The Democratic National Committee Rules and Bylaws Committee recently acted to give the National Convention planners the maximum flexibility to present an interesting and compelling convention, showcasing Joe Biden and our party. The RBC met (by phone) on May 12 and unanimously adopted a resolution (below) stating that the Democratic National Convention Committee has the flexibility ” to plan, arrange, manage and conduct the Convention, including the authority to set and alter the date, timing, format, voting mechanisms, structure, and other logistical aspects of the Convention outlined in the Call.” The resolution has been submitted to DNC members for approval. As a practical matter, this resolution should allow for virtual aspects of a convention and remote voting if necessary. The Convention is scheduled for the week of August 17, and will be based in Milwaukee. See Chairman Perez’ statement below.
The RBC also passed a motion to confirm that the rulings of the RBC “Co-Chairs that State Parties should be allowed flexibility to use virtual or remote meetings and online or electronic voting for our 2020 process, except in the case of a state’s first determining step, and to ratify any decisions about this as made by the Co-Chairs up to this point.”
The Democratic Party of Virginia, for example, has revised its delegate selection process (with DNC approval) and has successfully completely numerous virtual city/county caucuses and eleven virtual Congressional District conventions. It is now planning for its June 20, 2020 virtual convention. DPVA (and other state parties) have done a terrific job of implementing these virtual processes which accomplish the party’s goals, while protecting public safety. I hope that the DNC, with its resources, is focusing on putting on a new, different, and exciting national convention this August. I will update as I receive more information.
The RBC also approved waivers for a number of states who have moved their primaries beyond the June 20 deadline – these states will not be penalized for their late primaries.
DNC RBC Resolution re convention 5.12.2020 (3.3 MiB, 2,919 hits)
DNC Statement re Convention 5.12.2020 (65.4 KiB, 2,908 hits)