Precinct Conventions are Not Just About Delegates

LIBERTY, February 24, 2008 - The primary election in Texas is only nine days away, and on the same night of March 4 the convention process begins with Democratic Precinct Conventions held at every polling place at 7:15 p.m. Precinct Conventions will determine 35% of the delegates each candidate for President will receive to take to the national convention. A lot of attention will be placed on these precinct conventions as a way for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to pick up additional delegates.

But there's more to the precinct convention than just choosing a presidential candidate. Those who attend the precinct convention also have a chance to influence the party platform and to advocate specific legislative agenda through the resolutions process.

Once every two years, the grassroots of the party have the opportunity to express their views as a collective voice and this process should be taken seriously by Democratic lawmakers. The is participatory Democracy at its' finest.

If you want to introduce a resolution on an issue that is important to you, you don't necessarily need to write the resolution from scratch. You might find something on the internet. For example, if you want a resolution on health care, try a Google search for "health care" and "whereas," because resolutions invariably include the word "whereas." You can edit the resolution as you see fit, and close it with "Submitted to and Adopted by Precinct __ in __________ County, Texas, Senatorial District ___ on March 4, 2008" and add a signature line for the precinct convention secretary. If your resolution will call for specific legislation to be enacted, include a "resolved" clause with wording similar to this: "BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Texas Democratic Party urges the Congressional delegation from Texas to draft and support legislation" establishing whatever provisions you seek.

Resolutions have a much better chance of rising to the level of the state convention if they are introduced in multiple counties and senatorial districts.