Transcript Organize. Mobilize. Maximize.

Organize, Mobilize,
Maximize
Participating
in a Party
Caucus
Why Should I Get Involved in
Political Matters?

School Funding

Privatization

Professional
Development

Employee Due Process
Rights

Safe Schools

Retirement
Elected Officials
make decisions
about all of these
issues…and more
Education Funding
State Funding
59%
8%
33%
59%
Local Funding
subject to state
laws 33%
Other Funding
Sources 8%
The Utah Legislature controls
92% of the funding of public
schools.
Some districts are less
dependent on state funding
and some are more.
Rural districts are usually
more dependent.
Other Education Issues
The Utah Legislature
passed
540 laws
between 1990-2003
that directly or
indirectly dealt with
education.
There were
1009 bills
actually proposed!
But what can one person do
about it?
Join with others to get
involved!
Imagine going to a restaurant
and opening the menu…
1. Sushi
 2. Sushi
 3. Sushi
 4. Sushi
 5. Sushi
 6. Sushi
 7. Sushi
 8. Sushi
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There’s not much
choice if you
don’t like
raw fish!
If you’re tired of voting for
raw fish… get busy in the
kitchen!
Neighborhood Caucus
Meetings
are the political
kitchen.
The Political Process begins
in YOUR neighborhood
on
Tuesday
March 23, 2004
Both the Democratic and Republican
parties begin the process of
nominating candidates for the
primary and general elections at
meetings in neighborhoods across
the state.
Party Caucuses begin the
candidate recruitment process
Party
Caucuses
Party
Conventions
Primary
Election
(if
(if necessary)
necessary)
March 23, 2004
May 8, 2004
June 22, 2004
General
Election
Legislature
November 2, 2004
January 2005
Your one vote carries more
weight at a caucus or convention
than in the election
Primary
Election
Party
Caucuses
5-25 people elect
convention delegates
Party
Conventions
Dozens of delegates
elect candidates
Thousands vote in the primary
(if
(if necessary)
necessary)
General
Election
Legislature
Tens of thousands vote
in the general election
One chance in a
million of influencing
anything!
Did you know…?
Some candidates are done
“running” after the convention.
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Candidate gets friends to
attend caucuses
Friends become
delegates committed to
the Candidate
The Candidate gets the
most delegate votes in
convention
The Candidate’s name
goes on the ballot
There is no candidate
from the other party on
the ballot
The Candidate wins
automatically!
What are neighborhood
(or precinct) caucuses?

Because not everyone who lives in a
precinct can attend their party
convention, delegates are chosen to
represent each precinct.

The delegates attend the party
conventions and cast votes to select
the party candidates who will appear
on the ballot in November.
Where are these caucus
meetings held?
The state is divided up
into “precincts” according
to population.
 There is a caucus meeting
held for each political
party in each precinct.
 Meetings may be held in
private homes, schools,
libraries, or local
government buildings
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Where are these caucus
meetings held?
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Locations are often
advertised in local
newspapers and/or posted on
flyers the day before the
precinct caucuses are held.
The party headquarters
should also be able to help
you find your precinct caucus.
Democratic State Committee: (801) 328-1212
Republican Party of Utah: (801) 533-9777
Who Can Attend These
Meetings?
 Anyone can attend a party
caucus meeting.
 Only those of legal voting
age by election day may
participate.
 You must attend the meeting
in your geographic area.
Who Can Attend These
Meetings?
You are not required to
register with the party unless
you are elected as a
delegate or other party
official.
 Registration forms should be
available at the caucus
meeting.
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What happens at a precinct
caucus meeting?
A sample agenda might include:
×
Signing the Roll
×
Candidate Information/ Flyers
×
Fundraising Request
×
Volunteer Request
×
Visits from Candidates seeking
support
×
Nomination/election of delegates
×
Election of other party officials
×
Nomination of Election Judges
×
Discussion of Party Platform
If anyone can go, then why sign a
Caucus Commitment Card ?
If you promise, you will come!
Your name will be put on a master
listserv
We will provide you with information
on:
Education issues
Caucus procedures
Names of like minded participants
Candidate information
Dates, times, and locations
Party information as available
OK, OK, I’ll sign up.
Now what?
Talk to neighbors, family and
friends and ask them to go
with you.
Try to get 3-5 people
committed to attend the
caucus with you as your
supporters.
Bring more to Republican caucuses in
Utah County!
Those meetings tend to be large!
Become informed on
Education Issues
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How do your Legislators vote on
educational issues?
Remediation and Intervention
No Child Left Behind Mandates
Adequate Funding
Tuition Tax Credits
Charter Schools
Privatization
Schedule your time NOW, so
you won’t have conflicts later.
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All Precinct Caucuses will be held on
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2004

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Democrats
Republicans
Davis and Weber County
Conventions, April 17
Weber County
Convention, April 17
SL County Convention
April 24
Davis, SL County
April 24
State Convention
May 8
State Convention
May 8
Ready to Roll?
OK. Let’s DO it…
TOGETHER!