In the altered reality of COVID-19, the Democratic election picture is coming into focus! To get either Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders to the White House, Democrats have to nominate one or the other. Here are the steps ahead for us in Virginia:
First, we Rapp Dems have to our select delegates to represent either Bernie Sanders or Joe Biden to ultimately go to the National Democratic Convention. Rapp has been allocated one Biden delegate and one Biden alternate delegate (to fill in if needed), and one Bernie delegate. Now we have to pick those delegates.
In normal times, Rapp Dems step up to become delegates and we’d hold a caucus at the Library to elect them them. Because of restrictions brought on by COVID-19, this year we’ll hold a virtual caucus.
Here’s what you need to do:
If you want to be a delegate or alternate for Bernie or Biden, submit this pre-filing form to the Democratic Committee of Virginia by April 9. You’ll need to pledge to one candidate.
To participate in picking the delegates (and we hope EVERYONE will!), submit this form to the Democratic Committee by April 9.
After April 9, the DPVA will let us know who has applied to be a delegate and who wants to participate in selecting delegates.
Then on April 20 we will hold our virtual caucus. All registered participants will receive an emailed ballot, which they will email back to us. We then notify the winners and send our results back to the DPVA.
On May 9 is the 5th Congressional District Convention to whittle down the local delegates to those who will go to the State Convention. This will also be held virtually. (Details to come.)
June 9 is the State Convention, where delegates will be picked to go to the National Convention. Chances are good that we’ll have to find a way to hold a virtual convention.
July 13-16 is the National Convention.
The DPVA and DNC are working hard to make the nominating process safe, inclusive, and transparent. The situation is still fluid, but now is the time to get involved!
After Super Tuesday, there is still work to do to nominate a Democratic Presidential candidate to rid us of Donald Trump and his entire incompetent apparatus.
In spite of the chaos and upheavals of the past week, we are charting our course (with guidance from the Democratic Party of Virginia) to safely select delegates to send to the 5th District Nominating Convention on May 9, then on to the State Convention on June 20. From there, VA delegates will go to the National Convention in Milwaukee on July 13 to 16.
It’s still unclear what form these conventions will take, given the cancellations due to the coronavirus outbreak across the country. What we do know is that:
Rappahannock County has been allotted 2 delegates and one alternate delegate to represent us on May 9.
Each delegate may only pledge to either Bernie Sanders or Joe Biden.
We will be holding an unassembled caucus to pick those delegates on MondayApril 20 from 7:30 to 9:30 pm at the Rappahannock Library. This is like a typical voting experience: you’ll come to the library, present an ID, complete a form certifying that you are a Democrat registered to vote in the county, and fill out a ballot for one of a list of potential delegates. (Click here to open the call for caucus form)
Pick your Democratic nominee for President on Super Tuesday, March 3!
Just go to your regular polling station (see below if you need help finding it). Doors open at 6 AM and close promptly at 7 PM (though if you’re in line at 7 PM, you can still vote). Bring your photo ID.
If you have questions or problems on Tuesday, the Virginia Hotline Number is (844) 4VA-VOTE or (844) 482-8683.
