2016 Caucus Training

Transcription

1 2016 Caucus Training

2 To Caucus OR Not to Caucus In the state of Colorado, there is no presidential primary ballot. That means nobody in Colorado will be voting for their presidential pick on a mail-in primary ballot. There is a 2016 Primary Election ballot in Colorado it is on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 All other contested offices will be on this Primary ballot except for the office of the President of the United States The only voice you get in presidential politics in Colorado is through the Caucuses which are controlled by the major parties

3 The Caucus Straw Poll Caucus night is an ideal time to conduct a presidential preference poll or straw poll This is where the party members, who attend each Caucus, vote for their favorite presidential candidates like you would on a primary ballot. The results are reported by each Caucus to the respective county party organizations The county party then consolidates the results from all their Caucuses and report county results to the Colorado state party organization. The Colorado state party consolidates all the county results and then reports the final results to the media this is what happened in Iowa

4 To Straw Poll OR Not to Straw Poll Democrats WILL BE conducting a presidential straw poll on Caucus night in Colorado, which will bind their national delegates Republicans WILL NOT BE conducting a presidential straw poll on Caucus night in Colorado (as we did in 2008 and 2012) Why? Because the National Republican party organization has changed the rules to make straw polls binding only. That means delegates elected on Caucus night would be bound to the results of a Caucus night Republican straw poll. They could be bound as winner takes all or proportionally to be determined by the Colorado Republican Party. In light of this new national rule, the Colorado Republican Party opted to not do a straw poll at all.

5 The Republican Hope of a Caucus So if you want any say in how the Republican delegates from Colorado vote at the Republican National Convention this summer, you must Caucus so you can vote for State Delegates who will then vote for National Delegates who will then go to the Republican National Convention and (hopefully) vote for your pick. That s about as far removed as a voter in any state can be from presidential politics

6 The Cost of a Caucus There are costs involved in Caucusing with the Republican party so you should count those before committing to the process: Your Time At least two hours on a Tuesday evening. More if you are elected as a Delegate to follow-on Assemblies Your Money If you want to be a delegate to follow-on Assemblies, you will be required to pay up to $100 for that privilege Childcare (If Applicable) This is not an easy process for smaller children to endure

7 Why Caucus? Caucusing means you ll be discussing politics with your neighbors in a school or other location designated by the Republican party Because every member in a particular party does not participate in the Caucus process, the people who do participate have more influence in what happens in Colorado so it MAGNIFIES your political voice

8 Caucus Votes Affect Who your party will nominate for President Who s on your party s Primary Election ballot in June, 2016 What your party s platform will look like Who will be running your local and state party

9 Two Main Purposes of the Caucus: Primary Business Assembly Delegates/Alternates Party Business Precinct Leaders Resolutions Election Judge Volunteers

10 Caucuses DO NOT Involve MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS Mayor City Council School Boards JUDGES (Retention Vote yes/no) County Judges (4 year term, no limit) District Judges (6 year term, no limit) Court of Appeals (8 year term, no limit) State Supreme Court Justices (10 year term, no limit)

11 Getting Started Caucuses occur every 2 years: 2016 Presidential Presidential 2018 Gubernatorial Gubernatorial Must be a precinct resident for 30 days before the Caucus (February 1, 2016) Must be registered to vote for 29 days before the Caucus (February 1, 2016) Must be affiliated with the party 2 months before the Caucus (January 4, 2016) (Please note these deadlines have past. If you missed affiliation, you can attend your Caucus as a guest, but you will not be able to vote or run as a Delegate/Alternate to follow-on Assemblies)

12 PARTY PEOPLE ONLY!! No Independents/Unaffiliated Can Participate The Clerk & Recorder provided voter lists to the Republican party on Feb 2 nd Bring an ID you will have to be verified as a Republican member of that caucus location WARNING! Any contact information you provide will be given to EVERYONE ** addresses will be required**

13 Know Caucus Dates and Times Tuesday, March 1 st from 7:00 9:30 p.m. Caucus business starts at 7:00 p.m. so plan to be there earlier (6:30 p.m.) to give yourself enough time to check-in and be ready to go at 7:00 p.m. Caucus dates are different every two years Caucuses generally take place on the first Tuesday in the Feb/Mar timeframe of even years

14 Caucuses are Major Party Business Democrat Party Republican Party Minor parties such as the American Constitution Party, Green Party and Libertarian Party are not required to Caucus and usually do not Unaffiliated voters (as of January 5 th ) cannot Caucus

15 Parties Decide Caucus Locations Because the Republican party decides on the Caucus location for your Precinct, you must either call them or go to their website to find out where your Caucus will be meeting for your neighborhood on March 1st. Republican Party (See Precinct Number Explained presentation for more details) Signs should be posted at the Caucus location before Caucus night, but there are no guarantees about this

16 Where Do I Caucus? Your address determines where you will Caucus Please see the Precinct Number Explained presentation if you would like more information on how to find your Precinct Number Please be aware that if you show up at the wrong location for your address, you will not be able to participate in the Caucus at that location

17 Charting Out a Caucus The next slide is a chart of what happens on Caucus night. The orange highlights indicate business that is done on Caucus night and is over when the Caucus adjourns The blue highlights indicate business that can only be done on Caucus night, but can have obligations to that party for the next two years until the next Caucus

18 Elect Caucus Chair Secretary Teller Volunteers Caucus Tuesday, Mar 1 st Your Neighborhood Elect County Assembly Delegates/Alternates Vote to Forward Resolutions to County Assembly Judge Volunteers Elect 2 Party Precinct Leaders Division Meetings Elect Congressional Delegates/Alternates Elect Judicial Delegates/Alternates Elect State Assembly Delegates/Alternates

19 Caucuses Explained The next few slides will walk you through the general flow of business that typically should be conducted at your Republican Caucus. Caucuses will be conducted by the people you elect on Caucus night to conduct your Caucus so each Caucus will be unique and slightly different depending on the personalities you elect and how familiar they are with the process Again the orange highlights are Caucus business and the blue highlights are party business. Other elections are color-coordinated.

20 Caucus Format SIGN-IN Everyone signs in bring an ID (current Precinct Leaders MAY be signing people in) Meeting will be called to order at 7:00 p.m. (Prayer and Pledge) Credentials Report (Whoever signed everyone in will state the number of people present at the Caucus who are eligible to vote during the Caucus meeting)

21 Caucus Format CAUCUS NIGHT ELECTIONS Nominate and vote on a temporary Caucus Chair (will run the Caucus meeting - meeting script should be provided) Nominate and vote on a temporary Caucus Secretary (will record Caucus minutes -- meeting minutes package should be provided) Ask for Teller Committee volunteers (at least two people to count Caucus votes) (for larger Caucuses, three or five tellers might be required)

22 Are These Elections Important? Who you elect to run your Caucus impacts how your Caucus will run on Tuesday evening. A person with some knowledge about Caucusing would help to make the evening a quicker and more efficient process (If you are reading this, you are already more qualified than the average Caucus attendee) Who you elect to record your Caucus is fairly important. If they record names or votes incorrectly, this could affect your attendance or where you rank as a Delegate or Alternate at the follow-on Assemblies. There is no real recourse for incorrect names or vote tallies that get recorded on Caucus night.

23 Caucus Format PRECINCT LEADER ELECTIONS Newly-elected Chair reads the Official Call to the County Assembly (copies should be available so can dispense with reading if everyone agrees) Optional: Conduct a Precinct Presidential Straw Poll (this is unofficial, but it gives a voice to the average Republican voter in Colorado who makes the effort to attend a Caucus and the results will at least be known by your neighbors and reported in the Caucus minutes) Nominate and vote on Precinct Leaders positions (will serve the local party for the next 2 years)

24 Are These Elections Important? The first duty of a Precinct Leader is attending Division Meetings the week following Caucus night Why does this matter? If you do not get a Delegate or Alternate position at the Judicial/State/Congressional level that you were hoping to get on Caucus night, the Precinct Leaders MIGHT be able to secure you one at the Division Meetings where they compete with other Precinct Leaders in their Division for additional Delegate/Alternate slots Please note you must be a County Delegate or Alternate to qualify for higher assemblies

25 Are These Elections Important? The Precinct Leaders elected on Caucus night automatically become members of your county s Central Committee this is the main body that governs your county party. Precinct Leaders will vote for the following party issues when they are representing your neighborhood at the annual meetings: County Party Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary Bonus Members House District Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen, and Secretaries Senate District Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen, and Secretaries County Commissioner District Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen, and Secretaries Division Leaders Party By-Law Changes

26 Are These Elections Important? Your vote on Caucus night for Precinct Leader affects who will be voting on your county s party Executive Committee and who will be voting at the state Republican party level If you care about how the Republican party runs your county and your state, this vote will be important to you

27 Caucus Format COUNTY ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS County candidate information for your precinct should be provided Nominate and vote on County Assembly Delegates (there will be a pre-determined number) COST: $35 Nominate and vote on County Assembly Alternates (there will be a pre-determined number) COST: $20 VERY IMPORTANT: If you are not a County Delegate or Alternate, you cannot be elected to any higher assembly delegate positions (i.e., State/Congressional/Judicial) Also, Caucus night is the ONLY place and time to be designated as a County Delegate/Alternate

28 Are These Elections Important? County Delegates vote to determine who will be on the Republican Primary Ballot for: State House of Representatives State Senators County Commissioners Sheriff County Assessor County Clerk & Recorder County Coroner County Surveyor County Treasurer County Delegates also vote for County Party Resolutions Please see 2016 Candidates presentation for actual candidates

29 Caucus Format STATE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS Presidential and Senatorial candidate information should be provided Nominate and vote on State Assembly Delegates (there will be a pre-determined number) COST: $65 Nominate and vote on State Assembly Alternates (there will be a pre-determined number) COST: $45 You must have been elected as a County Delegate/Alternate to qualify for a State Delegate/Alternate position

30 Are These Elections Important? State Assembly Delegates vote for: 13 Delegates to the Republican National Convention* National Committee People Resolutions State Assembly Delegates also vote to determine who will be on the Republican Primary Ballot for: U.S. Senate CU Regents At Large *Discussions are ongoing whether there will be a Presidential binding vote at the State Assembly Please see 2016 Candidates presentation for actual candidates

31 Caucus Format CONGRESSIONAL ASSEMBLY Congressional candidate information should be provided Nominate and vote on Congressional Assembly Delegates (there will be a pre-determined number) COST: $0 Nominate and vote on Congressional Assembly Alternates (there will be a pre-determined number) COST: $0 You must have been elected as a County Delegate/Alternate to qualify for a Congressional Delegate/Alternate position

32 Are These Elections Important? Congressional Assembly Delegates vote for: Three Delegates to the Republican National Convention Congressional Assembly Delegates also vote to determine who will be on the Republican Primary Ballot for each Congressional District: U.S. House of Representatives School Board of Education CU Regents Please see 2016 Candidates presentation for actual candidates

33 Caucus Format JUDICIAL ASSEMBLY Judicial candidate information should be provided Nominate and vote on Judicial Assembly Delegates (there will be a pre-determined number) COST: $0 Nominate and vote on Judicial Assembly Alternates (there will be a pre-determined number) COST: $0 You must have been elected as a County Delegate/Alternate to qualify for a Judicial Delegate/Alternate position

34 Are These Elections Important? Judicial Assembly Delegates vote to determine who will be on the Republican Primary Ballot for each Judicial District: District Attorney Please see 2016 Candidates presentation for actual candidates

35 Caucus Format RESOLUTIONS Propose, discuss and vote on Resolutions Your party s positions on issues are suppose to start with Resolutions that are voted on at your Caucus. This is your chance to voice your opinion on multiple issues to your neighbors and the party. It would be best to come with these already written and with copies to distribute to your neighbors so they can vote on whether or not to forward your resolutions to the County Assembly where they will be consolidated and voted on by County Assembly Delegates. Some resolution topics to consider: Life, marriage, parental rights, health care issues, marijuana legalization, immigration, the Caucus system, elected officials

36 Caucus Format CLOSING ACTIVITIES Complete party paperwork and pay fees Ask for volunteers to be Election Judges* Inform everyone about the time and date for the Post-Caucus meeting (usually the week following the Caucuses, March 7-12) Adjourn the Caucus Turn meeting paperwork into Party Headquarters (usually no later than noon, the day after the Caucus) *Election Judges who volunteer on Caucus night get priority status by their respective parties

37 Election of Delegates Every precinct (neighborhood) will have a predetermined number of Delegates and Alternates for each Assembly Be prepared to explain to your neighbors who you will be supporting and/or why you will be the best representative for your precinct Be prepared to pay for the privilege of representing your neighbors (up to $100) (bring cash OR check OR credit card w/smart phone) Be prepared to give up your weekend time

38 Why Delegate Votes Are Important Candidates for office must get 30% of Delegate votes to get on the Primary Ballot If candidates get between 11 29% of Delegate votes, they can then petition onto the Primary Ballot for County only Petitioning involves gathering enough signatures in the week following the Assembly to qualify If candidates get 10% or less of Delegate votes, they cannot qualify in any way for the Primary Ballot Candidates for office can by-pass the Assembly process and petition onto the Primary Ballot

39 Candidate Criteria (This is what I use as a Christian to guide my votes for elected positions) Exodus 18:21 But select capable men from all the people men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Capable people People who fear God Trustworthy people People who hate dishonest gain

40 What Can You Do? Decide if it is worth going to your neighborhood Caucus Decide your level of involvement Supporter Delegate Bring cash/checkbook/supporters Party Leadership Bring supporters Resolutions Election Judge Tell your friends and neighbors Challenge an incumbent Contact Clerk & Recorder, Contact Secretary of State, x 6383

41 Important Caucus Dates Wednesday, January 4, 2016 Last day to affiliate with a party to vote in that party s caucus Monday, February 1, 2016 Last day to register in a precinct to vote in that precinct s caucus Tuesday, March 1, 2016 Caucuses for all major parties

42 Important Primary Dates Monday, May 27, 2016 Last day to change registration from one party to another to vote in Primary does not apply to changes from Unaffiliated to a party Monday, June 6, 2016 Primary Election mail-in ballots sent out Tuesday, June 28, 2016 Primary Election Day

43 Important General Election Dates Tuesday, October 17, 2016 Last day to submit an application to register to vote through a voter registration drive for the General Election Monday, October 31, 2016 Last day to register and still receive a General Election mail-in ballot Monday, October 17, 2016 General Election mail-in ballots sent out Monday, October 24, 2016 First day county clerks can begin counting General Election ballots. No results disclosed until Election Day Tuesday, November 8, 2016 General Election Day

44 County Clerk and Recorder Union Town Center Branch Office 8830 N. Union Blvd (NW corner of Union and Research Albertsons shopping center) Chuck Broerman Election Department VOTE (8683) car.elpasoco.com/election Main Office 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Rd Second Floor, Suite 2202 Centennial Hall 200 S Cascade Ave Powers Branch Office 5650 Industrial Place (SE corner of Airport and Powers)

45 Secretary of State Wayne Williams Department of State 1700 Broadway, Suite 270 Denver CO