| 1. |
Inclusion: The Colorado Democratic Party and the participants in this caucus are required to take steps to encourage participation in the delegate and candidate selection process of the Democratic Party at all levels – by young people, women, minority groups, and the disabled. Inclusion should occur in reasonable relationship to any given groups’ presence in the full population. This goal shall not be accomplished, either directly or indirectly, by imposition of mandatory quotas. |
| 2. |
Who May Participate: A person may vote at the precinct caucus, be elected a delegate or an alternate from the caucus and/or be elected as a precinct committee person if, according to the registration records of the county clerk and recorder’s office, they have resided in the precinct since February 15, 2010 and have been registered as a Democrat on or before February 16, 2010. Also, anyone who attained the age of 18, or became a naturalized citizen after January 19, 2010 provided they registered to vote as a Democrat before the caucus and resided in the precinct since February 15, 2010 may vote, be elected a delegate or alternate, or be elected as a committee-person. A person who moved away from the precinct in which they registered after the residence date of February 15, 2010 may vote in the old precinct, but may not become a delegate or committee person. Other persons may attend the caucus but cannot vote. |
| 3. |
Additional Rules: Participants in the caucus may adopt additional rules, provided they do not conflict with either state, county or national party rules, state election laws or other instructions to the caucus chair. Give participants a full opportunity to be heard and permit full discussion of all relevant questions. |
| 4. |
Disputes: Any person desiring to dispute any matter concerning the caucus must file a written protest with the County Chairperson within 7 days of the caucus, or by March 23, 2010. Otherwise, the certification of the caucus results will be final. |
| 5. |
Secret Ballot: All Democratic meetings are open however, a secret ballot is permitted in precinct caucus if requested. |
| 6. |
Proxies: No proxy voting shall be permitted at the caucus. One must be present to vote in the caucuses. |
| 7. |
Late Arriving/Early Leaving: A person must be present to participate. Those arriving late or leaving early may only take part in caucus business occurring while they are present. |
| 8. |
Open Voting: No delegate or alternate shall be instructed to vote for or against any candidate or measure. |
| 9. |
Election Procedure: Persons receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected as delegates and/or alternates and as committee people. No delegate or alternate may be added to the list of elected delegates/alternates after the close of the caucus. Unfilled slots are considered “lost”. |
| 10. |
Ties: If two or more candidates for delegate or alternate receive an equal number of votes, the winner is to be determined by lot (coin toss or drawing straws). If two or more candidates for the position of committee person receive an equal number of votes the winners shall be determined by lot of such candidates. |
| 11. |
Delegate Selection: Delegates and alternates to all party assemblies and conventions are to be chosen in a manner which fairly reflects the division of candidate preference, expressed by those participating in the nominating process, including those expressed by minority and divergent views. Equal division between men and women is to be achieved, if possible. |
| 12. |
Threshold: A preference poll based upon the highest statewide contested race (U.S. Senate) race shall be used for the selection of delegates and alternates to the assembly. A candidate must receive a minimum of fifteen percent (15%) in the preference poll to be awarded delegates and alternates. Use the caucus math worksheets to determine the number of delegates to be awarded for each candidate who attained the threshold. |
| 13. |
Uncommitted Votes: Treat “uncommitted” votes as if the vote was cast for a candidate for determining the threshold and awarding delegates, i.e., pretend there is a candidate named “uncommitted.” |
| 14. |
Automatic delegates: No person shall become an automatic delegate or alternate to a higher assembly by holding any party or public elected office. |
| 15. |
Results of US Senate preference poll must be turned into the State Party no later than 9:30PM on March 16, 2010. |