2018 Democratic State Convention Delegate Training Presented by the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee Field Services Subcommittee
The Basics • 2018’s Convention is an “ Endorsing Convention ,” sometimes called a “ Nominating Convention .” Endorsements for statewide office of enrolled Democrats nominated at the Convention shall be by majority vote of the delegates present and voting , with the provision that any nominee who receives at least 15 percent of the Convention vote on any ballot for a particular office may challenge the Convention endorsement in a State primary election. • Ballot access: Statewide candidates who receive 15% of Delegate votes are eligible to be on the Democratic Primary ballot in September 2018.
When & Where ● The Convention will begin on Friday evening, June 1st, and continue through most of the day on Saturday, June 2nd The Convention will be held at the DCU Center in Worcester ● (50 Foster Street, Worcester, MA 01608). This is the same location as 2017.
Friday & Saturday So the Convention will begin on Friday evening and go through Saturday -- what’s the difference between the two sessions? ● Friday evening will open the formal business of the Convention, and unopposed Democratic candidates will address the convention that evening. Following the conclusion of floor business, a series of parties and social gatherings will be hosted nearby by the Convention Host Committee, candidates, labor organizations, advocacy groups, and others. Check MassDems.org for updates. ● Saturday is when the formal voting will take place. The floor will open at 8:00 AM, and the Roll Call will be held at 10 AM; Delegates must be present for the Roll Call. This is when Delegate-Alternate switches happen; Alternates cannot be elevated later in the day. Alternates will be seated separately and a teller will retrieve you if you replace a delegate. You will hear from each contested candidate on Saturday, and then balloting will take place. Delegates should plan to spend the entire day Saturday at the DCU Center ; with a large number of contested races, balloting could continue into the early evening.
Transportation PARKING: The preferred parking garage of the DCU Center is the Major Taylor Boulevard Municipal Parking Garage located at 30 Major Taylor Boulevard, on the corner of Major Taylor Boulevard and MLK Jr. Boulevard (formerly Central Street) off exit 16 from I-290. Handicapped Parking & Entrance: All Delegates and Alternates will enter the DCU Center at Door #1 on Major Taylor Boulevard. There will be clearly marked Handicapped Parking areas around the perimeter of the DCU Center designated for those persons with disabilities who may require accessible parking. Persons with disabilities must display their RMV handicap tag or placard on or in their vehicle in order to be eligible. The Worcester Police and Transportation Departments will supervise these parking areas. In addition, there is designated handicapped parking in the parking garages surrounding the DCU Center for easy entrance and exit. Bus station: 60 Foster Street. 7 minute walk to DCU Center Train station: Union Station, 2 Washington Square. 8 minute walk to DCU Center SHUTTLE INFORMATION: Delegates and attendees should check their local hotel lobbies and their Call to Convention for shuttle information to and from Friday night events and the DCU center on Saturday for the convention.
Booking a Hotel Room Check the party website for special booking rates on local hotels. It is recommended that you book your room as soon as possible; all hotel rooms at the Convention hotels will be booked up a few weeks prior to Convention! Convention Hotels Include: • Residence Inn (3m from DCU- shuttle provided on request), $199/night, Complimentary parking and $10 rebate • Courtyard Marriott (.8m from DCU), $209/night • Hampton Inn (.8m from DCU), $209/night • Clark University (1.6m from DCU- transportation not provided), Single: $40/ night; Double: $30/ person/ night
Credentials • Delegates who have paid their fee (or submitted their waiver application) before April 20, 2018 will receive their credentials in the mail. • Credentials are expected to be mailed out the week of May 7. • You can pick up your credential Friday afternoon until 8:00 pm and on Saturday, June 2nd from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM. • No credentials will be issued after 10:00 AM on Saturday.
Disabled Delegate/ Alternate Information • The DCU Center is fully accessible for people with disabilities. • Hearing Devices: A limited number of hearing enhancement devices are available for those delegates needing such devices. These devices will be located at the Disabled Registration Area. A credit card will be needed to sign out the device. The credit card will only be charged if the device is not returned. • Wheelchairs: A limited number of wheelchairs will be available free of charge to delegates wishing to use them. The wheelchairs will be available at the handicapped entrance. A credit card will be needed to sign out the wheelchair. The credit card will only be charged if the wheelchair is not returned. • Closed Captioning: Closed Captions will be displayed on the jumbotron during the Convention. DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES WITH DISABILITIES NEEDING ACCOMMODATIONS, OR WITH CONCERNS, SHOULD CONTACT THE STATE PARTY AT (617) 939-0800 TO DISCUSS THEIR NEEDS PRIOR TO THE CONVENTION
Security, Climate, Food, & Exhibitors • NOTE: only one bag and a purse will be allowed per person and it will be searched • Exhibitors will be in the hallways outside of the arena • Food & drink is available for purchase inside the Center; no outside food allowed. Food sometimes runs out, buy early. • All concessions accept debit and credit cards • Wear layers: A/C inside and hot outside • Wear comfortable shoes
Saturday Morning Roll Call Get there early & check in with your Teller! • Tellers should be in Senate Districts by 9 a.m. • Tellers will have a credential of a different color • Delegates are seated by State Senate District • Alternates will be seated separately from Delegates this year. When an Alternate must be elevated to Delegate during the Roll Call, a “runner” will be sent to the Alternate section to retrieve that Alternate, and bring them to their delegation. • Sit with the Senate District on your credential • If your town/ward is split between two Senate Districts, the town/ward will be seated together in the same District. Because of this, the senate district on your credential may not reflect your actual district, but will reflect where your whole town or ward will be seated. • Maps will be provided that clearly indicate where Senate District seating is located, for both Delegates and Alternates
Saturday Morning Roll Call, Continued • The floor will open at 8:00 AM, and the Convention is gaveled to order at 9:00 AM • The Roll Call starts at 10 AM. Delegates must be present for the Roll Call; Delegate/ Alternate switches only happen at the morning Roll Call. If a Delegate is not present for the Roll Call, an Alternate will be elevated to take their place. Said Delegate will not be able to resume their role if they arrive later! • Alternates will be seated separately from Delegates this year. When an Alternate must be elevated to Delegate during the Roll Call, a “runner” will be sent to the Alternate section to retrieve that Alternate, and bring them to their delegation. • Alternates check in TOO! • After Tellers make a second call through those Delegates not marked present the first time, Alternates will be switched for missing delegates
Alternates Replacing Delegates for Voting Purposes • If a Delegate knows they cannot attend the Convention, please notify the State Party. The State Party has put a submission form online at MassDems.org, and will close it the Wednesday before the convention. It's helpful for State Party staff to know as soon as possible so they can update credentials if needed . Delegates should only notify State Party staff if they are 100% sure; you cannot change back once you’ve indicated to the State Party that you aren’t coming. • Once an Alternate replaces a Delegate, the replacement is permanent. Delegates who arrive late, after the Roll Call has occurred, cannot take their seat if an Alternate has already been elevated.
Saturday’s expected agenda • Call to Order • Roll call • Speeches • Voting – You will vote for all contested candidates on one ballot. You may change your vote by checking in with the teller before the teller finishes their roll call and closes the book. • Amendments • Voting • Resolutions • NOTE: We MAY be using electronic vote recording devices ALONG WITH the paper ballot book
Key Points to Remember! • Do NOT forget your credentials and a picture ID. Bring your Call to Convention as well as it will have helpful information. • Check in with your Senate Teller early • Keep track of the votes being taken on the floor and meet new people from your region • Have FUN!!!!
Resources If you have any questions, you may contact the State Party Office at 617-939-0800. You can also visit MassDems.org, and review the information under the “Convention” tab.
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