45th District Democrats overwhelmingly approve resolution calling for a presidential primary

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Today, at the 45th District Democrats’ 2016 Caucus, the party, by a near unanimous margin, voted to adopt the following resolution calling on the Washington State Democratic Central Committee (WSDCC) to incorporate a presidential primary into future Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plans. The results of the primary would determine how many delegates each candidate would receive to the National Convention. Caucuses could still be held to choose those individuals who would represent the candidates at the National Convention, approve platforms and resolutions, and allow Democratic activists to meet their neighbors. The text of the adopted resolution is as follows. 

RESOLUTION URGING THE WASHINGTON STATE DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE TO INCORPORATE A PRIMARY INTO ITS NEXT PRESIDENTIAL DELEGATE SELECTION AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN

WHEREAS the Washington State Democratic Party has historically held precinct, legislative, and congressional district caucuses to allocate how many delegates each candidate should receive from Washington State at the Democratic National Convention;

WHEREAS while holding caucuses allows Democrats to come together to organize, many people are precluded from participating due to work, family obligations, disability, or travel plans;

WHEREAS the Legislature of Washington State has previously adopted a law providing for a presidential primary every four years which the Washington State Democratic Party could use to determine how many delegates each candidate should receive at the Democratic National Convention from Washington State;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the 45th District Democrats call on the Washington State Democratic Central Committee and its Rules Committee to work with the Secretary of State, the Governor, and the Legislature of Washington to make use of the state’s existing presidential primary system as part of the 2020 Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plan (DSAAP).

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 45th District Democrats urge the Legislature to adopt laws moving up the default date of the primary, providing for prepaid postage on ballots, and enacting automatic and same day voter registration, to ensure that a primary enables broad participation.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the 45th District Democrats urge the Legislature to ensure that seventeen year olds may vote in the state’s presidential primary if they will turn eighteen by the date of the November general election, to ensure that the voices and votes of youth will be included in a Democratic presidential primary.

1 Response

  1. Elana Angell-Litvak says:
    April 19th, 2016 at 10:30 AM

    I support this resolution and each of its points, IF it is also explicitly stated that said Primary be an OPEN Primary which either allows voters to declare their Party affiliation on the day of the Primary and/or request a ballot to vote for either the Democratic or Republican candidate on the day of the Primary election.

    I would further be interested in understanding / ensuring that the Parties have some form of oversight or input into said Primary election process, to avoid any possibility or suggestion of unfairness or exclusion. This includes some protections regarding how Primary elections are funded, the failure of which resulted in the disastrous situation in the 2016 Arizona Primary elections (http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/03/27/arizona-legislative-cuts-set-stage-60-polls/82245112/). Given the recent results we’ve seen in state budgets, we MUST ensure that primaries will be properly funded on an ongoing basis if this measure is to be effective and inclusive.