NC Dems to Vote Today on Eliminating Superdelegates

One of our writers and a great source of information, Randolph Voller will be at the NC District Convention in Durham, running for a spot as a national delegate for Bernie Sanders. Voller tells us that someone will be attempting to submit the following draft resolution from the floor of the convention.

RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE ELIMINATION OR MODIFICATION OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S SYSTEM OF SUPER DELEGATES

WHEREAS, the Democratic Party presents itself as the party that represents every American, no matter their religion, race, creed, or social status; and

WHEREAS, the Democratic Party presents itself as the party that fosters the preservation of voting rights; and

WHEREAS, the Democratic Party presents itself as the party that represents justice and equality for all; and

WHEREAS, the Democratic Party has often challenged other political organizations for lack of transparency in their processes; and

WHEREAS, the Democratic Party presents itself as desiring openness in governing; and

WHEREAS, the Democratic Party presents itself as the party that encourages every American to make her or his voice heard at the polls; and

WHEREAS, the Democratic Party has a system of “Superdelegates” who are under no obligation to support the candidate receiving the most votes in the primary election process; and

WHEREAS, “Superdelegates” currently constitute about 15 percent of the total number of delegates at the national convention, and are, therefore, able to influence the selection of the Democratic Presidential candidate; and

WHEREAS, The PartyDemocratic National Committee has never offered a clear explanation of the purpose of ”Superdelegates”; and

WHEREAS, The Democratic Party’s system of “Superdelegates” can, in fact, serve no purpose other than to thwart the voice of the voters in primary elections and caucuses; and

WHEREAS, the “Superdelegates” elected by SEC members are elected to 4 years terms 4 years in advance of the Presidential nominating convention that will end their term of service; and

WHEREAS, the “Superdelegtes” often pledge to support the nomination of specific candidates who have not declared their intention to run for office, and are therefore in a position to unfairly advance the interest of their candidate within the Democratic Party at the expense of other potential candidates; and

WHEREAS, “Superdelegates” who are current or former elected public officials often have a vested financial interest in supporting a candidate who can directly or indirectly offer financial or other support to their campaign; and

WHEREAS, the Democratic Party’s selection of “Superdelegates” is often concealed from the public – in fact taking place 4 years before a Presidential nominating convention; and

WHEREAS, after President Obama secured the party nomination in 2008, he urged the DNC to create a commission – called the Democratic Change Commission (Hereinafter “DCC”)  – to examine “Superdelegate’s” influence in the nominating process; and

WHEREAS, the DCC forwarded to the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee a recommendation that “Superdelegates” be required to vote for a candidate assigned to them, based on the results of their state’s caucus or primary; and

WHEREAS, the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee rejected the recommendation at a July 10, 2010 meeting in such a secret and non-transparent manner that some members of the Democratic Change Commission were still not aware of the rejection months later.

WHEREAS, The Party’sDNC’ssystem of “Superdelegates” contradicts the image theDemocraticParty wishes to present, and it contradicts basic principles of democratic suffrage.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the superdelegate system be eliminated, unless the Democratic Party presents to the public a cogent argument for its preservation, along with a transparent process for the selection of superdelegates, and a reasonable formula for the number of superdelegates relative to the number of “committed” delegates selected by popular vote; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, in order to avoid confusion during ongoing elections, action on this resolution be postponed until after the current primary election process is completed.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Democratic Partysupports the elimination of the current DNC “Superdelegate” system for the Presidential nominating process and directs our DNC members to vote to eliminate the current “Superdelegate” system after the 2016 DNC Presidential Nominating Convention and that it not apply to any Delegate Selection Plans for 2020 and beyond; and

THEREOFRE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the North Carolina Democratic Party direct our DNC members to vote for a transparent process that requires ALL DNC “Superdelgate” votes be allocated in proportion to the number of “committed” delegates selected by popular vote for Delegate Selection Plans in 2020 and beyond; and

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, in order to avoid confusion during ongoing elections, action on this “Superdelegate” resolution be postponed until after the current primary election process is completed 2016 DNC Presidential Nominating Convention.

 

We’ll be updating this as we get more information.

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RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE ELIMINATION OR MODIFICATION OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S SYSTEM OF SUPER DELEGATES

Resolution calling for the elimination or modification of the National Democratic Party’s system of superdelegates