DRAFT

PursuanttotheRulesandRegulationsoftheDemocraticNationalCommitteethisplan
hasbeenadoptedbytheStateDemocraticExecutiveCommitteeforpubliccomment.
ThecommentperiodisforthirtydaysandwillendonApril23,2015.

Allcommentsmustbeinwritingandemailedto
plancomments@txdemocrats.org
or
mailedto:
PlanComments
TexasDemocraticParty,
4818EBenWhiteBlvd.Ste104,AustinTX78741

TexasDelegate
SelectionPlan

FORTHE2016DEMOCRATICNATIONALCONVENTION

ISSUEDBYTHETEXASDEMOCRATICPARTY

MARCH2015


THETEXASDELEGATESELECTIONPLAN
FORTHE2016DEMOCRATICNATIONALCONVENTION

TableofContents

I.
Introduction&DescriptionofDelegateSelectionProcess.

.............................................4
A. Introduction.....................................................................................................................4
B.
DescriptionofDelegateSelectionProcess..........................................................................4
II.
PresidentialCandidates

...................................................................................................6
III.
SelectionofDelegatesandAlternates......

........................................................................7
A.
SenatorialDistrictlevelDelegates.....................................................................................11
B.
UnpledgedDelegates.......................................................................................................13
C.
PledgedPartyLeaderandElectedOfficial(PLEO)Delegates..............................................13
D.
AtLargeDelegatesandAlternates....................................................................................15
E.
ReplacementofDelegatesandAlternates.........................................................................16
IV.
ConventionStandingCommitteeMembers
....................................................................18
A.
Introduction.....................................................................................................................18
B.
PermanentStandingCommitteeMembers.........................................................................18
V.
TheDelegation
..............................................................................................................20
VI.
GeneralProvisionsandProceduralGuarantees.
...........................................................20
VII.
AffirmativeActionandOutreachPlan..
..........................................................................23
A.
StatementofPurposeandOrganization............................................................................23
B.
EffortstoEducateontheDelegateSelectionProcess.......................................................25
C.
EffortstoPublicizetheDelegateSelectionProcess..........................................................26
D.
RepresentationGoals......................................................................................................27
E.
ObligationsofPresidentialCandidatestoMaximizeParticipation........................................29
VIII.
Challenges.....................................................................................................................30
A.
JurisdictionandStanding................................................................................................30
B.
ChallengestotheStatusoftheStatePartyandChallengestothePlan..............................30
C.
ChallengestoImplementation..........................................................................................31
IX.
SummaryofPlan............................................................................................................31
A.
SelectionofDelegatesandAlternates..............................................................................31
B.
SelectionofStandingCommitteeMembers......................................................................33
C.
SelectionofDelegationChairandConventionPages.........................................................33
D.
PresidentialCandidateFilingDeadline..............................................................................33
E.
Timetable......................................................................................................................33

ExhibitstotheAffirmativeActionPlan...............................................................................................37

AttachmentstotheDelegateSelectionPlan........................................................................................37

SectionIIntroduction&DescriptionofDelegateSelectionProcess
A. Introduction
1.Texashasatotalof239delegatesand17alternates(Call,I.&AppendixB.).
2.Thedelegateselectionprocessisgovernedbythe
CharterandBylawsoftheDemocraticPartyoftheUnited
States
,the
DelegateSelectionRulesforthe2016DemocraticNationalConvention
(Rules),the
Callforthe2016
DemocraticNationalConvention
(Call),the
RegulationsoftheRulesandBylawsCommitteeforthe2016
DemocraticNationalConvention
(Reg.),theRulesoftheTexasDemocraticParty(StatePartyRules),theTexas
ElectionCode,andthisDelegateSelectionPlan(Call,II.A.).
3.FollowingtheadoptionofthisDelegateSelectionPlanbytheStatePartyCommittee,itshallbesubmitted
forreviewandapprovalbytheDNCRulesandBylawsCommittee(RBC).TheStatePartyChairshallbe
empoweredtomakeanytechnicalrevisionstothisdocumentasrequiredbytheRBCtocorrectanyomissionsand/or
deficienciesasfoundbytheRBCtoensureitsfullcompliancewithPartyRules,saveandexceptshouldtherequired
revisionsrelatetothecombinationprimaryandcaucusconventionsystemtheStateCommitteeshallbeinformedand
heardonthematterpriortoanycorrections.SuchcorrectionsshallbemadebytheStatePartyChairandthePlan
resubmittedtotheRBCwithin30daysofreceiptofnoticeoftheRBCsfindings(Reg.2.5,2.6&2.7).
4.OncethisPlanhasbeenfoundinCompliancebytheRBC,anyamendmenttothePlanbytheStateParty
willbesubmittedtoandapprovedbytheRBCbeforeitbecomeseffective(Reg.2.9).

B. DescriptionofDelegateSelectionProcess
1.Texaswilluseaproportionalrepresentationsystembasedontheresultsofaprimaryandconventionsfor
apportioningdelegatestothe2016DemocraticNationalConvention.ThisPlanallocatessenatorialdistrictlevel
delegatesthroughaproportionalrepresentationprimaryanditallocatespledgedpartyleaderandelectedofficial
delegatesandatlargedelegatesandalternatesthrougha
threetier
caucusconventionsystem.
2.ThefirstdeterminingstepofTexasdelegateselectionprocesswilloccuronMarch1,2016,withthe
PresidentialPreferencePrimary.
3.VoterParticipationinProcess
a.ParticipationinTexasdelegateselectionprocessisopentoallvoterswhowishtoparticipateas
Democrats.

Voterregistrationeligibilityends30dayspriortothePrimary

VotersaffiliatewiththeDemocraticPartybyvotingintheDemocraticPrimaryorbysigninganaffidavitofaffiliation
(Rules2.A.&2.C&Reg.4.3).
VotingintheTuesday,March1,2016DemocraticPrimaryoraffiliatingwiththepartybyaffidavitshallbetheonly
qualificationtobecomeadelegateatanylevelattendanceordelegatestatusatanypartyconventionshallnotbe
required.

b.AtnostageofTexasdelegateselectionprocessshallanypersonberequired,directlyorindirectly,topaya
costorfeeasaconditionforparticipating.VoluntarycontributionstothePartymaybemade,butunderno
circumstancesshallacontributionbemandatoryforparticipation(Rule2.D.&Reg.4.4.).
c.NopersonsshallparticipateorvoteinthenominatingprocessfortheDemocraticpresidentialcandidate
whoalsoparticipatesinthenominatingprocessofanyotherpartyforthecorrespondingelections(Rule2.E.).
d.Nopersonshallvoteinmorethanonemeetingwhichisthefirstmeetinginthedelegateselectionprocess
(Rule3.E.&Reg.4.6.).
4.TexasisparticipatinginthestategovernmentrunPresidentialpreferencePrimarythatwillutilize
governmentrunvotingsystems.TheTexasDemocraticPartyhastakenprovablepositivesteps(including,butnot
limitedto,thedraftingofcorrectivelegislationpublicendorsementbytheStatePartyofsuchlegislationeffortsto
educatethepublicontheneedforsuchlegislationactivesupportforthelegislationbytheStatePartythroughits
legislativeadvocacyofstatelegislators,otherpublicofficials,PartyofficialsandPartymembersandencouraging
considerationofthelegislationbytheappropriatelegislativecommitteesandbodies)to:
a.Promotetheacquisitionofaccessibleprecinctbasedopticalscansystemswhereverpossible(Rule2.H.(1))
b.Seekenactmentoflegislation,rulesandpoliciesatthestateandlocalleveltoensurethatdirectrecording
electronicsystemsincludeavoterverifiedpapertrail(Rule2.H.(2))
c.Seekenactmentoflegislation,rulesandpoliciesatthestateandlocalleveltoensurethatbothopticalscan
anddirectrecordingelectronicsystemsincluderecognizedsecuritymeasures.Thesemeasuresincludeautomatic
routineannualauditscomparingpaperrecordstoelectronicrecordsfollowingeveryelectionandpriortocertification
orresults,wherepossibleparalleltestingonElectionDayphysicalandelectronicsecurityforequipmentbanning
useofwirelesscomponentsandconnectionspublicdisclosureofsoftwaredesignuseoftransparentandrandom
selectionforallauditingproceduresandeffectiveproceduresforaddressingevidenceoffraudorerror(Rule2.H.(3)).
d.Theseprovablepositivestepshaveincluded:
e.CollaboratingwiththeTexasSecretaryofStateinordertofashionguidelinesandprotocolsfortheuseof
directrecordingelectronicvotingmachines(DREs)inTexas.
f.PartneringwithStateSenatorsandStateRepresentativesinthecraftingoflegislationintendedtoenhance
voterprotection,increasepollingplaceaccessibilityandfacilitateeaseofvoterregistration.
g.LobbyinginsupportofbillsintroducedintheTexasSenateand/ortheTexasHouseofRepresentativesduring
th
th
st
the79
,80
and81
LegislativeSessionsrequiringpapertrailswiththeuseofDREs.
h.TestifyinginfavoroflegislationbeforetheTexasHouseCommitteeonElectionsrelatingtotheaccuracy,
securityandreliabilityofcertainelectronicvotingmachines.
i.Joiningeffortswithlocalcommunityorganizationsandactiviststoeducatelegislatorsandthepublicon
harmfulvotersuppressionlegislationtestifyingagainstsuchlegislationbeforeStateHouseandSenateCommittee
j.Initiatingalawsuitin2008averringDREmalfunctioninginthecomputationofDemocraticvotesfromthe
November2008stateelections.

SectionIIPresidentialCandidates
A. BallotAccess

1.Apresidentialcandidatemayobtainandfileanapplicationforaplaceonthepresidentialprimary
ballotatthefollowingaddress:TexasDemocraticPartyStateChair,StateDemocraticExecutiveCommittee,4818
EastBenWhiteBlvd,Austin,TX78741.AllpresidentialcandidatesfilewiththeStatePartyandtheStateParty
certifiesthePrimaryBallotwiththeSecretaryofState.

2.Theapplicationshallbeinthesameformasthatrequiredofacandidateforstatewideofficeexcept
thattheoathshallread:
"I,
___________________
(name),of
_______________
(city),
____________
(county/parish),
________________
(state),beingacandidatefortheofficeofPresidentoftheUnitedStates,swearthatIwillsupportanddefendthe
ConstitutionandlawsoftheUnitedStates.IfurtherswearthatIwillfullysupporttheDemocraticnomineefor
President,whoeverthatshallbe."

3.ApplicationsmustbereceivedbytheStateChairnoearlierthanNovember10,2015(firstday,filing
period)andnolaterthan6:00p.m.CST,December8,2015(lastday,filingperiod)(TexasElectionCode
172.023(a)).

4.Applicationsmustbeaccompaniedby:

a.Alldocuments,ifany,requiredbytheAffirmativeActionsectionofthisplan

b.Thename,mailingaddress,anddayandnightphonenumbersofthatcandidate'sdesignated
representative(suchdesignatedrepresentativemaybelaterchangedasnecessary)
and

c.Afilingfeeof$2,500(Rules14B)or

d.Apetitionsignedby5,000registeredvoters(Rules14A)submittedinaccordancewiththoseprovisions
oftheElectionCodeapplicabletoacandidateforstatewideofficehowever,nosignatureappearingonapetitionfor
morethanonepresidentialcandidateshallbecountedforanypresidentialcandidate.

(Rules11.B.,14.A.,14.B.,14.D.,14.E.,&14.H.)

B. EachpresidentialcandidateshallcertifyinwritingtotheStateDemocraticChairthename(s)ofhisorher
authorizedrepresentative(s)byDecember15,2015(Rule12.D.(1)).
C. Eachpresidentialcandidate(includinguncommittedstatus)shallusehisorherbesteffortstoensurethathisor
herrespectivedelegationwithinthestatedelegationachievestheaffirmativeactiongoalsestablishedbythisPlanand
isequallydividedbetweenmenandwomen(Rule6.I.).
D.UncommittedstatusdoesnotautomaticallyappearontheTexasDemocraticPrimaryballotandwriteinvotesare
notcounted.

SectionIIISelectionofdelegatesandAlternates
A.

INTRODUCTION

PersonsservingasNationalDelegatesshallbeselectedthroughavarietyofmethodologies.Texas239delegates
and17alternatesbreakdownasfollows:136SenatorialDistrictLevelDelegates27PledgedPartyLeaderand
ElectedOfficialDelegates45PledgedAtLargeDelegatesand17Alternatesand32UnpledgedDelegatesare
automaticallyelectedbyvirtueoftheirstatus.
B.COUNTY/SENATEDISTRICTCONVENTIONS

County/SenateDistrictConventionsshallbeheldonSaturday,March19,2016atatimeandplacesetbythe
DemocraticCountyExecutiveCommitteeatitsstatutorymeetinginDecember2015andfinalizednolaterthan
January31,2016.

CountyConventionsareheldineachcountyinTexas.However,ifacountycontainsmultiple
StateSenatedistricts,therewillbeheldaconventionineachsenatedistrictwithinthecountyinsteadofacountywide
convention.

EachparticipantshallhavepreregisteredthroughtheonlineregistrationsystemontheStatePartywebsiteorshall
registerinpersonpriortotheconventionbeingcalledtoorder.Thisregistrationwillalsoincludeeachperson
confirmingtheirpresidentialpreferenceoruncommittedstatusatthetimeofsignin.Theresultsofthispollwill
determinethepercentagesupportofeachpresidentialcandidateoruncommittedstatusforthepurposeof
determiningtheallocationofdelegatesfromtheconventiontothestateconvention.

TheCounty/SenateDistrictConventioniscalledtoorderbytheCountyChair,SenateDistrictChair,oranyqualified
participant.

ThefirstorderofbusinessisthereportoftheCredentialsCommittee.

Thedelegateselectachairandsecretarytotheconvention.

Thechairannouncestheresultsofthepollandthepercentagesupportofeachpresidentialpreference.Thechair
announcestheallocationofdelegatestothestateconventionforeachpreferencewhohavemetthe15%threshold.

Delegatescaucusbyprecinct,orgroupofprecincts,toelectdelegatesandalternatestotheStateConvention.

DelegatesandalternatestotheStateConventionshallbeelectedinaccordancewithArt.IV,StatePartyRules.Each
precinctisallocatedonedelegateforeveryfull175votescastfortheDemocraticnomineeforgovernorinthe2014
GeneralElection.(Example:174votesinaprecinctwouldnotqualifyforadelegateandwouldbepairedwithanother
precinct(s),and349onlygetsonedelegate).Ifaprecinctcasttoofewvotestobeallocatedadelegatebyitself,itis
groupedwithsimilarprecinctsaccordingtotheRules.

TheNominationsCommitteeoftheconventionusestheresultsoftheprecinctcaucusestoallocateatlargedelegates
amongpresidentialpreferences(oruncommittedstatus)sothatthedelegationasawholereflectstheproportionate
shareofsigninsforeachpreference.However,preferencesthatdonotsecure15%ofthesigninsneednotbe
allocatedanyatlargedelegates.

C.

PRECINCTCONVENTIONSWITHINCOUNTYORSENATORIALDISTRICTCONVENTIONS

PrecinctConventionsshallbeheldonthedayoftheCountyorSenatorialDistrictConvention,March19,2016,
beginningattimessetbythelocalcountyexecutivecommittees.Theseconventionselectdelegatesandalternates
fromCountyorSenateDistrictConventionstotheStateConvention.PrecinctConventionsareheldaspartofeach
CountyorSenatorialDistrictConventionandareopentoanyonewhovotesintheDemocraticprimary.Asignshall
bepostedatthepollingplacesonMarch1,2016indicatingthelocationoftheConvention.

TheconventionwillbecalledtoorderbythePrecinctChair.IfthePrecinctChairisabsent,anyqualifiedparticipant
maycallthemeetingtoorder.TheConventionisgovernedbyRobert'sRulesofOrderandArt.IV,

StatePartyRules.

Thefirstorderofbusinessisforeveryparticipanttosigninandidentifytheirpresidentialpreferenceor"uncommitted"
status.TheStatePartywillprovideanonlineelectronicpreregistrationsitetocreateprepopulatedlistsofpotential
attendeesforthissigninprocesswherebyanattendeemaysigntheirnameandconfirmtheirpresidentialor
uncommittedstatus.Apersonmayalsoregisteratthedoor.

Afterallparticipantshaveregisteredandtheconventioniscalledtoorder,theCountyorSenatorialDistrictChairshall
callforprecincts(orgroupedsmallprecincts)tomeetasprecinctconventionsforthepurposeofelectingthe
allocateddelegatesandalternatesfromtheprecinct(orgroupedsmallprecincts)totheStateConvention.

TheprecinctchairannouncesthenumberofdelegatestotheStateConventiontobeelected.Eachprecinctis
allocatedonedelegateandonealternateforeachfull175votescastfortheDemocraticnomineeforGovernorinthe
2014GeneralElection.

D.TIERTHREE:STATECONVENTION

TheStateConventionshallbeheldJune16through18,2016inSanAntonio,Texasatatimeandplacesetbythe
StateDemocraticExecutiveCommittee.

DelegatesandalternatestotheNationalConventionshallbeelectedinaccordancewiththisplan.

AnypersoneligibletoparticipateinthedelegateselectionprocessmayqualifyasacandidateforNationalConvention
delegateandalternatebyfilingaStatementofCandidacywiththeTexasDemocraticPartyStateChair,State
DemocraticExecutiveCommittee,4818EastBenWhiteBoulevard,Austin,Texas78741.StatementsofCandidacy
mustbesubmittednoearlierthanMonday,March21,2016andnolaterthan6:00p.m.onThursday,May29,2016
(Rules12B&14F).StatementsofCandidacymustbesubmittedonformsapprovedbytheStateDemocratic
ExecutiveCommitteeandmustcontaintheindividual'sname,StateSenatedistrictnumber,voterunique
identificationnumber(VUIDorvoterregistrationnumber),mailingaddress,residenceaddress,dayandnightphone
numbers,emailaddress,apledgeofsupporttotheDemocraticnomineeforpresident,andasignedpledgeofsupport
totheindividual'spresidentialpreference(oruncommittedstatus)oranoaththattheindividualiscurrently
uncommitted.Toaidinmeetingaffirmativeactionandinclusiongoals,theStatementofCandidacyorother
applicationshallcontainastatementtoallowanindividualtovoluntarilyindicatetheirstatusingroupshistorically
underrepresented.

TheTexasPresidentialPrimaryisabindingprimary.Accordingly,NationalConventionDelegateselectedatthe
senatorialdistrictlevelshallbeallocatedproportionatetothepercentageoftheprimaryvotewoninthatdistrictby
eachpresidentialpreference,exceptthatpreferencesreceivinglessthan15%ofthevoteshallnotbeawardedany
delegates.

Ifnopresidentialpreferencereceives15%ofthevotescastinthedistrict,the15%thresholdshallbereducedtothe
percentofthevotereceivedbythefrontrunnerinthedistrict,minus10percentagepoints(Rules13F).

TheStateChairshalldelivertoeachpresidentialcandidateorthatcandidate'sdesignatedrepresentativenolater
thanJune1,2016,at6p.m.alistofallpersonswhohavefiledaStatementofCandidacyandwhohavepledged
supporttothatpresidentialcandidate(Rule12D&12F).Eachpresidentialcandidateordesignatedrepresentative
mustfilealistofallapprovedcandidateswiththeStateChairnolaterthanJune15,2016,at6:00p.m.providedthat
approvalmustbegiventoatleastthreetimesthenumberofdelegateandalternatewomenandtothreetimesthe
numberofdelegateandalternatementhatwillbeelectedattheSenateDistrictLevel.Failuretotimelyrespondshall
beconsideredapprovalofallcandidatessubmitted(Rules12E(1)&Reg.4.23).Candidatesremovedfromthelistof
bonafidesupportersbyapresidentialcandidateatonelevelmaybeelectedasadelegateoralternatepledgedto
thatpresidentialcandidateatanotherlevel(Rules12E).

TheorderofbusinessfordelegateselectionprocessesattheStateConventionshallbetheOrderofBusinessofthe
StateConventionasprescribedintheStatePartyRules.

1.TheStateDemocraticExecutiveCommitteeshallmeetonSaturday,April14,2016,tocanvassandcertifythe
resultsofthepresidentialprimary.PresidentialPrimaryresultsshallbecertifiedbysenatorialdistrict(TexasElection
Code172.120).

2.TheStateDemocraticExecutiveCommitteeshallusetheseresultstoproportionatelyallocatesenatorialdistrict
delegatesandalternatesamongpresidentialpreferences.TheStateChairshallcertifythisallocationtothe
TemporaryChairoftheStateConvention,ifdifferent.

3.AttheStateConvention,each

senatorialdistrictshallholdacaucusonFriday,June17,2016,toelectone
membertotheCredentialsCommitteeoftheconvention,andshallalsoelectachairoftheSenateDistrict's
conventiondelegationifthedistrictconventionorthedelegationhasnotpreviouslydoneso.EachSenateDistrict
caucusshallalsoelectonemembertotheNominationsCommitteeforAtLargeNationalDelegatesandanyother
committeessetoutintheStatePartyRules.

4.TheTemporaryChairshallcertifyeachdistrict'sallocationofnationaldelegatesandalternatestothechairofthat
senatorialdistrict'sconventiondelegation.

5.Awrittenpolltodeterminethepresidentialpreference(oruncommittedstatus)ofeachparticipatingdelegatewill
bedone.PollresultsshallbereportedonofficialsigninsheetsprescribedbytheStateDemocraticExecutive
Committee.Eachsigninsheetshallcontain,atthetop,astatementattestingthateachsignerpledgessupporttothe
candidatewhosecaucusheorshejoins.Nodelegatemaysigninmorethanonce.Thesesigninsheetsshallbe
availableforpublicinspectionaftertheconventionattheTexasDemocraticParty,StateDemocraticExecutive
Committee,4818EastBenWhiteBlvd,Austin,Texas78741.

6.PollresultsshallbedeliveredtotheChairoftheconventiononformsprescribedbytheStateDemocratic
ExecutiveCommittee.TheseresultsshallbetotaledbytheChairandshallbeusedbytheNominationsCommittee

10

forAtLargeNationalDelegatesoftheStateConventiontoallocatepledgedpartyandelectedofficialdelegatesand
pledgedatlargedelegatesandalternatesamongpresidentialpreferences(oruncommittedstatus).

7.TheConvention

Chairshallannouncetheresultsofthesigninfortheconventionasawholebynumberand
percentofsigninsreceivedbyeachpresidentialpreference(oruncommittedstatus)andbythenumberofpledged
partyandelectedofficialdelegatesandthenumberofatlargedelegatesandalternatesallocatedtoeachpresidential
preference(oruncommittedstatus).

8.Afterthewrittenpollismade,thosedelegatesin

eachsenatorialdistrictwhosignedinforapresidentialpreference
eligibletoelectanationaldelegatefromthesenatorialdistrictshallcaucusseparatelytoelecttheirshareofnational
delegatesandalternates.Delegatesmayonlyparticipateinthecaucusofthepresidentialpreferenceforwhomthey
signedin.ADelegatewhosignsinforapresidentialpreference(oruncommittedstatus)thatisnotentitledtoelect
delegatesintheSenateDistrict,shallnotparticipateinelectionofdelegates.Separateelectionsshallbeheldfor
delegatepositionsinaccordancewithStatePartyRulesVII.AandVII.B.Acandidatefordelegatewhoisnotelected
inaninitialdelegateelectioniseligibletorunforsubsequentdelegatepositionsandforalternatedelegatepositions
fortheirpresidentialpreference.

Intheunlikelyeventthatapresidentialpreferencereceivesenoughoftheprimaryvotetobeallocatedoneormore
delegatepositionsfromasenatorialdistrict,buttherearenostateconventiondelegatesforthatpresidential
preferencefromthatSenateDistrict(occurringwhenapresidentialcandidatesecuresenoughofaprimaryvoteto
qualifyforadelegatebutwhosesupportersdonotattendtheprecinct,county/senatedistrictconventionsinsufficient
numbertoentitlethatcandidatetoadelegatetotheStateConvention),thenumberofnationaldelegatestowhichthat
preferencewouldhavebeenentitledshallbechosenthroughtheCommitteetoNominateAtLargeDelegates.In
addition,whenapresidentialpreferenceinasenatedistrictisallocatedadelegateandtherearenoStatementsof
Candidacyforthatpresidentialpreferenceinthatsenatedistrict,thatdelegatepositionshallbechosenthroughthe
CommitteetoNominateAtLargeDelegatesaswell.(ThemembersoftheCommitteetoNominateAtLarge
Delegatessupportingthatpresidentialpreferenceshallchooseadelegateoftheirpresidentialpreferencefromany
otherSenateDistrict).ThedelegatemusthavefiledaStatementofCandidacyinaccordancewithSectionIII.Dofthis
plan.

TheTexasDelegationasawholeshallbeequallydividedbetweenmenandwomen.Delegatesandalternatesshall
beconsideredseparatelyinachievingequaldivision(Rules6C).Districtleveldelegatesandalternatesshallbe
equallydividedbetweenmenandwomenasfarasmathematicallypracticable(Rules6C(1)).Districtsentitledtoan
oddnumberofDelegatesshalldrawtodeterminethegenderoftheodddelegateatthestatutorySDECmeeting
followingthegeneralelectionprimary(Rules6C(1)&Reg4.8.B).

Equaldivisionshallbeachievedatthedistrictlevelinthefollowingmanner:

Whenapresidentialcandidateisallottedanevennumberofdelegatestobeelectedfromasenatorialdistrictoras
partofthePledgedPartyandElectedOfficialscategory,halfofthepositionsshallbefilledbymenandhalfby
women.Inthecaseofthesenatedistrictdelegates,aseparateelectionshallbeheldforeachgender.

Whenapresidentialcandidateisentitledtojustonedelegate,thepositionmaybefilledbyamemberofeither
gender.Menandwomenmayrunagainsteachotherforthisposition.

Inthecaseof2ormorepresidentialcandidatesbeingentitledtojustonedelegateeach,thedelegatepositionforthe
highestvotegetterinthePresidentialprimarymaybefilledbyamemberofeithergender.Menandwomenmayrun
againsteachotherforthisposition.Thedelegatepositionforthesecondhighestvotegetterinthepresidential

11

primarymustbeoftheoppositegenderofthefirstdelegatechosen,andsoonuntilallsingledelegatepositionsare
filled,resultinginasenatorialdistrictdelegationwithadifferenceofnogreaterthanonebetweenthesexes.

Whenapresidentialcandidateisentitledtoanoddnumberofdelegatesfromasenatedistrict,onepositionshallbe
usedifnecessarytobalancethesenatorialdistrictdelegationbygenderandtherestshallbedividedequallybetween
menandwomen.

Eachpresidentialcandidateorauthorizedrepresentativeisresponsibleformaintaininggenderequalityascloselyas
mathematicallypossiblewithinthecandidatesdelegation.Shouldacandidatequalifyfordistrictdelegatesbutfailto
obtainsufficientsupportforatlargedelegatesand,thecandidatesdelegationcontainagenderinequityofmorethan
one(1)delegate,thecandidateorauthorizedrepresentativeshallrequiredistricts,wherethecandidatereceivedthe
lowestqualifyingpercentage,inwhichtheselecteddelegateisoftheoverrepresentedgendertorecaucusandselect
adelegateoftheoppositegendershouldtherebeoneavailableandcontinuetheprocessuntiltheinequityis
eliminated(Rule6.I.)

EveryreasonableeffortshallbemadebytheNominationsCommitteeforAtLargeNationalDelegatestoachieve
equaldivisionbygenderandtomeetotheraffirmativeactiongoalsintheoverallcategoryof27PledgedPartyLeader
andElectedOfficialDelegates.

TheentireAtLargecategory(i.e.the45PledgedAtLargeDelegatesandthe17PledgedAtLargeAlternates),shall
bereservedformembersofonegender,ifnecessary,toachieveequaldivisionbetweenthegendersintheoverall
delegationtotheNationalConventionprovided,however,thatitmustbeusedsimultaneouslytomeetother
affirmativeactiongoals.DelegatesandAlternatesshallbeconsideredseparategroups,andtheequaldivision
requirementshallapplytoeachgroup.

TheStateDemocraticChairshallcertifyinwritingtotheSecretaryoftheDemocraticNationalCommitteetheelection
ofthestate'spledgeddistrictleveldelegatesandalternatestotheDemocraticNationalConventionwithinten(10)
daysaftertheirelection(CallIV.A).

A.SenatorialDistrictLevelDelegates

AttheSenateDistrictlevel,136delegatesshallbe

apportionedby

apresidentialpreferenceprimaryandelected
through

athreetier,postprimaryconventionsystem(Rules8C).Candidatesforsenatorialdistrictleveldelegatesand
alternatesmayrunonlyinthedistrictinwhichtheyareregisteredtovote(Rules12.H).

The136delegatesareapportionedtosenatorialdistrictsbasedonaformulagivingequalweighttothevotecastfor
theDemocraticnomineeforpresidentin2012andtheDemocraticnomineeforgovernorin2014
(Rules8A(2))

Followingtheprimary,delegatepositionswillbeallocatedtopreferencesbasedonthepresidentialprimaryvotein
eachdistrictbasedonaformulagivingequalweighttothevotecastfortheDemocraticnomineeforpresidentin2012
andtheDemocraticnomineeforgovernorin2014.

PursuanttoReg.4.18,anyautomaticdelegatestotheStateConventionwillnotbeinvolvedintheallocationprocess.

ThedistrictcaucusforeachpresidentialpreferenceshallallocatedelegatepositionsasassignedbytheState
Committee.

12

SENATORIALDISTRICTDELEGATESANDALTERNATES
DISTRICT

DELEGATES

ALTERNATES

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

13

26

27

28

29

30

31

TOTALS
:

136

PursuanttoRule6.I.,theStateChairshallcertifyinwritingtotheRBCwhetherapresidentialcandidatehasused
theirbesteffortstosubmitalistofsenatorialdistrictleveldelegatecandidateswhichmeetstheaffirmativeaction
considerationsnolaterthanJune152016(Rule6.I.).

B. UnpledgedDelegates(Automatic)

ThefollowingareautomaticUnpledgedDelegates:
1.NineteenmembersoftheDemocraticNationalCommitteefromTexaselectedattheJune2012StateConvention,
officersoftheDemocraticNationalCommitteeandAtLargeDemocraticNationalCommitteemembersfromTexas
appointedbytheDNCChairorbystatusrepresentinganationalgroup(Rule9A(1),CallIF&Reg.4.13)
2.FormerDemocraticSpeakerasaDistinguishedPartyLeader(Rule9A.(5),CallIG&Reg.4.13)and
3.All11DemocraticmembersoftheUnitedStatesHouse(Rule9A.(3)&CallIH&J).

Thesedelegatesshallbecertifiedasfollows(Rule9A):

1.NotlaterthanMarch1,2016,theSecretaryoftheDemocraticNationalCommitteeshallofficiallyconfirmtothe
StateDemocraticChairthefollowingunpledgeddelegateswholegallyresideinTexas:membersoftheDNC
DemocraticMembersofCongressandtheformerSpeakeroftheUnitedStatesHouseofRepresentatives(Rule9A).

2. ThisofficialconfirmationbytheSecretaryshallconstituteverificationoftheabovecategoriesofunpledged
(automatic)delegates(CallIVB).IncaseswhereTexas'DNCmembershipchangesfollowingtheSecretary'sofficial
confirmation,butpriortothecommencementofthe2016DemocraticNationalConvention,acknowledgmentbythe
SecretaryoftheDNCofmembercertificationshallconstituteverificationofthecorrespondingchangeofUnpledged
delegates(CallIV.D.2.b).

3. TheStateChairshallcertifyinwritingtotheSecretaryoftheDNCthepresidentialpreferenceofthestates
unpledgeddelegatesten(10)daysafterthecompletionoftheStatesDelegateSelectionProcess,(CallIVB)

NoStatementsofCandidacyarerequiredfromunpledgeddelegates(Rule9B.(5)).
C. PledgedPartyLeaderandElectedOfficialDelegates
Texasisallocated27pledgedpartyandelectedofficialdelegates(CallID,EAppendixB).

14

Thefollowingshallbeeligibleforthesepositionsandshallbeconsideredinthebelowlistedpriority(Rule9B.(1)):

1.DemocraticMayorsofcitieshavingapopulationofatleast250,000(evenifelectedatnonpartisanelections)and
Democraticstatewideleadershiptobegivenequalconsideration
2.StatelegislativeleadershipandDemocraticstatelegislatorsand
3.Allotherstate,countyandlocalDemocraticelectedofficialsandPartyleaders.

Theaboveprioritylistshallnotbeconstruedtomandateelectionofanyindividual(Rule9.B(1)&Reg.4.15B).

ThesedelegatesshallbeelectedbytheStateConventiononSaturday,June18,2016afterelectionofsenatorial
districtleveldelegates,butbeforeelectionofAtLargeDelegatesandAlternates(Rules9B&9C).Thespecific
delegateandalternatenominationspresentedtotheStateConventionwillbeselectedbytheCommitteetoNominate
AtLargeDelegatestotheNationalConventionoftheStateConvention(composedof34members,onememberto
beelectedbyeachSenateDistrictCaucusandthreememberstobeappointedbythePermanentConventionChair
(StatePartyRulesIV.D.5.h),subjecttothelimitationsofRule9.AnyDemocratotherwisequalifiedtoserveasa
PLEODelegatebutnotselectedbytheNominationsCommitteetobepresentedtotheConventionmaypetitionthe
CommitteetosubmitaMinorityReportwhichwouldrequirethesupportof20%oftheCommitteeortheycanmovea
substitutetotheCommitteeReportfromtheConventionfloor.Allcandidatesfordelegatepositionsaresubjectto
presidentialcampaign/representativeapproval.

AnindividualmayqualifyasacandidateforapledgedpartyleaderandelectedofficialdelegatebyfilingaStatement
ofCandidacybyMay19,2016inaccordancewithSectionIII.D.ofthisPlan(Rules12Band9C(3)).

Thesepositionsshallbeallocatedamongpresidentialpreferences(oruncommittedstatus)onthesamebasisasfor
AtLargeDelegatesandAlternates(Rules9C(2)).

ApersoneligibleforapledgedpartyandelectedofficialdelegatepositionwhohasnotfiledaStatementofCandidacy
underArt.III.D.ofthisPlanshallhaveonehourafterthecertificationofthedistrictleveldelegatestofileaStatement
ofCandidacyasapledgedpartyandelectedofficialdelegate.TheStateChairshalldelivertoeachpresidential
candidate(orthatcandidate'sdesignatedrepresentative)thelistofallpersonswhohavesofiledimmediatelyafter
theexpirationoftheonehourextendedfilingperiod.Presidentialcandidatesordesignatedrepresentativesshall
haveonehourfromreceiptofthislisttodelivertotheStateChairalistofalladditionalapprovedcandidates,provided
thatapprovalmustbegiventoatleasttwo(2)namesforeachPLEOpositiontowhichthepresidentialcandidateis
entitled.Failuretotimelyrespondshallbeconsideredapprovalofallcandidatessubmitted.Apresidentialcandidate,
orthecandidate'sdesignatedrepresentative,mustbepresentatthemeetingoftheCommitteetoNominateAtLarge
DelegatestotheNationalConvention.

OnSaturday,June18,2016,beforetheelectionofpledgedpartyandelectedofficialdelegates,theStateChairshall
announcethefollowingascertifiedbytheSecretaryoftheDemocraticNationalCommittee(Rules9A):

1.TheTexasmembersoftheNationalCommitteeasUnpledgeddelegates
2.FormerDemocraticSpeakerasanUnpledgeddelegate
3.AllDemocraticmembersoftheU.S.HouseasUnpledgeddelegates.

Pledgedpartyandelectedofficialdelegatesandalternatesshallbeapportionedamongmalesandfemalesin
accordancewithSectionIII.D.ofthisPlan.

15

PledgedpartyandelectedofficialdelegatesshallbeselectedbeforetheelectionofAtLargedelegatesandalternates
andafterelectionofsenatorialdistrictleveldelegates(Rules9C).

TheStateDemocraticChairshallcertifyinwritingtotheSecretaryoftheDemocraticNationalCommitteetheelection
ofthestate'spledgedPartyLeaderandElectedOfficialdelegatesandalternatestotheDemocraticNational
Conventionwithinten(10)daysaftertheirelection(CallIV.A).

PursuanttoRule6.I.,theStateChairshallcertifyinwritingtotheCoChairsoftheDNCRulesandBylawsCommittee
whetherapresidentialcandidate,includinguncommittedstatus,hasusedtheirbesteffortstosubmitalistofpledged
PLEOdelegatecandidateswhichmeetstheaffirmativeactionconsiderationswithinthree(3)businessdaysof
receivingthelistofapproveddelegatecandidates(Rule6.I.).

D. AtLargeDelegatesandAlternates

Texasisallocated45AtLargedelegatesand17AtLargealternates(Rules8C).

TheseshallbeelectedattheStateConventiononSaturday,June18,2016,aftertheelectionofpledgedpartyleader
andelectedofficialdelegatesandalternates(Rules8D).ThespecificAtLargedelegateandalternatenominations
presentedtothestateconventionwillbeselectedbytheCommitteetoNominateAtLargeDelegatestotheNational
ConventionoftheStateConvention(composedof34members,onemembertobeelectedbyeachSenatorialDistrict
CaucusandthreememberstobeappointedbythePermanentConventionChair(StatePartyRulesIV.D.5.h))subject
tothelimitationsofRule10.

Atlargedelegatepositionsshallbeallocatedaccordingtothedivisionofpresidentialpreferences(oruncommitted
status)amongdelegatesparticipatinginthestateconventionhowever,preferencesthatdonotachieve15%ofthe
stateconventionshallnotbeallocatedanyAtLargedelegates.Ifnocandidateattainsa15%threshold,thenthe
thresholdwillbethepercentageofthevotereceivedbythefrontrunner,minus10%.Divisionofpresidential
preferences(oruncommittedstatus)shallbedeterminedasdescribedinSectionIII.D.ofthisPlan(Rule13B).

All17alternatepositionswillbeallocatedinthesamemannerastheAtLargedelegatesprovided,however,thatifa
givenpreferenceisentitledtooneormoredelegates,eitheratthesenatorialdistrictleveloramongAtLarge
delegates,butisnototherwiseentitledtoanalternate,thatpreferenceshallbeallocatedoneAtLargealternate
position(Rule18B).

TheStateChairshalldeliveralistofallpersonswhohavefiledaStatementofCandidacy(andpledgeofsupportof
thatcandidate)forapositionasNationalConventionDelegatetoallpresidentialcandidatesortheirrepresentatives
byMay22,2016andnotifythecandidatesortheirrepresentativesofanychangesinstatusofanyonewhohasfileda
StatementofCandidacyimmediatelyfollowingtheelectionofpledgedPLEOdelegates.

PresidentialcandidatesmustsubmittheapprovedlistofAtLargedelegatecandidateswithin30minutesfollowingthe
electionofpledgedPLEOdelegates,providedthattheapprovedlistcontainsatleasttwo(2)namesforeachAtLarge
positiontobefilled.

TheelectionofAtLargedelegatesshallbeused,ifnecessary,toachieveequaldivisionofpositionsbetweenmen
andwomenandtherepresentationintheAffirmativeActionsectionofthisPlan(ArticleVIII).Suchgoalsapplytothe
state'sdelegationasawhole,includingpartyleaderandelectedofficialdelegates.Delegatesandalternatesshallbe
consideredseparategroups.SuchgoalsareestablishedintheAffirmativeActionsection(ArticleVIII)ofthisPlan
(Rule10A).IntheselectionoftheAtLargedelegation,priorityconsiderationshallbegiventoAfricanAmericans,

16

Hispanics,NativeAmericans,Asian/NativeHawaiianandPacificIslanders,andwomen.Inordertocontinuethe
DemocraticPartysongoingeffortstoincludegroupshistoricallyunderrepresentedintheDemocraticPartysaffairs,
priorityconsiderationshallbegivenothergroupsbyvirtueofrace,ethnicity,age,sexualorientation,genderidentityor
expression,anddisability.TheuseoftheAtLargedelegationtomeettheaffirmativeactiongoalsdoesnotobviate
theneedforoutreachactivitiesbytheStateParty.

AnindividualmayqualifyasacandidateforanAtLargedelegateoralternatepositionbyfilingaStatementof
CandidacybyMay19,2016inaccordancewithSectionIII.DofthisPlan.AnindividualwhofilesaStatementof
Candidacyforapledgeddelegatepositionbutisunsuccessfulmaybeconsideredforapledgedalternateposition,
unlesstheStatementofCandidacyspecifiesotherwise(Rules12C,12D).TheCommitteetoNominateAtLarge
delegateswillconsideralleligibleindividualsforthesepositions(i.e.thosewhovotedinthePrimary,filedaStatement
ofCandidacyandwhohavemetanyothernecessaryrequirements).AnyqualifiedDemocratwhowishestobea
DelegatebutisnotselectedbytheCommitteetobepresentedtotheConventionmaypetitiontheCommitteefora
MinorityReportwhichrequires20%supportfromtheCommitteeormaypresentasubstitutetotheCommitteeReport
fromtheConventionfloor.Allcandidatesfordelegatearesubjecttoapprovalbypresidentialcampaigns/ortheir
representatives.

Ifapresidentialcandidatewithdrawspriortotheelectionofatlargedelegatesandalternates,thepositionsallocated
tothatcandidateshallbeproportionatelyallocatedamongtheremainingpreferencesentitledtoanallocation.

TheStateDemocraticChairshallcertifyinwritingtotheSecretaryoftheDemocraticNationalCommitteetheelection
ofthestate'sAtLargedelegatesandalternatestotheDemocraticNationalConventionwithinten(10)daysaftertheir
election(CallIV.A&Rule8c).

PursuanttoRule6.I.,theStateChairshallcertifyinwritingtotheRBCwhetherapresidentialcandidatehasused
theirbesteffortstosubmitalistofAtLargedelegatecandidateswhichmeetstheaffirmativeactionconsiderations
withinthree(3)businessdaysofreceivingthelistofapproveddelegatecandidates(Rule6.I.).

E.ReplacementofDelegatesandAlternates
1.Apledgeddelegateoralternatemaybereplacedaccordingtothefollowingguidelines:
a.PermanentReplacementofaDelegate:(Rule18.D.(2))
(1)ApermanentreplacementoccurswhenadelegateresignsordiespriortoorduringtheNationalConvention
andthealternatereplacesthedelegatefortheremainderoftheNationalConvention.
(2)Anyalternatepermanentlyreplacingadelegateshallbeofthesamepresidentialpreference(including
uncommittedstatus)andsexofthedelegatehe/shereplaces,andtotheextentpossibleshallbefromthesame
politicalsubdivisionwithinthestateasthedelegate.
(a)Inthecasewherethepresidentialcandidatehasonlyonealternate,thatalternateshallbecomethecertified
delegate.
(b)Ifapresidentialcandidatehasonlyonealternate,andthatalternatepermanentlyreplacesadelegateofthe
oppositesex,therebycausingthedelegationtonolongerbeequallydivided,thedelegationshallnotbeconsideredin
violationofRule6.C.Insuchacase,notwithstandingRule18.D.(2),theStatePartyCommitteeshall,atthetimeofa

17

subsequentpermanentreplacement,replaceadelegatewithapersonoftheoppositesex,inordertoreturnthe
delegationtoequaldivisionofmenandwomen(Reg.4.32).

b.TemporaryReplacementofaDelegate:(Rule18.D.(3))
(1)Atemporaryreplacementoccurswhenadelegateistobeabsentforalimitedperiodoftimeduringthe
conventionandanalternatetemporarilyactsinthedelegatesplace.
(2)Anyalternatewhotemporarilyreplacesadelegatemustbeofthesamepresidentialpreference(including
uncommittedstatus)asthedelegatehe/shereplaces,andtotheextentpossibleshallbeofthesamesexandfrom
thesamepoliticalsubdivisionwithinthestateasthedelegate.
c.Thefollowingsystemwillbeusedtoselectpermanentandtemporaryreplacementsofdelegates:(Rule
18.D.(1))
(1)

AdelegatewhoistobeabsentorwhoresignsmayselectfromamongtheAlternateselectedbytheState
ConventionfromwhichtheDelegatewaselectedanAlternateofthesamepresidentialpreferencewhoshallassume
Delegatestatus(StatePartyRulesIV.A.18.b).
(2)IntheeventaDelegateisunableto,orfailsto,selecttheAlternatetoassumeDelegatestatus,theTexas
delegationshallselectanAlternateofthesamepresidentialpreferenceastheDelegatebeingreplaced,andsuch
AlternateshalltherebyassumeDelegatestatus.

d.CertificationofReplacements
(1)AnyalternatewhopermanentlyreplacesadelegateshallbecertifiedinwritingtotheSecretaryoftheDNCby
theStateDemocraticChair(Rule18.D.2.).
(2)Permanentreplacementofadelegate(asspecifiedabove)byanalternateandreplacementofavacant
alternatepositionshallbecertifiedinwritingbytheStateDemocraticChairtotheSecretaryoftheDemocratic
NationalCommitteewithinthree(3)daysafterthereplacementisselected(Call,IV.D.1.).
(3)CertificationofpermanentreplacementswillbeacceptedbytheSecretaryupto48hoursbeforethefirst
officialsessionoftheConventionisscheduledtoconvene(Call,IV.D.1.&Reg.4.31.).
(4)Inthecasewhereapledgeddelegateispermanentlyreplacedafter48hoursbeforethetimethefirstsession
isscheduledtoconvene,orinthecasewhereapledgeddelegateisnotontheflooroftheConventionHallatthetime
arollcallvoteistaken,analternatemaybedesignated(asspecifiedabove)tocastthedelegatesvote.Insuchcase,
theDelegationChairshallindicatethenameofthealternatecastingtherespectivedelegatesvoteonthedelegation
tallysheet(Call,VIII.F.3.d.,VIII.F.3.b.&Reg.5.5.).
e.AvacantalternatepositionshallbefilledbytheTexasdelegation.Thereplacementshallbeofthesame
presidentialpreference(oruncommittedstatus),ofthesamesexand,totheextentpossible,fromthesamepolitical
subdivisionasthealternatebeingreplaced(Rule18.E.).
5.Unpledgeddelegatesshallnotbeentitledtoareplacement,norshallthestatebeentitledtoareplacement,
exceptunderthefollowingcircumstances:(Rule18.E.&Reg.4.33.)
a.MembersofCongressshallnotbeentitledtonameareplacement.Intheeventofchangesorvacanciesin
thestatesCongressionalDelegation,followingtheofficialconfirmationandpriortothecommencementofthe
NationalConvention,theDNCSecretaryshallrecognizeonlysuchchangesashavebeenofficiallyrecognizedbythe

18

DemocraticCaucusoftheU.S.HouseofRepresentativesortheDemocraticConferenceoftheU.S.Senate(Call,
IV.D.2.a.).
b.MembersoftheDemocraticNationalCommitteeshallnotbeentitledtoareplacement,norshallthestatebe
entitledtoareplacement,exceptinthecaseofthedeathofsuchdelegates.InthecasewherethestatesDNC
membershipchangesfollowingtheDNCSecretarysofficialconfirmation,butpriortothecommencementofthe2016
DemocraticNationalConvention,acknowledgmentbytheSecretaryofthenewDNCmembercertificationshall
constituteverificationofthecorrespondingchangeofunpledgeddelegates(Call,IV.D.2.b).
c.Innocasemayanalternatecastavoteforanunpledgeddelegate(Call,VIII.F.3.d.).

SectionIVConventionStandingCommitteeMembers
A. Introduction
1.Texashasbeenallocatednine(9)membersoneachofthethreestandingcommitteesforthe2016
DemocraticNationalConvention(Credentials,PlatformandRules)foratotalof27members(Call,VII.A.&Appendix
D.).
2.MembersoftheConventionStandingCommitteesneednotbedelegatesoralternatestothe2016
DemocraticNationalConvention(Call,VII.A.3.).
3.

Thesememberswillbeselectedinaccordancewiththeproceduresindicatedbelow(Rule1.G.)

B.
PERMANENTSTANDINGCOMMITTEEMEMBERS
1.SelectionMeeting
a.ThepermanentmembersofthestandingcommitteesshallbeelectedbyallofTexas'NationalConvention
delegates,atameetingtobeheldonJune8,2016andwillbeallocatedonthesamebasisastheAtLarge
delegates.Aquorumshallconsistofamajorityofthestate'sdelegatestotheNationalConvention.Allmembersof
thedelegationshallbeinformedupontheirelectionofthetimeandplaceofthemeetingtoselectthepermanent
standingcommitteemembers(CallVII.B.1).
b.Allmembersofthedelegationshallreceiveadequatenoticeofthetime,dateandlocationofthemeetingto
selectthestandingcommitteemembers(Call,VII.B.1.).
2.AllocationofMembers
a.ThemembersofthestandingcommitteesallocatedtoTexasshallproportionatelyrepresentthepresidential
preferenceofallcandidates(includinguncommittedstatus)receivingthethresholdpercentageusedinthestates
delegationtocalculatetheAtLargeapportionmentpursuanttoRule13.E.oftheDelegateSelectionRules(Call,
VII.C.1&Reg.5.7).
b.Thepresidentialpreferenceofeachcandidatereceivingtheapplicablepercentageormorewithinthe
delegationshallbemultipliedbythetotalnumberofstandingcommitteepositionsallocatedtoTexas.Iftheresultof
suchmultiplicationdoesnotequal0.455orabove,thepresidentialpreferenceinquestionisnotentitledto
representationonthestandingcommittee.Iftheresultofsuchmultiplicationis0.455butlessthan1.455,the

19

presidentialpreferenceisentitledtoone(1)position.Thosepreferencessecuringmorethan1.455butlessthan
2.455areentitledtotwo(2)positions,etc.(Call,VII.C.2.).
c.Wheretheapplicationofthisformularesultsinthetotalallocationexceedingthetotalnumberofcommittee
positions,thepresidentialcandidatewhoseoriginalfigureofrepresentationisfarthestfromitseventualroundedoff
totalshallbedeniedthatone(1)additionalposition.Wheretheapplicationofthisformularesultsinthetotalallocation
fallingshortofthetotalnumberofcommitteepositions,thepresidentialcandidatewhoseoriginalfigureof
representationisclosesttothenextroundinglevelshallbeallottedanadditionalcommitteeposition(Call,VII.C.3.).
d.Standingcommitteepositionsallocatedtoapresidentialcandidateshallbeproportionatelyallocated,tothe
extentpracticable,toeachofthethreestandingcommittees.Whensuchallocationresultsinanunequaldistribution
ofstandingcommitteepositionsbycandidatepreference,adrawingshallbeconductedtodistributetheadditional
positions(Call,VII.C.4.).
3.PresidentialCandidateRightofReview
a.Eachpresidentialcandidate,orthatcandidatesauthorizedrepresentative(s),shallbegivenadequatenotice
ofthedate,timeandlocationofthemeetingofthestatesdelegationauthorizedtoelectstandingcommitteemembers
(Call,VII.D.1.).
b.Aftertheentiredelegationhasbeenselected,eachpresidentialcandidate,orthecandidate'sauthorized
representative(s),mustsubmittotheStateDemocraticChair,byJune18,2016,at5p.m.thenameofatleastone(1)
personforeachslotawardedtothatcandidateforpermanentmembersofeachcommittee.Thedelegationshall
selectthestandingcommitteememberssubmittedbythepresidentialcandidates(includinguncommittedstatus).
Presidentialcandidatesshallnotberequiredtosubmitthenameofmorethanonepersonforeachslotawardedto
suchcandidateformembersofstandingcommittees(CallVII.D.2).
4.SelectionProceduretoAchieveEqualDivision
a.Themembershipofthestandingcommitteesshallbeasequallydividedaspossibleunderthestate
allocation:thevariancebetweenmenandwomenmaynotexceedone(1)andtheadvantagedgendermustnot
remainconstantforthethreestandingcommittees(CallVII.E.1).
b.Presidentialcandidates(includinguncommittedstatus)shallusetheirbesteffortstoensurethattheir
respectivedelegationofstandingcommitteemembersachieveTexasaffirmativeactiongoalsandthattheir
respectivemembersareequallydividedbetweenmenandwomen(Rule6.I.&Reg.4.9.).
c.Eachpositiononthestandingcommitteesshallbeassignedbygender.Thefirstpositiononthe
CredentialsCommitteeofthepresidentialcandidatewiththemoststandingcommitteepositionsshallbedesignated
forafemale,thesecondpositionforamale,andtheremainingpositionsshallbedesignatedinlikefashion,
alternatingbetweenfemaleandmale.Positionsforpresidentialcandidatesoneachcommitteeshallberanked
accordingtothetotalnumberofstandingpositionsallocatedtoeachsuchcandidate.Afterpositionsonthe
CredentialsCommitteearedesignatedbysex,thedesignationshallcontinuewiththePlatformCommittee,thenthe
RulesCommittee.
d.Aseparateelectionshallbeconductedformembershiponeachstandingcommitteeandthepositions
allocatedtoeachpresidentialcandidateoneachcommitteeshallbevotedonseparately,andthewinnershallbethe
highestvotegetteroftheappropriatesex.

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5.

CertificationandSubstitution

a.TheStateDemocraticChairshallcertifythestandingcommitteemembersinwritingtotheSecretaryofthe
DemocraticNationalCommitteewithinthree(3)daysaftertheirselection(Call,VII.B.3.).
b.Nosubstitutionswillbepermittedinthecaseofstandingcommitteemembers,exceptinthecaseof
resignationordeath.Substitutionsmustbemadeinaccordancewiththerulesandtheelectionproceduresspecified
inthissectionandmustbecertifiedinwritingtotheSecretaryoftheDemocraticNationalCommitteewithinthree(3)
daysafterthesubstitutememberisselected(Call,VII.B.4.).

SectionVTheDelegation
A. Texaswillselectone(1)persontoserveasDelegationChairandsix(6)individualstoserveasConvention
Pages(Call,IV.E.&F,1.&AppendixC.).
B. DelegationChair
1.SelectionMeeting
a.TheDelegationChairshallbeselectedbyallofTexas'NationalConventionDelegatesatameetingtobe
heldonJune18,2016.Themeetingwillbeopenandwellpublicized(Call,IV.E.).
b.Allmembersofthedelegationshallreceivetimelynoticeofthetime,dateandlocationofthemeetingto
selecttheDelegationChair(Rule3.C.).
2.TheStateDemocraticChairshallcertifytheDelegationChairinwritingtotheSecretaryoftheDemocratic
NationalCommitteewithinthree(3)daysafterhisorherselection(Call,IV.E.).

C. ConventionPages
1.Six(6)individualswillbeselectedtoserveasTexas'ConventionPagesbytheStateDemocraticChair,in
consultationwiththeTexasDemocraticNationalCommitteemembers.Thisselectionwilltakeplacenolaterthan
June18,2016(Call,IV.F.3.&Reg.5.6.).
2.TheConventionPagesshallbeasevenlydividedbetweenmenandwomenaspossibleunderthestate
allocationandshallreflect,asmuchaspossible,theAffirmativeActionguidelinesintheAffirmativeActionPlan(Reg.
5.6.A.).
3.TheStateChairshallcertifytheindividualstoserveasTexas'ConventionPagesinwritingtotheSecretary
oftheDemocraticNationalConventionwithinthree(3)daysaftertheselection(Call,IV.F.3.&Reg.5.6.B.).

SectionVIGeneralProvisionsandProceduralGuarantees
A. Participationinthedelegateselectionprocessisopentoallvoterswhoaffiliate(TexasElectionCode162.001)
withtheTexasDemocraticPartybyvotinginthe2016

21

DemocraticpresidentialPrimaryandwhodonotparticipateinaprimaryorconventionofanotherpartyduringthe
sameyear(Rules2.A.&2.E.).Thepresidentialprimaryisaclosedprimaryatwhichvoterspubliclydeclaretheir
affiliationwiththeTexasDemocraticParty,andthelistsofwhovotesintheprimaryarepublicrecord.Peoplewho
voteintheDemocraticprimaryareprohibitedfromvotingintheRepublicanprimaryandviceversa,bystatelaw.
B. Nopersonmayparticipateinmorethanone(1)PrecinctConventionorCounty/SenatorialConvention.(Rule
3.E.).
C. Atnostageofthedelegateselectionprocessshallanypersonberequired,directlyorindirectly,topayacostor
feeasaconditionforparticipatinginthedelegateselectionprocess.VoluntarycontributionstotheTexasDemocratic
Partymaybemade,butundernocircumstancesshallacontributionbemandatoryforparticipation(Rule2.D.).
D.TheTexasDemocraticPartyreaffirmsitscommitmenttoanopenpartybyincorporatingtheSixBasicElements
aslistedbelow.TheseprovisionsdemonstratetheintentionoftheDemocraticPartytoensureafullopportunityforall
statusmemberstoparticipateinthedelegateselectionprocess(Rules4.A.&C.).
1.AllpublicmeetingsatalllevelsoftheDemocraticPartyinTexasshouldbeopentoallmembersofthe
DemocraticParty,regardlessofrace,sex,age,color,creed,nationalorigin,religion,ethnicidentity,sexual
orientation,genderidentityorexpression,economicstatusorphysicaldisability(hereinaftercollectivelyreferredtoas
status)(Rule4.B.(1)).
2.Notestformembershipin,noranyoathsofloyaltyto,theDemocraticPartyofTexasshouldberequiredor
usedwhichhastheeffectofrequiringprospectiveorcurrentmembersoftheDemocraticPartytoacquiescein,
condoneorsupportdiscriminationbasedonstatus(Rule4.B.(2)).
3.ThetimeandplaceforallpublicmeetingsoftheDemocraticPartyinTexasonalllevelsshouldbe
publicizedfullyandinsuchmannerastoassuretimelynoticetoallinterestedpersons.Suchmeetingsmustbeheld
inplacesaccessibletoallPartymembersandlargeenoughtoaccommodateallinterestedpersons(Rule4.B.(3)).
4.TheDemocraticPartyinTexas,onalllevels,shouldsupportthebroadestpossibleregistrationwithout
discriminationbasedonstatus(Rule4.B.(4)).
5.TheDemocraticPartyinTexasshouldpublicizefullyandinsuchamannerastoassurenoticetoall
interestedpartiesafulldescriptionofthelegalandpracticalproceduresforselectionofDemocraticPartyofficersand
representativesonalllevels.Publicationoftheseproceduresshouldbedoneinsuchfashionthatallprospectiveand
currentmembersoftheTexasDemocraticPartywillbefullyandadequatelyinformedofthepertinentproceduresin
timetoparticipateineachselectionprocedureatalllevelsoftheDemocraticPartyorganization(Rule4.B.(5)).
6.TheDemocraticPartyinTexasshouldpublicizefullyandinsuchamannerastoassurenoticetoallinterested
parties,acompletedescriptionofthelegalandpracticalqualificationsofallpositionsasofficersandrepresentatives
oftheTexasDemocraticParty.Suchpublicationshouldbedoneintimelyfashionsothatallprospectivecandidatesor
applicantsforanyelectedorappointedpositionwithintheTexasDemocraticPartywillhavefullandadequate
opportunitytocompeteforoffice(Rule4.B.(6)).
TheseactionsdemonstratetheintentionoftheTexasDemocraticPartytoensureafullopportunityforallDemocratic
memberstoparticipateinthedelegateselectionprocess.
E.DiscriminationonthebasisofstatusintheconductofDemocraticPartyaffairsisprohibited(Rule5.B.).

22

F.
Texasdelegationshallbeequallydividedbetweendelegatemenanddelegatewomen,andalternate
menandalternatewomen.Suchgoalappliestotheentiredelegation,whichincludesallpledgeddelegatesand
alternatesandallunpledgeddelegates.Delegatesandalternatesshallbeconsideredseparategroupsforpurposes
ofachievingequaldivision(Rule6.C.).
G.
Alldelegateandalternatecandidatesmustbeidentifiedastopresidentialpreferenceoruncommitted
statusatalllevelswhichdeterminepresidentialpreference(Rule12.A.).
H.
NodelegateatanylevelofthedelegateselectionprocessshallbemandatedbylaworPartyrulesto
votecontrarytothatpersonspresidentialchoiceasexpressedatthetimethedelegateiselected(Rule12.I.).
I.
DelegateselectedtotheNationalConventionpledgedtoapresidentialcandidateshallinallgood
consciencereflectthesentimentsofthosewhoelectedthem(Rule12.J.).
J.Alldelegates,alternatesandstandingcommitteemembersmustbebonafideDemocratswhohavethe
interests,welfareandsuccessoftheDemocraticPartyoftheUnitedStatesatheartwhosubscribetothe
substance,intentandprinciplesoftheCharterandBylawsoftheDemocraticPartyoftheUnitedStatesandwhowill
participateintheConventioningoodfaith(Rule12.H.&Reg4.24).
K.Nolessthan40%ofthemembersofanyPartybodyabovethefirstlevelofthedelegateselectionprocessshall
constituteaquorumforanybusinesspertainingtotheselectionofNationalConventiondelegates,alternates,
standingcommitteemembersandotherofficialConventionparticipants(Rule15).
L.Proxyvotingshallbeallowedatthestateconvention,subjecttoArt.IV.A.3,StatePartyRules.Noproxiesfrom
acountyshallberecognizedifanydelegateoralternateispresentfromthecounty.Theproxyshallbe
nontransferableandnopersonshallholdorvotemorethanoneproxy(Rule16).
M.Theunitrule,oranyruleorpracticewherebyallmembersofaPartyunitordelegationmayberequiredtocast
theirvotesinaccordancewiththewillofamajorityofthebodyshallnotbeusedatanystageofthedelegateselection
process(Rule17.A.).
N.AnyindividualorgroupofDemocratsmaysponsororendorseaslateofcandidatesforconventiondelegates.
Butnoslatemay,byvirtueofsuchendorsement,receiveapreferentialplaceonadelegateselectionballotorbe
publiclyidentifiedontheballotastheofficialDemocraticPartyorganizationslate,andallslatesmustmeetidentical
qualifyingrequirementsforappearingonaballotatalllevelsofthedelegateselectionprocess(Rule17.B.).
O.Allstepsinthedelegateselectionprocess,includingthefilingsofpresidentialcandidatesmusttakeplacewithin
thecalendaryearoftheDemocraticNationalConvention,exceptwithrespecttotheimplementationoftheAffirmative
ActionPlan(Rules1.F&11.B).
P.Inelectingandcertifyingdelegatesandalternatestothe2016DemocraticNationalConvention,Texashereby
undertakestoassureallDemocraticvotersinthestate:full,timelyandequalopportunitytoparticipateinthedelegate
selectionprocessandinallPartyaffairs,andtoimplementaffirmativeactionprogramstothatendthatthedelegates
andalternatestotheConventionshallbeselectedinaccordancewiththeDelegateSelectionRulesforthe2016
DemocraticNationalConventionthatthevotersinthestatewillhavetheopportunitytocasttheirelectionballotsfor
thePresidentialandVicePresidentialnomineesselectedbysaidConventionandforelectorspledgedformallyandin
goodconsciencetotheelectionofthesePresidentialandVicePresidentialnominees,underthelabeland
designationoftheDemocraticPartyoftheUnitedStatesandthatthedelegatescertifiedwillnotpubliclysupportor
campaignforanycandidateforPresidentorVicePresidentotherthanthenomineesfortheDemocraticNational
Convention(Call,II.B.).

23

SectionVIIAffirmativeAction,OutreachandInclusionPlan
A. StatementofPurposeandOrganization
1.PurposeandObjectives
a.InorderthattheDemocraticPartyatalllevelsbeanopenPartywhichincludesratherthanexcludespeople
fromparticipation,aprogramofeffectiveaffirmativeactionisherebyadoptedbyTexas(Rule5.A.).
b.Discriminationonthebasisofstatus(definedinSectionVII.A.1(c))intheconductofDemocraticPartyaffairs
isprohibited(Rule5.B.).
c.AllpublicmeetingsatalllevelsoftheDemocraticPartyinTexasshouldbeopentoallmembersofthe
DemocraticParty,regardlessofrace,sex,age,color,creed,nationalorigin,religion,ethnicidentity,sexual
orientation,genderidentityorexpression,economicstatus,orphysicaldisability(hereinaftercollectivelyreferredtoas
status)(Rule4.B.(1)).
d.ConsistentwiththeDemocraticPartyscommitmenttoincludinghistoricallyunderrepresentedindividualsin
theDemocraticPartysaffairs(underrepresentedbyvirtueoftheirrace,ethnicity,age,sexualorientation,gender
identityorexpression,ordisability),TexashasdevelopedPartyoutreachprograms.Suchprogramsinclude
recruitment,educationandtraininginordertoachievefullparticipationbysuchgroupsanddiversityinthedelegate
selectionprocessandatalllevelsofPartyaffairsin2016(Rule5.C.&Reg.4.7.).Programswillbedesignedto
proactivelyreachouttoTexasvariousDemocraticconstituencies(includingAfricanAmericans,Hispanics,Asians,
NativeAmericans,women,youth,personsover65yearsofage,individualswithintheLGBTcommunity,personswith
disabilities,etc.),inordertoheightenawarenessofthesegroupsandtheDemocraticPartysdesiretohavethemfully
participate.
e.InordertoencouragefullparticipationbyallDemocratsinthedelegateselectionprocessandinallParty
affairs,theTexasDemocraticPartyhasadoptedandwillimple
mentprogramswithspecificgoalsandtimetablesfor
AfricanAmeri
cans,Hispanics,NativeAmericans,Asian/NativeHawaiiansandPacificIslandersandwomen(Rule
6.A.).
(1)ThegoaloftheprogramsshallbetoencourageparticipationinthedelegateselectionprocessandinParty
organizationsatalllevelsbytheaforementionedgroups,asindicatedbytheirpresenceintheDemocraticelectorate
(Rule6.A.(1)).

(2)ThisgoalshallnotbeaccomplishedeitherdirectlyorindirectlybythePartysimpositionofmandatoryquotas
atanylevelofthedelegateselectionprocessorinanyotherPartyaffairs(Rule6.A.(2)).
f.InordertoachievefullparticipationofothergroupsthatmaybeunderrepresentedinPartyaffairs,including
membersoftheLGBTcommunity,personswithdisabilities,andyouth,theTexasDemocraticPartyhasadoptedand
willimplementInclusionPrograms(Rule7).
g.InordertoassistDemocratswithlowtomoderateincomesinattendingtheNationalConventiontheTexas
DemocraticPartystaffwillprovideDelegatesandAlternatesoflowtomoderateincomewhoareelectedtothe2016

24

NationalConventionwithguidanceonhowtheymayraisefundstoattendtheConvention.Further,theAffirmative
ActionCommitteerecommendsfundraisingtrainingatallNationalDelegatetrainings(Rule6.G.).
2.OrganizationalStructure
a.AnAffirmativeActionCommitteeshallbeappointedbytheStateDemocraticChairbyMarch2,2015(Rule
6.F.).
b.TheStateChairshallcertifyinwritingtotherulesandbylawsCommitteeoftheDemocraticnational
CommitteethecomplianceofthestatesAffirmativeActionCommitteewithRules5.C,6.A,and7,andsubmitthe
names,demographicdataandcontactinformationnolaterthan15daysaftertheirappointment(Reg.2.2K).
c.TheCommitteeshallconsistofmembersfromeachoftheDemocraticconstituencygroupssetforthinthe
StatementandPurposeSectionoftheAffirmativeAction,OutreachandInclusionPlan.(
Exhibit#1,Affirmative
ActionCommitteeMembershipRosterattached
).
d.TheAffirmativeActionCommitteeshallberesponsiblefor:
(1)ReviewingtheproposedDelegateSelectionandAffirmativeActionPlansandmakingrecommendationsto
theStateDemocraticChair
(2)ReviewingtheproposedInclusionProgramsandmakingrecommendationstotheStateDemocraticChair
(3)DirectingtheimplementationofallrequirementsoftheAffirmativeActionsectionofthisPlan
(4)Implementingafinancialassistanceprogramfordelegatesandalternatestoencourageparticipationand
representationofthoseoflowtomoderateincomes(Rule6.G.)
(5)Ensuring,onbehalfoftheStatePartyCommittee,thatdistrictlinesusedinthedelegateselectionprocess
arenotgerrymanderedtodiscriminateagainstAfricanAmericans,Hispanics,NativeAmericans,Asian/Pacific
Americansandwomen(Rule6.E.).
e.FinancialandstaffsupportfortheAffirmativeActionCommitteeshallbeprovidedbytheStateParty
Committeetothegreatestextentfeasible,including,butnotlimitedtomakingavailableonaprioritybasistheState
PartystaffandvolunteersandcoveringallreasonablecostsincurredincarryingoutthisPlan.
3.TimetableforImplementation
a.TheTexasDemocraticPartyshallassumetheexpensesnecessarytoaccomplishalltheactivitiesdescribedin
thefollowingTimetable:

DATE

ACTION

2015

SEPTEMBER15 THESTATEPARTYANDSTATEDEMOCRATICEXECUTIVECOMMITTEEMUSTBEGINIMPLEMENTATIONOFITSAFFIRMATIVEACTION

PLAN.
IMMEDIATELYONCERTIFICATIONOFTHERBCAPPROVINGTEXASDELEGATESELECTIONPLAN,APRESSRELEASEWILL
BEDISTRIBUTEDTOTHESTATEWIDEPRESSCORPSANNOUNCINGTHEPLANSAPPROVALANDDESCRIBINGITSKEYELEMENTS.

25

OCTOBER1

LOCATIONSANDDATESFORASERIESOFWORKSHOPSWILLBEDECIDEDANDANNOUNCED.
NOLESSTHANONEWORKSHOP
WILLBEHELDFOREACHOFTEXAS'31SENATEDISTRICTS.SPECIALEMPHASISSHALLBEPLACEDONMINORITIESAND
TRADITIONALLYUNDERREPRESENTEDGROUPS.WORKSHOPSWILLBEGINASSOONASPARTYRULESAREAVAILABLE.THESE
WORKSHOPSWILLBEDESIGNEDTOENSUREALLPARTYOFFICIALSANDALLINTERESTEDDEMOCRATSUNDERSTANDTHE
DELEGATESELECTIONPROCESS.

OCTOBER1

ABROCHURESUMMARIZINGTHEDELEGATESELECTIONPROCESS

WILLBEREADYFORMASSDISTRIBUTION
THROUGHMAILINGTO
STATEANDLOCALPARTYOFFICERSDISTRIBUTIONATPARTYMEETINGSANDWORKSHOPSANDATMEETINGSOFCONSTITUENT
INTERESTGROUPS.

2016

JANUARY2

APRESSRELEASEWILLBEDISTRIBUTED
TOTHESTATEWIDENEWSMEDIA

EMPHASIZINGTHEIMPORTANCEOFPREREGISTRATION
FORTHETHEMARCH19,2016PRECINCTANDCOUNTYANDSENATEDISTRICTCONVENTIONSTHETIMEANDLOCATIONSOF
THESECONVENTIONSANDTHEIRRELATIONSHIPANDTHERELATIONSHIPOFTHEPOPULARVOTETOTHEDELEGATESELECTION
PROCESS.

DEADLINEFORPRESSKITTOBEDISTRIBUTEDTOPRINTAND

ELECTRONICMEDIAOUTLETS.

MARCH16

ADDITIONALPRESSRELEASEANDPUBLICSERVICEANNOUNCEMENTS
SUITABLEFORUSEASRADIOANDTELEVISIONSPOTS

WILL

BEDISTRIBUTEDTOSTATEWIDENEWSMEDIA
TOENCOURAGEATTENDANCEATTHEMARCH19,2016PRECINCTANDCOUNTYAND
SENATEDISTRICTCONVENTIONSCONVENTIONS.ANNOUNCEMENTSINSPANISHSHALLBEPREPAREDANDDISTRIBUTEDWHERE
APPROPRIATE.

4.ImplementationoftheAffirmativeActionPlanshallbeginonSeptember15,2015,withthedistributionofthe
pressreleaseandwillcontinuethroughtheendofthedelegateselectionprocess(Rule1.F.).

B. EffortstoEducateontheDelegateSelectionProcess
1.Wellpublicizededucationalworkshopswillbeconductedineachofthedelegatedistrictsbeginningin
October2015.Theseworkshopswillbedesignedtoencourageparticipationinthedelegateselectionprocess,
includingnotifyingpotentialdelegatecandidatesoftheavailabilityoffinancialassistance.Theseworkshopswillbe
heldinplaceswhichareeasilyaccessibletopersonswithphysicaldisabilities.Thetimes,dates,locationsandrules
fortheconductofalleducationworkshops,meetingsandothereventsinvolvedinthedelegateselectionprocessshall
beeffectivelypublicizedbythePartyandwillincludemailingstovariousorganizationsrepresentativeofthe
Democraticvotingpopulace(Rules3.A.,3.C.&3.D.).
2.AvolunteerSpeakersBureaucomprisedofAffirmativeActionCommitteememberswhoarefullyfamiliar
withtheprocesswillbeorganizedtoappearbeforegroupsasneeded,toprovideinformationonthedelegate
selectionprocess.
3.TheStatePartyseducationeffortswillincludeoutreachtocommunityleaderswithintheDemocraticPartys
variousconstituenciesandensuringthatinformationaboutthedelegateselectionprocessisavailabletoDemocratic
clubsandPartycaucusesrepresentingthesespecificconstituencies.
4.TheTexasDemocraticPartywillpublishandmakeavailable,atnocost,aclearandconciseexplanationof
howDemocraticvoterscanparticipateinthedelegateselectionprocessanexplanationofhow,whereandwhen

26

personscanregistertovoteanddelegatedistrictmaps.Additionally,theStatePartyshallalsomakeavailablecopies
oftheStatePartyRules,theTexasDelegateSelectionPlan(anditsattachments),theAffirmativeActionPlanand
relevantstatestatutesonitswebsite.DocumentsrelatedtoTexasdelegateselectionprocesswillbepostedandthe
AffirmativeActionCommitteewilldistributetheminthevariousdelegatedistrictsnotlaterthanDecember5,2015
(Rule1.H.).
5.TheStatePartyshalltakeallfeasiblestepstoencouragepersonstoregisterandtovoteasDemocratsand
willseektoensuresimpleandeasyregistrationprocedures(Rule2.C.).

C. EffortstoPublicizetheDelegateSelectionProcess
1.Specialattentionshallbedirectedatpublicizingthedelegateselectionprocessinthestate.Suchpublicity
shallincludeinformationon:eligibilitytovotehowtobecomeacandidatefordelegatethetimeandlocationofeach
stageofthedelegateselectionprocessandwheretogetadditionalinformation.Theforegoinginformationwillalso
bepublishedbytheStatePartyinitsprintoronlinecommunicationsmedium.ThePartyorganization,official,
candidate,ormembercallingameetingorschedulinganeventshalleffectivelypublicizetherolethatsuchmeetingor
eventplaysintheselectionofdelegatesandalternatestotheDemocraticNationalConvention(Rules3.C.and3.D.).
2.Newspapers,radioandtelevisionwillbeutilizedtoinformthegeneralpublichow,whenandwhereto
participateinthedelegateselectionprocess.Specifically,thisinformationshouldprovidedetailsastohowtoqualify
torunasadelegatecandidate.Specialeffortshallbedirectedtothemajordailynewspapers,radioandtelevision
stationsbytheStateDemocraticChair,AffirmativeActionCommitteemembersandPartystaff.Regularreleases
duringthedelegateselectionprocesstoallothermediasources,weeklynewspapers,andwireservicesshould
completetimelycoverage(Rules4.B.(3)&6.D.).
3.ApriorityeffortshallbedirectedatpublicityamongtheDemocraticPartysconstituencies.
a.Informationaboutthedelegateselectionprocesswillbeprovidedtominoritynewspapersandradio
stationsethnicpressNativeAmerican,Asian/NativeHawaiianandPacificIslander,Spanishspeakingandother
nonEnglishpress,radiostationsandpublicationswomensorganizationsstudentnewspapersgayandlesbian
presspressdirectedtowardpersonswithdisabilitiesandanyotherspecialtymediainthestatelikelytoreachthe
DemocraticconstituencygroupssetforthintheStatementandPurposeSectionoftheAffirmativeAction,Outreach
andInclusionPlan.
b.TheTexasDemocraticPartyshallberesponsiblefortheimplementationofthispublicityeffort
.
For
purposesofprovidingadequatenoticeofthedelegateselectionprocess,thetimes,dates,locationsandrulesforthe
conductofprecinctconventionscountyandsenatedistrictconventionstheTexasStateConventiondeadlinestofile
forstandingcommitteeseatsandasaNationalConventionDelegateandsenatedistrictexecutivecommittee
meetingstimesshallbeeffectivelypublicizedincludingbilinguallytoencouragetheparticipationofminoritygroups
(Rule6D.).

4.Notlaterthan

February7,2016,apresskitshallbecreatedandprovidedonlinetoeachdailyandweekly
newspaper,aswellastotheelectronicmediaoutlets.Thepresskitwillinclude:
a.asummaryofallpertinentrulesrelatedtoTexasdelegateselectionprocess
b.amapofdelegatedistrictsandthenumberofdelegatestobeelectedwithineachdistrict

27

c.asummaryexplainingtheoperationandimportanceofthe2016Conventionand
d.materialsdesignedtoencourageparticipationbyprospectivedelegatecandidates.

D. RepresentationGoals
1.TheStatePartyhasdeterminedthedemographiccompositionofAfricanAmericans,Hispanics,Native
Americans,andAsian/PacificAmericansinthestatesparticipatingDemocraticelectorate.Theseconstituency
percentagesshallbeestablishedasgoalsforrepresentationinTexasconventiondelegation(Rule6.A.).
2.TheStatePartyhasdeterminedthedemographiccompositionofmembersoftheLGBTcommunity,persons
withdisabilities,andyouthinthestatesparticipatingDemocraticelectorate.TheStatePartyhaschosentoestablish
thesepercentagesasgoalsforrepresentationinTexasconventiondelegationaswell.
3.PriortodeterminingtherepresentationgoalsforTexas,theAffirmativeActionCommitteeunanimously
agreedthatnoconstituencygroupwoulddropbelowthepercentageofdelegatesapprovedasrepresentationgoalsin
the2012AffirmativeActionPlan.
4.Inordertoaccuratelyestablishrepresentationgoals,theStatePartyhasworkeddiligentlytodetermine

the
demographiccomposition,percentageoftheparticipatingelectorate,andDemocraticsupportlevelsofalltraditionally
underrepresentedgroupswithintheTexasDemocraticconstituency.
In2012,theStatePartyconsultedmanydiverseresourcesincluding,butnotlimitedto,theTDPvoterfileandVoter
ActivationNetwork(VAN),censusnumbersandanalysisfromtheU.S.CensusBureau,theAmericanCommunity
Survey,theTexasStateDataCenter,availablepollingdata(includingfor2010TexasLyceum,PPP,Public
Strategies,theUniversityofTexas,LatinoDecisions,theAsianAmericanLegalDefenseandEducationFundandthe
PewHispanicCenterandfor2008Research2000,theTexasLyceum,theUniversityofTexas,thePewHispanic
Center,theVelasquezInstitute(onlineexitpoll,andCNNexitpolling).Additionally,analyticaldatafromthePew
HispanicInstitutewasconsideredaswellasanumberofuniversitystudiesandadvocacygrouppublications.
In2015,theStatePartyaveragedconstituencypercentagesoftheDemocraticelectorateacrossfourelections.Using
VANthestatepartypulleddataonthe2008,2010,2012and2014GeneralElections.Thecountswerecomprisedof
3modelsthatdeterminebothlikelypartisanshipandlikelyethnicity.TheClaritysupportscoresshowthelikelihoodof
avotertobeDemocratic.TheLikelyEthnicityModel(whichwasusedinthiscasetodeterminerace)usesmultiple
pointsofdatatodeterminethelikelihoodthatapersonisacertainrace.Therearethreesubsectionsoflikelihoodthat
werecombined.
TheAffirmativeActionCommitteehasmadeeveryefforttobesurethateachgroupsrepresentationisatleastequal
tothatgroupsparticipationpercentageofthetotalparticipatingDemocraticelectorate.Additionally,tofurtherensure
thediversityoftheTexasDelegationtheStateCommitteedecidedtoslightlyincreasethedelegategoalsforthe
AfricanAmerican,AsianAmericanandHispanicgroupsabovethelevelofeachgroupsparticipation.
5.Representationalgoalsaredeterminedasfollows:

AfricanAmerican
TherepresentationgoalforAfricanAmericansis74delegates(themathinitiallyindicatedthat
AfricanAmericansconstituted27.7%oftheparticipatingDemocraticelectoratewhichwasadjustedupto29.2%).
Utilizingafourgeneralelectionaveragetherepresentationgoalequals56delegates(AfricanAmericansconstituted
23.25%oftheparticipatingDemocraticelectorate).Inordertonotreversecourseonaffirmativeactionthecommittee
electedtoutilizethe2012formula.

28

AsianAmericans
TherepresentationgoalforAsianAmericansis12delegates(themathinitiallyfoundthat
AsianAmericansconstitutedjustunder5%oftheparticipatingDemocraticelectorateandwasadjusteduptofull
5.2%).Utilizingafourgeneralelectionaveragetherepresentationgoalequals5delegates(AsianAmericans
constituted2%oftheparticipatingDemocraticelectorate).Inordertonotreversecourseonaffirmativeactionthe
committeeelectedtoutilizethe2012formula.
Hispanic
TherepresentationgoalforHispanicis75delegates.The2012mathinitiallyfoundthattheHispanics
constituted29.2%oftheparticipatingDemocraticelectoratewhichwasadjustedupto31.1%,resultingin74
delegates.Utilizingafourgeneralelectionaveragetherepresentationgoalequals75delegates(Hispanics
constituted31.5%oftheparticipatingDemocraticelectorate).Thecommitteeelectedtoutilizethefourgeneral
electionaverageformula.
NativeAmerican
ParticipationbyNativeAmericansintheDemocraticelectorateremainswellbelowone(1)percent.
ThePartyvaluesthissupportiveconstituencyandtherepresentationgoalforNativeAmericansis1delegate.
LGBT
FortheLGBTconstituency,theStatePartyutilizedanestimateofthetotalparticipatingDemocraticElectorate
(7%)suggestedbyadvocacygroupsandconfirmedbylimitedavailablepollingdataandpostelectionanalysisand
endorsedbytheStonewallDemocrats,agroupalliedwiththeTexasLGBTcommunity.Therepresentationgoalfor
LGBTDemocratsis17delegates
Disability
ThepercentageofthetotalparticipatingDemocraticElectorateforpersonswithdisabilitieswasderivedby
utilizingacombinationofCensusBureaunumbers,AmericanCommunitySurveyestimates,informationfrom
advocacygroupsandasmallbutconsistentbodyofuniversitystudies.Thedatashowsthatapproximately11.5%of
thestatepopulationisdisabled.Thedisabledpopulationisdisproportionatelyolderandsomewhatlesslikelyto
participate.ThedisabledpopulationthatdoesparticipatetendstobesomewhatmoreDemocraticthanthepopulation
ingeneral.TheAffirmativeActionCommitteeconcludedthatdisabledindividualsaccountforapproximately12.5%of
thetotalparticipatingDemocraticElectorate,resultingin30delegates.
Youth
ThepercentageofthetotalparticipatingDemocraticElectoratefortheyouthconstituencywasderivedby
usingtheactualrawnumberofyouthindicatedintheTexasDemocraticPartysvoterfiletoestablishthelevelof
participation.However,theAffirmativeActionCommitteealsoconcludedthatyoungvoterstendtobeslightlymore
ethnicallydiversethanthegeneralpopulationandslightlymoreDemocratic.Theseconsiderationsresultedinthe
assignmentof21.7%ofthetotalparticipatingDemocraticElectorate(56Delegates)torepresenttheYouthatthe
NationalConvention.
6.Inthe2012AffirmativeActionPlan,tocalculatetherepresentationgoalsforthespecifiedgroupmembers,
rawnumbersofidentified<AfricanAmericans/Hispanics/AsianAmericans/NativeAmericans>weredrawnfromthe
TexasDemocraticPartys(TDPs)voterfile.Suchindividualswereidentifiedforeachgroupusingtheaccepted
methodologyofmatchingtraditionallastnamesasocalledethnicmatch(e.g.RamirezforHispanicvoter).These
rawnumberswerefurthersupportedbycensus,ethnicityandneighborhoodmatchingdata.Inordertomore
accuratelyapproximatethenumberofactualvotersinaparticulargroup,however,aCorrectionfortheQualityof
EthnicMatchwasutilizedwithintheAffirmativeActionDelegateformula.Suchcorrectionwasbasedondata
suppliedbythevendorsTDPutilizedtodeterminetheethnicmatches,plusavailableexitpollingdataand
postelectionanalysisfromavarietyofsources,inordertogivetheStatePartyanumericalfiguremore
representativeofthetargetpopulationsandtoensureeachfigurecompensatedfortheexpectedpercentageofethnic
votersthateachethnicmatchmightmiss.(Importantly,theTDPsvoterfilevendorhasacquiredoveradecadeof
experiencewiththeTexasvoterfile,includingworkingwithothervendorsonimprovingthequalityofTDPsethnicity
match.Further,theAffirmativeActionCommitteedidnotrelysolelyonthevendorsconclusionsbutconsulted
numerousothersources.Ineachcasethisadditionaldataresultedinanincreaseinthecorrectionadjustment

29

appliedtotheaffectedconstituency).Thiscorrectedfigurewasthenmultipliedbythepercentageof
<AfricanAmericans/Hispanics/AsianAmericans/NativeAmericans>likelytovoteDemocraticandthendividedbythe
numberofDemocraticvotesforPresidentandGovernor(in2008and2010,respectively)inordertodeterminethe
percentageoftotalparticipatingDemocraticElectorateforthesegroups.ThetotalnumberofNationalDelegates
ascribedtoTexaswasthendividedbythispercentageofthetotalparticipating
D
emocraticElectorate
D
givingus
thefinalnumericalrepresentationgoalforeachconstituencynotedintheAffirmativeActionplan.
In2015,theStatePartycreatedanadditionalmethodbyaveragingconstituencypercentagesoftheDemocratic
electorateacrossfourelections.ThetotalnumberofNationalDelegatesascribedtoTexaswasthendividedbythis
percentageofthetotalparticipating
D
emocraticElectorate
D
givingusthefinalnumericalrepresentationgoalfor
eachconstituencynotedintheAffirmativeActionplan.Foreachconstituency,theAffirmativeActioncommitteethen
selectedthe2012or2015formulathateitherincreasedorheldharmlessrepresentationforeachconstituency.

SummaryofRepresentationGoals:

Thesepercentagesareappliedtoatotaldelegationof239delegates

AfricanAmerican
29.2%
70delegates

AsianAmerican
5.2%
12delegates

Hispanic
31.5%
75delegates

NativeAmerican>.5%
1delegate

LGBT
7.1%17delegates

Disabled
12.5%
30delegates

Youth
21.7%

52delegates

7.WhenselectingtheAtLargeportionofthedelegation,thedemographiccompositionoftheotherdelegates
(i.e.districtlevel,pledgedPLEO,andunpledged)shallbecomparedwiththeStatePartysgoalsinordertoachieve
anatlargeselectionprocesswhichhelpstobringaboutarepresentativebalance.
8.UseoftheAtLargedelegationtoachievetheaffirmativeactiongoalsestablishedbythisPlandoesnot
obviatetheneedfortheStatePartytoconductoutreachactivitiessuchasrecruitment,educationandtraining(Rule
6.A.(3)).
E. ObligationsofPresidentialCandidatestoMaximizeParticipation
1.PresidentialcandidatesshallassisttheTexasDemocraticPartyinmeetingthedemographicrepresentation
goalsreflectedintheAffirmativeActionPlan(Rule6.H.).
2.EachpresidentialcandidatemustsubmitawrittenstatementtotheStateDemocraticChairbyFebruary1,
2016whichindicatesthespecificstepsheorshewilltaketoencouragefullparticipationinTexasdelegateselection
process,including,butnotlimitedto,proceduresbywhichindividualsmayfileasacandidateforconventiondelegate
oralternate(Rule6.H.(1)).

3.Eachpresidentialcandidatemustsubmitdemographicinformationwithrespecttoallcandidatesfordelegate
andalternatepledgedtothem.Suchinformationshallbesubmittedinconjunctionwiththelistofnamesapprovedfor
considerationasdelegateandalternatecandidatespledgedtothepresidentialcandidate(Rule6.H.(2)).

30

4.Presidentialcandidates(includinguncommittedstatus)shallusetheirbestefforttoensurethattheirrespective
delegationswithinTexasdelegate,alternateandstandingcommitteedelegationsshallachievetheaffirmativeaction
goalsreflectedintheAffirmativeActionPlanandthattherespectivedelegationsofeachpresidentialcandidateshall
beequallydividedbetweenmenandwomen.Furthermore,presidentialcandidatesshallusetheirbesteffortsatthe
districtleveltoapprovedelegateandalternatecandidateswhomeetapplicableequaldivisionandaffirmativeaction
considera
tionsinordertoachievetheaffirmativeactiongoalsandequaldivisionfortheirrespectivedelegations(Rule
6.I.&Reg.4.9.).

SectionVIIIChallenges
A. Jurisdiction&Standing
1.Challengesrelatedtothedelegateselectionprocessaregovernedbythe
RegulationsoftheDNCRulesand
BylawsCommitteeforthe2016DemocraticNationalConvention
(Reg.,Sec.3.),andtheRulesofProcedureofthe
CredentialsCommitteeofthe2016DemocraticNationalConvention.(Call,AppendixA.)
2.UnderRule20.B.ofthe
2016DelegateSelectionRules,
theDNCRulesandBylawsCommitteehas
jurisdictionoverchallengespertainingtothesubmission,nonimplementationandviolationofstateDelegate
SelectionandAffirmativeActionPlans(Rule20.B.,Call,AppendixA).
3.TheRulesandBylawsCommitteehasjurisdictiontohearanddecideanychallenge,provideditisinitiated
before
the56thdayprecedingthedateofthecommencementofthe2016DemocraticNationalConvention(Call,
AppendixA.&Reg.,3.1.).
4.Anychallengetothecredentialsofastandingcommitteemembershallbeconsideredandresolvedbythe
affectedstandingcommitteeinaccordancewithAppendixAofthe
Callforthe2016DemocraticNationalConvention
.
TheRulesandBylawsCommitteeshallhavejurisdictionoverchallengesbrought
before
the56thdayprecedingthe
dateofthecommencementoftheDemocraticNationalConvention(Call,VII.B.5.).
5.Challengestothecredentialsofdelegatesandalternatestothe2012DemocraticNationalConvention
initiated
onorafter
the56thdayprecedingthedateofcommencementoftheDemocraticNationalConventionshall
beprocessedinaccordancewiththeRulesofProcedureoftheCredentialsCommitteeofthe2016Democratic
NationalConvention.(Call,AppendixA,).
6.CopiesoftheRegulationsoftheRulesandBylawsCommitteeand/ortheCallforthe2016Democratic
NationalConvention,includingtheRulesofProcedureoftheCredentialsCommittee(Call,AppendixA),shallbe
madeavailablebytheStatePartyuponreasonablerequest.
7.Anygroupoffifteen(15)Democratswithstandingtochallenge(asdefinedinReg.3.2ortheCall,Appendix
A,Sec.2.A.),maybringachallengetothisPlanortotheimplementationofthisPlan,includingitsAffirmativeAction
provisions.
B. ChallengestotheStatusoftheStatePartyandChallengestothePlan

1.AchallengetothestatusoftheStatePartyCommitteeasthebodyentitledtosponsoradelegationfromthat
stateshallbefiledwiththeRulesandBylawsCommitteenotlaterthanthirty(30)calendardayspriortotheinitiation
ofTexasdelegateselectionprocess(Rule20.A.&Reg.3.4.A.).

31

2.AchallengetothestatesDelegateSelectionPlanshallbefiledwiththeChairoftheTexasDemocratic
PartyandtheCoChairsoftheRulesandBylawsCommitteewithinfifteen(15)calendardaysaftertheadoptionofthe
PlanbytheStateParty(Reg.3.4.B.).
3.AchallengetoaPlanmustbebroughtinconformitywiththeRulesandtheRegs.,whichshouldbe
consultedforadetailedexplanationofchallengeprocedures.
C. ChallengestoImplementation
1.AchallengemaybebroughtallegingthataspecificrequirementofanapprovedPlanhasnotbeenproperly
implemented.JurisdictionoverallchallengesinitiatedinatimelyfashionshallresidewitheithertheRulesandBylaws
CommitteeortheCredentialsCommitteeoftheNationalConvention(SeeSectionVIII.A.above).However,theRules
andBylawsCommitteemayprovideadvice,assistanceorinterpretationsoftheDelegateSelectionRulesatany
stageofthedelegateselectionprocess(Reg.3.1.C.).
2.AnimplementationchallengebroughtbeforetheRulesandBylawsCommitteeisinitiatedbyfilingawritten
challengewiththeStatePartyCommitteeandwiththeRulesandBylawsCommitteenotlaterthanfifteen(15)days
aftertheallegedviolationoccurred.TheStatePartyhastwentyone(21)daystorenderadecision.Withinten(10)
daysofthedecision,anypartytothechallengemayappealittotheRulesandBylawsCommittee.However,ifthe
StatePartyrendersnodecision,anypartytothechallengemayrequesttheRulesandBylawsCommitteetoprocess
it.Therequestmustbemadewithinten(10)daysafterexpirationoftheabovetwentyone(21)dayperiod(Reg.
3.4.C.,E.,&H.).
3.PerformanceunderanapprovedAffirmativeActionPlanandcompositionofthecon
ventiondelegationshall
beconsideredrelevantevidenceinthechallengetoanystatedelegation.IfaStatePartyhasadoptedand
implementedanapprovedaffirmativeactionprogram,theStatePartyshallnotbesubjecttochallengebasedsolely
ondelegationcompositionorprimaryresults(Rule6.B.).Theproceduresarethesameforchallengesallegingfailure
toproperlyimplementtheAffirmativeActionsectionofaPlan,exceptthatsuchchallengesmustbefilednotlaterthan
thirty(30)dayspriortotheinitiationofTexasdelegateselectionprocess(Reg.3.4.C.).
4.Dependingontheappropriatejurisdiction(seeSectionVIII.A.above),implementationchallengesmustbe
broughtinconformitywiththeRegulationsoftheRulesandBylawsCommitteeortheRulesofProcedureofthe
CredentialsCommittee,whichshouldbeconsultedforadetailedexplanationofchallengeprocedures.

SectionIXSummaryofPlan
A. SelectionofDelegatesandAlternates
TexaswilluseaproportionalrepresentationsystembasedontheresultsofboththeStaterunPrimaryandcaucuses
inapportioningitsdelegatestothe2016DemocraticNationalConvention.
ThefirstdeterminingstepofTexasdelegateselectionprocesswilloccuronApril3,2012withaStaterunPrimary.
Delegatesandalternateswillbeselectedassummarizedonthefollowingchart:

Type

Dele
gates

Alter
nates

DateofSelection

SelectingBody

32


FilingRequirementsandDeadlines

DistrictLevelDele
gates

136

17

6/18/16

SenatorialCaucuses

6/18/16

DistrictLevelAlternates

Filedelegateapplication(Statementof
Candidacy)byMay19,2016

UnpledgedPartyLeader

31

N/A

N/A

andElectedOfficialDelegates*

Automaticbyvirtueofrespectivepublicor
PartyofficeasprovidedinRule9.A.ofthe
2016DelegateSelectionRules.

PledgedPartyLeadersand
ElectedOfficials(PLEOs)

27

6/18/16

StateConvention

Filedelegateapplication(Statementof
Candidacy)byMay19,2016

AtLargeDele
gates

45

6/18/16

6/18/16

Filedelegateapplication(Statementof
Candidacy)byMay19,2016

AtLargeAlternates

TOTALDelegatesand
Alternates

StateConvention

239

17

ApersoneligibleforapledgedpartyandelectedofficialdelegatepositionwhohasnotfiledaStatementof
CandidacyunderArticleII.C.ofthePlanshallhaveone(1)houraftertheelectionofthedistrictleveldelegatesand
alternatestofileaStatementofCandidacy.
* UnpledgedPartyLeaderandElectedOfficial(PLEO)delegatesincludesthefollowingcategories,ifapplicable,
wholegallyresideinthestate:theDemocraticNationalCommitteeMemberstheDemocraticPresidentthe
DemocraticVicePresidentallDemocraticMembersofCongresstheDemocraticGovernorandanyother

33

DistinguishedPartyLeaderasspecifiedinRule9.A.ofthe
2016DelegateSelectionRules
.Theexactnumberof
UnpledgedPLEODelegatesissubjecttochangeduetopossibledeaths,resignations,electionsorspecialelections.

B.

SELECTIONOFSTANDINGCOMMITTEEMEMBERS(FORTHECREDENTIALS,PLATFORMANDRULESCOMMITTEES)

Twentyseven(27)StandingCommitteeMembers(nineoneachofthethreestandingcommittees)willbeselectedby
theNationalConventionDelegatesonJune18,2016,basedonnominationsreceivedfromthepresidential
candidatesbythatdate.PresidentialcampaignsmustcertifytheirnominationsforStandingCommitteepositionsno
laterthanadjournmentoftheStateConvention.
StandingcommitteememberswillbeselectedbythestatesNationalConventiondelegatesassummarizedbelow:

MembersPerCommittee
TotalMembers SelectionDate FilingRequirementsandDeadlines

27

6/18/16

ElectedbyNationalDelegates

C. SelectionofDelegationChairandConventionPages
TheDelegationChairwillbeselectedbytheNationalConventionDelegatesonJune18,2016.
Six(6)ConventionPageswillbeselectedbytheStateDemocraticChaironJune18,2016.

D. PresidentialCandidateFilingDeadline
PresidentialcandidatesmustfilewiththeTexasDemocraticPartyChairmanbyDecember8,2016toparticipatein
the2012TexasDemocraticPrimary(Del.Sel.Rule14.E.).PresidentialCandidatesmustcertifytheirauthorized
representative(s)totheStatePartynolaterthanFebruary1,2012.
E. Timetable

Date

Activity

2015

March1

DelegateSelectionAffirmativeAction
CommitteemembersareappointedbytheStateChair.

34

FebMarch21

AffirmativeActionCommitteemeetstodraft
proposedDelegateSelectionandAffirmativeActionPlans.

March21

ProposedDelegateSelectionandAffirmativeAction
PlansaretentativelyapprovedforpubliccommentbyStatePartyAffirmative
ActionCommittee.

March21

PubliccommentsaresolicitedontheproposedDelegateSelectionandAffirmative
ActionPlans.Pressreleasesaresentannouncingthepubliccommentperiod.

April21,

PeriodforpubliccommentonstatePlanisconcluded.Responsesarecompiledfor
reviewbytheStatePartyCommittee.

byMay1

StatePartyCommitteereviewspubliccommentsandadopts
revisedDelegateSelectionandAffirmativeActionPlans
forsubmissiontoDNCRulesandBylawsCommittee.Pressreleasesaremailed
announcingtheapprovalofthePlan.

May5,2015

DelegateSelectionandAffirmativeActionPlans
areforwardedtotheDNCRulesandBylawsCommittee.

September15,2015 StatePartybeginsimplementationoftheAffirmativeActionPlan.Pressrelease,as
describedintheAffirmativeActionPlan,issenttoallstatemedia.

October1,2016

Locationanddatesforaseriesofworkshopsonhowto
becomeadelegatetotheNationalConventiontobeannounced.

October1,2015

Abrochuresummarizingtheprocessbywhichtobecome
aNationalDelegatewillbereadyformassdistribution.

2016

Deadlineforpresidentialcandidatestosubmitafullparticipationletter.

35

Presidentialcandidatedeadlineforcertifyingthename(s)oftheirauthorized
representative(s)totheStateParty.

PressreleasetobedistributedtotheStatewidenewsmediaemphasizingthe
importanceofthePrimaryPrecinctConventionsthetimeandlocationsofthese
conventionsandtheirrelationshiptothedelegateselectionprocess.

StateCommitteeapprovesamendedDelegateSelectionPlan.

Pressreleaseandpublicserviceannouncements(PSAs)tobedistributed

totheStatewidenewsmediatoencourageattendanceatthePrimaryPrecinct
Conventions.AnnouncementsinSpanishtobepreparedand

distributedwhereappropriate.

March1,2016

PresidentialpreferencePrimary.

`March12

StatePartycertifiesresultsofPrimarydistrictlevel
delegatesareallocatedaccordingtopresidentialpreference.

April16May15

PledgedPLEO,DistrictLevelandatlargedelegate
oralternatecandidatedeadlineforfilingtheStatementofCandidacyandpledgeof
supportformswithStateParty.

March21

DelegateandalternatecandidatesmayobtaintheStatementofCandidacy
andpledgeofsupportformsandfilinginstructionsfromtheStateParty
CommitteeHeadquartersinperson,bymailorfromthe

36

TexasDemocraticPartyswebsiteat:

www.txdemocrats.org
.

May19

NationalleveldelegateandalternatedeadlineforfilingStatementof
CandidacyandpledgeofsupportformswithStateParty.

June1

StatePartyprovideslistofdistrictleveldelegateandalternatecandidates
totherespectivePresidentialcandidates.

StatePartyprovideslistofPLEOandatlargedelegateandalternate
candidatestotherespectivePresidentialcandidates.

June15

Presidentialcandidatesprovidelistofapproveddistrictleveldelegate
andalternatecandidatestoStateParty.

June17

StateConventionconvenes.Districtleveldelegatesandalternates
selectedbysenatedistrictcaucusesattheStateConvention.

June18

PresidentialcandidatesprovideapprovedlistofpledgedPLEOdelegate
candidatestoStateChaironehouraftercertificationofdistrictlevel
delegates.

PledgedPLEOdelegatesselected.

FollowingselectionofPLEOdelegates,presidentialcandidatesprovide
approvedlistofAtLargedelegateandalternatecandidatestoStateChair.State
ConventionselectsAtLargedelegatesandalternates.

Aftertheentiredelegationisselected,presidentialcandidatessubmitlists
ofcandidatesforstandingcommitteememberstoStateChair.
(Thedeadlineforfilingthelistofpresidentialcandidateapproved
AtLargedelegatesisaftertheselectionofthePledgedPartyandElectedOfficial
Delegates).

NationalConventiondelegationmeetingtakesplace.Delegation
selectstheNationalConventionstandingcommitteemembersand
delegationchair.StateChairnamesconventionpages.

37

June21

June21:StateChaircertifiesstandingcommitteemembers,Delegation
ChairandConventionpagestotheSecretaryofthe
DemocraticNationalCommittee..

June21

StateChaircertifieselecteddistrictleveldelegates
totheSecretaryoftheDemocraticNationalCommittee.

June21

StateChaircertifiesallotherelecteddelegates

(PLEOandatlarge)andalternatestotheSecretaryofthe

DemocraticNationalCommittee.

ExhibitstotheAffirmativeActionPlan
A. MembersoftheAffirmativeActionCommittee
PleaseseeattachedExhibit#1,AffirmativeActionCommitteeMembershipRoster.

B. MediaOutletstobeContactedRegardingtheDelegateSelectionProcess
1.MajorDailyNewspapers,RadioandTelevisionStationsandOtherNonMinorityMediaOutlets

PleaseseeattachedExhibit#2A,MajorDailyNewspapers,RadioandTelevision.

PleaseseeattachedExhibit#2B,OtherNomMinorityWeekly,WireandOther.
2.ConstituencyandSpecialtyMediaOutletsandTargetedGroups

PleaseseeattachedExhibit#2C,ConstituencyandSpecialtyMediaOutletRecipients.

AttachmentstotheDelegateSelectionPlan
[AsspecifiedinReg.2.2,thefollowingdocumentationmustaccompanythestatesDelegateSelectionPlanatthe
timeitisformallysubmittedtotheRulesandBylawsCommittee.]
1.
Asummary
oftheprocessforselectingdelegates,alternates,standingcommitteemembers,thedelegation
chairandconventionpages,alongwithrelateddeadlines.PleaseseesectionIXofthePlan,pg.31(Reg.2.2.A.).
2.
Atimetable
reflectingallsignificantdatesinthestatesdelegateselectionprocess.PleaseseeSectionIXofthe
Planpg.31(Reg.2.2.B.).

38

3.
AstatementfromtheStateDemocraticChaircertifyingthePlan
assubmittedtotheRBCwasapprovedby
theStatePartyCommittee.PleaseseeSubmissionLetter,(Reg.2.2.C.).
4.
Acopyofthepressrelease
distributedbytheStatePartyCommitteeannouncingitsadoptionofthePlanand
summarizingthemajorcomponentsofthePlan.(Reg.2.2.D.)
5. AstatementfromtheStateChaircertifyingthattheproposedPlanincludingallattachmentsandappendiceswas
placedontheStatePartywebsiteduringthe30daypubliccommentperiod.PleaseseeSubmissionLetter,(Reg.
2.2,E.).
6.
AstatementfromtheStateDemocraticChaircertifyingcompliancewithRule1.C.
whichrequiresa30
daypubliccommentperiodpriortotheadoptionofthePlanbytheStateParty.PleaseseeSubmissionLetter,(Reg.
2.2.F.).
7.
CopiesofallwrittenpubliccommentsonthePlan.PleaseseeAttachment#3
(Reg.2.2.G.).
8. A
blankcopyofformstobefiledwiththestateortheStatePartybydelegatecandidates
.Pleasesee
Attachment#4(Reg.2.2.H.).
9.
AstatementfromtheChairoftheAffirmativeActionCommitteecertifyingcompliancewithRule6.F.,
whichrequiresthattheAffirmativeActionCommitteehasreviewedtheproposedAffirmativeActionoutreachplan.
PleaseseeAttachment#5(Reg.2.2.I).
10. AstatementfromtheStateChairoutliningthereliabledataandsourceusedfornumericalgoalsestablished
underRules5.C,6.Aand7.PleaseseeSubmissionLetter,(Reg.2.2,J,).
11. AstatementfromtheStateChaircertifyingthattheStateAffirmativeActionCommitteecompositioncomplies
withRules5.C,6.A,and7andthatthenames,demographicdataandcontactinformationofmemberswassubmitted
totheRBCnolaterthan15daysafterappointment.PleaseseeSubmissionLetter,(Reg.2.2,K.).
12.
CopiesofallstatestatutesreasonablyrelatedtotheDelegateSelectionProcess.Pleasesee
Attachment#6
(Reg.2.2.L.).
13.
AcopyofallqualifyingformstobefiledwiththestateortheStatePartybypresidentialcandidates.
PleaseseeAttachment#7
(Reg.2.2.M.).

39