Demystifying the Democratic Congressional District Nomination Process

As Chair of the Stafford Democratic Committee, I often get a ton of questions surrounding the nomination procedures for various offices. As we approach the 2010 elections, here is a brief explanation of how the nomination procedures will work for the various Democratic House of Representative races around the Commonwealth in 2010.

Article 6, Section 6.8 (Nomination of Candidates for the House of Representatives) of the Democratic Party of Virginia (DPVA) Party Plan states that

It shall be the duty of each district committee to fix the time, place and method of nominating in its congressional district a Democratic candidate for the United States House of Representatives. Such nomination shall be made by primary, convention or caucus. Whenever a district committee determines that such nomination shall be by the primary method, the primary shall be held in conformity with the Party Plan of the Democratic Party and applicable Virginia election laws. Whenever such nomination is to be made by convention, the district committee shall fix the basis of representation for such convention, consistent with the requirements of Article 15, Section 15.1.

So basically each Democratic district committee decides on whether to nominate by primary, convention or caucus. It is my understanding, although I may be wrong, that if a candidate was previously nominated and subsequently elected by a specific nomination procedure that this is the default method for nomination. Of course, this elected official could request a different method of nomination consistent with Article 6, Section 6.8.

If a congressional district is not currently represented by a Democrat, they usually set up a candidate search committee. This committee tries to recruit candidates and eventually vets the candidates. After this process plays out, congressional committee members vote on which method of nomination to select.

If a primary were chosen, it would be held on June 8, 2010.

If a convention were chosen, the congressional committee would need to determine the basis of representation for such convention. Any method other than by primary election can be scheduled no earlier than May 7 and must be completed by 7:00 P.M., June 8, 2010. The congressional committee would decide on the total number of delegates (and alternates) for such convention. They would then be allocated to each locality, as spelled out in Article 15, Section 15.1:

a) A formula giving equal weight to population and to the average of the Democratic vote in the most recent elections for Governor, United States Senator, and United States President;

b) A formula giving equal weight to population and to the average of the Democratic vote in the most recent elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General;

c) A formula giving equal weight to the Democratic vote in the most recent elections for Governor, United States Senator and United States President;

d) A formula giving equal weight to the Democratic vote in the most recent elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General.

Based on the method chosen, a certain number of Delegates would be chosen via caucuses from each locality within the congressional district to represent each locality at the Convention. These Delegates would then vote at the Convention for a democratic nominee for that congressional district or no nominee, if the rules allow. In some cases these Delegates are committed to a particular candidate on the first ballot and in other cases they are uncommitted.

Is your head spinning yet?