Sunday, May 1 – District-Level Delegate Caucuses
Frequently Asked Questions
Caucuses open at 2pm – you must be in line by 3pm in order to receive a ballot to vote. Caucuses are
open to registered Democrats who reside in that Congressional District and have pledged their
support to a campaign. You may attend and vote at only one caucus (if there are multiple
presidential candidates).
Congressional District Caucus locations will be posted online at www.cadem.org/philly2016
Delegate Selection FAQ
Q. How will California’s delegates to the national convention be selected?
On Sunday, May 1, 2016, 317 District Level Delegates and 30 alternates will be elected in 53
Congressional District Caucuses. Each presidential candidate will be awarded delegate spots based
on the results of the June 7 Presidential Primary.
On Sunday, June 19, 2016 the 317 District-Level Delegates will meet and confirm the 105 At-Large
Delegates, 10 At-Large Alternates, and 53 PLEO’s (Party Leaders and Elected Officials).
All of these elected delegates, alternates and committee members, together with the 71 unpledged
delegates (comprised of California DNC members and members of Congress) will make up the
delegation to the national convention – 546 delegates, 40 alternates and 51 committee members.
Q. How will the May 1, 2016 District-Level Caucuses work?
Any qualified presidential candidate will hold a separate caucus in each of California’s 53
Congressional Districts (CD). The caucuses will open officially at 2pm. The caucus begins at 3pm,
with (approx.) one-minute candidate speeches. Registered Democrats who live in that CD can
vote once they have signed in – as long as you are in line by 3pm, you will receive a ballot to vote.
When you arrive you will sign in, cast your ballot and you can either stay to hear speeches or you
may leave. You are not required to stay for the entire caucus to cast your vote. Voters must complete
a ballot, including a public declaration that they are registered to vote as a Democrat. Voters can
register or re-register to vote at the caucus – voter registration cards will be available. If a voter is
not 18, but will be a registered Democratic voter before the general election (17 year-olds who will
turn 18 on or before November 8), they are also eligible to vote.
After each caucus is complete (i.e. all candidates who wish to speak have spoken), the votes will be
counted and the results announced immediately on site and reported back to the California
Democratic Party. Caucus results are not final until after the June 7 primary, when delegate spots
are officially assigned to presidential candidates based on their share of the vote within the CD.
Q. How do I find out what Congressional District I’m registered to vote in?
Voters can contact their local County Registrar of Voters or use the United States House of
Representatives lookup at http://ziplook.house.gov/htbin/findrep?
Q. Who is in charge of the caucuses?
The presidential campaigns are in charge of locating, staffing and running the caucuses.
Q. How can I find the location of the caucus where I vote?
Locations of the caucuses will be posted to www.cadem.org/philly2016 when they are available.
Q. After I have filed my Form A, what should I be doing to get elected at my local Caucus?
You should be lining up your supporters – registered Democrats who live in your same
congressional district and support your candidacy – to attend the caucus and vote.
Q. Is campaigning allowed at the District Caucuses?
Yes, campaigning by the District Level Delegate Candidates (signs, leaflets, etc.) and similar activity
will be allowed as long as it does not impede the voting process.
Q. Can I vote by mail or online for a District-Level Delegate?
No. All voting must be done in person. However, you may cast your vote as soon as you have signed
in and received your ballot. You do not have to stay for the entire caucus.
Q. Can people attend more than one Presidential Caucus?
No. If there are multiple presidential candidates, registered Democrats are only allowed to attend
and vote in one caucus.
Q. Do I vote for just one person, or can I vote for more than one?
You may vote for up to the number of delegates (and an alternate if there is one) in the
congressional district. For instance, if a CD has 1 male delegate spot, 1 female delegate spot, and one
female alternate spot you would be eligible to vote for up to 3 candidates regardless of gender.
Q. How are the votes tabulated?
The candidate’s will be ranked by votes received.
Q. Will we know who the official delegates are on of May 1?
No. The votes are counted on-site and the totals are announced. In the case of any ties, coin tosses
are done immediately. Remember though, the final number of delegates awarded to a presidential
candidate is dependent on their share of the Democratic vote within the district in the June 7
primary.
Q. Are there any other requirements to become a Delegate?
You must be committed to one candidate and registered to vote as a Democrat in that CD (declaring
under penalty of perjury). The delegates to the national convention are responsible for their own
travel expenses, such as airfare, lodging and meals (approx. $4,500+), including travel costs to the
June 19 delegation meeting. Please note that presidential candidates have the right to approve (by
April 18) all applicants for candidacy for District-Level Delegate or Alternate as qualified candidates
in the May 1st Caucus.
Q. Are there affirmative action goals for delegates and alternates?
Yes, a delegation reflecting the diversity of California is very important to the Democratic Party and
the presidential candidates. Each state must have a delegation which is 50% female, 50% male or
within one, and must have a Delegate Selection Plan that includes Affirmative Action Goals (quotas
prohibited).
California’s affirmative action goals are:
African-Americans 16%
Asian / Pacific Islander 10%
LGBT 12%
Hispanic / Latino 29%
Native American 1%
Persons with Disabilities 10%
Youth (Under 30) 18%
Q. How are the affirmative action goals addressed?
The Party’s Affirmative Action goals will be kept in mind when the campaigns select their at-large
and PLEO delegates, who will be confirmed at the June 19th Statewide Delegation Meeting.