Arizona Democrats to hold Presidential Caucus March 31, 2012

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Press release from the Arizona Democratic Party:

Procedures for 2012 presidential nomination and delegate selection for Democratic National Convention

PHOENIX — The Arizona Democratic Party has chosen not to participate in the 2012 Presidential Preference Primary Election. We agree with Maricopa County Recorder Helen Purcell and County Elections Director Karen Osborne that in these tough economic times, it is inappropriate to spend $5 million in taxpayer dollars to hold a partisan election that discriminates against the fast-growing bloc of independent voters.

Instead, the party will conduct congressional district-level caucuses to choose a nominee for the 2012 presidential election and to select Arizona delegates for the 2012 Democratic National Convention (see timetable).

The following rules and procedures are in accordance with the Charter and Bylaws of the Democratic Party of the United States, the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2012 Democratic National Convention, the Regulations of the Rules and Bylaws Committee for the 2012 Democratic National Convention, and the bylaws of the Arizona Democratic Party:

• The purpose of the Presidential Nomination Caucuses will be to choose Arizona's preferred nominee for the 2012 presidential election.
• All registered Democrats in Arizona may participate in Arizona's Presidential Nomination Caucuses scheduled for Saturday, March 31.
• The Presidential Nomination Caucuses will be held in each congressional district in accordance to the Charter and Bylaws of the Democratic Party of the United States, the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2012 Democratic National Convention, the Regulations of the Rules and Bylaws Committee for the 2012 Democratic National Convention, and the bylaws of the Arizona Democratic Party. The Arizona Democratic Party will release the list of all caucus locations on or before Feb. 17.
• Directly following the Presidential Nomination Caucuses will be selection of delegates to the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
• The purpose of the Democratic National Convention is to choose the presidential nominee for the 2012 Presidential Election. All states will send delegates to participate in the nomination process. Arizona is allocated a total of 79 delegates and 6 alternates for the 2012 Democratic National Convention
• All registered Democrats in Arizona are eligible candidates for the position of Arizona Delegate to the September 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.
• Delegates to the convention are selected by registered Democratic precinct committee persons or state committee members.
• Those interested in running for delegate to the national convention must contact the Arizona Democratic Party and file a statement of candidacy by March 1 to be considered eligible for selection at the March 31 district-level caucuses. A total of 46 delegates will be selected by Democratic precinct committee persons at those caucuses.
• Those interested in running for delegate to the National Convention but unable to attend the March 31 district-level caucuses will have one additional opportunity to be selected: the Democratic State Convention on April 21. Interested parties must file a statement of candidacy by March 21 in order to be considered eligible for selection at the April 21 Democratic State Convention. A total of 15 delegates and 6 alternates will be selected by Democratic state committee members at the Democratic State Convention on April 21.

Click here to view the timetable for the 2012 Arizona Delegate Selection process.

All delegates to the 2012 Democratic National Convention will attend the convention in Charlotte during the week of Sept. 3. Delegates are responsible for all costs incurred during their travel and stay at the convention.

As part of the Arizona Democratic Party's ongoing efforts to include groups historically under-represented in the Democratic Party‟s affairs and to assist in the achievement of full participation by these groups, we encourage participation by those of diverse race/ethnicity, age, sexual orientation or disability.

For more information about Presidential Nomination Caucuses, the 2012 Democratic National Convention or Delegate Selection, call 602-298-4200.

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