Today, we submitted the final version of the Democratic Party of Virginia’s Delegate Selection Plan for the 2012 Democratic National Convention. It is substantially similar… Read More »DPVA 2012 Delegate Plan Submitted to DNC
As recounted in Douglas Egerton’s excellent book on the 1860 election, The Year of Meteors, the big issue in the election of 1860 was extension… Read More »The 1860 “Democratic Party” Conventions
The Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee met today to consider 23 state 2102 National Convention Delegate Selection Plans. The RBC gave Virginia’s plan “conditional approval” and approved our request for a waiver of the 10,000 Presidential candidate signature requirement (conditioned on the DPVA collecting 5,000 signatures). The DNC staff raised some minor issues, which were addressed by a revised plan we submitted on Monday. I presented the plan and answered questions about the affirmative action goals of the plan. The DNC had previously accepted our methodology and staff raised no questions, but the DPVA is fully committed to diversity and we will examine this issue carefully and propose any appropriate changes.Read More »DNC RBC Approves VA & Other State Plans
In response to DNC Rules and Bylaws Staff Evaluation, the DPVA has submitted a slightly revised version of its Delegate Selection Plan (attached). The RBC… Read More »DPVA Delegate Selection Plan
The Democratic Party of Virginia held its Steering and Central Committee Meetings in Blacksburg, Virginia this weekend – visiting the Fightin’ Ninth Congressional District for the first time in memory. The trip was a bit of challenge, but if you are going to be stuck on a Virginia interstate for hours, I-81 has nice scenery, and the weather was beautiful. Once we got there, we received a very warm welcome from the Montgomery County and other SW Va Democrats and were happy to be at Va. Tech. I liked the new format which included workshops in addition to the business meeting. Highlights included:Read More »DPVA Does Blacksburg
General Assembly District Committees need to notify the State Board of Elections of their nominating processes by this friday – there are other deadlines coming… Read More »DPVA General Assembly Election Guidance
Family and friends of former Democratic Party of Virginia Vice Chair Ray Colley will gather for visitation today, Tuesday, May 24th from 6-8 pm, and a memorial service… Read More »Remembering Ray Colley, Part 2
The Democratic Party of Virginia today submitted the final draft of its 2012 delegate selection plan to the DNC Rules & Bylaws Committee. The RBC will… Read More »DPVA Submits Delegate Plan to DNC
From 2001 to 2009, I was privileged to serve as the Vice Chair for Rules (2nd Vice Chair) of the Virginia Democratic Party, but when… Read More »Remembering Ray Colley
On May 9, the DPVA Steering Committee held a conference call and approved the draft 2012 Delegate Selection Plan. The Committee considered several public comments,… Read More »DPVA Adopts 2012 Delegate Selection Plan
Rhodes Cook at Sabato’s Crystal Ball provides a nice overview of the 2012 process, although if he had been reading, e.g., Frontloading HQ, he would know… Read More »2012 Nominating Process
The Democratic Party of Virginia has posted its draft 2012 National Convention Delegate Selection Plan (“Plan”) for 30-day public comment (ending May 4, 2011) at the DPVA website, so please submit your comments. As the drafter of the 2004 and 2008 Delegate Selection Plans, and someone who has been involved with the 2012 draft Plan, I offer an overview of the process and identification of important changes from our 2008 plan. Read More »DPVA 2012 Convention Delegate Selection Plan Commentary
The Democratic Party of Virgnia today posted the draft 2012 Democratic National Convention Delegate Selection Plan for 30 day public comment, here. I will post my… Read More »DPVA 2012 Delegate Selection Plan Available
On Friday, March 25, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell signed identical bills HB 1843 and SB 1246 into law, moving Virginia’spresidential primary from the second Tuesday in February to the… Read More »Governor Signs Virginia Presidential Primary Bill – March 6, 2012
Important issue – for the next decade in Virginia and also for our draft 2012 national convention delegate selection plan, which should be out for… Read More »Virginia Congressional Redistricting
The DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee held its “shortest meeting on record” today. In its meeting in San Juan last fall, the RBC finalized the rules and regulations, which were sent to State parties by Dec. 15. Patrice Taylor reviewed the upcoming deadlines (see below). The DNC will present a delegate selection plan webinar (to be scheduled). Co-Chair James Roosevelt noted that a number of states must move back their primary/caucus dates to comply with the DNC/RNC March 6 deadline. The DNC and RNC leadership recently met, and the new RNC Chair affirmed his commitment to the calendar. Some states, particularly Florida, may raise compliance issues, as noted in a recent article. The RBC takes the approach that if states document “provable positive steps” to bring state law into compliance, but fails, its delegation will be seated. This will continue to be a controversial issue. Note that Virginia Democrats were able to reach an agreement with the state GOP so that our primary date – March 6, 2012 – complies with both national party rules. Read More »DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee Meets
Sen McEachin: “This is new day for our party.” In addition to the issues discussed at Steering Committee, Saturday’s DPVA Central Committee addressed the 2012 delegate… Read More »DPVA Central Committee Meeting
Just in time for the DPVA meeting which will consider a presidential primary resolution, the House of Delegates yesterday by a vote of 97-1 passed… Read More »Virginia March 2012 Primary Bill Passes Both Houses
The Democratic Party of Virginia is holding its quarterly State Steering and State Central Committee meetings on February 18-19, 2011, in Richmond, in connection with… Read More »DPVA to Meet, Eat, Vote on Primary on Feb. 18-19
Legislation is proceeding in both houses of the General Assembly to move Virginia’s presidential primary date from the second Tuesday in February to the first… Read More »Virginia Presidential Primary Update
The House of Delegates on Tuesday (99-0) adopted the House bill which will move Virginia’s presidential primary date from the second Tuesday in February to the… Read More »Virginia Presidential Primary Date Bill Advances
The House Privileges & Elections Committee yesterday unanimously (22-0) reported the House bill which will move Virginia’s presidential primary date from the second Tuesday in… Read More »House Committee Advances VA Presidential Primary Bill
Senator Vogel’s Bill (SB 1246) has passed the Senate by a vote of 39-1, and Virginia takes a big step towards a DNC/RNC rules-compliant primary… Read More »Virginia 2012 Presidential Primary Bill Passes Senate
The good news is it will be easier for Virginians to get there. Here is Chairman Kaine’s long awaited announcement, just sent to DNC members:
Dear Member —
We had a tough choice to make this year. In deciding which city should host the 2012 Democratic National Convention, we were presented with strong cases by four of America’s great communities. Today, I’m excited to announce that we have made our decision.
On the week of September 3rd, 2012, Charlotte, North Carolina will host the 46th Democratic National Convention.Read More »2012 Democratic National Convention – It’s Charlotte (NC)!
Virginia state law currently sets our presidential primary date for the second Tuesday in February. This date precedes both the DNC and the RNC window,… Read More »Virginia 2012 Primary Calendar
The General Assembly (by a unanimous vote) has finalized the 2011 candidate nomination process calendar for General Assembly (both House of Delegates and State Senate),… Read More »2011 Virginia Election Nominations Calendar
The DNC has released its requirements and guidance for preparing state delegate selection plans for the 2012 Democratic National Convention. See below, and generally see… Read More »DNC 2012 Delegate Selection Plan Information
Josh Putnam at FrontloadingHQ and Molly Ball at Politico have posts about the evolving calendar, which appears to be moving backwards (the desired direction). Stay tuned.
The Democratic National Committee Rules & Bylaws Committee met in November to adopt the final regulations for the 2012 Democratic National Convention Delegate Selection. The… Read More »DNC Issues Final 2012 Call, Rules, Schedule
The Democratic Party of Virginia will hold its quarterly Steering Committee meeting on Friday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 pm and Central Committee meeting on Saturday,… Read More »DPVA Meeting this Weekend