Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Selection Plan
For the 2016 Democratic
National Convention
Issued by the
Montana Democratic Party
March 2015
Updated 10/15/2015
Page 1
Page 2
Section I
Introduction & Description of Delegate Selection Process
A. Introduction
1. Montana has a total of 27 delegates and 2 alternates. (Call I & Appendix B).
follows; 15 District-Level delegates, 4 at-large delegates, 2 PLEO delegates and 6 unpledged delegates.
2. The delegate selection process is governed by the Charter and Bylaws of the Democratic
Party of the United States, the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2016 Democratic National
Convention (Rules), the Call for the 2016 Democratic National Convention (Call), the
Regulations of the Rules and Bylaws Committee for the 2016 Democratic National Convention
(Regs.), the rules of the Democratic Party of Montana, the Montana election code, and this
Delegate Selection Plan. (Call II.A)
3. Following the adoption of this Delegate Selection Plan by the State Party Committee, it shall
be submitted for review and approval by the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee (RBC). The
State Party Chair shall be empowered to make any technical revisions to this document as
required by the RBC to correct any omissions and/or deficiencies as found by the RBC to
ensure its full compliance with Party Rules. Such corrections shall be made by the State Party
Chair and the Plan resubmitted to the RBC within 30 days of receipt of notice of the RBCs
findings. (Regs. 2.5, 2.6 & 2.7)
4. Once this Plan has been found in Compliance by the RBC, any amendment to the Plan by the
State Party will be submitted to and approved by the RBC before it becomes effective. (Reg. 2.9)
Section II
Presidential Candidates
A. Ballot Access
1. In accordance with 13-10-404 MCA, before an individual intending to qualify as a
presidential candidate may qualify for placement on the ballots, the individual shall qualify by
one or more of the following two methods:
a. The individual has submitted a declaration for nomination to the Secretary of State
by March 14th pursuant to 13-10-201(2) MCA and has been nominated on petitions
(available at the Secretary of States office or State Party Headquarters) with the
verified signatures of at least 500 qualified electors from the State of Montana.
i. Petitions of nomination for the presidential preference primary election
and the affidavits of circulation required must be presented to the election
administrator of the county in which the signatures are gathered at least one
week before the primary election filing deadline prescribed in 13-10201(7)(b) MCA. For 2016, the deadline to submit petitions to the county
election administrator is March 7th, 2016. A filing fee is not required. The
election administrator shall verify the signatures in the manner prescribed
in 13-27-303 through 13-27-308 MCA and must forward the petitions to
the Secretary of State.
b. The individual has submitted a declaration for nomination to the Secretary of State
by March 14th pursuant to 13-10-201(2) MCA, and the Secretary of State has
determined, by the time that declarations for nomination are to be filed, that the
individual is eligible to receive payments pursuant to the federal Presidential Primary
Matching Payment Account Act, 26 U.S.C. 9031, et seq.
2. Other Information
a. Uncommitted does not automatically appear on the Montana Primary Election
ballot, however, ballots include no preference and a blank write-in space as
described in 13-10-403 MCA.
b. The Secretary of States Contact information is as below:
Mail: Secretary of State Linda McCulloch, P.O. Box 202801, Helena, MT
59620
Fax: (406) 444-3976
Phone: (406) 444-2034
3. Other Requirements
a. Each presidential candidate shall certify in writing to the State Democratic Party
Chair, the name(s) of his or her authorized representative(s) by March 25th, 2016. (Rule
12.D.1)
b. Each presidential candidate shall use his or her best efforts to ensure that his or her
respective delegation within the state delegation achieves the affirmative action goals
established by this Plan and is equally divided between men and women. (Rule 6.I)
Page 5
Section III
Selection of Delegates and Alternates
A. District-Level Delegates
1. Montana is allocated 15 district-level delegates and 0 district-level alternates. (Rule 8.C, Call I.B,
I.I, Appendix B & Reg. 4.31.)
2016 followed by a post-primary caucus held on June 11th, 2016, at a location to be determined.
3. Apportionment of District-Level Delegates and Alternates
a. Pursuant to Reg. 4.31, Montana has chosen to allocate all of its at-large alternates at
the at-large level.
b. Montanas district-level delegates are apportioned among the districts based on a
formula giving equal weight to the vote for the Democratic candidates in the 2012
presidential and gubernatorial elections. Montana does not have Party registration
which makes the two formulas utilizing Party registration impossible. (Rule 8.A.2)
c. The states total number of district-level delegates will be equally divided between
men and women. For an odd total number of district-level delegates, the overall
variance between men and women cannot exceed one. (Rule 6.C.1 & Reg. 4.8)
d. The district-level delegates and alternates are apportioned to districts as indicated in
the following table:
District
Males
Western District
Eastern District
Total
Delegates
Females
Total
4
4
3
4
7
8
Males
8
7
15
Alternates
Females
Total
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
e. The apportionment of delegates to be elected from each tier to the next tier (e.g., precincts,
counties, etc.) shall be based on a formula giving equal weight to the vote for the Democratic
candidates in the 2012 presidential and gubernatorial elections. (Rule 8.B)
b.
c.
d.
e.
that candidates authorized representative(s), not later than June 10th, 2016 at 6:00
P.M., a list of all persons who have filed for delegate pledged to that presidential
candidate. (Rules 12.D.& 12.F)
Each presidential candidate, or that candidates authorized representative(s), must
then file with the Montana Democratic Party Chair by June 10th, 2016 at 8:00 P.M. a
list of all such candidates he or she has approved, provided that approval be given to
at least three (3) times the number of candidates for delegate men and three (3) times
the number of candidates for delegate women to be selected. (Rule 12.E.1 & Reg. 4.24)
i. Contact information for the Montana Democratic Party Chair for this
purpose is as follows:
Email: chair@montanademocrats.org
Failure to respond will be deemed approval of all delegate and alternate candidates
submitted to the presidential candidate unless the presidential candidate, or the
authorized representative(s), signifies otherwise in writing to the State Democratic
Chair not later than June 10th, 2016 at 8:00 P.M.
National convention delegate candidates removed from the list of bona fide
supporters by a presidential candidate, or that candidates authorized
representative(s), may not be elected as a delegate at that level pledged to that
presidential candidate (including uncommitted status). (Rule 12.E & Reg. 4.24)
The State Democratic Chair shall certify in writing to the Co-Chairs of the DNC
Rules and Bylaws Committee whether each presidential candidate (including
uncommitted status) has used their best efforts to ensure that their respective districtlevel delegate candidates meet the affirmative action and inclusion considerations
and goals detailed in the Affirmative Action section of this Plan within three (3)
business days of returning the list of approved district-level delegate candidates as
indicated in Section III.A.5.b of this Plan.
The number of delegates to be elected from each county shall be determined by the
State Chair and apportioned on the basis of a formula giving equal weight to the vote
for the Democratic candidates in the 2012 Presidential and Gubernatorial elections.
The county with the least delegates according to this formula shall be entitled to a
minimum of one (1) delegate for each presidential candidate receiving 15% or more
of the votes cast in that county in the presidential primary election. Counties with
proportionally more delegates according to the formula shall be entitled to
proportionally larger delegations, up to a maximum of 30 delegates from any one
county.
The county conventions will be held in the county seat at a public place which would
be most likely to encourage the participation of all Democrats, shall begin at a
reasonable hour and shall be run by the county chair in accordance with state party
rules.
No person shall participate in more than one county convention. Each person may
vote for delegates supporting only one presidential candidate.
The procedure for selecting delegates to the District and State Conventions shall be
as follows:
i. Any registered voter having publicly declared to be a Democrat from the
county may participate in the county convention if he or she has filed with
the County Democratic Central Committee by at least the opening of the
convention on forms designated by the State Chair. Such forms shall
include a statement of support for the candidate of his or her choice and a
public affirmation of their Democratic affiliation.
ii. The county chair will designate appropriate areas of the convention
facility as sites for the caucuses of the supporters of the respective
presidential candidates, as well as a nominating caucus identified as nopreference, providing each has met the threshold set for that county. He or
she will announce the amount of time allowed for caucusing and will
insure that all caucuses will be held simultaneously. The county chair may
appoint a temporary chair for each caucus.
iii. Caucuses for each presidential candidate will be held to elect district and
state delegates and alternates. No caucus will be held for any presidential
candidate who has not earned at least one delegate from Montana. Any
Democratic resident of the county who is a qualified voter and has
completed the forms prescribed in Section III.A.6.C(i), may be elected as a
delegate to the District and State Conventions. Each caucus will elect the
number of state delegates and alternates allowed to it as determined by the
share of votes received in the county by its presidential candidate, and as
announced after the primary election by the State Chair. Following
nominations, the caucus chair will present to the caucus the list of
nominees (ballot should be used) and announce the number of delegates to
be elected from the list. The caucus chair and secretary or a committee
appointed by them will tabulate the election results. Beginning with the
person receiving the highest number of votes and proceeding to the person
with the next highest total, the chair and secretary will certify the election
as state delegates of that number of people allowed to this particular
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must announce at the time of his or her nomination his or her nopreference status.
viii. Each caucus chair shall clearly indicate on the certificate of election the
presidential preference of any elected delegate and alternate.
ix. All caucuses having completed their work, the convention chair will
accept all certificates of election as delegates or alternates from the various
caucus chairs. After verifying that the proper number of delegates and
alternates have been elected, and that the presidential preference of each is
clearly stated, the convention chair shall also sign all certificates of election
and immediately deliver them to the State Party Chair. The convention
chair shall then direct the delegates to convene at the state convention for
such business as may be properly brought before it.
8. The State Democratic Party Chair shall certify in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic
National Committee (DNC) the election of the states district-level delegates and alternates to
the Democratic National Convention within ten (10) days after their election. (Rule 8.C & Call IV.A)
B. Unpledged Delegates
1. Unpledged Party Leaders and Elected Officials
a. The following categories (if applicable) shall constitute the Unpledged Party Leaders
and Elected Official delegate positions:
i. Members of the Democratic National Committee who legally reside in the
state; (Rule 9.A.1, Call I.F, Call I.J, & Reg. 4.13)
ii. Democratic President and Democratic Vice President (if applicable); (Rule
9.A.2 & Call I.G)
c. A presidential candidate can disapprove using the same process as for district-level
candidates.
d. Failure to respond will be deemed approval of all delegate candidates submitted to
the presidential candidate unless the presidential candidate or the authorized
representative(s) signifies otherwise in writing to the State Democratic Chair no later
than one hour after completion of the selection of the district-level delegates on June
11th, 2016.
e. The State Democratic Party Chair shall certify in writing to the Co-Chairs of the
DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee whether each presidential candidate (including
Page 12
uncommitted status) has used their best efforts to ensure that their respective pledged
PLEO delegate candidates meet the affirmative action and inclusion considerations
and goals detailed in the Affirmative Action section of this Plan within three (3)
business days of returning the list of approved pledged PLEO candidates as indicated
in Section III.C.3.b of this Plan.
4. Selection of Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official Delegates
a. The pledged PLEO slots shall be allocated among presidential preferences on the
same basis as the at-large delegates. (Rule 9.B.2, Rule 10.C, Rule 13.E & F)
b. Selection of the pledged PLEO delegates will occur on June 11th, 2016, at a location
to be determined, after the election of district-level delegates and prior to the
selection of at-large delegates and alternates.
c. These delegates will be selected by a committee consisting of a quorum of the
district-level delegates. (Rule 9.C)
d. Individuals shall be eligible for the pledged party leader and elected official positions
according to the following priority: big city mayors and state-wide elected officials
(to be given equal consideration), state legislative leaders, state legislators, and other
state, county and local elected officials and party leaders, including precinct
committeemen and women. The provisions of Call II C apply to PLEO delegate
eligibility to ensure equal division between men and women in the entire delegation.
b. Selection of these delegates will occur one hour following the selection of districtlevel delegates on June 11th, 2016, at a location to be determined and prior to the
selection of at-large delegates and alternates. Any alternates will be selected with the
at-large delegates and alternates. District-level delegates who support a presidential
preference shall meet in a statewide caucus for that presidential preference to
nominate the pledged party leader and elected official delegates such presidential
candidate may have been allocated. Each delegate will have an equal (un-weighted)
vote.
5. The State Democratic Party Chair shall certify in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic
National Committee the election of the states pledged Party Leader and Elected Official
delegates to the Democratic National Convention within ten (10) days after their election. (Rule
8.D & Call IV.A)
Email: chair@montanademocrats.org
Email: chair@montanademocrats.org
v. If a delegate or alternate candidate who has been elected but not certified
to the DNC Secretary resigns, dies or is no longer eligible to serve, he or
she shall be replaced, after consultation with the State Party, by the
authorized representative of the presidential candidate to whom he or she is
pledged. (Rule 18.D.2)
b. Temporary Replacement of a Delegate: (Rule 18.D.3)
i. A temporary replacement occurs when a delegate is to be absent for a
limited period of time during the convention and an alternate temporarily
acts in the delegates place.
ii. Any alternate who temporarily replaces a delegate must be of the same
presidential preference (including uncommitted status) as the delegate
he/she replaces, and to the extent possible shall be of the same sex and
from the same political subdivision within the state as the delegate.
c. The following system will be used to select permanent and temporary replacements
of delegates: (Rule 18.D.1)
i. When a majority of the delegation declares that a permanent vacancy
exists, the delegation chooses the alternate.
ii. Any delegate may choose his/her temporary replacement from the
alternates in the delegation.
d. Certification of Replacements
i. Any alternate who permanently replaces a delegate shall be certified in
writing to the Secretary of the DNC by the State Democratic Chair. (Rule
18.D.3)
2. Unpledged delegates shall not be entitled to a replacement, nor shall the state be entitled to a
replacement, except under the following circumstances: (Rule 18.E & Reg. 4.33)
a. Members of Congress and the Democratic Governor shall not be entitled to name a
replacement. In the event of changes or vacancies in the states Congressional
Delegation, following the official confirmation and prior to the commencement of
the National Convention, the DNC Secretary shall recognize only such changes as
have been officially recognized by the Democratic Caucus of the U.S. House of
Representatives or the Democratic Conference of the U.S. Senate. In the event of a
change or vacancy in the states office of Governor, the DNC shall recognize only
such changes as have been officially recognized by the Democratic Governors
Association. (Call IV.D.2.a)
b. Members of the Democratic National Committee shall not be entitled to a
replacement, nor shall the state be entitled to a replacement, except in the case of
death of such delegates. In the case where the states DNC membership changes
following the DNC Secretarys official confirmation, but prior to the commencement
of the 2016 Democratic National Convention, acknowledgment by the Secretary of
the new DNC member certification shall constitute verification of the corresponding
change of unpledged delegates. (Call IV.D.2.b)
c. Unpledged distinguished Party Leader delegates allocated to the state pursuant to
Rule 9.A.5, shall not be entitled to name a replacement, nor shall the state be entitled
to name a replacement. (Call, IV.D.2.c)
d. In no case may an alternate cast a vote for an unpledged delegate. (Call VIII.F.3.d)
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Section IV
Convention Standing Committee Members
A. Introduction
1. Montana has been allocated 1 member on each of the three standing committees for the 2016
Democratic National Convention (Credentials, Platform and Rules), for a total of 3 members.
(Call VII.A & Appendix D)
2. Members of the Convention Standing Committees need not be delegates or alternates to the
2016 Democratic National Convention. (Call VII.A.3)
3. These members will be selected in accordance with the procedures indicated below. (Rule 1.G)
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Section V
The Delegation
A. Delegation Chair and Pages
1. Montana will select one (1) person to serve as Delegation Chair and 2 to serve as
Convention Pages. (Call IV.E, Call IV.F.1 & Appendix C)
B. Delegation Chair
1. Selection Meeting
a. The Delegation Chair shall be selected by a quorum of the states National
Convention Delegates, at a meeting to be held on June 11th, 2016. (Call IV.E)
b. A quorum shall consist of forty percent (40%) of the states delegates to the National
Convention. (Rule14)
c. All members of the delegation shall receive timely notice of the time, date and place
of the meeting to select the Delegation Chair. (Rule 3.C)
2. The State Democratic Chair shall certify the Delegation Chair in writing to the Secretary of
the Democratic National Committee within three (3) days after his or her selection. (Call IV.E)
C. Convention Pages
1. Two (2) individuals will be selected to serve as Montanas Convention Pages by the State
Democratic Chair in consultation with the members of the Democratic National Committee
from the state. This selection will take place June 11th, 2016 after the delegation chair is elected.
(Call IV.F.3, Appendix C & Reg. 5.7)
2. The Convention Pages shall be as evenly divided between men and women as possible
under the state allocation and shall reflect as much as possible, the affirmative action
guidelines in the Affirmative Action Plan. (Reg. 5.7.A)
3. The State Democratic Chair shall certify the individuals to serve as Montana s Convention
Pages in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee within three (3)
days after the selection. (Call IV.F.3 & Reg. 5.7.B)
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Section VI
General Provisions and Procedural Guarantees
1. The Montana Democratic Party reaffirms its commitment to an open party by incorporating the
six basic elements as listed below. These provisions demonstrate the intention of the
Democratic Party to ensure a full opportunity for all minority group members to participate in
the delegate selection process. (Rules 4.A & 4.C)
a. All public meetings at all levels of the Democratic Party in Montana should be open
to all members of the Democratic Party regardless of race, sex, age, color, creed,
national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic
status or physical disability (hereinafter collectively referred to as status). (Rule 4.B.1)
b. No test for membership in, nor any oaths of loyalty to, the Democratic Party in
Montana should be required or used which has the effect of requiring prospective or
current members of the Democratic Party to acquiesce in, condone or support
discrimination based on status. (Rule 4.B.2)
c. The time and place for all public meetings of the Democratic Party in Montana on all
levels should be publicized fully and in such manner as to assure timely notice to all
interested persons. Such meetings must be held in places accessible to all Party
members and large enough to accommodate all interested persons. (Rule 4.B.3)
d. The Democratic Party in Montana, on all levels, should support the broadest possible
registration without discrimination based on status. (Rule 4.B.4)
e. The Democratic Party in Montana should publicize fully, and in such a manner as to
assure notice to all interested parties, a full description of the legal and practical
procedures for selection of Democratic Party officers and representatives on all
levels. Publication of these procedures should be done in such fashion that all
prospective and current members of the Montana Democratic Party will be fully and
adequately informed of the pertinent procedures in time to participate in each
selection procedure at all levels of the Democratic Party of Montana. (Rule 4.B.5)
f. The Democratic Party in Montana should publicize fully and in such a manner as to
assure notice to all interested parties, a complete description of the legal and
practical qualifications of all positions as officers and representatives of the State
Democratic Party. Such publication should be done in timely fashion so that all
prospective candidates or applicants for any elected or appointed position within
each State Democratic Party will have full and adequate opportunity to compete for
office. (Rule 4.B.6)
2. Discrimination on the basis of status in the conduct of Democratic Party affairs is prohibited.
(Rule 5.B)
3. Montanas delegation shall be equally divided between delegate men and delegate women, and
alternate men and alternate women. Such goal applies to the entire delegation, which includes
all pledged delegates and alternates and all unpledged delegates. Delegates and alternates shall
be considered separate groups for purposes of achieving equal division. (Rule 6.C)
4. All delegate and alternate candidates must be identified as to presidential preference or
uncommitted status at all levels which determine presidential preference. (Rule 12.A)
5. No delegate at any level of the delegate selection process shall be mandated by law or Party
rules to vote contrary to that persons presidential choice as expressed at the time the delegate is
elected. (Rule 12.I)
Page 21
6. Delegates elected to the national convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good
conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them. (Rule 12.J)
7. All delegates, alternates and standing committee members must be bona fide Democrats who
have the interests, welfare and success of the Democratic Party of the United States at heart,
who subscribe to the substance, intent and principles of the Charter and Bylaws of the
Democratic Party of the United States, and who will participate in the Convention in good faith.
(Rule 12.H & Reg. 4.25)
8. No less than forty percent (40%) of the members of any Party body above the first level of the
delegate selection process shall constitute a quorum for any business pertaining to the selection
of National Convention delegates, alternates, standing committee members, and other official
Convention participants. (Rule 15)
9. No proxy voting will be allowed. (Rule 16)
10. The unit rule, or any rule or practice whereby all members of a Party unit or delegation may be
required to cast their votes in accordance with the will of a majority of the body, shall not be
used at any stage of the delegate selection process. (Rule 17.A)
11. Any individual or group of Democrats may sponsor or endorse a slate of candidates for
convention delegates. But no slate may, by virtue of such endorsement, receive a preferential
place on a delegate selection ballot or be publicly identified on the ballot as the official
Democratic Party organization slate, and all slates must meet identical qualifying requirements
for appearing on a ballot at all levels of the delegate selection process. (Rule 17.B)
12. All steps in the delegate selection process, including the filing of presidential candidates, must
take place within the calendar year of the Democratic National Convention, except with respect
to the implementation of the Affirmative Action Plan. (Rule 1.F & Rule 11.B)
13. In electing and certifying delegates and alternates to the 2016 Democratic National Convention,
Montana thereby undertakes to assure all Democratic voters in the state a full, timely and equal
opportunity to participate in the delegate selection process and in all Party affairs and to
implement affirmative action plans toward that end; that the delegates and alternates to the
Convention shall be selected in accordance with the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2016
Democratic National Convention; and that the delegates certified will not publicly support or
campaign for any candidates for Presidents or Vice President other than the nominees of the
Democratic National Convention. Furthermore, voters in the state will have the opportunity to
cast their election ballots for the Presidential and Vice Presidential nominees selected by said
Convention, and for electors pledged formally and in good conscience to the election of these
Presidential and Vice Presidential nominees, under the label and designation of the Democratic
Party of the United States. (Call II.B)
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Section VII
Affirmative Action, Outreach and Inclusion Plan
A. Statement of Purpose and Organization
1. Purpose and Objectives
a. To assure that the Democratic Party at all levels is an open Party which includes
rather than excludes people from participation, a program of effective affirmative
action is hereby adopted by Montana. (Rule 5.A)
b. Discrimination on the basis of status in the conduct of Democratic Party affairs is
prohibited. (Rule 5.B)
c. All public meetings at all levels of the Democratic Party in Montana should be open
to all members of the Democratic Party regardless of race, sex, age, color, creed,
national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic
status or physical disability (hereinafter collectively referred to as status). (Rule 4.B.1)
d. Consistent with the Democratic Partys commitment to including groups historically
under-represented in the Democratic Partys affairs, by virtue of race/ethnicity, age,
sexual orientation, gender identity or disability, Montana has established goals for
these groups. (Rule 5.C & Reg. 4.7)
e. To encourage full participation by all Democrats in the delegate selection process
and in all Party affairs, the Montana Democratic Party has adopted and will
implement programs with specific goals and timetables for Native Americans
African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and women.
To further encourage full participation in the process, the Montana Democratic Party
has established goals and timetables for other underrepresented groups, including
LGBT Americans, people with disabilities and youth. (Rule 6.A & Rule 7)
i. The goal of the programs shall be to encourage participation in the
delegate selection process and in Party organizations at all levels by the
aforementioned groups as indicated by their presence in the Democratic
electorate. (Rule 6.A.1)
ii. For the delegate selection process, Youth is defined as any participant
36 years old and younger.
iii. For the delegate selection process, individuals identifying as Native
Americans should provide their tribal affiliation and indicate if they are
enrolled in a tribe.
iv. These goals shall not be accomplished either directly or indirectly by the
Partys imposition of mandatory quotas at any level of the delegate
selection process or in any other Party affairs. (Rule 6.A.2)
2. Organizational Structure
a. An Affirmative Action Committee shall be appointed by the State Democratic Chair
on February 28, 2015. (Rule 6.F)
b. The State Democratic Party Chair shall certify in writing to the Rules and Bylaws
Committee of the Democratic National Committee the compliance of the States
Affirmative Action Committee with Rules 5.C, 6.A and 7, and submit the names,
demographic data and contact information no later than 15 days after their
appointment. (Reg. 2.2.K)
c. The Committee shall consist of members from each delegate district representing the
Page 23
v. Ensuring, on behalf of the State Democratic Party, that district lines used
in the delegate selection process are not gerrymandered to discriminate
against African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans
and Pacific Islanders and women. (Rule 6.E)
e. Financial and staff support for the Affirmative Action Committee shall be provided
by the State Democratic Party Committee to the greatest extent feasible, including,
but not limited to, making available on a priority basis, the State Party staff and
volunteers and covering all reasonable costs incurred in carrying out this Plan.
3. Implementation of the Affirmative Action Plan shall begin by September 15th, 2015, with the
distribution of the press kits, and will continue through the end of the delegate selection process.
(Rule 1.F)
attachments), the Affirmative Action Plan, and relevant state statutes at no cost. Copies of
documents related to the states delegate selection process will be prepared and the Affirmative
Action Committee will distribute them in the various delegate districts not later than March 7th,
2016. (Rule 1.H)
5. The State Party shall take all feasible steps to encourage persons to register and to vote as
Democrats and will seek to ensure simple and easy registration procedures. (Rule 2.C)
D. Representation Goals
1. The State Party has determined the demographic composition of African Americans, Hispanics,
Native Americans, and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the states Democratic
electorate. These constituency percentages shall be established as goals for representation in the
states convention delegation. (Rule 6.A)
2. The State Party has determined the demographic composition of members of the LGBT
community, people with disabilities, and youth in the states Democratic electorate and
furthermore, the State Party has chosen to establish these percentages as goals for representation
in the states convention delegation.
Group
Black/African American
Native American
Hispanic
Asian/Pacific Islanders
LGBT
People with Disabilities
Young Voter (18-36)
Percentage
of Montana
Voting Age
Population
0.54%
6.52%
2.27%
0.93%
5.00%
26.00%
20.07%
Voting
Percentage
Times
Strength
of
Delegate Number
within the Democratic Number
of
Party
Electorate
(27)
Delegates
93%
1.00%
0.24
1
90%
11.74%
3.16
3
71%
3.22%
0.87
1
73%
1.36%
0.37
1
76%
7.60%
2.05
2
50%
13.00%
3.51
3
57%
37.00%
9.99
10
* Percentages for Montana voting age population or turnout & voting strength within the Party
are based on 2010 Census Data, Montana Secretary of State 2012 age turnout statistics, exit
polling from 2012 conducted by the Edison Media Research for the National Election Pool,
and exit polling from 2012 conducted by the New York Times.
** No data on the percentage of the Montana electorate with disabilities or exit polls of voting
strength of Native Americans within the Party could be found so percentages from the 2012
Delegate Selection Plan have been used for those two figures.
*** No evidence was found to suggest People with Disabilities vote overtly partisan either way
thus the group has been given a 50% voting strength.
**** Each partial delegate number was rounded to the nearest whole number when applied to
our total number of delegates allotted to the National Convention.
3. When selecting the at-large portion of the delegation, the demographic composition of the other
delegates (district-level, pledged PLEO, and unpledged) shall be compared with the State
Partys goals to achieve an at-large selection process that helps to bring about a representative
balance.
4. Use of the at-large delegation to achieve the affirmative action goals established by this Plan
does not obviate the need for the State Party to conduct outreach activities such as recruitment,
education and training. (Rule 6.A.3)
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Page 27
Section VIII
Challenges
A. Jurisdiction & Standing
1. Challenges related to the delegate selection process are governed by the Regulations of the
DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee for the 2016 Democratic National Convention (Reg. Sec. 3), and
the Rules of Procedure of the Credentials Committee of the 2016 Democratic National
Convention. (Call Appendix A)
2. Under Rule 20.B. of the 2016 Delegate Selection Rules, the DNC Rules and Bylaws
Committee has jurisdiction over challenges pertaining to the submission, non-implementation
and violation of state Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plans. (Rule 20.B & Call Appendix A)
3. The Rules and Bylaws Committee has jurisdiction to hear and decide any challenge
provided it is initiated before the 56th day preceding the date of the commencement of the 2016
Democratic National Convention. (Call Appendix A & Reg. 3.1)
4. Challenges to the credentials of delegates and alternates to the 2016 Democratic National
Convention initiated on or after the 56th day preceding the date of commencement of the
Democratic National Convention shall be processed in accordance with the Rules of Procedure
of the Credentials Committee of the 2016 Democratic National Convention. (Call Appendix A)
5. Any challenge to the credentials of a standing committee member shall be considered and
resolved by the affected standing committee in accordance with Appendix A of the Call for the
2016 Democratic National Convention. The Rules and Bylaws Committee shall have
jurisdiction over challenges brought before the 56th day preceding the date of the
commencement of the Democratic National Convention. (Call VII.B.5)
6. Copies of the Regulations of the Rules and Bylaws Committee and/or the Call for the 2016
Democratic National Convention, including the Rules of Procedure of the Credentials
Committee (Appendix A), shall be made available by the State Party upon reasonable request.
7. Any group of fifteen (15) Democrats with standing to challenge as defined in Reg. 3.2 or the
Call (Appendix A, Sec. 2.A), may bring a challenge to this Plan or to the implementation of this
Plan, including its Affirmative Action provisions.
B. Challenges to the Status of the State Party and Challenges to the Plan
1. A challenge to the status of the State Party Committee as the body entitled to sponsor a
delegation from that state shall be filed with the Rules and Bylaws Committee not later than
thirty (30) calendar days prior to the initiation of the states delegate selection process. (Rule 20.A &
Reg. 3.4.A)
2. A challenge to the states Delegate Selection Plan shall be filed with the Chair of the
Montana Democratic Party and the Co-Chairs of the Rules and Bylaws Committee within
fifteen (15) calendar days after the adoption of the Plan by the State Party. (Reg. 3.4.B)
3. A challenge to a Plan must be brought in conformity with the Rules and the Regulations,
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C. Challenges to Implementation
1. A challenge may be brought alleging that a specific requirement of an approved Plan has not
been properly implemented. Jurisdiction over all challenges initiated in a timely fashion shall
reside with either the Rules and Bylaws Committee or the Credentials Committee of the
National Convention (See Section VII.A above). However, the Rules and Bylaws Committee
may provide advice, assistance or interpretations of the Delegate Selection Rules at any stage of
the delegate selection process. (Reg. 3.1.C)
2. An implementation challenge brought before the Rules and Bylaws Committee is initiated
by filing a written challenge with the State Party Committee and with the Rules and Bylaws
Committee not later than fifteen (15) days after the alleged violation occurred. The State Party
has twenty-one (21) days to render a decision. Within ten (10) days of the decision, any party to
the challenge may appeal it to the Rules and Bylaws Committee. If in fact, the State Party
renders no decision, any party to the challenge may request the Rules and Bylaws Committee to
process it. The request must be made within ten (10) days after expiration of the above twentyone (21) day period. (Reg. 3.4.C., Reg. E & Reg. H)
3. Performance under an approved Affirmative Action Plan and composition of the convention
delegation shall be considered relevant evidence in the challenge to any state delegation. If a
State Party has adopted and implemented an approved affirmative action program, the State
Party shall not be subject to challenge based solely on delegation composition or primary
results. (Rule 6.B) The procedures are the same for challenges alleging failure to properly
implement the Affirmative Action section of a Plan, except that such challenges must be filed
not later than thirty (30) days prior to the initiation of the states delegate selection process. (Reg.
3.4.C)
Page 29
Section IX
Summary of Plan
A. Selection of Delegates and Alternates
1. Montana will use a proportional representation system based on the results of the primary
apportioning its delegates to the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
a. The first determining step of Montanas delegate selection process will occur on
June 7th, 2016 with a primary election.
b. Delegates and alternates will be selected as summarized on the following chart:
Type
Delegates
District-Level
Delegates
15
Alternates
Filing
Requirements
and Deadlines
Refer to Section
IX.A.2.a below.
Refer to Section
IX.A.2.b below.
Unpledged Party
Leader and
Elected Official
Delegates
N/A
By Virtue of Respective
public or Party office as
Provided in Rule 8.A of
the 12 Delegate Selection
Rules
Pledged Party
Leader and
Elected Official
Delegates
Quorum of District-Level
Delegates
Refer to Section
IX.A.2.c below.
At-Large
Delegates
Refer to Section
IX.A.2.d below.
27
Total
* Unpledged Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) delegates includes the following categories, if
applicable, who legally reside in the state: the Democratic National Committee Members, the
Democratic President, the Democratic Vice President, all Democratic members of the U.S. House of
Representatives and the U.S. Senate, the Democratic Governor, and any other Distinguished Party
Leader as specified in Rule 9.A of the 2016 Delegate Selection Rules. The exact number of Unpledged
PLEO Delegates is subject to change due to possible deaths, resignations, elections or special elections.
**Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) alternates are selected with the At-Large
alternates.
2. Written requirements for becoming a delegate
a. District-Level Delegate
i. File a statement of candidacy with the State Democratic Party by 5:00
P.M. June 10th, 2016.
ii. You must live in the district you are running to represent.
iii. District-level delegates will be selected by a convention of previously
selected county delegates within each Montana Democratic Party
Page 30
Total
Members
Selection Date
2016.
2. Two Convention Pages will be selected by the State Democratic Chair on June 11th, 2016.
E. Timetable
Date
Activity
2015
28-Feb
27-Mar
April
1-May
Proposed Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plans are tentatively approved
with public comment to date.
4-May
Montana Delegate Selection Plan is submitted to DNC rules and bylaws committee
15-Sep
State Party begins implementation of the Affirmative Action Plan. Press kits, as
described in the Affirmative Action Plan, are sent to all state media.
2016
14-Jan
7-Mar
14-Mar
25-Mar
16-May
7-Jun
9-Jun
10-Jun
11-Jun
Statement of candidacy for at-large delegates and alternates due one half hour after
completion of PLEO delegate selection
Presidential candidates must file a list of approved candidates for at-large delegates
and alternates one hour after completion of PLEO delegate selection
At-large delegates and alternates selected by convention of county-level delegates
statewide
Standing Committee Members selected by convention of National Convention
Delegates
Delegation Chair selected by a quorum of National Convention Delegates
Convention pages selected by State Chair
21-Jun
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Page 34
Attachments
Page 35
Chouteau County
Custer County
Blaine County
Chinook Opinion
The Harlem News
Daniels County
Carbon County
The Record
Carbon County News
KRBN-AM
Dawson County
Carter County
Ranger-Review
KXGN-TV
KDZN-FM
KGLE-AM
KXGN-AM
Cascade County
Fergus County
Lewistown News-Argus
KLCM-FM
KXLO-AM
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Flathead County
Gallatin County
Glacier County
Glacier-Reporter
Cut Bank Pioneer Press
Western Breeze
Granite County
Hill County
Lake County
Boulder Monitor
Whitehall Ledger
Lake County Leader
KERR-AM
KQRK-FM
Independent Record
Montana Magazine
KTVH-TV
KBLL-AM/FM
KCAP-AM/FM
KHKR-AM/FM
KMTX-AM/FM
Associated Press
Montana Broadcasters Assoc.
Liberty County
Lincoln County
Meagher County
Mineral County
Mineral Independent
Missoula County
The Missoulian
The Missoula Independent
Seeley Swan Pathfinder
KECI-TV
KPAX-TV
KTMF-TV
KGRZ-TV
KGVO-AM
KLCY-AM/KYSS-FM
KMSO-FM
KUFM-FM
KYLT-AM/KZQQ-FM
KOJM-AM/KPQX-F
KXEI-FM
Musselshell County Roundup Record
Tribune & Winnett Times
Park County
Livingston Enterprise
KPRK-AM
Phillips County
Pondera County
Independent-Observer
The Valierian
The Prairie Star
Powell County
KDRG-AM/KDRF-FM
Page 37
Prairie County
Ravalli County
Ravalli Republic
The Bitterroot Star
KLYQ-AM/KBMG-AM
Richland County
Sidney Herald-Leader
Roosevelt County
Culbertson Searchlight
KTYZ-AM/KTYZ-FM
Rosebud County
The Independent-Enterprise
KIKC-AM/FM
Teton County
Choteau Acantha
Fairfield Sun Times
Toole County
Shelby Promoter
KSEN-AM/KZIN-FM
Treasure County
Hysham Echo
Valley County
Glasgow Courier
KLTZ-AM/KLAN-FM
Sheridan County
Plentywood Herald
KATQ-AM/FM
Montana Standard
KTVM-TV
KXLF-TV
KBOW-AM/KOPR-FM
KJLF-FM
KMSM-FM
KXTL-AM/KQUY-FM
The Butte Weekly
Stillwater County
Youth Newspapers:
MSU Exponent
UM Kaimin
Jim Larson
Montana Democratic Party Chair
Page 39
Page 40
Jim Larson
Montana Democratic Party Chair
Page 41
Jim Larson
Montana Democratic Party Chair
___________________________________________________________________________________
__
From: Montana Democrats <delegateselection@montanademocrats.org>
Date: Fri, Mar 27, 2015 at 10:18 AM
Subject: Feedback on Presidential Delegate Selection Plan
To:
Dear Montana Democratic State Central Committee Members,
As we gear up for 2016, we need your help participating in the drafting of our 2016 Presidential Delegate
Selection Plan. The Montana Democratic Partys Delegate Selection Plan, which includes an Affirmative Action,
Outreach and Inclusion Plan, will govern the process by which the Montana Democratic Party selects delegates
to attend the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, PA in July 2016. While much of the plan is
guided by rules set forth by the Democratic National Committee, each state is required to draft their own unique
plan, and we want all Montana Democrats involved in this process.
Today marks the beginning of a 30-day public comment period to solicit feedback on our draft Delegate
Selection Plan. The plan is available on the Montana Democratic Party website and can be accessed directly
from this e-mail using the following link: http://www.montanademocrats.org/Delegate_Selection
Please take some time to review the draft plan and send along your feedback. All public comments can be sent
by e-mail or mail to:
E-mail: delegateselection@montanademocrats.org
Mail:
The 30-day public comment period will end on April 26th. All public comments will be reviewed and may be
incorporated into the plan that is ultimately adopted by the Montana Democratic State Central Committee in early
May. The Democratic National Committee requires that our approved plan be submitted to the DNC Rules and
Bylaws Committee by May 4th.
Thank you for your involvement in this process. We look forward to hearing from you.
Jim Larson
Montana Democratic Party Chair
Page 42
Page 43
Page 44
_________________
_________________
___ No Preference
as the Democratic nominee for President, and I pledge that I will in good conscience reflect the sentiments of
those who elected me. I further pledge that, if elected, I will not publicly support or campaign for any other
candidate for President or Vice-President other than the nominees of the Democratic National Convention. I
understand that the candidate I support or his/her representative may choose to disallow in writing my candidacy
for national delegate.
Signed this _________ day of June, 2016
X________________________________________
Name (please print)_______________________________________
Address ________________________________________________
City/Zip________________________________________________
Phone ___________________(home)_____________________(cell)
E-mail _________________________________________________
I am filing for the position(s) checked below (more than one may be marked):
Position
___ Western District Delegate (No Alternate Position)
___ Eastern District Delegate (No Alternate Position)
Qualifications
Resident of Western District
Resident of Eastern District
Resident of Montana
*If I do not win as a Delegate, ____ I Do (Check one) wish to run as an Alternate.
____ I Do Not
Important Deadlines:
Candidates for District-Level, PLEO or At-Large positions must file with the Montana Democratic Party. Fax this form to Party
Headquarters (406) 442-9534 and call to confirm (406) 442-9520, or deliver to Party Headquarters at 303 N Ewing, Helena. DistrictLevel Candidates must file by 5 PM, Friday, June 10th. PLEO Candidates must file within one half hour after the election of DistrictLevel Delegates on June 11th. At-Large Delegates must file within one half hour after the election of the PLEO Delegates on June
11th.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 45
I will vote in the caucus of and pledge my support for (check one):
(before checking one of these boxes, make sure your county will have delegates for your preferred candidate or no
preference)
__________________
___ No Preference
__________________
________________________________________________________________________
Street
City
Zip
________________________________________________________________________
Phone
Cell
E-mail
Page 46
Page 47
Statement from Chair Outlining Data & Source Used for Affirmative Action Goals
In accordance with Rules 5.C, 6.A, and 7, the Montana Delegate Selection Plan seeks to include groups
historically under-represented in the Democratic Partys affairs by virtue of race, ethnicity, age, sexual
orientation, gender identity and disability. The Montana Democratic Party will implement an
affirmative action program with specific goals aimed at full inclusion of these historically underrepresented groups.
Because exit polling is extremely limited in Montana, the numerical goals set forth in the Affirmative
Action section of the Montana Delegate Selection Plan utilize a combination of voting age populations
according to 2010 Census Data, Montana Secretary of State 2012 turnout statistics, and national exit
polling conducted in 2012 by the Edison Media Research for the the National Election Pool and by the
New York Times for voting strength within the Democratic Party.
To establish each groups percentage within the Democratic electorate, the percentage of the Montana
voting age population or Montana turnout, if available, was multiplied by the voting strength within the
Democratic Party according to national exit polls. Each groups percentage within the Democratic
electorate was then multiplied by the total number of delegates to establish numerical goals for our
National Convention delegation.
Every effort was made to find Montana exit polls with information on these minority groups, but in the
absence of this information, the most accurate population figures for Montana had to be used along
with national exit polls that indicate how strongly each group votes Democratic as a whole.
Jim Larson
Montana Democratic Party Chair
Page 48
Statement from Chair Certifying the Affirmative Action Committee Composition Complies with
Rules 5.C, 6.A & 7
I certify that the Montana Democratic Partys Affirmative Action Committee composition complies
with Rules 5.C, 6.A, and 7. The members of the Affirmative Action Committee are isted below with
their relevant demographic data and contact information. The Committee includes members of groups
historically under-represented in Democratic Party affairs by virute of race, ethnicity, age, sexual
orientation and disability. This information was also submitted to the DNC Rules & Bylaws
Committee in March.
Jim Larson
Montana Democratic Party Chair
______________________________________________________________________________
Montana Democratic Party Affirmative Action Committee
Chairwoman: Stacey Otterstrom Female, Native American-Little Shell Chippewa, Youth
542 Twilight St, Helena, MT 59601
(406) 945-1487; staceyotterstrom@gmail.com
Bryce Bennett - Male, Caucasian, Youth, LGBT
118 W Alder St Unit 306, Missoula, MT 59802
(406) 546-3629; brycebennett1@gmail.com
Jorge Quintana Male, Hispanic
102 S Beattie St, Helena, MT 59601
(406) 431-7718; quintanaj@outlook.com
Jean Lemire Dahlman Female, Caucasian, Senior, Rural
3335 Old Hwy 10 Rd, Forsyth, MT 59327
(406) 351-9921; lemiredahlman@rangeweb.net
Carl Donovan Male, Caucasian, LGBT, Disabled
th
1509 13 Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 750-2195; cjdd72@charter.net
Page 49
Page 50
PREAMBLE
position will have full and adequate opportunity to compete for office.
4. The Montana State Central Committee and every county central committee are encouraged to
conduct outreach to expand membership, register new voters and engage in other field activities that
advance the mission of the Democratic Party.
5. Use of the term Executive Board district in these rules, including Montana's Presidential Delegate
Selection Plan, means the allocation of Montana's counties in the following manner:
Western District: Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Glacier, Granite, Jefferson,
Lake, Lewis & Clark, Lincoln, Madison, Mineral, Missoula, Pondera, Powell, Ravalli, Sanders
and Silver Bow Counties
Eastern District: Big Horn, Blaine, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Daniels,
Dawson, Fallon, Fergus, Gallatin, Garfield, Golden Valley, Hill, Judith Basin, Liberty, McCone,
Meagher, Musselshell, Park, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt,
Rosebud, Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Toole, Treasure, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux
and Yellowstone Counties
1. It shall be the duty of all delegate selection conventions and all Party officers at every level, to
encourage persons from all income levels, young people, women, persons of minority races or
ethnicities, senior citizens, LGBT persons, and other under-represented and minority groups to
participate in and seek selection as delegates to Party conventions and as members of Party committees.
2. The Montana Democratic State Central Committee shall adopt an affirmative action plan to ensure
equal participation in Party affairs, including delegate selection, in keeping with State Party rules and
rules adopted by the Democratic National Committee. When adopted, such plan is fully enforceable as
a rule of the Montana Democratic Party.
issue calls for and preside at all meetings and conventions of the State Central
Committee and the Executive Board;
act as a resource for Democratic Party members, organizations, political candidates and
campaigns;
work with the Treasurer and Executive Director to oversee all Board-level finances;
The State Chair shall be paid a monthly stipend in recognition of the time and effort
required to fulfill the responsibilities of the position. This stipend will be set and
approved by the State Executive Board.
preside at meetings in the absence of the State Chair, or where action by the Chair would
constitute a conflict of interest;
assist the Chair and Executive Director in raising funds for the State Democratic Party;
and
work with the Executive Director and Chair to prepare agendas for Executive Board
meetings;
work with the Executive Director and Chair to ensure proper notice be made available in
compliance with these rules; and
3. The Executive Director will comply with all adopted financial controls and policies per the
Executive Board.
removed from office pursuant to Rules 6 or 7, and did not resign the office of State Chair or
Vice Chair);
c) the Treasurer and Secretary;
d) the National Committee Members;
e) four district chairs, consisting of one male and one female county central committee chair or
vice chair from each Executive Board district;
f) eight district members, consisting of two men and two women from each Executive Board
district;
g) Democratic legislators holding the positions of Speaker of the House, President of the
Senate, and Majority Leader of the House and Senate; or the Minority Leader and Whip of the
House and Senate;
h) Democrats holding the offices of Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State
Auditor and Superintendent of Public Instruction; and
i) The Montana Democratic members of the United States Senate and United States Congress.
j) The officials enumerated in (h) and (i) may designate a representative to act in their absence.
k) In addition, the Executive Director shall be a non-voting, ex-officio member of the Executive
Board.
SECTION D: COMMITTEES
1. The three standing committees of the Executive Board are Finance, Personnel and Rules.
a) Finance Committee: The Treasurer of the State Central Committee shall serve as the Chair
of the Finance Committee. The State Chair shall appoint other members to the committee.
b) Personnel Committee: The State Chair shall serve as the Chair of the Personnel
Committee. She or he shall appoint six additional Executive Board members to the Personnel
Committee, three of which must be Democratic incumbents holding state or federal elective
offices (or their designated representatives).
c) Rules Committee: The State Chair shall appoint a Rules Committee.
2. The State Chair shall appoint ad hoc committees as needed.
Executive Board.
2.This does not apply to members listed in Rule 6, Section C, #1(g), (h), (i), or (j).
SECTION A: VACANCIES
1. A vacancy exists whenever a precinct committeeman or woman, officer or member dies, resigns,
becomes permanently incapacitated or fails to maintain the qualifications of the office. A vacancy also
exists whenever the State Chair, State Vice Chair, or any permanent, paid employee of the Montana
Democratic Party becomes a candidate for or holds any state or national office, excluding the office of
state legislator.
2. Unless specified otherwise in this rule, or in law, vacancies on any committee or board shall be filled
by election by members of such committee.
3. Vacant positions shall be filled as follows:
a) Precinct Committeemen and Committeewomen: Remaining members of the county
central committee shall elect a precinct resident to fill the vacancy.
b) Officers of City or County Central Committees: Vacant seats for officers not filled by an
appropriate alternate already provided in these rules shall be filled by a person having the
necessary qualifications for the vacant seat and shall be elected by the county central
committee, except as provided in Rule 7, Section A, #3(e).
c) Executive Board Members: If the State Chair position becomes vacant, the State Vice Chair
shall become Chair. Vacancies in the positions of State Vice Chair or board members, including
National Committee Members, shall be filled by a vote of the Executive Board, subject to the
notice requirements in Rule 6, Section B, #2. Nominations must be made by Board members,
and candidates for vacancies must meet the same qualifications as the person formerly
occupying the position. Election shall be by majority vote of the board members present and
voting.
d) Immediate Past State Chair & Vice Chair: Vacancies in the position of immediate past
State Chair and immediate past State Vice Chair shall not be filled.
e) No Established Central Committee: If there are no elected or appointed precinct committee
persons serving in a county, the State Chair shall appoint, with the approval of a majority of the
Executive Board, county central committee officers to form a new committee. The appointed
officers, who must be residents of the county, may then fill vacant precinct positions as
Page 60
provided in Rule 7, Section A, #3(a). The appointed officers shall serve until the next county
convention.
SECTION B: REMOVAL
1. Members of the Executive Board, except the National Committeeman and Committeewoman, may
be removed from office for cause by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board at a special meeting called on
15 days written notice. The notice shall contain the charges proffered and be signed by no less than
25% of the members of the Executive Board. Prior to the vote, the accused shall be given a full hearing
and the opportunity to face any accusers.
2. City or county central committee officers may be removed from office according to rules established
by each county central committee, or in the absence of county rules, by a 2/3 vote of the total
membership of the committee.
RULE 8 CONVENTIONS
constitute a quorum.
Page 62
RULE 9 PROXIES
1. No proxy vote will be recognized at any county, city, district, or state Democratic meeting.
1. During a statewide or federal election campaign, the Montana State Democratic Party shall expend
no funds and provide no tactical support for any candidate except that the Executive Board may by 2/3
vote authorize the expenditure of funds and tactical support for proven incumbents who have
consistently demonstrated support of the Party platform and issues for incumbents who are running
unopposed.
2. Absent Executive Board support of a proven statewide or federal incumbent, the State Chair, Vice
Chair, Executive Director and paid party staff shall maintain neutrality throughout any contested
primary.
3. The Executive Board may expend Party funds during a primary campaign for the entertainment of
visiting dignitaries from outside the state who may have been invited to appear in the state at the
request of the State Central Committee or the Executive Board.
4. The State Chair, Vice Chair, Executive Director and paid staff of the Montana Democratic Party shall
resign these positions if they file to run for elective office in a contested primary.
1. "Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised (RONR)," shall govern the proceedings of all meetings
existing under these rules, except as provided in Rule 8, Section D, #2, for all meetings convening after
September 2011.
1. Voting: These rules may be amended at any meeting of the Montana Democratic State Central
Committee by a 2/3 vote of those present.
2. Notice: Fifteen days written notice of the proposed change shall be given to Montana Democratic
State Central Committee members. Notices may be delivered by email.
3. Quorum: At any meeting of the Montana Democratic State Central Committee, 20% shall
Page 63
constitute a quorum.
1. Vacancies occurring among Democratic candidates that by law are to be filled by action of the
county central committee shall be filled according to the provisions of this rule insofar as they do not
conflict with state law.
2. Appointment of a person to fill the vacancy shall be by a majority vote of the precinct committeemen
and committeewomen present at a meeting called for that purpose and publicized throughout the
county. The county chair shall provide reasonable written or email notice to committee members unless
the deadline for filling the vacancy as determined by the election administrator precludes such notice,
in which case notification by telephone shall be required.
3. At the meeting, nominations of persons qualified to fill the vacancy may be made by precinct
committeemen or committeewomen. Following the close of nominations, an election shall be held with
each precinct committeeman and committeewoman voting for one person. (If more than one vacancy is
to be filled at the meeting, separate votes shall be taken for each vacancy.) The person receiving a
majority of the votes cast shall be reported by the county chair to the election administrator as the party
nominee. If no person receives a majority of the votes cast on the first ballot, the name of the person
receiving the fewest votes shall be stricken from subsequent ballots until one person receives a majority
of the votes cast.
1. In the event the Democratic Party shall have to nominate a candidate for a multi-county district
office, the procedures for such nomination shall be as provided in this rule.
2. The State Chair shall call a nominating convention. The State Chair or his or her designee shall
preside. The convention shall choose a secretary and may adopt rules for nominating speeches,
candidate presentations and other procedural matters.
3. The precinct committeemen and committeewomen from precincts within the district shall be
delegates to the nominating convention.
4. The State Chair shall issue a convention call to the county chair of each county within the district.
Page 64
The call shall be issued so as to provide reasonable notice to the delegates. The call shall include at
least the following:
a) the time, date and place of the nominating convention;
b) a list of the counties and precincts within the district;
c) the procedures for certifying the identity of precinct committeemen and committeewomen
eligible to participate; and
d) the qualifications required of the person to be nominated at the convention.
5. Any delegate may nominate any Democrat meeting the qualifications provided by law for the
vacancy being filled.
6. The delegates shall cast ballots using weighted votes. Each delegate shall cast a weighted vote equal
to one-half the votes cast in his or her precinct for the Democratic candidate for U.S. Representative in
the most recent general election.
7. The person receiving a majority of the total votes cast shall be declared the Party's nominee. If no
person receives a majority of the votes cast on the first ballot, the name of the person receiving the
fewest votes shall be stricken from subsequent ballots until one person receives a majority of the votes
cast.
1. In the event the Democratic Party shall have to nominate a candidate for statewide office, the
procedures for such nomination shall be as provided in this rule.
2. The State Chair shall call a meeting of the Montana Democratic State Central Committee.
Reasonable written notice of the meeting shall be issued unless deadlines imposed by the Secretary of
State, the laws of Montana, or other authority shall necessitate shorter notice by telephone. The notice
of the meeting shall include:
a) a statement that the purpose of the meeting is to fill a vacancy for the Democratic Party's
candidate for statewide office, and naming the office;
b) the date, time and place of the meeting;
c) the procedures by which the nominee will be chosen at the meeting;
d) the procedures for certifying the election of State Central Committee members not already on
record with the State Chair; and
e) the qualifications required of the person to be nominated at the meeting.
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3. Only members of the Montana Democratic State Central Committee shall be entitled to participate in
the meeting, except that the State Central Committee may adopt rules allowing nominating speeches by
other persons and may agree to hear presentations by candidates for the nomination. Following the
close of nominations, the members of the Montana Democratic State Central Committee shall vote. The
person receiving a majority of the votes cast shall be declared the Party's nominee. If no person
receives a majority of the votes cast on the first ballot, the name of the person receiving the fewest
votes shall be stricken from subsequent ballots until one person receives a majority of the votes cast.
4. The State Chair and Secretary shall sign a certificate of nomination naming the person selected and
shall deliver the original to the Secretary of State.
RULE 16 SUBMISSION OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FILLING A VACANCY IN THE
LEGISLATURE OR IN A BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
1. In the event the Democratic Party shall have to recommend to county commissioners a list of
candidates to fill a vacancy in the legislature, or in the office of county commissioner, as provided by
law, the procedures for compiling such list (and a second list, if needed) shall be as provided in this
rule.
2. Vacancy in a district entirely within one county.
a) following any necessary consultation with the county commissioners, the county chair shall
call a meeting of the county central committee, providing reasonable written or email notice, or
notifying members by telephone if four days written notice cannot be afforded.
b) at the meeting, precinct committeemen and committeewomen shall nominate a minimum of
three persons qualified to serve in the vacant office. Following the close of nominations, each
committeeman and committeewoman shall cast a vote for one of the nominees. The names of
the three persons receiving the most votes shall be certified to the appropriate body by the
county chair as the recommended candidates of the Democratic Party.
3. Vacancy in a district comprising more than one county.
a) following any necessary consultation with the county commissioners, the State Chair shall
call a nominating convention in a convenient location in one of the counties comprising the
district.
b) reasonable written or email notice of the meeting shall be provided to all delegates; notice
by telephone will be required unless at least four days written notice can be provided.
c) precinct committeemen and committeewomen from precincts within the district shall be
delegates to the joint meeting. The State Chair or his or her designee shall preside at the joint
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meeting.
d) delegates shall nominate a minimum of three persons qualified to serve in the vacant office.
e) each delegate shall cast a vote for one of the nominees. The weight of each delegate's vote
shall be equal to one-half the votes received in that precinct at the last election by the person
vacating the office. (The State Chair shall have final authority to assign weighted votes in
instances where precinct lines, or district lines may have changed since the election, or other
circumstances dictate.) Ballots marked with the proper weighted votes shall be distributed by
the presiding officer through a roll call of the counties and their precincts.
f) the names of the three persons receiving the most votes shall be certified to the county
commissioners by the State Chair as the recommended candidates of the Democratic Party.
RULE 17 APPEALS
1. In all cases where application of these rules is contested, the aggrieved party must file a timely,
written protest with the State Chair, Vice Chair, and Executive Director.
2. The State Chair will call on the state Rules Committee to investigate and resolve the conflict. The
Rules Committee's decision is final, unless overruled by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board.
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13-1-107. Times for holding primary elections. (1) On the first Tuesday after the first
Monday in June preceding the general election provided for in 13-1-104(1), a primary
election shall be held throughout the state.
(2) On the Tuesday following the second Monday in September preceding the general
election provided for in 13-1-104(2), a primary election, if required, shall be held
throughout the state.
(3) If the general election for a municipality required to hold annual elections is held in
November, as provided in 13-1-104(4), a primary election, if required, shall be held on the
Tuesday following the second Monday in September. In an even-numbered year, the cost of
this election must be paid by the municipality.
History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 216, L. 1987.
13-10-201. Declaration for nomination -- term limitations. (1) Each candidate in the
primary election, except nonpartisan candidates filing under the provisions of Title 13,
chapter 14, shall file a declaration for nomination with the secretary of state or election
administrator. Except for a candidate who files under 13-38-201, a candidate may not file
for more than one public office. Each candidate for governor shall file a joint declaration for
nomination with a candidate for lieutenant governor.
(2) A declaration for nomination must be filed in the office of:
(a) the secretary of state for placement of a name on the ballot for the presidential
preference primary, a congressional office, a state or district office to be voted for in more
than one county, a member of the legislature, or a judge of the district court;
(b) the election administrator for a county, municipal, precinct, or district office (other
than a member of the legislature or judge of the district court) to be voted for in only one
county.
(3) Each candidate shall sign the declaration and send with it the required filing fee or, in
the case of an indigent candidate, send with it the documents required by 13-10-203. Unless
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filed electronically with the secretary of state, the declaration for nomination must be
acknowledged by an officer empowered to acknowledge signatures or by the officer of the
office at which the filing is made.
(4) The declaration for nomination must include an oath of the candidate that includes
wording substantially as follows: "I hereby affirm that I possess, or will possess within
constitutional and statutory deadlines, the qualifications prescribed by the Montana
constitution and the laws of the United States and the state of Montana." The candidate
affirmation included in this oath is presumed to be valid unless proven otherwise in a court
of law.
(5) The declaration, when filed, is conclusive evidence that the elector is a candidate for
nomination by the elector's party. For a partisan election, an elector may not file a
declaration for more than one party's nomination.
(6) (a) The declaration for nomination must be in the form and contain the information
prescribed by the secretary of state.
(b) A person seeking nomination to the legislature shall provide the secretary of state
with a street address, legal description, or road designation to indicate the person's place of
residence. If a candidate for the legislature changes residence, the candidate shall, within 15
days after the change, notify the secretary of state on a form prescribed by the secretary of
state.
(c) The secretary of state and election administrator shall furnish declaration for
nomination forms to individuals requesting them.
(7) (a) Except as provided in 13-10-211 and subsection (7)(b) of this section, a
candidate's declaration for nomination must be filed no sooner than 135 days before the
election in which the office first appears on the ballot and no later than 5 p.m., 75 days
before the date of the primary election.
(b) For an election held pursuant to 13-1-104(1)(a) or 13-1-107(1) or for a political
subdivision that holds an election on the date of either of those elections, a candidate's
declaration for nomination must be filed no sooner than 145 days before the election in
which the office first appears on the ballot and no later than 5 p.m., 85 days before the date
of the primary election.
(8) A properly completed and signed declaration for nomination form may be sent by
facsimile transmission, electronically mailed, delivered in person, or mailed to the election
administrator or to the secretary of state.
(9) For the purposes of implementing Article IV, section 8, of the Montana constitution,
the secretary of state shall apply the following conditions:
(a) A term of office for an official serving in the office or a candidate seeking the office
is considered to begin on January 1 of the term for which the official is elected or for which
the candidate seeks election and end on December 31 of the term for which the official is
elected or for which the candidate seeks election.
(b) A year is considered to start on January 1 and end on the following December 31.
(c) "Current term", as used in Article IV, section 8, of the Montana constitution, has the
meaning provided in 2-16-214.
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History: (1) thru (5)En. Sec. 59, Ch. 368, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 28, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 246, L. 1975; amd.
Sec. 14, Ch. 365, L. 1977; Sec. 23-3304, R.C.M. 1947; (6)En. Sec. 60, Ch. 368, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 15, Ch. 365, L. 1977;
Sec. 23-3305, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 23-3304(1) thru (4), (8), 23-3305; amd. Sec. 63, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 25,
Ch. 250, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 644, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 74, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 5, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 1, Ch.
40, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 7, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 18, Ch. 475, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 586, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 1, Ch.
96, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 292, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 19, Ch. 242, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 304, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 13,
Ch. 336, L. 2013.
13-10-403. Form of ballot. The presidential preference ballot shall list all candidates
nominated in accordance with the provisions of this part and shall, in addition, include a
presidential ballot position which shall be designated as "no preference" and a blank writein space.
History: En. 23-3324 by Sec. 3, Ch. 162, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 23-3324; amd. Sec. 81, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 6,
Ch. 644, L. 1987.
History: En. 23-3325 by Sec. 4, Ch. 162, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 23-3325; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 52, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 2,
Ch. 5, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 24, Ch. 242, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 18, Ch. 336, L. 2013.
History: En. Sec. 186, Ch. 368, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 21, Ch. 365, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4016; amd. Sec. 164, Ch.
571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 59, Ch. 56, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 89, L. 2009.
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