Columbia, SC – On September 22nd, the South Carolina Democratic Party will begin the implementation of the national convention Delegate Selection Plan. The goal is to ensure the South Carolina Delegation to the National Convention reflects the diversity of South Carolina Democrats for the Executive Committee and the Delegate Selection Plan Affirmative Action Committee. The training will be held following the SCDP Executive Committee meeting, at 7:00 pm at the Lourie Center at 1640 Park Circle, Columbia, SC.
The South Carolina Democratic Party Executive Committee formally ratified the 2016 Delegate Selection Plan at the meeting on June 11, 2015 and the Plan was approved by the Democratic National Committee Rules and Bylaws Committee on June 26th. This plan outlines the process to be used by the Democratic Party of South Carolina in selecting delegates for the National Convention, scheduled to take place in Philadelphia on July 25–28, 2016.
The Democratic Party of South Carolina will host the FIRST IN THE SOUTH Presidential Preference Primary to be held on February 27, 2016. Voting in the Primary is the first step in the process to be elected as a national delegate. Counties will hold precinct meetings in early March and the County conventions will be held during the period March 19-March 28, 2016 to elect delegates and alternates to the State Convention on April 30, 2016 in Columbia. The national delegates for congressional and at-large delegates and alternates will be chosen at the State Convention.
South Carolina is allotted a total of 59 delegates and 4 alternates to the National Convention, including six delegates who are already determined by their positions.
“South Carolina plays a key role in selecting the Democratic Nominee for President as we hold the First in the South Primary, said SCDP Chairman Jaime Harrison.” He added, “We take this responsibility very seriously and we look forward to hosting all of our Democratic candidates in the next nine months as we nominate the next president of the United States.”
SCDP Vice Chairwoman and Chair of the Delegate Selection Plan Committee, Kaye Koonce added, “We are proud the 2016 Delegate Selection Plan encourages diversity and our delegates will represent all constituencies within the Democratic Party. And, as always, our Delegation will include a division of 32/31 between men and women delegates.” We look forward to being sure Democrats across the state participate in the Delegate selection process.”
The Delegate Selection Plan and a summary of the plan, including a step-by-step guide on becoming a delegate, is available on the SCDP website at http://scdp.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/SCDP-Delegate-Selection-Plan-7.13.15.pdf. A Spanish version of the Summary will also be available soon.
