Will Florida Delegates Count?
BACKGROUND
- May 21, 2007, Republican Governor Charlie Crist signed legislation designating the state’s presidential primary date would be January 29, 2008.
- August 2007, To protect New Hampshire, Iowa, Nevada and South Carolina’s “first in the nation” status, the Democratic National Committee took a position not to allow Florida delegates to participate in the nomination process at the 2008 convention in Denver.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO FLORIDA DEMOCRATS?
- Despite the threat, there is little doubt the party will come together and Florida delegates will be seated.
- Most of the Democratic leadership including the Convention Speaker and the DNC Chair has acknowledged that Florida will play a significant role in selecting the party’s nominee.
- The Florida Democratic Party WILL SELECT delegates based on the results of the primary election on January 29th!
- Presidential candidates will be awarded Florida delegates based on their percentage of the vote. In all Florida will allocate 210 delegates.
- Ultimately, the Credentials Committee of the Democratic National Convention, which has yet to be formed, will actually decide which delegates will be seated. When we have a presumptive nominee, that candidate will play a key role in the decision process.
DOES THE FLORIDA VOTE MATTER?
- The Florida Democratic primary is more important this year than ever before. The Presidential candidates are in a hard fought battle for the nomination.
- Florida will be the first test of a candidate in a large diverse state.
- Florida is the last election before the Super Tuesday elections. On that Tuesday, February 5, 22 states will hold their primary.
- Florida voters will send a message to the rest of the country about the “electability” of our candidates.
- The candidate that wins Florida, can and will win the White House.
- All eyes will be on Florida the night of January 29th. The media and the nation will turn it’s attention to Florida’s turnout and the message we send.
- A significant voter voice cannot be ignored.
VOTE ON JANUARY 29th, YOUR VOTE MATTERS!