CLAUDE RAMSEY AWARD presented to an individual Labor Union member or organization who has demonstrated a sustained commitment to the goals and objectives of the Democratic Party.

THE WILLIAM F. WINTER LEGENDARY PUBLIC OFFICIAL AWARD presented to an elected official or former elected official who has demonstrated through action, word and deed a lasting and sustained commitment to the ideals, goals and objectives of the Democratic Party.

THE FANNIE LOU HAMER AWARD presented to an individual member of the Democratic Party who best exemplifies and continues to carry forth the work, spirit and ideals of Fannie Lou Hamer.

THE STANFORD YOUNG AWARD presented to a Democratic attorney who has consistently demonstrated through service, loyalty and dedication a genuine commitment to the ideals and goals of the Democratic Party.

THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD presented to a Democratic activist in recognition of a lifetime of loyalty, service, giving, involvement, and commitment to the goals and objectives of the
Democratic Party.

THE YOUNG DEMOCRATS AWARD presented to the Young Democrat who exemplifies through service, loyalty and dedication a genuine commitment to the ideals and goals of the Democratic Party.
Please submit your nominations for persons to be considered for these awards to

Mississippi Democratic Party Awards Committee, P.O. Box 1583, Jackson, MS 39215

via email to rcole@mississippidemocrats.org
or via fax to (601) 354-1599.

The awards will be presented at the June 1, 2012 Jefferson Jackson Hamer Dinner.

****DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF NOMINATIONS IS MONDAY, MAY 21 AT 5 PM***

Delegates to the Democratic National Convention:

Vallena Greer

Addie Green

Paulette Palmer

Janie Suzanne Harmon

David Jordan

Paul Winfield

Tyler Doss

Erick Simmons

Willie Griffin

Alternate–Earle Banks

State Executive Committee Members

Earle Banks

Marshand Crisler

Willie Griffin

Robert Jackson

Terry Johnson

Tommy Reynolds

Ellis Turnage

Barbara Brooks

Mildred Conley

Bobbie Graves

Vallena Greer

Marilyn Hansell

Sherika Harvey

Johnnie Patton

Waunita Roberts

Leroy Brooks                                              Mamie Cunningham

Marvin King                                               Cristen Hemmins

Charles Penson                                          Kelly Jacobs

Alternate:  Janette Kirk

Members of the State Executive Committee 2012-16

William Catledge                                       Theresa Black

David Gibbs                                              Mamie Cunningham

James Hull                                                 Linda Hampton

Kabir Karriem                                          Cristen Hemmins

Marvin King                                              Anna Jones

Joseph Mickens                                         Tonja Reed

Eric Powell                                                 Brenda Rogers

Bobby Sacus

Congressional District Democratic Conventions are conducted once every four years for the purposes of 1) electing fifteen members to the state Democratic executive committee and 2) electing delegates to represent the congressional district at the Democratic National Convention.

The Chairperson of the Congressional District Caucus shall appoint a diverse Credentials Committee of at least five members who shall manage the credentials process involving all duly elected county delegates and county alternates who were elected at the March 10 county conventions.  The state party office staff will prepare sign-in rosters and nametags for all county delegates and county alternates and shall assist the Credentials Committee in registering all county delegates and county alternates upon their arrival at the Congressional District Democratic convention.  The Credentials Committee shall begin accepting credentials at 8:00 AM.  The Credentials Committee will convene to prepare its report and hear any challenges at 10:00 AM.  At 10:30 AM the Credentials Committee shall make a report to the Congressional District Convention.In its report the Credentials Committee shall replace absent county delegates with county alternates of the same gender from the same county.

The Congressional District Convention is a public event, and the news media, Democratic elected officials and all guests are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The Congressional District Convention Host Committee shall open the facility no later than 8:00 AM so that the Credentials Committee may begin registering county delegates and alternates.  The Chairperson of the Congressional District Caucus or his/her designee shall serve as the temporary chairperson of the Congressional District Convention.  The Secretary of the Congressional District Caucus or his/her designee shall serve as the temporary secretary of the Congressional District Convention.

The Congressional District Convention shall be called to order by the temporary convention chairperson at 10:00 AM.  At this time, elected officials and other guests may be asked to make remarks and the temporary convention chairperson shall discuss the procedures for the county convention.  At 10:30 AM, the Credentials Committee will be recognized to make its report on the county delegates and county alternates registered, and shall provide the convention secretary with a copy of their written Credentials Report.  Only county delegates or alternates moved up by the Credentials Committee shall be allowed to vote, but any Democrat from the congressional district can be elected to the state executive committee if nominated by a voting delegate. Only those persons who have submitted the proper qualifying form may be candidates for delegate to the National Convention. A Democrat does not have to be present to be elected to the state executive committee or to the delegation to the Democratic National Convention.  A quorum of the Congressional District Convention shall consist of a majority of the delegates registered by the Credentials Committee.  Upon the adoption of the Credentials Report, the temporary chairperson shall open the floor for nominations for permanent convention chairperson. Once elected, the permanent convention chairperson shall preside over the election of a permanent convention secretary. At no point in any Democratic Party election shall secret ballots or proxy voting be permitted.  The state party office shall provide specially-printed paper ballots to be used in elections at the Congressional District Convention, and all marked ballots shall be kept by the state party office for one year.  The tallies of all election results shall be recorded in the minutes of the Congressional District Convention.  The Congressional District Convention shall be governed under the Charter and Bylaws of the Democratic Party of the United States, The 2012 Mississippi Democratic Delegate Selection Plan as approved by the Democratic National Committee, the Constitution of the Democratic Party of the State of Mississippi and the latest edition of Roberts Rules of Order.  The Chairperson of the Congressional District Convention may at his/her discretion appoint a Parliamentarian.  Committees and delegations shall be evenly balanced by gender, but quotas regarding race or any other status are prohibited.  The broadest possible inclusion and outreach to achieve diversity is encouraged.

The permanent chairperson shall open the floor for nominations for membership to the State Democratic Executive Committee. Nominations shall be made individually.  No nomination speeches will be permitted.  No seconding of nominations is required.  Once the nominations are closed, each candidate for the state executive committee shall be allowed no more than two (2) minutes to address the convention.  Candidates for the state executive committee shall speak in order of nomination.

Once the candidates for state executive committee have spoken, the candidates for delegate to the Democratic National Convention shall be recognized, inalphabetical order, for speeches lasting no more than two (2) minutes.
The Credentials Committee will then issue the paper ballots as prepared by the state party office.  Each delegate shall print his/her name and sign his/her ballot in the spaces provided.  Delegates will vote for the number of candidates for national delegate as indicated on the ballot.  Delegates will vote for seven men, seven women, and one nominee of either gender for membership on the state executive committee.  The gender of the eighth highest vote getter will determine which gender will be assigned the greater number of state executive committee members.  The candidate of the designated gender with the highest number of votes not being elected a national delegate shall be designated as the national convention alternate in those congressional districts that have been assigned an alternate position.  The Credentials Committee and/or Host Committee, at the direction of the chairperson, shall then proceed to receive and count the ballots, in full view of the convention.

At this point the floor shall be opened for motions regarding platform issues.  The secretary shall record in the minutes those platform positions recommended by the convention.   The results of the balloting for state executive committee and national convention delegates shall be announced and recorded in the minutes.   The convention shall then review and adopt the
minutes of the convention.  The permanent convention chairperson shall announce that the state convention will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 10 AM at the Trade Mart Center on the State Fairgrounds in Jackson.  Once the minutes are completed by the permanent secretary and signed by the permanent chairperson and permanent secretary, the Congressional District Convention may adjourn.

The convention will also elect fifteen Democrats from the first congressional district to serve as members of the state Democratic executive committee for the 2012-16 term, and will have preliminary discussions on the state party platform issues to be presented at the state convention on June 2 in Jackson.

Guest speakers expected to attend include Congressional Nominee Brad Morris, US Senate Nominee Albert Gore, and other party leaders.

The convention is open to the press and public.  All interested persons are welcome to attend.

Herrington newsletter 1

President of the United States

Barack Obama                   97,318

 
United States Senate

Albert N. Gore, Jr.          49,157
Will Oatis                         16,300

Roger Weiner                   21,131

US House of Representatives, District 1

Brad Morris                        11,120

US House of Representatives, District 2

Heather McTeer                7,040

Bennie G. Thompson     49,083

US House of Representatives, District 3

Crystal Biggs                      15,283

US House of Representatives, District 4

Michael Herrington        8,988

Jason Vitoski                      1,743

The Young Democrats of Mississippi will hold its biennial convention on March 24, 2012, at the IBEW Local 480 Union Hall (4767 I-55 South, Jackson, MS, 39282). The convention will begin at 9 a.m., and conclude around 4 p.m.

Several speaker invitations are still pending, but the following will be included on the  agenda for the day:

Platform & Constitution Meetings

Guest speakers as well as just all around good Democrats have already confirmed they will attend) – LUNCH IS INCLUDED IN YOUR REGISTRATION FEE

We’re adding four caucus meetings to reflect groups already existing within YDA:
High School
Caucus
College Caucus
Women’s Caucus
LGBT Caucus

The main event of the day will be the election of new YDMS Officers. After serving four years
as Vice President and two years as President, I have decided not to seek  re-election this year. It has been an incredible (and incredibly busy) experience, and I am looking forward to what new leaders will bring to the table.

All officers are up for election: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, National Committeeman, National Committeewoman, Congressional District representatives.

All chapters will need to charter at this convention to be recognized by the state and national  organization, as well as to vote. If you are part of a chapter, you must come as  a delegate of your chapter. All chapter presidents have been sent information on
chartering chapters and delegate selection. If you do not have this information,  please contact your chapter president. The chapter chartering fee is $25, and each delegate must register individually, and that is $10 per person.

If you are not part of a chapter, we will be accepting the first 25 registrants as at-large delegates with voting privileges on a first-come first-serve basis at the convention. We’ll gladly have more than 25 at-large registrants, though. If  you’re planning to register as at-large at the convention, please email kate.jace@gmail.com as soon as possible  so we have an accurate count for lunch. Registration is $10 per person and  includes lunch.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at kate.jace@gmail.com.

JACKSON—Following yesterday’s primary, the Mississippi’s Democratic federal ticket for the November 6 general election is set.  Our nominees and their phone numbers are:

President:  Barack Obama (312) 698-3670

U.S. Senate:  Albert N. Gore, Jr. (662) 694-1782

U.S. House of Representatives, District One:  Brad Morris (662) 255-3324

U.S. House of Representatives, District Two:  Bennie G. Thompson (601) 866-9100

U.S. House of Representatives, District Three: Crystal Biggs (601) 316-0066

U.S. House of Representatives, District Four:  Michael Herrington (769) 223-3568

(Please note that official certification of the March 13, 2012 Democratic primary election returns will take place on Saturday, March 17 at 11 AM.  Official returns will be conveyed to the office of the Secretary of State at that time).

We congratulate our nominees, and look forward to a vigorous contest in the fall.

By March 1, county Democratic executive committees shall appoint a five member Credentials Committee (one person from each supervisor’s district) who shall compile a list of all duly elected precinct delegates and precinct alternates who were elected at the February 18 precinct caucuses.  The Credentials Committee will prepare sign-in rosters and nametags for all precinct delegates and precinct alternates and shall register all precinct delegates and precinct alternates upon their arrival at the county Democratic convention on Saturday, March 10.  At 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 10 the Credentials Committee shall make a report to the county convention.  In its report the Credentials Committee shall replace absent precinct delegates with precinct alternates of the same gender from the same precinct.

The county Democratic convention shall meet at the county courthouse or some other publicly accessible facility in the county seat on Saturday, March 10.  The county executive committee must reserve the facility in advance, and publicize the county convention through local media.  The county convention is a public event, and the news media, Democratic elected officials and all guests are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The county Democratic executive committee shall open the facility no later than 9:00 AM so that the Credentials Committee may begin registering precinct delegates and alternates.  The chairperson of the county Democratic executive committee or his/her designee shall serve as the temporary chairperson of the county convention.  The secretary of the county Democratic executive committee or his/her designee shall serve as the temporary secretary of the county convention.

The county convention shall be called to order by the temporary convention chairperson at 10:00 AM.  At this time, elected officials and other guests may be asked to make remarks and the temporary convention chairperson shall discuss the procedures for the county convention.  At 10:30 AM, the Credentials Committee will be recognized to make its report on the precinct delegates and precinct alternates registered.  Only precinct delegates or alternates moved up by the Credentials Committee shall be allowed to vote, but any Democrat can be elected to the county executive committee or to the county delegation to the congressional district and state conventions.  A Democrat does not have to be present to be elected to the county executive committee or to the county delegation to the congressional district and state conventions.  A quorum of the county convention shall consist of a majority of the delegates registered by the Credentials Committee.  Upon the adoption of the credentials report, the temporary chairperson shall open the floor for nominations for permanent convention chairperson. Once elected, the permanent convention chairperson shall preside over the election of a permanent convention secretary.  Please note that the permanent convention
chairperson and secretary serve only for the purposes of the convention.  County executive committee officers will be elected at a later date by the new executive committee.  At no point in any Democratic Party election shall secret ballots or proxy voting be permitted.  The state party office shall provide a ballotto be duplicated by the county executive committee to be used in elections at county conventions, and all marked ballots shall be kept by the Credentials Committee for one year.  The tallies of all election results shall be recorded in the minutes of the county
convention.  The convention shall be governed under the Constitution of the Democratic Party of the State of Mississippi and the latest edition of Roberts Rules of Order.  Committees and delegations shall be evenly balanced by gender, but quotas regarding race or any other status are prohibited.  The broadest possible inclusion and outreach to achieve diversity is encouraged.

The precinct delegates shall divide to caucus separately by the five county supervisor’s districts.  Each supervisor district caucus shall elect up to three men and three women to serve on the county Democratic executive committee for the next four years.  Any Democratic resident of a supervisor’s district may be elected to the county Democratic executive committee to represent that supervisor’s district, and need not be present to be elected.  A complete list of the county executive committee members and contact information must be submitted to the state party
office on March 10.

The precinct delegates shall then reconvene as a group, and each supervisor’s district caucus shall report the names of those elected to serve on the county Democratic executive committee.  The floor will be opened for nominations for delegates to the congressional district and state conventions. Any Democratic resident of the county may be elected to the congressional district/state delegation for the county, and need
not be present to be elected.  The state party office will inform each county of the number of delegates apportioned to that county.  Delegates shall be evenly divided by gender where mathematically possible.  In counties that have an odd number of delegates, the gender of the highest vote getter will determine which gender will be assigned the greater number of delegates.  Those candidates not receiving enough votes
to be elected as congressional district/state delegates shall be designated as congressional district/state convention alternates, proceeding down the candidate list in descending order of votes received until the number of alternates equals the number of delegates. The permanent convention chairperson shall announce the locations and dates for the congressional district and state conventions, as provided by the state party office.  The permanent convention chairperson and secretary shall issue credentials to all duly elected county delegates and alternates to the congressional district and state conventions, using the forms provided by the state party office.  Each county delegate and alternate shall be given his/her credentials on March 10.  Credentials may be mailed to delegates and alternates who were elected in absentia.  A complete list of county delegates and alternates with contact information must be submitted to the state party office on March 10.

At this point the floor shall be opened for motions regarding platform issues.  The secretary shall record in the minutes those platform positions recommended by the county convention.    The convention shall then review and adopt the minutes of the convention.  The permanent
convention chairperson shall announce the date, time and place of the organizational meeting of the new county Democratic executive committee where the new county executive committee officers will be elected, which must be held between March 20 and April 7, 2012.
By or before two o’clock in the afternoon (2:00 PM) on Saturday, March 10, 2012, the permanent chairperson and/or permanent secretary
of the county Democratic convention shall send the credentials report, the sign-in rosters, the minutes, a list of county Democratic executive committee members with all contact information, and the list of all delegates and alternates elected to the congressional district and state conventions with all contact information.  These materials shall be mailed to P.O. Box 1583, Jackson, MS 39215, scanned and emailed to jnorris@mississippidemocrats.org, or faxed to (601) 354-1599