilities, military veterans and youth, the Florida
Democratic Party has adopted and will implement Inclusion Programs.
DISTRICT-LEVEL
DELEGATES
Florida is allocated 121 district-level delegates and 25
district-level alternates.
District-level delegates and alternates shall be allocated to presidential
preferences through a proportional representation system based on a
Presidential Preference Primary. The post-primary congressional district
caucus is on Saturday, March 1, 2008.
An individual can qualify as a candidate for district-level delegate or
alternate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention by submitting the
following:
1. Loyalty Oath (SAMPLE)
2. Statement of Candidacy & Pledge of Support (SAMPLE)
Forms can be filed with the Florida Democratic Party at 214 South Bronough
Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32301-1705 or with the Chair, Vice-Chair, State
Committeewoman or State Committeeman of the local Democratic Executive
Committee in the county in which you are registered to vote. Persons receiving
these forms shall certify the date and time of receipt. Names, addresses and
telephone numbers of such Party officers can be obtained from the Florida
Democratic Party's website or by calling 850-222-3411.
All district-level delegate candidates shall be identified as to a
presidential preference or uncommitted status.
QUALIFYING DATES:
Begins - Monday, December 3, 2007 at 9 AM EST
Closes - Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 12 PM EST
District-level delegate and alternate positions shall be allocated to fairly
reflect the expressed presidential (or uncommitted) preference of the primary
voters in each district.
After the district-level delegates are elected, those persons not chosen
will be considered candidates for district-level alternate positions unless
they specify otherwise when filing.
The post-primary congressional district caucus is on Saturday,
March 1, 2008.
The District-Level delegates and alternates are apportioned to districts as
indicated in the following chart: Click
Here
AT-LARGE
DELEGATES
The state of Florida is allotted 40 at-large delegates and 11
at-large alternates.
An individual can qualify as a candidate for at-large delegate or at-large
alternate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention by submitting the
following:
1. Loyalty Oath (SAMPLE)
2. Statement of Candidacy & Pledge of Support (SAMPLE)
Forms can be filed with the Florida Democratic Party at 214 South Bronough
Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32301-1705.
All at-large delegate candidates shall be identified as to a presidential
preference or uncommitted status.
QUALIFYING DATES:
Begins - Monday, April 7, 2008 at 9 AM EST
Closes - Friday, April 25, 2008 at 5 PM EST
The Florida Democratic Party State Executive Committee will select these
delegates. Receipt of a plurality of the votes cast shall constitute election
as a delegate.
After the at-large delegates are elected, those persons not chosen will be
considered candidates for at-large alternate positions unless they specify
otherwise when filing.
The selection of the at-large delegates and at-large alternates will occur
on Saturday, May 17, 2008.
PLEDGED
PARTY LEADERS (PLEO)
Florida is allotted 24 pledged Party Leader and Elected
Official (PLEO) delegates.
Individuals shall be eligible for the pledged Party Leader and Elected
Official delegate positions according to the following priority: big city
mayors and state-wide elected officials (to be given equal consideration);
state legislative leaders, state legislators, and other state, county and
local elected officials and party leaders.
An individual can qualify as a candidate for a position as a pledged PLEO
delegate by submitting the following:
1. Statement of Candidacy & Pledge of Support (SAMPLE)
The form can be filed with the Florida Democratic Party by mail at 214
South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32301-1705. An individual may or may
not have previously filed forms for other positions and still may be eligible
to file under this category.
Pledged PLEO delegate candidates must be identified as to a presidential
preference.
QUALIFYING DATES:
Begins - Monday, February 25, 2008 at 9 AM EST
Closes - Friday, March 14, 2008 at 5 PM EST
The Florida Democratic Party State Executive Committee will select these
delegates. Receipt of a plurality of the votes cast shall constitute election
as a delegate.
Selection of the PLEO delegates will occur on Saturday, April 5,
2008.
UNPLEDGED
ADD-ON DELEGATES
Florida will select three (3) unpledged add-on delegates.
Individuals are nominated for these positions by the Chair of Florida
Democratic Party. The Florida Democratic Party State Executive Committee will
select these delegates. Receipt of a plurality of the votes cast shall
constitute election as a delegate.
Selection of the unpledged add-on delegates will occur on Saturday,
April 5, 2008.
AUTOMATIC
DELEGATES - UNPLEDGED PARTY LEADERS & ELECTED OFFICIALS
Florida has 22 automatic delegates.
Automatic delegates include Florida's members of the Democratic National
Committee and Florida Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives
and the U.S. Senate.
CONVENTION
STANDING COMMITTEES
Florida has been allocated eight (8) members on each of the
three standing committees for the 2008 Democratic National Convention for a
total of 24 members. The committees are Credentials, Platform
and Rules.
The Florida Democratic Party State Chair and the presidential candidates
will nominate such candidates to serve on the Convention Standing Committees.
The members of the standing committees shall be approved by a quorum of
Florida's National Convention delegates.
Approval of committee members will occur on Saturday, May 17, 2008.
DELEGATION
CHAIR & PAGES
Florida is allotted one (1) Delegation Chair and five
(5) individuals to serve as Florida's Convention Pages.
The Delegation Chair will be selected by a quorum of Florida's National
Convention Delegates. Convention Pages will be selected by the Chair of the
Florida Democratic Party in consultation with the members of the Democratic
National Committee from the state.
The selection of the Delegation Chair and the Convention pages will take
place on Saturday, May 17, 2008.
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the role of a delegate? Delegates at the
national convention represent their state, their congressional district and
their community in casting a vote to decide who the Democratic nominee will be.
This convention may be historic with the possibility of nominating a woman, a
Hispanic or an African American for the first time in history!
What should one budget for the trip? What are the expenses?
This depends on the individual. Generally, travel to and from Colorado, travel
within Denver and the hotel stay are the main costs. (The hotel hosting the
Florida delegation is still being worked out.) Additionally, food, reception
fundraisers and miscellaneous recreational opportunities around Denver should
also be considered.
I really want to be a delegate, but I don't think I can afford to go.
What are my options? Unfortunately, the Florida Democratic Party is not
in a position to cover the expenses of any delegates to the national convention.
Individuals who are interested in fundraising opportunities to cover such costs
should contact their county Democratic Executive Committee as well as their
respective caucuses.
How are the district-level caucuses run? Where are they located?
Caucus procedures and locations are currently being developed. They will be
finalized this Fall and published online.
Did I have to be a state delegate to the 2007 convention in order to
run for a national delegate position? No. The only prerequisite to
run for a national delegate position is that you are a registered Democratic
voter by December 31, 2007. However, attending the State Convention in October
provides both great networking opportunities as well as training sessions on how
to run successfully as a delegate.
If I am a delegate, can my family go as well? While
members of your family are welcome to go on the trip, they will be unable to
enter the convention hall unless they too are a Florida delegate. Furthermore,
any events or parties that the delegation is invited to will most likely require
the purchase of a ticket for additional guests.
Can I switch my candidate preference mid-process? No.
Since the presidential preference breakdown is based on a fixed percentage, a
delegate is unable to change their candidate preference. If you are unsure of
your preference at the time of filing, there is always the option of qualifying
as "uncommitted."
Do both delegate and alternates go to Denver? Yes. But
only delegates are able to cast their official vote in the nominating process.
Are all presidential candidates going to be on the ballot? How do
they qualify? In order to be placed on the January 29, 2008
Presidential Preference ballot, a candidate must file a Statement of Candidacy
with the Florida Democratic Party and certify in writing the name(s) of his or
her authorized representative(s) by September 14, 2007. Individuals who announce
their candidacy after this date must provide this information no later than ten
(10) days following their official announcement.
Do the presidential candidates have to do anything to ensure the
diversity goals of the delegation are met? Yes. By September 14,
2007, all Democratic candidates for president must submit a written statement to
the Florida Democratic Party indicating the specific steps their respective
campaign will take to encourage full participation in Florida's delegate
selection process. An individual who announces their candidacy after this date
must provide his or her written statement no later than ten (10) days following
the official announcement.
To view Florida's complete Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plan, Click
Here.
For more information, please visit:
www.demconvention.com
www.denverdnc2008.com
www.denverconvention2008.com
(unofficial)
For questions, comments or to sign up for an email alert when forms become
available: Click
Here
