Passed 06/06/2005
WHEREAS California’s impact in determining the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party for the last several elections has decreased, and
WHEREAS the current front-loaded primary system often results in fewer than 200,000 Iowans and 300,000 New Hampshire voters in the first weeks of January in affect choosing the Party’s nominee before being tested in larger states like California, and
WHEREAS California, as the highest populated state in the nation, deserves greater influence in determining the party’s nominee than simply serving as the fundraising capital for national candidates and their campaigns,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley (DP/SFV) encourages presidential primary reform efforts that will:
Allow a greater number of campaigns to begin at the grassroots level and build momentum;
Provide a nominating process that remains competitive for a longer period of time in order to give the public a greater opportunity to engage the campaign and become informed about the candidates;
And create a system that increases the likelihood that Democrats in all states will have an effective voice in the selection of nominees, and
RESOLVED that the DP/SFV calls on the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) Commission on Presidential Nomination Timing and Scheduling to seriously consider the California (or Graduated Random System) Plan which features a schedule consisting of 10 two-week intervals, during which randomly selected states will hold their primaries. This 20-week schedule is the approximate length of the traditional presidential primary schedule, and
RESOLVED that DP/SFV distribute copies of this resolution to the Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee, California Democratic Party and the DNC for consideration and support.
Drafted by David Phelps, 2nd Vice-Chair
Approved unanimously by the Political Action Committee 8-0 on April 26, 2005 and unanimously by the Board on June 6, 2005