Proposed Democratic Party of Wisconsin 2020 Delegate Selection Plan Overview:
I. General Information on the 2020 DNC Convention
II. About the Delegate Selection Process
a. Types of Delegates
b. Convention Standing Committee Members
c. Diversity goals
III. How to Run for Delegate
IV. Summary of Deadlines
General Information on the 2020 Democratic National Convention
The 2020 Democratic National Convention will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 13 to 16th, 2020. The convention is a major event in the life of a political party and convention delegates are at the heart of all decisions made. In addition to voting for the party’s presidential and vice presidential nominee, delegates to the Democratic National Convention have an opportunity to vote on the party’s platform and resolutions, as well as the rules that govern the party.
Wisconsin will select a total of 90 delegates and 6 alternates for the 2020 Convention.
About the Delegate Selection Process
Any qualified Wisconsin elector who subscribes to the beliefs of the Democratic Party is eligible to run for a spot as a convention delegate in Milwaukee.
There are four types of delegates:
- District Level Delegates and Alternates
- Pledged Party Leaders and Elected Officials (PLEOs)
- At-Large Delegates and Alternates
- Automatic Party Leader and Elected Official Delegates
In addition, the party will elect members to serve on the convention’s three standing committees: Credentials, Platform and Rules.
A. Types of Delegates
1) District Level Delegates and Alternates
Wisconsin has a total of 50 district-level delegates and 5 alternates. Each congressional district is allotted a percentage of those delegates based on the 2016 and 2018 Democratic performance in that district. The breakdown for the 2020 convention is as follows:
2) Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official Delegates
Wisconsin is allotted ten Pledged Party Leader and Election Official (PLEO) delegates.
Individuals shall be eligible for the PLEO delegate positions according to the following priority:
- Large city mayors (Milwaukee and Madison) and state-wide elected officials
- State legislative leaders
- State legislators
- Other state, county and local elected officials and party leaders
If person eligible for PLEO delegate positions have not already made known their presidential preference (or uncommitted status) as candidates for district-level or at-large delegate positions, their preference shall be ascertained through their statement of inten
3) At-Large Delegates and Alternates
Wisconsin is allotted 17 at-large delegates and one at-large alternate. The statement of candidacy for at-large delegates and for at-large alternates will be the same. After the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s Administrative Committee elects the at-large delegates, those persons not chosen for delegate will then be considered candidates for at-large alternate positions unless they specify otherwise when filing.
In the selection of the at-large delegation, priority consideration will be given to African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian/Pacific Americans. Additionally, in order to continue the Democratic Party’s ongoing efforts to include groups historically under-represented in the Democratic Party’s affairs, priority consideration will also be given to other groups by virtue of age, sexual orientation/gender identity or disability.
4) Automatic Party Leaders and Elected Official Delegates
Wisconsin has thirteen automatic delegates. These individuals are automatic by virtue of respective public or Party office as provided in III, B. 1. Of the 2020 Wisconsin Delegate Selection Rules. Individuals in this category include members of the Democratic National Committee who legally reside in the state and all of Wisconsin’s Democratic Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate and the Governor of Wisconsin.
B. Convention Standing Committee Members
Wisconsin will also send members to participate in the Democratic National Convention’s three standing committees: the Platform Committee, the Credentials Committee, and the Rules Committee.
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is allotted three members per committee. Any Democrat who is a qualified elector (being 18 years of age on or before April 7, 2020) is eligible to apply for a committee position. One does not have to be a delegate to apply for this position.
Committee members will be selected by a quorum of Wisconsin’s delegation to the DNC convention on June 13, 2020, following the adjournment of the State Convention. Presidential candidates will be responsible for submitting names to be considered for those spots.
Diversity Goal
It is important to note that the party strongly invites all interested individuals to run for a position as convention delegate. To encourage the fullest participation, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin has established delegation goals for traditionally underrepresented groups. The party will make efforts to reach out to leaders in these communities and conduct trainings and provide other information necessary to encourage people of all backgrounds to participate in the process. Wisconsin hopes to send the most diverse delegation possible to the Milwaukee Democratic National Convention in 2020. The chart below will show the delegation goals that have been set by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
How to Run for Delegate:
In order to run for delegate, one must be:
• 18 years old on or before April 7, 2020
• A resident of Wisconsin and a citizen of the US
• A registered voter in the district in which he or she is running
Step One: Statement of Candidacy and Support
In order to qualify as a district-level delegate or alternate, an individual must file a statement of candidacy designating his or her presidential (or uncommitted) preference and a signed pledge of support for the presidential candidate (including uncommitted status) with the State Party headquarters by 5:00p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2020. These forms will be available on February 10, 2020.
Step Two: County Level Caucus
Wisconsin operates on a two-tier caucus system. The first tier will take place at the county level on Sunday, April 26, 2020. One must register between 1:00p.m. and 2:00p.m. The caucus will begin at 2:00 p.m. and will choose delegates to represent the county at the congressional district caucus. The exact location of each caucus will be released by the county parties no later than March 13, 2020.
Step Three: Congressional District Caucus
The congressional district level caucus will be on Sunday, May 17, 2020. One must register between 1:00p.m. and 2:00p.m., at which time the caucus will begin. The exact locations of the congressional district caucus will be released no later than March 27, 2020. Congressional district caucuses will select delegates and alternates, pending approval of the presidential campaigns.
To run as a PLEO or at-large delegate, one must submit the same statement of intent for this position to the state party by May 29, 2020.
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s Administrative Committee will select the 10 PLEO delegates, 17 at-large delegates and one at-large alternate at its meeting on Friday, June 12, 2020. The Administrative Committee will be meeting in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin prior to the convening of the 2020 Democratic Party of Wisconsin State Convention.
Summary of Deadlines:
* Automatic Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) delegates includes the following categories, if applicable, who legally reside in the state: the Democratic National Committee Members, the Democratic President, the Democratic Vice President, all Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, the Democratic Governor, and any other Distinguished Party Leader as specified in Rule 9.A. of the 2020 Delegate Selection Rules. The exact number of Automatic PLEO Delegates is subject to change due to possible deaths, resignations, elections or special elections.
** Pledged Party Leader and Elected Officials (PLEO) alternates are selected with the At-Large alternates.