SO... YOU WANT TO BE A DELEGATE.

SO... YOU WANT TO BE A DELEGATE.

By Julia Kennedy Beckman, Democratic State Central Committeewoman, 11^th Congressional District

Even though the Presidential election is 18 months away, the campaign has been heating up for months.  Here are a few facts about being a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2020:

Where and when:  Milwaukee, WI, July 13 to 16, 2020.  The Democratic Party of Illinois (DPI) will use the comprehensive delegate selection plan issued by the DNC mandating diversity, the strength of our party. 

Illinois has a total of 184 delegates and 13 alternates as follows:

101 – elected from 18 Congressional districts
  20 – pledged party leaders and elected officials
  34 – at large delegates
  13 – at large alternate delegates
  ?? – automatic delegates (Democratic Senators, Congressional representative, Governor, etc.)

Each Congressional District is allowed a certain number of delegates.  The five Congressional Districts in Downers Grove Township are as follows:

3^rd – 3 males, 3 females
5^th – 4 males, 3 females
6^th – 3 males, 3 females
8^th – 2 males, 3 females
11^th – 2 males, 3 females

Each delegate candidate will identify with one Presidential candidate.

Here’s the problem:  24 presidential candidates and counting.    If they all file in Illinois, our districts could have between 120 and 168 delegate candidates on the March primary ballot – EEK!  But the bright side is so many opportunities to be a delegate!

Some important dates and details:

Each delegate candidate must file at least 500 petition signatures.  Signature gathering will begin October 10, 2019.

Filing dates are January 6 – 8, 2020 in Springfield at the State Board of Elections.  At the same time, Statement of Candidacy and presidential preference must be filed with the DPI, also in Springfield.  It’s best to file as a slate so that each candidate needs to collect only 100 signatures.

IMPORTANT:  In reality, Presidential candidates will select delegates.  Join a campaign as soon as it establishes in Illinois. 

Did I mention diversity?    Here is the desired breakdown, statewide.  Not a quota, a guideline:

African American – 40; Hispanic – 28; Asian American – 9; Native American – 1; LGBTQ+ - 9; Disabled – 24 and Youth (under 36 yrs of age) – 63.   Notice Caucasians aren’t mentioned, they will be included in the non-ethnic and at large groups. 

Need more details?  Go to:   democraticpartyofillinois.com/2020info for the entire selection plan and list of candidates or

Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association at https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5003453/2020-DNC-Delegate-Sign-Up to record your contact information and presidential preference.  It will be forwarded to the campaign of your choice or

Julia Beckman:  beckman110@comcast.net

Stay tuned for further details!