How does one find out who (if anyone) will be running their precinct convention?

[pmbryant]

I've never attended a precinct convention before, but I'd like to make sure that my precinct is not going to be "up for grabs" as this Express-News http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/politics/stories/MYSA030108.03B.stroud_column.34d2468.html">article suggests will be the case in most:

Here's what's supposed to happen: Once the polls close on Tuesday, a packet of instructions will be handed over to the precinct chairman or chairwoman, who is expected to run the first part of the meeting. Anybody who lives in that precinct and voted can participate.

The problem is, a lot of precincts don't have chairmen or chairwomen.

In Bexar County, for example, only 284 of the 622 precincts have people designated to receive the packet, by my count. According to the form, "Democratic Party Convention Minutes," the meetings will be called to order by the "precinct chair or if absent any qualified voter."

In precincts where there is no designated person, according to Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacquelyn Callanen, that means county election officials will hand the packet to the first voter who asks for it at 7:15 p.m.

That person, designated the "temporary chair," will then "call for an enrollment of all qualified members of the Party present with name, residence address, and city or town shown thereon as well as their political preference or uncommitted status," according to party rules.

In other words, the temporary chairman or chairwoman will determine who is eligible to be on the list where caucus-goers declare their support for either candidate.

Are you starting to see the potential for mischief?

So how does one find out who the precinct chairs are?

Thanks,
Peter

[pmbryant]

1. Found it - for Bexar county

http://www.bexardemocrats.org/CEC.php?Q=PCbyNbr

Fortunately for me, my precinct is one of the relatively few with a chair.

--Peter

[crispini]

2. You might want to call your precinct chair to make sure he/she is prepared.

Some of them may not be. It certainly wouldn't hurt to touch base. :hi:

[TexasLinda]

6. Also check the Precinct Chair candidates list.

It's at http://bexardemocrats.org/2008PrecinctChairFilings.html (a link is also in the top right corner of the home page). Some people who are not currently precinct chairs, but will be after the election, may be acting as precinct coordinators.

I put a revised Precinct Convention training tutorial up on the website earlier today (http://bexardemocrats.org/2008PrecinctConventionTraining.html). It includes additional information regarding provisional voters.

[derby378]

3. It's pretty easy...

Check with your local party HQ and find out who your precinct chair is.

If your precinct doesn't have a chair, the person who runs the precinct convention is - you!

Just pick up the necessary forms from the election judge on Tuesday night and study the various teaching aides provided here in the Texas forum, and you'll be good to go.

[MrsBrady]

4. well...

every precinct in TEXAS has precinct chair that is an elected official.

You can find out who your Precinct Chair by looking it up by your county and precinct number.
But...they might NOT want to do it....chair the caucus, that is...
in any case....YOU...could do it.....and one who voted in the Democratic primary in your precinct could do it.
it's a "FOOD FIGHT"...whoever gets there first gets to "control" the caucus.
I would call them ahead of time and see if they are planing to chair the caucus...if not then you might end up being precinct caucus captain, if you want to help the process.

THE ELECTION JUDGE will have a list of who is eligible to vote, if you voted early or voted that day...
a "democratic" stamped card will help, but eligible voters names will be on the list. So it won't be that much of an issue.
If someone claims that they are eligible to vote(sign in) but you can't find their name on the list, but they have a picture ID with valid address in your precinct, you put a P by their name so that they are provisional. You don't get to decide whether or not someone is eligible to vote. (folks in Austin do that later when the paperwork is turned in)
For more explanation on how to handle provisional voters at a precinct caucus, I suggest you contact your Candidate's office in your county.

on edit
http://www.txdemocrats.org/page/-/2008%20Convention/Precinct%20Convention%20materials/Handling%20of%20Provisional%20Participation%20at%20Precinct%20Conventions.pdf

[TexasLinda]

7. Not exactly correct.

Every precinct in Texas should have a precinct chair, but sadly that is not so. We currently have over 400 vacancies in Bexar County.

As for provisional voters, whether or not their votes are counted is determined by the county ballot board, not the folks in Austin. The vast majority of provisional ballots are not counted. Probably the main reason they are rejected is because the voter tried to vote in the wrong precinct. During early voting, you can vote anywhere in the county in which you are registered to vote. However, if you wait until election day, you must vote in your precinct.

[sonias]

8. Yep same here in Travis

One of the bluest cities in Texas, and we have PCT with unfilled PCT chairs. Derby is right, if there is no assigned PCT chair, it could be you if you show up early enough.

And if it is an unfilled position, once the convention is over please get yourself appointed to fill that chair. We need as many PCT chairs filled for our November election too.

Provisional ballot information for the PCT convention was put out by the party. crispini has the links on this thread

Sonia

[MrsBrady]

10. my precinct in texas does not have a democratic chair...but...

i was told i could contact the election judge ahead of time....

and just let them know i would be there to pick up the envelope (yes, any other democrat in my precinct could pick it up too)...
just my point is....there can still be a caucus without a precinct chair, as long as someone steps up to be precinct captain.

[tammywammy]

5. Here's a list for Tarrant County

http://www.tcdp.net/documents/pctchairinfo.pdf

It's a pdf. :)

[sonias]

9. Travis County PCT chairs

Travis County Polls and Precinct Chairs


PCT Chair FAQ

:dem:


Sonia