People Power: Precinct Delegate
What is a precinct?
The precinct is the smallest political unit in the country. The precinct is where elections are won and lost. It is your neighborhood. You know the people and you know what issues are most important to them.
What is a Precinct Delegate?
Precinct delegates are elected directly by the voters of each precinct to serve as a “bridge” between voters and the political party of their choice. As a precinct delegate, you represent your political party in your neighborhood, and represent your neighborhood at party meetings.
The role of the precinct delegate is one of the most important yet least understood of any elected office. It is an active precinct delegate who keeps voters informed on issues, and ultimately the precinct delegates are the people who win elections in any campaign.
How do Precinct Delegates get elected?
Precinct delegates are elected in the August primary election of even – numbered years throughout the entire state of Michigan. Voters in each political party choose precinct delegates. After the election, any remaining vacancies may be filled by the party chair. Each precinct in Genesee County is allowed nine delegates per party.
What are their responsibilities?
As a precinct delegate, you will:
- Register voters.
- Take information on issues and candidates to voters in your precinct.
- Identify other party members, and recruit new members.
- Help turn out the vote in our neighborhood on Election Day.
- Help organize poll workers for a strong GOTV on Election Day.
- Keep leaders informed about the issues that concern voters.
- Elect executive committees and officers at County Convention.
Precinct delegates are automatically delegates to the State Convention. The state convention will debate and adopt a platform, nominate candidates for Supreme Court Justices, State Board of Education, and university boards.
Here is our Genesee County Democratic Party 2018 Precinct Delegate Handbook which was prepared by the Precinct Delegate Committee.
Below is the Application to be Appointed a Genesee County Democratic Precinct Delegate:
Application to be Appointed Precinct Delegate
Other Important Links:
Precinct Delegate Write-In Candidate Declaration of Intent
Filing Requirements: Precinct Delegate 2018 Election Cycle
Precinct Delegate Affidavit of Identity and Receipt of Filing
A Note: Please make sure you join the Michigan Democratic Party online: JOIN HERE. Follow the GCDP on Facebook for updates.
Thank you for bringing Your Voice to Your Party!
Michelle Gushen & Nate Faris, Precinct Organization Committee – Co-Chairs