Michigan
Republicans 
&
Oakland County Republicans
Precinct Delegate Basics
What is a Precinct?
A precinct is the smallest political geographic division in
a state. The area varies on size and is determined by population. A precinct
contains a maximum of 2,999 registered voters, although many precincts are
smaller. It is up to the local municipalities to draw their own precinct
lines.
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What is a Precinct Delegate? A Precinct Delegate is an elected representative to the local
political party from the precinct. Every precinct has at least one Republican
Delegate, and some have more. The local party determines the number of
delegates based on the number of Republican votes in the previous
election. |
How do you become a Precinct Delegate?
A person running for Precinct Delegate must be a registered
voter residing in the precinct in which they are running. The Candidate needs
to fill out an "Affidavit of Identity." Affidavits are available at
County Clerks’ offices as well as City and Township offices. It
is also available online by clicking here. These affidavits need to
be notarized by a Notary Public. Notary Publics can be found at the County
Clerks office or at a local bank. Once the affidavit is completed it is turned
into the County, City or Township Clerk where you live. The affidavit must be
submitted no later then 4:00 p.m. on May (TBD) 2008.
Once the candidate files, their name is placed on the ballot in the August
primary. Their name is under the heading “Candidate for County Convention
Delegate.” The primary ballots are separated by political party, so only
Republican voters vote for the Republican candidate. In the case that the race
is contested the person with the most votes wins.
When are Precinct Delegates elected and how long is the term?
Precinct Delegates are elected in the August primary
election of even numbered years. In 2008 this election will take place on
August 5th. The term is a two-year term, so delegates elected in August 2008
will serve until the August primary of 2010.
What are the duties of a Precinct Delegate?
The official role of a Precinct Delegate is to attend all
County Conventions during the two-year term. The number of County Conventions
varies from three to four depending on if it is a Presidential or Gubernatorial
cycle. In addition Precinct Delegates are involved in helping local parties and
candidates in a variety of activities.
What if I need to withdraw?
Sometimes circumstances occur in which a candidate needs to
withdraw their candidacy. A Precinct Delegate can withdraw until three days
after the filing deadline, which is May (TBD) 2008 at 4:00 p.m.
How do I know if I am elected?
On the day after the election you can call your County
Clerks office to find out if you were elected. The Clerk will also notify
successful Precinct Delegates by mail.
Making a Difference
Why Should I become a Precinct Delegate?
Politics begins at the local level when you talk to your
family, friends and neighbors about the issues that are important to you. Once
you get involved and become a Precinct Delegate you have the opportunity to
share these issues and concerns and make a difference.
How do I make a difference?
Precinct Delegates play a key role in electing Republicans
to every office. As a liaison to your community you have the opportunity to
build personal relationships with Candidates and Party Leaders. These
individuals come to you when they need to know specifics about your community.
In addition Precinct Delegates have the opportunity to attend State Conventions
where they help select the Republican Candidates for the statewide
offices.
As a Precinct Delegate you have the opportunity to attend Republican gatherings
where you can meet and make friends with people who share a similar philosophy.
You also have the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge on current issues,
legislation, and party policy through your contacts. This knowledge will help
you be in a position to effectively express your views and share your
opinions.
Remember as a Precinct Delegate you are taking an active role in retaining and
strengthening the freedoms that make America great and you are making a
difference.
Where to Start
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Where is my Precinct? The first thing to do is find out which Precinct you live
in. You can get this information from your voter registration card or from the
County, City or Township Clerk where you live. Once you get this information
the next step is to get a map. Maps are available from the local clerks. Your
Republican County organization may be able to provide you with a map. The map
will show you the boundaries of your Precinct. |
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How do I get to know my Precinct?
Once you have your map the best thing to do is drive around
your district. As you are driving take notice of the characteristics of your
Precinct. Notice which areas are industrial, commercial, farmland, or
residential. Make note of the kinds of homes in your area, are they
single-family homes, multi-family dwellings, or communities with restricted
access. Look for growth, new homes, subdivisions, or businesses. All of this
information will be useful to you, the Precinct Delegate, as well as local
candidates as you plan for election activities.
How do I get to know the people in my
Precinct?
After you have driven around your Precinct and became
familiar with the area it is time to meet the people who live there. The best
way to do this is by walking your precinct. It is a good idea to walk your
precinct at least once a year. This shows you are active in your neighborhood
and that you care about the community. It is a great way to find out where the
Republicans live in your precinct. Once you have identified Republicans in your
precinct you can ask these individuals to volunteer during the next election,
place a yard sign in their yard, and remind them to vote on Election Day.
Keeping in contact with the Republicans in your precinct is a great resource
for all of the Republican candidates.
What else do I need to know?
It is important to remember that you have been chosen by the
Republicans in your Precinct to be the liaison to the Republican Party. As a
Precinct Delegate you will be asked to help with a variety of activities. Your
help is needed by local candidates and the party as a whole because of the
local knowledge you have of your precinct. Others in your area will look to you
for Republican information and connections. You are the point person for your
Precinct.
Election Day
What Happens on Election Day?
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After months of hard work and campaigning the only thing
that matters is the results on Election Day. For this reason there are
several programs that run on election day. These programs are important to
ensure that our voters get to the polls on election day and that they vote
for the entire Republican ticket. On election day you should be involved with
three main programs. These programs are working the polls, poll watching, and
GOTV phone calls. |
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How do you work the polls?
Working the polls is the last chance you get to inform the
voters about the Republican Candidates. When volunteers work the poll, they
stand outside of the polling place for the precinct and pass out information
about specific candidates or slate cards for the entire ticket. They give this
information to voters as they enter the building to vote. One thing to remember
is that Michigan state law requires that poll workers must stay at least 100 feet
from the polls.
What is poll watching?
Poll watching is a way to check if the Republicans in your
district have voted. Take the precinct list to the poll and check off the names
of all the Republicans that vote. Around 5:00 p.m. take the list to a phone
bank, or your home and make phone calls to the Republicans who have not yet
voted. Remind them that time is running out to vote and that the polls are open
until 8:00 p.m. This is a great way to ensure that every Republican votes. Poll
watching is more important than working the polls, so if you can only find one
volunteer to work at a specific time, have them poll watch.
Do I continue GOTV Phone calls?
Yes, Get-Out-The-Vote phone calls must continue on Election
Day. If you have already called your list, call them again. Do not be afraid to
call too many times. Offer voters rides to polls if they need them, and have
volunteers available to pick them up. Make sure that everyone on your list has
been reminded to vote on Election Day. GOTV phone calls should be the number
one priority for Precinct Delegates.
Important
Dates to Remember in 2008
January or February (TBD)
2008 – County Convention
February (TBD) 2008 – State Convention
May (TBD) 2008 - Filing
Deadline for Precinct Delegates
August 5, 2008 - Primary Elections
August (TBD), 2008 - County Conventions
August (TBD), 2008 - State Convention
September (TBD) 2008 –
National Convention
November 4, 2008 - General Election
County Conventions
What is a County Convention?
A County Convention is a meeting of the Precinct Delegates
and Elected Officials in a County. At these meetings the participants elect
individuals to be delegates and alternates to the State Convention or they
elect people to serve on the County Party Executive Committee.
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When do County Conventions take place? The first County Convention will be held in August of
2006. This Convention will take place soon after the August primary when the Precinct
Delegates are elected. The next County Convention will be held within 30 days
of the November 7, 2006 General election. The third and final County
Convention will take place in January 2007. In Presidential election years
there is an additional County Convention, which takes place in April. |
What specifically occurs at each of these
Conventions?
August - At the
August County Convention the newly elected Precinct Delegates meet together to elect
delegates and alternates to the State Convention. In 2008 the State Convention
will be held in early August. At this State Convention the delegates will elect
candidates for the following statewide offices:
Michigan
Supreme Court (2)
Michigan State University Board of Trustees (2)
University of Michigan Board of Regents (2)
Wayne State University Board of Governors (2)
State Board of Education (2)
At this State Convention in Presidential election years all
of these statewide offices are elected except for Lieutenant Governor,
Secretary of State, and Attorney General. These positions are four- year terms
and only elected in the gubernatorial election year.
November - At the November County
Convention Precinct Delegates elect the members of the County Executive
Committee. The members of the Executive Committee serve a two-year term.
January - At the January County Convention Precinct Delegates
elect delegates and alternates to the State Convention. The State Convention is
in late January or early
February and is held to elect the Republican State Party leadership. The
leadership elected at this convention are the following:
State Chairman
Six Vice-Chairmen
State Committee Members
District Executive Committee Members
District Officers
During Presidential election years there is an additional County Convention
in January.
January - During this County Convention the Precinct
Delegates again elect people to be delegates and alternates to the State
Convention in February. At the February state convention the delegates elect
people to be delegates to the Republican National Convention and elect the
Republican National Committeeman and Committeewomen from Michigan.
How do I know when and where the Conventions take place?
About thirty days before the County Convention, Precinct
Delegates should receive an official call to Convention. The official call will
be sent out by the Republican County Chair and will give all of the details of
the County Convention. If you are elected a Delegate or an Alternate to a State
Convention you will receive information from the Michigan Republican Party.
What
offices are on the ballot in 2008?
U.S. Senator (one seat)
U.S. Representative in Congress (all 15 districts)
State Representative (all
110 districts)
State Board of Education (2 seats)
University of Michigan Regents (2 seats)
Michigan State University Trustees (2 seats)
Wayne State University Governors (2 seats)
Justice of the Supreme Court
Judge of the Court of Appeals
Judge of the Circuit Court
Judge of the District Court
Judge of Probate
Countywide Offices (all 6 Seats)
County Commissioners (all 25
seats)
Township Offices