Precinct Convention (Caucus) Information

The Precinct Conventions are the first step in the Texas Democratic Party's convention process, which will ultimately determine Texas' delegates to the Democratic National Convention, where the next President of the United States will be nominated.

Date: March 4th, 2008

Time: 7:15pm or after the last voter casts his or her ballot, whichever is later.

Place: Your Precinct Polling Location (the place where you would vote on election day)

Who:  Anyone who votes in the Democratic Primary that day (or during the early voting period).

Why:  To elect delegates to the County or Senatorial District convention

The Texas Democratic Party has a three-level convention system:
Level 1. Precinct Conventions
Level 2. County Conventions (or Senatorial District Conventions in urban areas)
Level 3. State Convention.

Those who attend their Precinct Convention will elect delegates to the County/Senatorial Convention; those who attend their County/Senatorial Convention will elect delegates to the State Convention. Those who attend the State Convention will elect delegates to the National Convention.

There will be a sign at the polling place telling exactly where the convention will be held. If you can't find a sign, ask your election clerk where the convention will be held.

The convention begins at 7:15 p.m. when the Precinct Chair calls the convention to order. The order of business at the precinct convention is outlined in the minutes.  We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the minutes so that you will understand how the precinct convention will be conducted.

The needed materials will be given to the election judge for your precinct and the judge will give them to the Precinct Chair when they arrive at the polling location.  If the Precinct Chair is absent at 7:15pm, anyone participating may start the meeting. Copies of the materials can be downloaded using the links below:

Convention Documents:

Updated TDP Rules
Minutes
Sign-In Sheets
E-Z Math Precinct Delegate Formula

Informational Documents:

ABCs of Conducting Your Precinct Convention
Delegate Selection Training Presentation
How to Be a Delegate Brochure
How to Make a Motion and Precinct Conventions at a Glance
E-Z Math Hypothetical
Memo to Precinct Convention Chairs (English)
Memo to Precinct Convention Chairs (Spanish)
Precinct Convention 101 (English)
Precinct Convention 101 (Spanish)
Delegate Selection and the Federal Election Commission

The convention is governed by Robert's Rules of Order and Texas Democratic Party Rules (a copy of the Rules will be in the packet). If you are late to the convention, you can still participate; however, you can't change what has already happened (so arrive before 7:15pm).

A more detailed explanation of the delegate selection process can be found here.

For more information on the State and National Conventions, click here.