Vermont Democratic Party

If you are interested in becoming a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, please refer to the following resources and timeline.

APPLY TO BECOME A DELEGATE

To run for a delegate position at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, complete our Statement of Candidacy and Pledge of Support form and return it to the Vermont Democratic Party at the address below. 

• Download: How to Become a Delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention
• Download: Statement of Candidacy and Pledge of Support form

OVERVIEW

In 2012, Vermont will send a total of 27 Delegates and 2 Alternates to Charlotte, N.C. to attend the Democratic National Convention on Sept. 3 - 5.

If you want to join Vermont's Delegation for the 2012 Democratic National Convention, you must be a bona fide Democrat and be selected as one of three types of Delegates: District-Level, At-Large or PLEO.

• District-Level Delegates: 12
  
• At-Large Delegates: 4 and 2 Alternates
• Unpledged PLEO Delegates: 9
  
  • Senator Patrick Leahy
  • Congressman Peter Welch
  • Governor Peter Shumlin
  • 1 Distinguished Party Leader
  • 5 Unpledged National Committee Members

  
  

• Pledged PLEO Delegates: 2
  

• Download: How to Become a Delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention

District-Level: Vermont is allowed 12 District-Level Delegates chosen by our two-tier convention system, explained in "How to Become a Delegate." Candidates for District-Level Delegate must submit a Statement of Candidacy and Pledge of Support form to the VDP by 4 p.m. on March 20. The District-Level Delegate process starts March 24 with Post-Primary Town Caucuses and concludes on May 26 at the State Convention.

At-Large: 4 At-Large Delegates and 2 Alternates are selected by the VDP Executive Committee from a statewide pool and offers another way for Democrats to participate in the Democratic National Convention. Candidates for At-Large Delegate should submit a Statement of Candidacy and Pledge of Support form, specifying their "At-Large" status, to the VDP by 4 p.m. EST May 10. There will be an alternate deadline for filing of 4 p.m June 9 for unsuccessful PLEO candidates only.  The selection of the at-large delegates and alternates will occur at 12 PM in Montpelier at the VDP Headquarters on June 9, 2012 by a committee consisting of a quorum of the district-level delegates.

PLEO: Individuals shall be eligible for the pledged Party Leader and Elected Official Delegate position according to the following priority: big city mayors, statewide elected officials, state legislative leaders, state legislators, and other state, county and local elected officials and party leaders. PLEO Delegate candidates must submit a Statement of Candidacy and Pledge of Support form, specifying PLEO status, to the VDP by 4 p.m. on May 20.

TIMELINE & KEY DATES

• January 4 — Statement of Candidacy and Pledge of Support forms available at www.vtdemocrats.org.
• February 29 - Voter Registration Deadline for Presidential Preference Primary, 5 p.m.
• March 6 — Presidential Primary Election; all potential Delegates MUST vote in the Presidential Primary Election to qualify.
• March 24 — Post-Primary Town Caucus: Town parties elect delegates to attend and vote at the State Convention. Downlad the Post-Primary Town Caucus Packet here.
  
• May 3 — Filing deadline for District-Level Delegates and Alternates: Statement of Candidacy and Pledge of Support forms must be completed and returned by mail to the VDP Headquarters by 4 p.m. EST.
• May 10 — Filing deadline for At-Large Delegates and Alternates: Statement of Candidacy and Pledge of Support forms must be completed and returned by mail to the VDP Headquarters by 4 p.m. EST.
• May 20 — Filing deadline for PLEO candidates: Statement of Candidacy and Pledge of Support forms must be completed and returned by mail to the VDP Headquarters by 4 p.m. EST.
• May 26 — State Convention convenes. State Convention selects district delegates.
  
• June 9 - A committee consisting of a quorum of the district-level delegates selects all PLEO Delegates, At-Large Delegates, Alternates, Standing Committee, and Pages at VDP Headquarters, 12 p.m.
• September 3 - 5 — Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.

2012 Democratic National Convention Resources
Official Democratic National Convention Website - http://www.demconvention.com/

Vermont Delegate Selection Plan for 2012

The full Vermont Delegate Selection Plan for the 2012 National Convention has been approved by the Democratic National Committee. You can view the entire delegate selection plan by clicking here: 2012 Delegate Selection Plan.