PD Handbook 2010

MICHIGAN REPUBLICANS








Precinct Delegate Basics

What is a Precinct?

A precinct is the smallest political geographic division in a state. The area varies in size and is determined by population. A precinct contains a maximum of 2,999 registered voters, although many precincts are smaller. It is up to the local municipalities to draw their own precinct lines.

What is a Precinct Delegate?

A Precinct Delegate is an elected representative to the local political party from the precinct. Every precinct has at least one Republican Delegate, and some have more. The local party determines the number of delegates based on the number of Republican votes in that precinct in the previous election.

How do you become a Precinct Delegate?

A person running for Precinct Delegate must be a registered voter residing in the precinct in which they are running. The Candidate needs to fill out an "Affidavit of Identity." Affidavits are available at County Clerks’ offices as well as City and Township offices. These affidavits need to be notarized by a Notary Public. Notary Publics can be found at the County Clerks office or at a local bank. Once the affidavit is completed it is turned into the County, City or Township Clerk where you live. The affidavit must be submitted no later then 4:00 p.m. on May 11. 2010. Once the candidate files, their name is placed on the ballot in the August primary. Their name is under the heading “Candidate for County Convention Delegate.” The primary ballots are separated by political party, so only Republican voters vote for the Republican candidate. In the case that the race is contested the person with the most votes wins.

When are Precinct Delegates elected and how long is the term?

Precinct Delegates are elected in the August primary election of even numbered years. In 2010 this election will take place on August 3rd. The term is a two-year term, so delegates elected in August 2010 will serve until the August primary of 2012.


Paid for by the Michigan Republican State Committee with regulated funds.

PO Box 24187, Lansing MI 48909. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.


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What are the duties of a Precinct Delegate?

The official role of a Precinct Delegate is to attend all County Conventions during the two-year term. The number of County Conventions varies from three to four, depending on if it is a Presidential or Gubernatorial cycle. In addition, Precinct Delegates are involved in helping local parties and candidates in a variety of activities.

What if I need to withdraw?

Sometimes circumstances occur in which a candidate needs to withdraw their candidacy. A Precinct Delegate can withdraw until three days after the filing deadline, which is May 11, 2010 at 4:00 p.m.

How do I know if I am elected?

On the day after the election you can call your County Clerk’s office to find out if you were elected. The Clerk will also notify successful Precinct Delegates by mail.

Making a Difference

Why Should I become a Precinct Delegate?

Politics begins at the local level when you talk to your family, friends, and neighbors about the issues that are important to you. Once you get involved and become a Precinct Delegate you have the opportunity to share these issues and concerns and make a difference.

How do I make a difference?

Precinct Delegates play a key role in electing Republicans to every office.
As a liaison to your community you have the opportunity to build personal relationships with Candidates and Party Leaders. These individuals come to you when they need to know specifics about your community. In addition, Precinct Delegates have the opportunity to attend State Conventions where they help select many of the Republican Candidates for the statewide offices.

As a Precinct Delegate you have the opportunity to attend Republican gatherings where you can meet and make friends with people who share a similar philosophy. You also have the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge on current issues, legislation, and party policy through your contacts. This knowledge will help you be in a position to effectively express your views and share your opinions.

Remember, as a Precinct Delegate you are taking an active role in retaining and strengthening the freedoms that make America great and you are making a difference.







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Where to Start

Where is my Precinct?

The first thing to do is find out which Precinct you live in. You can get this information from your voter registration card or from the County, City, or Township Clerk where you live. Once you get this information the next step is to get a map. Maps are available from the local clerks. Your Republican County organization may also be able to provide you with a map. The map will show you the boundaries of your Precinct.

How do I get to know my Precinct?

Once you have your map the best thing to do is drive around your district. As you are driving take notice of the characteristics of your Precinct. Notice which areas are industrial, commercial, farmland, or residential. Make note of the kinds of homes in your area. Are they single-family homes, multi-family dwellings, or communities with restricted access? Look for growth, new homes, subdivisions, or businesses. All of this information will be useful to you, the Precinct Delegate, as well as local candidates as you plan for election activities.

How do I get to know the people in my Precinct?

After you have driven around your Precinct and become familiar with the area, it is time to meet the people who live there. The best way to do this is by walking your precinct. It is a good idea to walk your precinct at least once a year. This shows you are active in your neighborhood and that you care about the community. It is a great way to find out where the Republicans live. Once you have identified Republicans in your precinct, you can ask them to volunteer during the next election, place a yard sign in their yard, and remind them to vote on Election Day. Keeping in contact with the Republicans in your precinct is a great resource for all of the Republican candidates.

What else do I need to know?

It is important to remember that you have been chosen by the Republicans in your precinct to be the liaison to the Republican Party. As a Precinct Delegate, you will be asked to help with a variety of activities. Your help is needed by local candidates and the party as a whole because of the local knowledge you have of your precinct. Others in your area will look to you for Republican information and connections. You are the point person for your precinct.

What other activities might Precinct Delegates perform leading up to an election?

The Republican State Party has several programs they ask Precinct Delegates to assist in implementing. These programs include distributing yard signs
performing literature drops, helping with absentee voter programs, and get-out-the-vote phone calling. These programs are an important part of the campaigns of local and statewide candidates. Participation in these programs makes the difference between Republican candidates winning and losing.

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Election Day

What happens on Election Day?

After months of hard work and campaigning, the only thing that matters is the results on Election Day. For this reason there are several programs that run on election day. These programs are important to ensure that our voters get to the polls and that they vote for the entire Republican ticket. On election day, you should be involved with three main programs. These programs are working the polls, poll watching, and GOTV phone calls.

How do you work the polls?

Working the polls is the last chance you get to inform the voters about the Republican Candidates. When volunteers work the poll, they stand outside of the polling place for the precinct and pass out information about specific candidates or slate cards for the entire ticket. They give this information to voters as they enter the building to vote. One thing to remember is that Michigan state law requires that poll workers must stay at least 100 feet from the entrance to the polls.

What is poll watching?

Poll watching is a way to check if the Republicans in your district have voted. Take the precinct list to the poll and check off the names of all the Republicans that vote. Around 5:00 p.m. take the list to a phone bank, or your home and make phone calls to the Republicans who have not yet voted. Remind them that time is running out to vote and that the polls are only open until 8:00 p.m. This is a great way to ensure that every Republican votes. Poll watching is more important than working the polls, so if you can only find one volunteer to work at a specific time, have them poll watch.

Do I continue GOTV Phone calls?

Yes, Get-Out-The-Vote phone calls must continue on Election Day. If you have already called your list, call them again. Do not be afraid to call too many times. Offer voters rides to polls if they need them, and have volunteers available to pick them up. Make sure that everyone on your list has been reminded to vote on Election Day. GOTV phone calls should be the number one priority for Precinct Delegates.

Important Dates to Remember in 2010

May 11, 2010 Filing Deadline for Precinct Delegates

August 3, 2010 Primary Elections

August 14, 2010 County Conventions

August 23, 2010 State Convention

November 4, 2010 General Election

Late November 2010 County Conventions



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What offices are on the ballot in 2010?

Governor / Lt. Governor State Board of Education (2)

Secretary of State University of Michigan Regents (2)
Attorney General Michigan State University Trustees (2)

All 15 US Representatives in Congress Wayne State University Trustees (2)

All 110 State Representatives Justice of the Supreme Court
All 38 State Senators Judge of the Court of Appeals

Judge of the Circuit Court

Judge of the District Court

Judge of Probate
County Conventions

What is a County Convention?

A County Convention is a meeting of the Precinct Delegates and Elected Officials in a County. At these meetings the participants elect individuals to be delegates and alternates to the State Convention or they elect people to serve on the County Party Executive Committee.

When do County Conventions take place?

The first County Convention will be held on August 12, 2010, soon after the August Primary when the Precinct Delegates are elected. The next County Convention will be held within 20 days of the November 2, 2010 General Election.

The third and final County Convention will take place in January 2009. In Presidential election years there is an additional County Convention, which takes place in April.

What specifically occurs at each of these Conventions?

August 2010 - At the August County Convention, the newly elected Precinct Delegates meet together to elect delegates and alternates to the State Convention. In 2010, the State Convention will be held on August 28, 2010. At this State Convention the delegates will elect candidates for the following statewide offices:

Michigan Supreme Court (2)
Michigan State University Board of Trustees (2)
University of Michigan Board of Regents (2)
Wayne State University Board of Governors (2)
State Board of Education (2)

At this State Convention in gubernatorial election years, all of these statewide offices are elected in addition to Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General. These positions are four-year terms and only elected in the gubernatorial election year.

November 2010 - At the November County Convention, Precinct Delegates elect the members of the County Executive Committee. The members of the Executive Committee serve a two-year term.

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January 2011 - At the January County Convention, Precinct Delegates elect delegates and alternates to the State Convention. The State Convention is in late January or early February and is held to elect the Republican State Party leadership. The leadership positions to be elected at this convention are the following:

State Chairman and Co-Chairman District Executive Committee Members

Six Vice-Chairmen District Officers
State Committee Members

In Presidential election years there is an additional County Convention in April.

April - During this County Convention the Precinct Delegates again elect people to be delegates and alternates to the State Convention in May. At the May State Convention the delegates elect people to be delegates to the Republican National Convention and elect the Republican National Committeeman and Committeewoman from Michigan.

How do I know when and where the Conventions take place?

About thirty days before the County Convention, Precinct Delegates should receive an official Call to Convention. The official call will be sent out by the Republican County Chair and will give all of the details of the County Convention. If you are elected a Delegate or an Alternate to a State Convention you will receive information from the Michigan Republican Party.





I AM A REPUBLICAN BECAUSE . . .

I believe in a strong America that protects our freedoms, and champions democratic ideals throughout the world.

I believe in an America with a conservative, limited government.

I believe that everyone is created equal, and that we are blessed with rights that cannot be taken from us.

I believe in the free market and fiscal responsibility.

I believe in an America where our children receive the best education in the world, and understand values like decency, responsibility, and honor.

I believe in an America where we feel safe in homes and secure in our communities.

I believe in an America with the compassion to care for those who cannot care for themselves.

And, finally, I believe that the Republican Party is the best conduit for my convictions.