Florida Delegate Selection Plan For The 2020 Democratic National Convention Issued by the Florida Democratic Party (As approved by the State Executive Committee on June 9, 2019 with additional recommend edits from the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee) Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan Table of Contents I. Introduction and Description of Delegate Selection Process A. Introduction………………………………………………………………………………….3 B. Description of Delegate Selection Process…………………………………….3 C. Voter Participation………………………………………………………………………..3 II. Presidential Candidates A. Ballot Access…………………………………………………………………………………6 B. Other Requirements……………………………………………………………………..7 III. Selection of Delegates and Alternates A. District Level Delegates and Alternates………………………………………….7 B. Automatic Delegates…………………………………………………………………….13 C. Pledge Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) Delegates……………13 D. At-Large Delegates and Alternates………………………………………………..15 E. Replacement of Delegates and Alternates…………………………………….18 IV. Convention Standing Committee Members A. Introduction………………………………………………………………………………….20 B. Standing Committee Members……………………………………………………..20 V. Delegation Chair and Convention Pages………………………………………………22 VI. Presidential Electors…………………………………………………………………………….23 VII. General Provisions and Procedural Guarantees…………………………………..24 VIII. Affirmative Action Plan and Outreach and Inclusion Program…………….26 IX. Challenges A. Jurisdiction and Standing………………………………………………………………34 B. Challenges to the Status of the State Party and Challengers………….35 C. Challenges to Implementation………………………………………………………36 X. Summary of Plan A. Selection of Delegates and Alternates…………………………………………..36 B. Selection of Standing Committee Members……………………….………….37 C. Selection of Delegation Chair and Convention Pages………..…………..37 D. Presidential Candidate Filing Deadline…………………………………………..37 E. Selection of Presidential Electors…………………………………………………..38 F. Timetable………………………………………………………………………………………38 2 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan Section I Introduction & Description of Delegate Selection Process A. B. C. Introduction 1. Florida has a total of 248 delegates and 18 alternates for the 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, WI. (Call I & Appendix B) 2. The delegate selection process is governed by the Charter and Bylaws of the Democratic Party of the United States, the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2020 Democratic National Convention (“Rules”), the Call for the 2020 Democratic National Convention (“Call”), the Regulations of the Rules and Bylaws Committee for the 2020 Democratic National Convention (“Regs.”), the rules of the Democratic Party of Florida, the Florida election code, and this Delegate Selection Plan. (Call II.A) 3. Following the adoption of this Delegate Selection Plan by the State Party’s Executive Committee, it shall be submitted for review and approval by the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee (“RBC”). The State Party Chair shall be empowered to make any technical revisions to this document as required by the RBC to correct any omissions and/or deficiencies as found by the RBC to ensure its full compliance with Party Rules. Such corrections shall be made by the State Party Chair and the Plan resubmitted to the RBC within 30 days of receipt of notice of the RBC’s findings. (Reg. 2.5, Reg. 2.6 & Reg. 2.7) 4. Once this Plan has been found in Compliance by the RBC, any amendment to the Plan by the State Party will be submitted to and approved by the RBC before it becomes effective. (Reg. 2.9) Description of Delegate Selection Process 1. Florida will use a proportional representation system based on the results of the 2020 Presidential Preference Primary, held on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 for apportioning delegates to the 2020 Democratic National Convention. 2. The “first determining step” of Florida’s delegate selection process will occur on Tuesday March 17, 2020, with a state-run Presidential Preference Primary. Voter Participation 1. Participation in the state’s delegate selection process is open to all voters who wish to participate as Democrats. (Rule 2.A and Rule 2.C.) a. To participate in the Florida Presidential Preference Primary, voters must be registered to vote in Florida as a Democrat 30 days prior to the election, being February 18, 2020. (Rule 2.A & Reg. 4.3.A) 3 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan b. Under Florida law, voters who are currently registered with another party or with no party can change their party affiliation to Democrat in Florida no later than 30 days prior to the Presidential Preference Primary, being February 18, 2020. (Rule 2.A & Reg. 4.3.A) c. Under Florida law, voters must be 18 as of the date of the primary to be eligible to participate. Voters who will be 18 by the date of the General Election but not by the date of the primary will not be allowed to participate. d. At no stage of Florida’s delegate selection process shall any person be required, directly or indirectly, to pay a cost or fee as a condition for participating. Voluntary contributions to the Party may be made, but under no circumstances shall a contribution be mandatory for participation. (Rule 2.D & Reg. 4.4) e. No person shall participate or vote in the nominating process for the Democratic presidential candidate who also participates in the nominating process of any other party for the corresponding elections. (Rule 2.E) f. Votes shall not be taken by secret ballot at any stage of the delegate selection process, including processes leading up to the selection of DNC Members or State Chairs or Vice Chairs, who serve as DNC members by virtue of their office, except that use of such voting by secret ballot may be used in a process that is the first determining stage of the delegate election process and in which all individual voters who wish to participate as Democrats are eligible to do so. (Rule 2.F) g. No person shall vote in more than one (1) meeting which is the first meeting in the delegate selection process. (Rule 3.E & Reg. 4.7) 2. Florida’s Presidential Primary will be run by the Florida Division of Elections. The Florida Democratic Party works with the Division to ensure that elections are run openly and fairly. In that regard, the Florida Division of Elections has set up a system to: a. Maintain secure and accurate state voter registration rolls, so that every eligible American who registers to vote has their personal information protected and secure; (Rule 2.H.1) b. Implement transparent and accurate voter registration list maintenance procedures that comply with federal requirements and ensure that every eligible voter stays on the rolls; (Rule 2.H.2) c. Promote the acquisition, maintenance, and regular replacement of precinct based optical scan voting systems; (Rule 2.H.3) d. Ensure that any direct recording electronic systems in place have a voter verified paper record; (Rule 2.H.4) e. Implement risk limiting post-election audits such as manual audits comparing paper records to electronic records; (Rule 2.H.5) f. Ensure that all voting systems have recognized security measures; (Rule 2.H.6) g. Use accessible and secure voting machines that make it possible for individuals with disabilities to vote securely and privately. (Rule 2.H.7) 4 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan 3. In accordance with the Democratic Party’s requirement to assess and improve participation with respect to presidential preference and the delegate selection process, The Florida Democratic Party is committed to increasing voter participation. a. Participants in the Florida Democratic Presidential Primary will have three options to vote: 1. Vote by Mail – Vote by mail ballots are mailed to voters who have notified their local county election commission of their desire to vote by mail 30 days prior to the election. The Florida Democratic Party is working with local county election officials and County Commissions to allow voters to return ballots postage free and have met with some success on that request. Also, as a result of litigation, the Florida requirement of an exact signature match on mail in ballots has been struck down. 2. Early Vote – Current Florida law requires that each county allow no more than 20 and no less than 10 days of early voting in a county. The decision of how many days of early voting and the location of early voting locations are left up to the county election officer. The Florida Democratic Party works aggressively to push those election officers to choose the maximum number of days and the largest number of locations possible. In 2018, as a result of a lawsuit, the law against using college campuses as early voting locations was struck down and through the efforts of the Florida Democratic Party, multiple counties for the first time had early voting sites on college campuses. 3. Election Day Voting – These are the traditional voting sites are set up in each precinct. 4. We work to ensure that voting locations are accessible, fairly placed, and adequate in number, and have a sufficient number of voting machines; In 2018, through court action, the ban on Florida having early voting locations on college campuses was struck down. This resulted in early voting sites to be on college campuses in most of the larger counties for the first time in the 2018 General Election. (Rule 2.I.1.b) b. To improve participation by our young registered democrats, the Florida Democratic Party will allow individuals who will be 18 years of age by election day to run as a district level delegate and vote in the Congressional District caucuses. 4. We have in the past and will continue to help county election officers recruits early vote and election day workers to speed up the voting process and minimize long lines. (Rule 2.I.1.c) a. We have worked both legislatively and through the courts to eliminate onerous and discriminatory voter identification requirements; In this regard, through court action, the requirement of a signature match on vote by mail ballots was declared invalid in February of 2019. While the court ruling is subject to appeal, 5 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan it is our hope that this requirement will no longer be used in the 2020 Election. Rule 2.I.1.d) b. The past legislative efforts, processes to count and include in the final total ballots from voters who are eligible to vote but cast their ballots in the wrong precinct, for offices for which they are eligible to vote. (Rule 2.I.1.e) 5. We have worked to increase voter registration and facilitate military and overseas voting. (Rule 2. I.1.f) 6. As part of encouraging participation in the delegate selection process by registered voters, the Florida Democratic Party is committed to and working to implement: (Rule 2.I.2) a. Voter registration modernization, including online voter registration and automatic and same-day registration. It should be noted that Florida in 2018 decided to allow online voter registration. Also, legislation was proposed by Democrats in the 2019 Legislative session to require Florida to register its citizens to vote automatically. This legislation is pending. (Rule 2.I.2.a,d) b. Currently Florida law allows people to pre-register to vote beginning at age 16. (Rule 2.I.2.b) c. Florida voters passed a constitutional amendment in 2018 restoring the voting rights of felons who have served their sentence, except for those convicted of murder and certain sex crimes. Florida’s GOP controlled legislature is now trying to minimize the impact of the amendment by proposing implementing legislation to more broadly define the definition of the crimes and more narrowly define what constitutes as have “served” their sentence, including requiring a variety of fees and costs to be paid. Florida’s Democratic legislators are resisting those efforts. (Rule 2.I.2.c) 7. Florida has a state-run Presidential Preference Primary. Voters in Florida can change their party registration up to 30 days prior to the election. (Rule 2.J and Rule 2.J.1) 8. Scheduling of Delegate Selection Meetings a. The dates, times and places for all officials Democratic Party meetings and events related to the state’s delegate selection process must be scheduled to encourage the participation of all Democrats. Such meetings must begin and end at a reasonable time. (Rule 3.A & Reg 4) Section II Presidential Candidates A. Ballot Access A presidential candidate gains access to the Florida presidential preference primary ballot by the following procedure: 6 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan 1. The Florida Democratic Party will prepare and approve a list of recognized Democratic presidential candidates. By November 30, 2019, the Florida Democratic Party will submit a list of its presidential candidates to the Secretary of State to be placed on the Presidential Preference Primary ballot. This date is determined the Florida Secretary of State, pursuit to Florida State law. 2. The Secretary of State shall prepare and publish a list of names of the presidential candidates submitted no later than December 3, 2019. 3. The Department of State shall immediately notify each presidential candidate listed by the Secretary of State. Such notification shall be in writing, by registered mail, with return receipt requested. 4. On the Florida Presidential Primary ballot, it does not list “uncommitted” a presidential option. 5. Write in candidates are allowed on the Florida Presidential Primary ballot. Write in candidates must file with the Secretary of State before the election. 6. There is no other procedure (i.e., filing process) by which presidential candidates gain access to the Florida Presidential Preference Primary ballot. B. Other Requirements 1. Each presidential candidate shall certify in writing to the State Democratic Chair, the name(s) of his or her authorized representative(s) by Monday, December 2, 2019. Individuals who announce their candidacy after this date must provide this information to the Chair of the Florida Democratic Party not later than ten (10) days after their announcement. (Rule 13.D.1) 2. Each presidential candidate shall use his or her best efforts to ensure that his or her respective delegation within the state delegation achieves the affirmative action goals established by this Plan and is equally divided between men and women. (Rule 6.I) Section III Selection of Delegates and Alternates A. District-Level Delegates and Alternates 1. 2. Florida is allocated 143 district-level delegates and 13 districtlevel alternates. (Rule 8.C, Call I.B, I.I, Appendix B & Reg. 4.34) District-level delegates and alternates shall be allocated to presidential preferences through a proportional representation system based on a Presidential Preference Primary held on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, followed by a postprimary caucus held within each Congressional District on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Congressional District Chairs will be 7 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan 3. allowed to provide for early voting in the congressional distract on Thursday, April 2, 2020. a. The Congressional District Chair shall determine the location of each Congressional District Caucus by February 3, 2020 and report the location, to the Florida Democratic Party. b. Additional Locations: Depending on the geographical size of the congressional district, the Congressional District Chair and other State Committeemen and State Committeewomen whose county includes a portion of that Congressional District may request that the State Party Chair allow that more than one CD Caucus location be designated to help maximize participation and minimize travel distance and time for Democratic voters who wish to participate in the Caucus. A request for additional CD Caucus locations shall be sent to the State Chair not later than February 13, 2020. c. Congressional District locations must be located within the corresponding congressional district. Apportionment of District-Level Delegates and Alternates a. Florida’s district-level delegates and alternates are apportioned among the districts based on a formula giving equal weight to the vote for the Democratic candidates in the 2016 presidential and the 2018 gubernatorial elections. This is the most inclusive method to represent the broad strength of the party and where geographically our voters reside. (Rule 8.A, Reg. 4.12, Reg. 4.11 & Appendix A) b. Florida’s total number of district-level delegates will be equally divided between men and women and shall not vary by more than one vote. (Rule 6.C.1 & Reg. 4.9) c. The district-level delegates are apportioned to congressional districts as indicated in the following table: District Delegates Males* Females* Total #1 1 2 3 #2 2 2 4 #3 3 2 5 Alt* 8 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan #4 3 3 6 #5 3 2 5 #6 2 3 5 #7 3 3 6 #8 3 2 5 #9 3 3 6 M #10 3 3 6 F #11 2 2 4 #12 2 3 5 #13 3 3 6 M #14 3 3 6 F District F Delegates Males* #15 M 3 Females* 2 Total 5 9 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan #16 3 3 6 #17 2 2 4 #18 2 3 5 #19 2 3 5 #20 4 3 7 F #21 3 4 7 M #22 4 3 7 F #23 3 3 6 M #24 3 3 6 F #25 1 2 3 #26 3 2 5 #27 2 3 5 Total 71 72 143 M M 7M/6F *Assuming no gender non-binary delegates and/or alternates are elected. 4. District-Level Delegate and Alternate Filing Requirements a. A district-level delegate candidate may run for election only within the district in which he or she is registered to vote. (Rule 13.H) b. An individual can qualify as a candidate for district-level delegate to the 2020 Democratic National Convention by filing a Loyalty Oath and a Statement of Candidacy, designating his or her singular presidential preference, and a signed pledge of support for the presidential candidate with the Florida Democratic Party online at www.floridadems.com or by mail at 1000 NW 65th Street, Suite 300A, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33309 . Qualification forms shall be accepted 10 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan beginning on Monday, February, 3, 2020 and must be received by Saturday, March 7, 2020 at noon (12:00) p.m ET. A delegate candidate may modify his or her singular presidential preference by submitting an updated pledge of support no later than the filing deadline. (Rule 12.B, Rule 14.F & Reg. 4.21) c. All candidates considered for district level alternate positions must meet the same requirements as candidates for district level delegate positions. Candidates who run for district level delegate positions and were not chosen are automatically eligible to run at the alternate level. (Rule 13.C) d. To improve participation by our young registered democrats, the Florida Democratic Party will allow individuals who will be 18 years of age by election day to run as a district level delegate or alternate and vote in the Congressional District caucuses. 5. Presidential Candidate Right of Review for District-Level Delegates and Alternates a. The State Democratic Chair shall convey to the presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), no later than Friday, March 20, 2020 at five o’clock (5:00) pm ET, a list of all persons who have filed for delegate pledged to that presidential candidate. (Rule 13.D & Rule 13.F) b. Each presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), must then file with the State Democratic Chair by Friday, March 27, 2020 at five o’clock (5:00) p.m. ET, a list of all such candidates that they have approved, provided that approval be given to at least three (3) separate individuals for each position for delegate and three (3) separate individuals for each alternate position to be selected. (Rule 13.E.1, Reg. 4.24 & Reg. 4.25) c. Failure to respond will be deemed approval of all delegate candidates submitted to the presidential candidate unless the presidential candidate, or the authorized representative(s), signifies otherwise in writing to the State Democratic Chair no later than Friday, March 27, 2020 at five o’clock (5:00) p.m. ET. d. National convention delegate candidates removed from the list of bona fide supporters by a presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), may not be elected as a delegate at that level pledged to that presidential candidate. Delegate candidates that are removed from the list of bona fide supporters will be notified by the state party. (Rule 13.E & Reg. 4.24) e. The State Democratic Chair shall certify in writing to the Co-Chairs of the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee whether each presidential candidate has used their best efforts to ensure that their respective district-level delegate candidates meet the affirmative action and inclusion considerations and goals detailed in the Affirmative Action section of this Plan within three (3) business days of returning the list of approved district-level delegate 11 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan candidates and district-level alternate candidates as indicated in Section III.A.5.b of this Plan. (Rule 6.I and Reg. 4.10C) 6. Fair Reflection of Presidential Preference a. Presidential Primary - Proportional Representation Plan (Rule 14.A, Rule 14.B & Rule 14.D) The Florida presidential primary election is a “binding” primary. Accordingly, delegate positions shall be allocated so as to fairly reflect the expressed presidential preference of the primary voters in each district. The National Convention delegates selected at the district level shall be allocated in proportion to the percentage of the primary vote won in that district by each preference, except that preferences falling below a 15% threshold shall not be awarded any delegates. b. If no presidential preference reaches a 15% threshold, the threshold shall be half of the percentage of the vote received in that district by the frontrunner. (Rule 14.F) c. The results from the presidential preference primary are certified by the Secretary of State 10 days after the election, the State Party will then use these results to determine the allocation of delegates for each Congressional District accordingly. The State Party will inform each Congressional District Chair the allocation of the delegates in their district. The Congressional District Chairs will then hold post-primary caucuses in their districts to elect the district level delegates. At the caucus, attendees sign in and declare which presidential candidate they support. Attendees will then be given a ballot with the list of district-level candidates pledged to the presidential candidate they support. After all the ballots are tallied, the highest vote getters of the gender designated in accordance with the equal division process described below will be elected. Congressional Districts which includes more than one county cannot elect all of its delegates from the same county. (Rule 13.G) 7. Equal Division of District-Level Delegates and Alternates a. In order to ensure the district-level delegates are equally divided between men and women (determined by gender self-identification), the gender of the first binary delegate elected within each district will be designated. (Rule 6.C.1 & Reg. 4.10) b. At the time of the election of delegates in the district, the binary gender advantage will alternate whenever a binary delegate of the advantaged gender is elected to a delegate position. The alternation by gender shall continue across presidential preferences in the order of the next highest vote-getting preferences in descending order. 12 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan c. In the case of gender non-binary delegates, they shall not be counted as either a male or female. (Rule 6.C) d. After the delegates are selected, the alternates will be awarded, using the same process as described above. 8. The Chair of the Florida Democratic Party shall certify in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) the election of the state’s district-level delegates to the Democratic National Convention within 10 days after their election. (Rule 8.C & Call IV.A) B. Automatic Delegates 1) Automatic Party Leaders and Elected Officials a. The following categories (if applicable) shall constitute the Automatic delegate positions: (1) Members of the Democratic National Committee who legally reside in the state; (Rule 9.A.1, Call I.F, Call I.J, & Reg. 4.15) (2) All of Florida’s Democratic Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate; (Rule 9.A.3, Call I.H & Call I.J) (3) “Distinguished Party Leader” delegates who legally reside in the state (if applicable). (Rule 9.A.5, Call I.G & Reg. 4.14) b. An Automatic delegate may run and be elected as a Pledged delegate. If an Automatic delegate is elected and certified as a Pledged delegate, that individual shall not serve as an Automatic delegate at the 2020 National Convention. (Call I.J) c. The certification process for the Automatic delegates is as follows: (1) Not later than March 6, 2020, the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee shall officially confirm to the State Democratic Chair the names of the Automatic delegates who legally reside in Florida. (Rule 9.A) (2) Official confirmation by the Secretary shall constitute verification of the Automatic delegates from the categories indicated above. (Call IV.B.1) (3) The State Democratic Chair shall certify in writing to the Secretary of the DNC the presidential preference of the state ‘s Automatic delegates 10 days after the completion of the State’s Delegate Selection Process. (Call IV.C) 2) For purposes of achieving equal division between delegate men and delegate women within the state’s entire convention delegation (determined by gender self-identification), the entire delegation includes all pledged and Automatic delegates, including those who identify as male or female. (Rule 6.C and Reg. 4.9) C. Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) Delegates 13 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan 1. Florida is allotted 29 pledged Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) delegates. (Call I.D, E & Appendix B) 2. Pledged PLEO Delegate Filing Requirements a. Individuals shall be eligible for the pledged Party Leader and Elected Official delegate positions according to the following priority: big city mayors and state-wide elected officials (to be given equal consideration); state legislative leaders, state legislators, and other state, county and local elected officials and party leaders. Automatic delegates who choose to run for PLEO delegate will be given equal consideration with big city mayors and state-wide elected officials. (Rule 10.A.1 & Reg. 4.16) b. An individual can qualify as a candidate for a position as a pledged PLEO delegate by submitting a Statement of Candidacy and Pledge of Support to the Florida Democratic Party online at www.floridadems.org or by mail at 1000 NW 65th Street, Suite 300A, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33309. The form shall contain all the information specified on the form required of all District- Level delegate candidates. An individual may or may not have previously filed a State of Candidacy and Pledge of Support and still may be eligible to file under this category. Qualifications forms will be available online and at the aforementioned address beginning on Monday, February 17, 2020 and must be filed by twelve (12) noon ET on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (Rule 10.B.3, Rule 15.G, Reg.4.18 & Reg.4.17) c. Pledged PLEO delegate candidates must be identified as to presidential preference. Candidates for pledged delegate position must indicate their presidential preference when filling. d. Should a pledged PLEO delegate candidate be selected as a District- Level delegate, the statement of candidacy by that individual for a pledged PLEO delegate position shall be nullified. 3. Presidential Candidate Right of Review a. The State Democratic Chair shall convey to the presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), not later than Friday, May 8, 2020 at five o’clock (5:00) p.m. ET, a list of all persons who have filed for a party and elected official delegate pledged to that presidential candidate. (Rule 10.A.3 & Rule 13.D) b. Each presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), must file with the State Democratic Chair, by Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at five o’clock (5:00) p.m. ET, a list of all such candidates they have approved, as long as approval is given to at least two (2) names for every position to which the presidential candidate is entitled. (Rule 13.E.2 & Reg. 4.25) c. Failure to respond will be deemed approval of all delegate candidates submitted to the presidential candidate unless the presidential 14 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan candidate or the authorized representative(s) signifies otherwise in writing to the State Democratic Chair no later than Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at five o’clock (5:00) p.m. ET. d. The State Democratic Chair shall certify in writing to the Co-Chairs of the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee whether each presidential candidate has used their best efforts to ensure that their respective pledged PLEO delegate candidates meet the affirmative action and inclusion considerations and goals detailed in the Affirmative Action section of this Plan within three (3) business days of returning the list of approved pledged PLEO candidates as indicated in Section III.C.3.b of this Plan. (Rule 6.I & Reg. 4.10.C) 4. Selection of Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official Delegates a. The pledged PLEO slots shall be allocated among presidential preferences on the same basis as the at-large delegates. (Rule 10.A.2, Rule 11.C, Rule 14.E & Rule 14.F) b. Selection of the pledged PLEO delegates will occur on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at a location to be determined, which is after the election of district-level delegates and prior to the selection of at-large delegates and alternates. (Rule 10.A) c. These delegates will be selected by a committee consisting of a quorum of the district-level delegates. (Rule 10.B) d. Alternates are not selected at the pledged Party Leader and Elected Official level. (Reg. 4.31) 5. The State Democratic Chair shall certify in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee the election of the state’s pledged Party Leader and Elected Official delegates to the Democratic National Convention within 10 days after their election. (CalI V.A & Reg.5.4.A) D. At-Large Delegates and Alternates 1. The state of Florida is allotted 47 at-large delegates and 5 at-large alternates. (Rule 8.C, Call I.B, II, Appendix B & Reg. 4.34) 2. At-Large Delegate and Alternate Filing Requirements a. Persons desiring to seek at-large delegate or alternate positions may file a Loyalty Oath and a Statement of Candidacy and Pledge of Support with the Florida Democratic Party online at www.floridadems.org or by mail at 1000 NW 65th St, Suite 300A, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33309 beginning on Monday, February 17, 2020 and must be filed by twelve (12) noon ET on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. A delegate or alternate candidate may modify his or her singular presidential preference by submitting an updated pledge 15 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan of support no later than the filing deadline. (Rule 13.A., Rule 13.B, Rule 15.G, Reg. 4.22, Reg. 4.23, & Reg. 4.31) b. Should a candidate for At-Large delegate or alternate be selected as a District-Level or PLEO delegate, the statement of candidacy by that individual for an At-Large position shall be nullified. (Reg. 4.27.) c. Each Statement of Candidacy and Pledge of Support shall contain such person’s presidential preference for whom she or he seeks to become a delegate. No person shall file more than one (1) Statement of Candidacy and Pledge of Support at this level. d. The statement of candidacy for at-large delegates and for at-large alternates will be the same. After the at-large delegates are elected by a committee consisting of a quorum of the district-level delegates, those persons not chosen will then be considered candidates for at-large alternate positions unless they specify otherwise when filing. (Rule 19.A) 3. Presidential Candidate Right of Review a. The State Democratic Chair shall convey to the presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), not later than Friday, May 8, 2020 at one o’clock (1:00) p.m. ET, a list of all persons who have filed for delegate or alternate pledged to that presidential candidate. (Reg. 4.24.D & Reg. 4.31.C) b. Each presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), must then file with the State Democratic Chair, by Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at one o’clock (1:00) p.m. EST, a list of all such candidates he or she has approved, provided that, at a minimum, two (2) names remain for every national convention delegate or alternate position to which the presidential candidate is entitled. (Rule 13.D.4, Rule 13.E.2 & Reg. 4.25) c. Upon completion of the election of the PLEO delegates on May 30, 2020, authorized representatives of each campaign entitled to at-large delegates will be given one hour to make adjustments to their approved list of candidates for at-large positions. d. Failure to respond will be deemed approved of all delegate candidates submitted to the presidential candidates unless the presidential candidate or the authorized representative(s) signifies otherwise in writing to the State Department Chair no later than one hour following the election of the PLEO delegates on May 30, 2020. e. The State Democratic Chair shall certify in writing to the Co-Chairs of the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee whether each presidential candidate has used their best efforts to ensure that their respective at-large delegate candidates and at-large alternate candidates meet the affirmative action and inclusion considerations and goals detailed in the Affirmative Action section of this Plan within three (3) business days of returning the list of approved at-large 16 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan delegate candidates and at-large alternate candidates as indicated in Section III.D.3.b of this Plan. f. The number of delegate candidates to be approved by a presidential campaign is the same minimum requirement as reflected for PLEO delegates (Rule 13.E.2) 4. Fair Reflection of Presidential Preference a. At-large delegate and alternate positions shall be allocated among presidential preferences according to the state-wide primary vote. (Rule 11.C) b. Preferences which have not attained a 15% threshold on a state-wide basis shall not be entitled to any at-large delegates. (Rule 14.E) c. If no presidential preference reaches a 15% threshold, the threshold shall be the percentage of the statewide vote received by the front- runner, minus 10% (Rule 14.F) d. If a presidential candidate is no longer a candidate at the time of selection of the at-large delegates, then those at-large slots that would have been allocated to the candidate will be proportionally divided among the remaining preferences entitled to an allocation. (Rule 11.C) e. If a given presidential preference is entitled to one (1) or more delegate positions but would not otherwise be entitled to an alternate position that preference shall be allotted one (1) at-large alternate position. (Rule 19.B, Call I.I & Reg. 4.33) 5. Selection of At-Large Delegates and Alternates a. The selection of the at-large delegates and alternates will occur on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at a location to be determined, which is after all pledged Party Leader and Elected Official delegates have been selected. (Call III) b. These delegates and alternates will be selected by a committee consisting of a quorum of the district-level delegates. (Rule 11.B) c. Priority of Consideration (1) In the selection of the at-large delegation priority of consideration shall be given to African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and women, if such priority of consideration is needed to fulfill the affirmative action goals outlined in the state’s Delegate Selection Plan (Rule 6.A.3) (2) In order to continue the Democratic Party’s ongoing efforts to include groups historically under-represented in the Democratic Party’s affairs and to assist in the achievement of full participation by these groups, priority of consideration shall be given other groups by virtue of race/ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. (Rule 5.C, Rule 6.A.3, Rule 7 & Reg. 4.8) (3) The election of at-large delegates and alternates shall be used, if necessary, to achieve the equal division of positions between men and 17 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan women and may be used to achieve the representation goals established in the Affirmative Action section of this Plan. (Rule 6.A & Rule 6.C and Reg. 4.9) (4) Delegates and alternates are to be considered separate groups for this purpose. (Rule 6.C.1, Rule 11.A, Reg. 4.9 & Reg. 4.20) 6. The State Democratic Chair shall certify in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee the election of the state’s at-large delegates and alternates to the Democratic National Convention within 10 days after their election. (Rule 8.C & Call IV.A) E. Replacement of Delegates and Alternates 1. A pledged delegate or alternate may be replaced according to the following guidelines: a. Permanent Replacement of a Delegate: (Rule 19.D.3) 1) A permanent replacement occurs when a delegate resigns or dies prior to or during the national convention and the alternate replaces the delegate for the remainder of the National Convention. 2) Any alternate permanently replacing a delegate shall be of the same presidential preference and gender of the delegate they replace, and to the extent possible shall be from the same political subdivision within the state as the delegate. (a) In the case where the presidential candidate has only one (1) alternate, that alternate shall become the certified delegate. (b) If a presidential candidate has only one (1) alternate, and that alternate permanently replaces a delegate of the opposite sex, thereby causing the delegation to no longer be equally divided, the delegation shall not be considered in violation of Rule 6.C. In such a case, notwithstanding Rule 19.D.2, the State Party Committee shall, at the time of a subsequent permanent replacement, replace a delegate with a person of the opposite sex, in order to return the delegation to equal division of men and women. (Reg. 4.36) 3) If a delegate or alternate candidate who has been elected but not certified to the DNC Secretary resigns, dies or is no longer eligible to serve, he or she shall be replaced, after consultation with the State Party, by the authorized representative of the presidential candidate to whom he or she is pledged. (Rule 19.D.2) b.Temporary Replacement of a Delegate: (Rule 19.D.3) 1) A temporary replacement occurs when a delegate is to be absent for a limited period of time during the convention and an alternate temporarily acts in the delegate’s place. 2) Any alternate who temporarily replaces a delegate must be of the same presidential preference (including uncommitted status) as the 18 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan delegate he/she replaces, and to the extent possible shall be of the same gender and from the same political subdivision within the state as the delegate. c. The following system will be used to select permanent and temporary replacements of delegate: the delegation chooses the alternate. (Rule 19.D.1) d. Certification of Replacements 1) Any alternate who permanently replaces a delegate shall be certified in writing to the Secretary of the DNC by the State Democratic Chair. (Rule 19.D.3) 2) Permanent replacement of a delegate (as specified above) by an alternate and replacement of a vacant alternate position shall be certified in writing by the Florida’s Democratic Chair to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee within three (3) days after the replacement is selected. (Call IV.D.1) 3) Certification of permanent replacements will be accepted by the Secretary up to 72 hours before the first official session of the Convention is scheduled to convene. (Call IV.D.1 & Reg. 4.35) 4) In the case where a pledged delegate is permanently replaced after 72 hours before the time the first session is scheduled to convene or, in the case where a pledged delegate is not on the floor of the Convention Hall at the time a roll call vote is taken, an alternate may be designated (as specified above) to cast the delegate’s vote. In such case, the Delegation Chair shall indicate the name of the alternate casting the respective delegate’s vote on the delegation tally sheet. (Call IX.F.3.e, Call IX.F.3.c & Reg. 5.6) e. A vacant alternate position shall be filled by the delegation. The replacement shall be of the same presidential preference of the same gender and, to the extent possible, from the same political subdivision as the alternate being replaced. (Rule 19.E) 2. Automatic delegates shall not be entitled to a replacement, nor shall the state be entitled to a replacement, except under the following circumstances:(Call IV.D.2 & Reg. 4.37) a. Members of Congress shall not be entitled to name a replacement. In the event of changes or vacancies in the state’s Congressional Delegation, following the official confirmation and prior to the commencement of the National Convention, the DNC Secretary shall recognize only such changes as have been officially recognized by the Democratic Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives or the Democratic Conference of the U.S. Senate. (Call IV.D.2.a) b. Members of the Democratic National Committee shall not be entitled to a replacement, nor shall the state be entitled to a replacement, except in the case of death of such delegates. In the case where the state’s DNC 19 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan membership changes following the DNC Secretary’s official confirmation, but prior to the commencement of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, acknowledgment by the Secretary of the new DNC member certification shall constitute verification of the corresponding change of unpledged delegates. (Call, IV.D.2.b) c. Automatic distinguished Party Leader delegates allocated to the state pursuant to Rule 9.A.(5), shall not be entitled to name a replacement, nor shall the state be entitled to name a replacement. (Call IV.D.2.c) d. In no case may an alternate cast a vote for an Automatic delegate. (CallIX.F.3.e) Section IV Convention Standing Committee Members A. Introduction 1. Florida has been allocated 9 member(s) on each of the three (3) standing committees for the 2020 Democratic National Convention (Credentials, Platform and Rules), for a total of 27 members. (Call VII.A & Appendix D) 2. Members of the Convention Standing Committees need not be delegates or alternates to the 2020 Democratic National Convention. (Call VII.A.3) 3. These members will be selected in accordance with the procedures indicated below. (Rule 1.G) B. Standing Committee Members 1. Selection Meeting a. The members of the standing committees shall be elected by a quorum of Florida’s National Convention delegates, at a meeting to be held on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Call VII.B.1) b. All members of the delegation shall receive adequate notice of the time, date and place of the meeting to select the standing committee members. (Call VII.B.1) 2. Allocation of Members a. The members of the standing committees allocated to Florida shall proportionately represent the presidential preference of all candidates receiving the threshold percentage used in the state’s delegation to calculate the at-large apportionment pursuant to Rule 14.E. of the Delegate Selection Rules. (Call VII.C.1 & Reg. 5.9) b. The presidential preference of each candidate receiving the applicable percentage or more within the delegation shall be multiplied by the total 20 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan number of standing committee positions allocated to Florida. If the result of such multiplication does not equal 0.455 or above, the presidential preference in question is not entitled to representation on the standing committee. If the result of such multiplication is 0.455 but less than 1.455, the presidential preference is entitled to one (1) position. Those preferences securing more than 1.455 but less than 2.455 are entitled to two (2) positions, etc. (Call VII.C.2) c. Where the application of this formula results in the total allocation exceeding the total number of committee positions, the presidential candidate whose original figure of representation is farthest from its eventual rounded-off total shall be denied that one (1) additional position. Where the application of this formula results in the total allocation falling short of the total number of committee positions, the presidential candidate whose original figure of representation is closest to the next rounding level shall be allotted an additional committee position. (Call VII.C.3) d. Standing committee positions allocated to a presidential candidate shall be proportionately allocated, to the extent practicable, to each of the three (3) standing committees. When such allocation results in an unequal distribution of standing committee positions by candidate preference, a drawing shall be conducted to distribute the additional positions. (Call VII.C.4) 3. Presidential Candidate Right of Review a. Each presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), shall be given adequate notice of the date, time and location of the meeting of the state’s delegation authorized to elect standing committee members. (Call VII.D.1) b. Each presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), must submit to the State Democratic Chair by Sunday, May 31, 2020 on eight o’clock (8:00) a.m. ET, a minimum of one (1) name for each slot awarded to that candidate for members of each committee. The delegation shall select the standing committee members from among names submitted by the presidential candidates. Presidential candidates shall not be required to submit the name of more than one (1) person for each slot awarded to such candidate for members of standing committees. (Call VII.D.2) 4. Selection Procedure to Achieve Equal Division a. Presidential candidates shall use their best efforts to ensure that their respective delegation of standing committee members shall achieve Florida’s affirmative action, outreach and inclusion goals and that their respective male and female members are equally divided between the 21 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan men and women determined by gender self-identification (Rule 6.I & Reg. 4.10) b. Each position on each standing committee shall be assigned by gender. For example, the first binary position on the Credentials Committee of the presidential candidate with the most standing committee positions shall be designated for a female, the next binary position for a male, and the remaining binary positions, to the extent they occur, shall be designated in like fashion, alternating between males and females where applicable. Positions for presidential candidates on each committee shall be ranked according to the total number of standing positions allocated to each such candidate. After positions on the Credentials Committee are designated by gender, the designation shall continue with the Platform Committee, then the Rules Committee. 1) A separate election shall be conducted for membership on each standing committee. 2) The male and female membership of the standing committees shall be as equally divided among men and women as possible under the state allocation, the variance between men and women in any committee and among the three committees in aggregate may not exceed one. (Call VII.E.2) 3) Gender non-binary committee members shall not be counted as either a male or female, and the remainder of the delegation shall be equally divided between male gender (men) and female gender (women). (Call VII.E.1) 4) Any candidate for standing committee, regardless of their assigned sex at birth or their gender expression or perceived gender expression, shall be considered as a candidate in the gender category with which they identify. 5) The positions allocated to each presidential candidate on each committee shall be voted on separately, and the winners shall be the highest vote-getter(s) of the appropriate gender. 5. Certification and Substitution a. The State Democratic Chair shall certify the standing committee members in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee within three (3) days after their selection. (Call VII.B.3) b. No substitutions will be permitted in the case of standing committee members, except in the case of resignation or death. Substitutions must be made in accordance with the rules and the election procedures specified in this section and must be certified in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee within three (3) days after the substitute member is selected but not later than 48 hours before the respective standing committee meets. (Call VII.B.4) 22 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan Section V The Delegation Chair and Convention Pages A. Florida will select one (1) person to serve as Delegation Chair and 6 to serve as Convention Pages. (Call IV.E, Call IV.F.1 & Appendix C) B. Delegation Chair 1. Selection Meeting a. The Delegation Chair shall be selected by a quorum of the state’s National Convention Delegates, at a meeting to be held on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Call IV.E & Call VII.B.1) b. All members of the delegation shall receive timely notice of the time, date and place of the meeting to select the Delegation Chair. (Rule 3.C) 2. The State Democratic Chair shall certify the Delegation Chair in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee within three (3) days after his or her selection. (Call IV.E) C. Convention Pages 1. Six (6) individuals will be selected to serve as Florida’s Convention Pages by the State Democratic Chair in consultation with the members of the Democratic National Committee from the state. This selection will take place Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Call IV.F.3, Appendix C & Reg. 5.7) 2. The Convention Pages shall be as evenly divided between men and women as possible under the state allocation and shall reflect as much as possible, the Affirmative Action guidelines in the Affirmative Action Plan. In the case of gender non-binary pages, they shall not be counted as either a male or female, and the remainder of the pages shall be equally divided. (Reg. 5.7.A) 3. The State Democratic Chair shall certify the individuals to serve as Florida’s Convention Pages in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee within three (3) days after the selection. (Call IV.F.3 & Reg. 5.7.B) Section VI Presidential Electors A. Introduction 1. Florida will select 29 persons to serve as Democratic Presidential Electors for the 2020 Presidential election. B. Selection of Presidential Electors 1. The Presidential Electors shall be nominated by the authorized representative of the Democratic nominee for President. Those nominations must be received by the Florida Democratic Party no later than Monday, August 3, 2020. The criteria to be used by the authorized representative is: 23 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan a. The nominees should reflect the diversity of the state both demographically and ethnically. b. The list must be as evenly divided as practical between men and women(determined by gender self-identification), with the variance not to exceed one. c. At least one person shall be nominated from each Congressional District carried by the Democratic Presidential nominee in the most previous Presidential election. (Call VIII) C. Affirmation 1. Each candidate for Presidential Elector shall certify in writing that they will vote for the election of the Democratic Presidential and Vice-Presidential nominees. (Call VIII) 2. In the selection of the Presidential Electors, the State Party will take the following steps to ensure the persons selected are bona fide Democrats who are faithful to the interests, welfare, and success of the Democratic Party of the United States, who subscribe to the substance, intent and principles of the Charter and the Bylaws of the Democratic Party of the United States. The Florida Democratic Party will verify that each elector is a registered Democrat and determine their Congressional District. (Call VIII) 3. Once the list is submitted and verified, the Executive Committee of the Florida Democratic Party will vote whether to approve or reject the list. If the list is approved, the Chair of the Florida Democratic Party will submit the list to the Governor of Florida. If the list is rejected, the Chair of the Florida Democratic Party will notify the authorized representative of the Presidential nominee and ask that a new list be presented. 4. The Chair of the Florida Democratic Party must submit an approved list to the Governor of Florida no later than Monday, August 31, 2020. Section VII General Provisions and Procedural Guarantees A. The Florida Democratic Party reaffirms its commitment to an open party by incorporating the “six basic elements” as listed below. These provisions demonstrate the intention of the Democratic Party to ensure a full opportunity for all minority group members to participate in the delegate selection process. (Rule 4.B. & Rule 4. C) 1. All public meetings at all levels of the Democratic Party in Florida should be open to all members of the Democratic Party regardless of race, sex, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, economic status or disability (hereinafter collectively referred to as “status”). (Rule 4.B.1) 2. No test for membership in, nor any oaths of loyalty to, the Democratic Party in Florida should be required or used which has the effect of requiring prospective or 24 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan 3. 4. 5. 6. current members of the Democratic Party to acquiesce in, condone or support discrimination based on “status.” (Rule 4.B.2) The time and place for all public meetings of the Democratic Party in Florida on all levels should be publicized fully and, in such manner, as to assure timely notice to all interested persons. Such meetings must be held in places accessible to all Party members and large enough to accommodate all interested persons. (Rule 4.B.3) The Democratic Party in Florida, on all levels, should support the broadest possible registration without discrimination based on “status.” (Rule 4.B.4) The Democratic Party in Florida should publicize fully and in such a manner as to assure notice to all interested parties a full description of the legal and practical procedures for selection of Democratic Party officers and representatives on all levels. Publication of these procedures should be done in such fashion that all prospective and current members of each State Democratic Party will be fully and adequately informed of the pertinent procedures in time to participate in each selection procedure at all levels of the Democratic Party organization. (Rule 4.B.5) The Florida Democratic Party should publicize fully and in such a manner as to assure notice to all interested parties, a complete description of the legal and practical qualifications of all positions as officers and representatives of the State Democratic Party. Such publication should be done in a timely fashion so that all prospective candidates or applicants for any elected or appointed position within each State Democratic Party will have full and adequate opportunity to compete for office. (Rule 4.B.6) B. Discrimination on the basis of “status” in the conduct of Democratic Party affairs is prohibited. (Rule 5.B) 1. Florida’s delegation shall be equally divided between delegate men and delegate women, and alternate men and alternate women. Such goal applies to the entire delegation, which includes all pledged delegates and alternates and all unpledged delegates. Delegates and alternates shall be considered separate groups for purposes of achieving equal division as determined by gender self-identification. In the case of gender non-binary delegation or alternates, they shall not be counted as either a male or female, and the remainder of the delegation shall be equally divided by gender. (Rule 6.C) 2. All delegate and alternate candidates must be identified as to presidential preference at all levels which determine presidential preference. (Rule 13.A) 3. No delegate at any level of the delegate selection process shall be mandated by law or Party rules to vote contrary to that person’s presidential choice as expressed at the time the delegate is elected. (Rule 13.I) 25 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan 4. Delegates elected to the national convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them. (Rule 13.J) 5. All delegates, alternates and standing committee members must be registered as a Democrats and be bona fide Democrats who have the interests, welfare and success of the Democratic Party of the United States at heart, who subscribe to the substance, intent and principles of the Charter and Bylaws of the Democratic Party of the United States, and who will participate in the Convention in good faith. (Rule 13.H, Call VII.A.4 & Reg. 4.26) 6. Forty percent (40%) of the members of any Party body above the first level of the delegate selection process shall constitute a quorum for any business pertaining to the selection of National Convention delegates, alternates, standing committee members, and other official Convention participants. (Rule 16) 7. Proxy voting is prohibited. (Rule 17 & Reg. 4.32) 8. The unit rule, or any rule or practice whereby all members of a Party unit or delegation may be required to cast their votes in accordance with the will of a majority of the body, shall not be used at any stage of the delegate selection process. (Rule 18.A) 9. Any individual or group of Democrats may sponsor or endorse a slate of candidates for convention delegates. But no slate may, by virtue of such endorsement, receive a preferential place on a delegate selection ballot or be publicly identified on the ballot as the official Democratic Party organization slate, and all slates must meet identical qualifying requirements for appearing on a ballot at all levels of the delegate selection process. (Rule 18.B) 10. All steps in the delegate selection process, including the filing of presidential candidates, must take place within the calendar year of the Democratic National Convention, except with respect to the implementation of the Affirmative Action Plan. (Rule 1.F & Rule 12.B) 11. In electing and certifying delegates and alternates to the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Florida thereby undertakes to assure all Democratic voters in the state a full, timely and equal opportunity to participate in the delegate selection process and in all Party affairs and to implement affirmative action programs toward that end: that the delegates and alternates to the Convention shall be selected in accordance with the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2020 Democratic National Convention: and that the delegates certified will not publicly support or campaign for any candidate for President or Vice President other than the nominees of the Democratic National Convention. (Call II.B) 26 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan Section VIII Affirmative Action, Outreach and Inclusion Plan A. Statement of Purpose and Organization 1. Purpose and Objectives a. To make sure that the Democratic Party at all levels be an open Party, which includes rather than excludes people from participation, a program of effective affirmative action is hereby adopted by Florida. (Rule 5.A) b. Discrimination on the basis of “status” in the conduct of Democratic Party affairs is prohibited. (Rule 5.B) c. All public meetings at all levels of the Florida Democratic Party should be open to all members of the Democratic Party regardless of race, sex, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, economic status or physical disability (hereinafter collectively referred to as “status”). (Rule 4.B.1) d. Consistent with the Democratic Party’s commitment to including groups historically under-represented in the Democratic Party’s affairs, by virtue of race, sex, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or disability, Florida has established goals for these groups. (Rule 5.C & Reg. 4.8) 1) The outreach programs will concentrate on all Democratic constituencies, including but not limited to African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian/Pacific Americans, women, members of the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, youth, and military veterans. 2) Targeted organizations for workshops and presentations include but are not limited to educational institutions, labor organizations, Democratic Clubs and Caucuses both at the local and statewide level, and Affirmative Action Committees under county Democratic Executive Committees (DECs). 3) Locations used in conjunction with the outreach program and at any point during the delegate selection process will be convenient to all formerly disenfranchised communities, including communities of low to moderate income. 4) Outreach efforts will accommodate people with disabilities through sites with wheelchair accessibility and ensuring a sign language interpreter be present at sites where applicable. 5) Any candidate for delegate or alternate who self-identifies with a specific gender, regardless of their assigned sex at birth or their gender expression or perceived gender expression, shall be 27 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan considered as a candidate in the gender category with which they identify. 6) In addition, the Florida Democratic Party will, in a good faith effort, utilize culturally sensitive and/or appropriate terminology when conducting outreach efforts, including translated printed material. e. In order to encourage full participation by all Democrats in the delegate selection process and in all Party affairs, the Florida Democratic Party has adopted and will implement programs with specific goals and timetables for African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and women. To further encourage full participation in the process, the State Party has established goals and timetables for other underrepresented groups, including LGBTQ Americans, people with disabilities, organized labor, military veterans and youth. (Rule 6.A & Rule 7) (1) The goal of the programs shall be to encourage participation in the delegate selection process and in Party organizations at all levels by the aforementioned groups as indicated by their presence in the Democratic electorate. (Rule 6.A.1) (2) For the delegate selection process, “Youth” is defined as any participant 36 years old and younger. (Reg. 5.3.A) (3) For the delegate selection process, individuals identifying as Native Americans should provide their tribal affiliation and indicate if they are enrolled in a tribe. (Reg. 5.3.B) (4) These goals shall not be accomplished either directly or indirectly by the Party’s imposition of mandatory quotas at any level of the delegate selection process or in any other Party affairs. (Rule 6.A.2) 2. Organizational Structure a. An Affirmative Action Committee was appointed by the State Democratic Chair on March 12, 2019 .(Rule 6.F) b. The State Democratic Chair certified in writing to the Rules and Bylaws Committee of the Democratic National Committee the compliance of the State’s Affirmative Action Committee with Rules 5.C, 6.A and 7, and submit the names, demographic data and contact information on March 13, 2019. (Reg. 2.2.J) c. The Committee shall consist of members who are regionally diverse the Democratic constituency groups set forth in the Introduction to the Affirmative Action Plan and Outreach and Inclusion Program. d. The Affirmative Action Committee shall be responsible for: 1) Reviewing the proposed Affirmative Action Plan and Outreach and Inclusion Program and making recommendations to the State Democratic Chair. (Rule 6.F) 2) Directing the implementation of all requirements of the Affirmative Action section of this Plan. 28 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan 3) Implementing a specific outreach and financial assistance program for persons of low and moderate income to encourage their participation and representation in the national convention delegation. (Rule 6.G) 4) Ensuring, on behalf of the State Party Committee, that district lines used in the delegate selection process are not gerrymandered to discriminate against African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and women. (Rule 6.E) e. Financial and staff support for the Affirmative Action Committee shall be provided by the State Party Committee to the greatest extent feasible, including, but not limited to, making available on a priority basis, the State Party staff and volunteers and covering all reasonable costs incurred in carrying out this Plan. 3. Implementation of the Affirmative Action Plan shall begin on Monday, September 9, 2019 with the distribution of the press kits, and will continue through the end of the delegate selection process. (Rule 1.F) B. Efforts to Educate on the Delegate Selection Process 1. Well-publicized educational workshops will be conducted in each of the delegate districts beginning in September 2019. These workshops will be designed to encourage participation in the delegate selection process, including apprising potential delegate candidates of the availability of financial assistance. These workshops will be held in places that are easily accessible to persons with physical disabilities. The times, dates, places and rules for the conduct of all education workshops, meetings and other events involved in the delegate selection process shall be effectively publicized by the party organization and include mailings to various organizations representative of the Democratic voting populace. (Rule 3.A, Rule 3.C & Rule 3.D) 2. A speakers bureau of volunteers from the Affirmative Action Committee comprised of individuals who are fully familiar with the process, will be organized to appear before groups, as needed, to provide information concerning the process. 3. The Florida Democratic Party’s education efforts will include outreach to community leaders within the Democratic Party’s constituencies and making sure that information about the delegate selection process is available to Democratic clubs and Party caucuses representing specific constituencies. 4. The Florida Democratic Party will offer an online presentation series to explain how Democratic voters can participate in the delegate selection process. 5. The Florida Democratic Party will publish and make available at no cost: a clear and concise explanation of how Democratic voters can participate in the delegate selection process; an explanation of how, where and when persons can register to vote; and delegate district maps. As well, the State Party shall also make available copies of the State Party Rules, the Delegate Selection Plan (and its attachments), the Affirmative Action Plan, and relevant state statutes at no cost. Copies of 29 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan documents related to the state’s delegate selection process will be prepared and the Affirmative Action Committee will distribute them in the various delegate districts not later than Monday, December 9th, 2019. (Rule 1.H) 6. The Florida Democratic Party shall take all feasible steps to encourage persons to register and to vote as Democrats and will seek to ensure simple and easy registration procedures. The process is open to all voters who wish to participate as Democrats. (Rule 2.C) C. Efforts to Publicize the Delegate Selection Process 1. Special attention shall be directed at publicizing the delegate selection process in the state. Such publicity shall include information on eligibility to vote and how to become a candidate for delegate, the time and location of each stage of the delegate selection process and where to get additional information. The foregoing information will also be published in the State Party communications and on the State Party’s website. The Party organization, official, candidate, or member calling a meeting or scheduling an event, shall effectively publicize the role that such meeting or event plays in the selection of delegates and alternates to the Democratic National Convention. (Rule 3.C & Rule 3.D) 2. The Florida Democratic Party will use our various social media platforms to publicize the delegate selection process in the state to our followers. We will use multilingual information where necessary. This medium will help the party reach various constituencies and will provide a fast, up-to date means to educate voters. (Rule 6.D) 3. A speakers bureau of volunteers from the State Party, including the Affirmative Action Committee, shall be comprised of individuals who are fully familiar with the process, will be organized to appear before groups, as needed, to provide information concerning the process. 4. The State Party’s education efforts will include outreach to community leaders within the Democratic Party’s constituencies and making sure that information about the delegate selection process is available to Democratic clubs and Party caucuses representing specific constituencies. 5. The State Party will publish and make available at no cost: a clear and concise explanation of how Democratic voters can participate in the delegate selection process. As well, the State Party shall also make available copies of the State Party Rules, the Delegate Selection Plan (and its attachments), the Affirmative Action Plan and Outreach and Inclusion Program, and relevant state statutes at no cost. Copies of documents related to the state’s delegate selection process will be prepared and the State Party and Affirmative Action Committee will distribute them in the various delegate districts not later than Monday, December 9, 2019. This information will also be posted online at www.floridadems.org. (Rule 1.H) 30 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan 6. Participation in the delegate selection process shall be open to all voters who wish to participate as Democrats. Democratic voters shall be those persons who publicly declare their Party preference and have that preference publicly recorded. (Rule 2.A) 7. The State Party shall take all feasible steps to encourage non-affiliated voters and new voters to register or enroll, to provide simple procedures through which they may do so and to eliminate excessively long waiting periods for voters wish to register or to change their party enrollment status. (Rule 2.C) 8. The Affirmative Action Committee will develop a State Party strategy to be implemented beginning September 9, 2019 that will provide education programs directly to voters who continue to experience confusing timelines for registration, changing party affiliation deadlines, or lack of awareness of the process for running for delegate, to ensure all Democratic voters understand the rules and timelines and their impact on voter participation. (Rule 4.B.5) 9. Newspapers, radio and television will be utilized to inform the general public how, when and where to participate in the delegate selection process. Specifically, this information should provide details as to how to qualify to run as a delegate candidate. Special effort shall be directed to the major daily newspapers, radio and television stations by the State Democratic Chair, Affirmative Action Committee members and staff. Regular releases during the delegate selection process to all other media sources, weekly newspapers, and wire services should complete timely coverage. (Rule 4.B.3 & Rule 6.D) 10. A priority effort shall be directed at publicity among the Democratic Party’s constituencies. a. Information about the delegate selection process will be provided to minority newspapers and radio stations, ethnic press, Native American, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Spanish-speaking and other non-English press, radio stations and publications, and women’s organizations, student newspapers, LGBTQ press, disability press, and any other specialty media in the state that is likely to reach the Democratic constituency groups set forth in the Introduction of this Affirmative Action Plan. b. The State Party shall be responsible for the implementation of this publicity effort. For purposes of providing adequate notice of the delegate selection process, the times, dates, places and rules for the conduct of congressional district caucuses and the meeting of district level delegates shall be effectively publicized, multilingual where necessary, to encourage the participation of minority groups. (Rule 6.D) 11. Not later than Monday, September 9, 2019, a press kit shall be made and provided to each daily and weekly newspaper as well as to the electronic media. The press kit will include: a. a summary of all pertinent rules related to the state’s delegate selection process; 31 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan b. a map of delegate districts and how many delegates will be elected within each district; c. a summary explaining the operation and importance of the 2020 Convention; and d. materials designed to encourage participation by prospective delegate candidates D. Representation Goals 1. In cooperation with the National Committee, the FDP Affirmative Action Committee, the Florida Democratic Party has determined the demographic composition of African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the state’s Democratic electorate. These constituency percentages shall be established as goals for representation in the state’s convention delegation. (Rule 6.A) 2. In cooperation with the National Committee, the State Party has determined the demographic composition of members of the LGBT community, people with disabilities, military veterans, youth, and members of labor unions in the state’s Democratic electorate and furthermore, the State Party has chosen to establish these percentages as goals for representation in the state’s convention delegation. (Rule 7 & Reg. 4.8.C.iii)) 3. Through a process directed by the Affirmative Action Subcommittee on Delegate Selection, the Florida Democratic Party has determined the goals of representation among the 2020 Delegation as follows: a. The 2016 Affirmative Action goals were used as a starting point. Efforts were then undertaken to determine the percentage of Democratic votes which come from each of the various constituencies based on 2016 voter turnout, 2018 voter turnout and 2016 exit polling. b. Those calculations were supplemented with data from the Veteran News organization, Disabilities Now’s calculations, sociological research of LGBTQ Americans, internal post election polling from the AFL-CIO and the definition of small counties as laid out by the Florida Small County Caucus. c. The Florida Democratic Party relied on the State Party Voter File to determine the ethnic breakdown of Democratic registered voters in Florida. This was feasible for determining the ethnic breakdown for the African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders categories. d. The State Party Voter File has three categories that classify a voter’s ethnicity. The first category combines the ethnicities of Native American and Asian American and Pacific Islander under the category of Other. The second category separates the two ethnicities into different groups. The third category is a voter’s self reported ethnicity. The Florida Democratic Party relied on the 32 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan second category to establish the goals for Native Americans and Asian American and Pacific Islanders. e. Once those calculations were determined, those numbers were compared to the 2016 Affirmative Action goals. Where the calculation indicated an increase in the percentage goal, the new higher number was included rounded to the nearest whole number. Where the calculation indicated a decrease in the percentage goal, one quarter of that decrease rounded to the nearest whole number was deducted from the 2016 goal. Based on those calculations, the Florida Democratic Party has established the following affirmative action goals for 2020: Hispanics Native Americans Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders LGBTQ+ Americans People with Disabilities Youth 31% 23% <.5% 2% 15% 13% 23% 77/6 57/4 1/0 5/0 37/3 32/2 58/4 Military/ Veterans Small Counties Organized Labor Percent in Democratic Electorate 8% 12% 18% Numeric Goals for Delegation 20/1 30/2 45/3 African Americans Percent in Democratic Electorate Numeric Goals for Delegation 4. When selecting the at-large portion of the delegation, the demographic composition of the other delegates (district-level, pledged PLEO, and unpledged) shall be compared with the State Party’s goals in order to achieve an at-large selection process that helps to bring about a representative balance. 5. Use of the at-large delegation to achieve the affirmative action goals established by this Plan does not obviate the need for the State Party to conduct outreach activities such as recruitment, education and training. (Rule 6.A.3) E. Obligations of Presidential Candidates to Maximize Participation 1. Presidential candidates shall assist the Florida Democratic Party in meeting the demographic representation goals reflected in the Affirmative Action Plan. (Rule 6.H) 2. Each presidential candidate must submit a written statement to the State Democratic Chair by Monday, December 2, 2019 which indicates the specific steps he or she will take to encourage full participation in Florida’s delegate selection 33 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan process, including, but not limited to, procedures by which persons may file as candidates for delegate or alternate. Individuals who announce their candidacy after this date must provide this full participation statement to the Chair of the Florida Democratic Party not later than thirty (30) days after their announcement. (Rule 6.H.1) 3. Each presidential candidate must submit demographic information with respect to all candidates for delegate and alternate pledged to them. Such information shall be submitted in conjunction with the list of names approved for consideration as delegate and alternate candidates pledged to the presidential candidate. (Rule 6.H.2) 4. Presidential candidates shall use their best effort to ensure that their respective delegations within the state’s delegate, alternate and standing committee delegations shall achieve the affirmative action goals reflected in the Affirmative Action Plan and that the respective delegations of each presidential candidate shall be equally divided between men and women. Furthermore, presidential candidates shall use their best efforts at the district level to approve delegate and alternate candidates who meet applicable equal division and affirmative action considerations in order to achieve the affirmative action goals and equal division for their respective delegations. (Rule 6.C., Rule 6.I & Reg. 4.10) F. Outreach and Inclusion Program 1. The State Democratic Party is committed to help achieve full participation of those groups of Americans who have historically been explicitly denied the right to vote or who have been subjected to discriminatory and exclusionary practices that have denied them voting rights and full participation in the delegate selection process and other Party meetings, events and elections, along with other groups of Americans who are also underrepresented in Party affairs. 2. As such, the State Democratic Party has developed outreach and inclusion programs and is committed to fully implementing the programs so that all persons who wish to participate as Democrats understand they are welcome and encouraged to be a part of the delegate selection process and in the Party at the local, state and national levels. 3. The State Party will make accommodations to facilitate greater participation by people with disabilities. The FDP will insure the facilities used to house each step of the caucus process will be handicapped accessible. Each site will also have a person providing sign language translation at those locations where any expected participant has requested one. Requests must be made to the Florida Democratic Party no less than 5 days before the event where sign language interpretation will be needed. 4. In addition to the education, publicity and other steps described above, the State Party will: a. Provide information about the delegate selection process to specialty media that directly informs the constituency groups set forth by the Affirmative Action and Outreach and Inclusion program. 34 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan b. The state party will place emphasis on reaching out to small rural counties who do not currently have a chartered DEC. This will be done through social media, phone banking and outreach. Section IX Challenges A. Jurisdiction & Standing 1. Challenges related to the delegate selection process are governed by the Regulations of the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee for the 2020 Democratic National Convention (Reg. Sec. 3), and the “Rules of Procedure of the Credentials Committee of the 2020 Democratic National Convention.” (Call Appendix A) 2. Under Rule 21.B. of the 2020 Delegate Selection Rules, the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee has jurisdiction over challenges pertaining to the submission, nonimplementation and violation of state Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plans. (Rule 21.B & Call Appendix A) 3. The Rules and Bylaws Committee has jurisdiction to hear and decide any challenge provided it is initiated before the 56th day preceding the date of the commencement of the 2020 Democratic National Convention. (Call Appendix A & Reg. 3.1) 4. Challenges to the credentials of delegates and alternates to the 2020 Democratic National Convention initiated on or after the 56th day preceding the date of commencement of the Democratic National Convention shall be processed in accordance with the “Rules of Procedure of the Credentials Committee of the 2020 Democratic National Convention.” (Call Appendix A) 5. Any challenge to the credentials of a standing committee member shall be considered and resolved by the affected standing committee in accordance with Appendix A of the Call for the 2020 Democratic National Convention. The Rules and Bylaws Committee shall have jurisdiction over challenges brought before the 56th day preceding the date of the commencement of the Democratic National Convention. (Call VII.B.5) 6. Copies of the Regulations of the Rules and Bylaws Committee and/or the Call for the 2020 Democratic National Convention, including the Rules of Procedure of the Credentials Committee (Appendix A), shall be made available by the State Party upon reasonable request. 7. Any group of 15 Democrats with standing to challenge as defined in Reg. 3.2 or the Call (Appendix A, Sec. 2.A), may bring a challenge to this Plan or to the implementation of this Plan, including its Affirmative Action provisions. B. Challenges to the Status of the State Party and Challenges to the Plan 1. A challenge to the status of the State Party Committee as the body entitled to sponsor a delegation from that state shall be filed with the Rules and Bylaws Committee not later than 30 calendar days prior to the initiation of the state’s delegate selection process. (Rule 21.A & Reg. 3.4.A) 35 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan 2. A challenge to the state’s Delegate Selection Plan shall be filed with the Chair of the Florida Democratic Party and the Co-Chairs of the Rules and Bylaws Committee within15 calendar days after the adoption of the Plan by the State Party. (Reg. 3.4.B) 3. A challenge to a Plan must be brought in conformity with the Rules and the Regs., which should be consulted for a detailed explanation of challenge procedures. C. Challenges to Implementation 1. A challenge may be brought alleging that a specific requirement of an approved Plan has not been properly implemented. Jurisdiction over all challenges initiated in a timely fashion shall reside with either the Rules and Bylaws Committee or the Credentials Committee of the National Convention (See Section VII.A. above). However, the Rules and Bylaws Committee may provide advice, assistance or interpretations of the Delegate Selection Rules at any stage of the delegate selection process. (Reg. 3.1.C) 2. An implementation challenge brought before the Rules and Bylaws Committee is initiated by filing a written challenge with the State Party Committee and with the Rules and Bylaws Committee not later than 15 days after the alleged violation occurred. The State Party has 21 days to render a decision. Within 10 days of the decision, any party to the challenge may appeal it to the Rules and Bylaws Committee. If in fact, the State Party renders no decision, any party to the challenge may request the Rules and Bylaws Committee to process it. The request must be made within 10 days after expiration of the above 21-day period. (Reg. 3.4.C, Reg. E & Reg. H) 3. Performance under an approved Affirmative Action Plan and composition of the convention delegation shall be considered relevant evidence in the challenge to any state delegation. If a State Party has adopted and implemented an approved affirmative action program, the State Party shall not be subject to challenge based solely on delegation composition or primary results. (Rule 6.B) The procedures are the same for challenges alleging failure to properly implement the Affirmative Action section of a Plan, except that such challenges must be filed not later than 30 days prior to the initiation of the state’s delegate selection process. (Reg. 3.4.C) 4. Depending on the appropriate jurisdiction (see Section VIII.A. above), implementation challenges must be brought in conformity with the Regulations of the Rules and Bylaws Committee or the Rules of Procedure of the Credentials Committee, which should be consulted for a detailed explanation of challenge procedures. Section X Summary of Plan A. Selection of Delegates and Alternates 36 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan Florida will use a proportional representation system based on the results of the primary in apportioning its delegates to the 2020 Democratic National Convention. The “first determining step” of Florida’s delegate selection process will occur on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 with a Presidential Preference Primary. Delegates and alternates will be selected as summarized on the following chart: Type Delegates Alternates Selecting Body Date of Selection Filing Requirements and Deadlines Selecting Body: Congressional District Caucus District-Level Delegates District-Level Alternates 143 13 April 4, 2020 Automatic Party Leader and Elected Official Delegates* 29 n/a n/a Pledged Party Leaders and Elected Officials (PLEOs) 29 ** May 30, 2020 At-Large Delegates At-Large Alternates 47 5 May 30, 2020 TOTAL Delegates and Alternates 248 18 File a statement of candidacy, pledge support and loyalty oath with FDP by noon on March 7, 2020. Persons eligible to run must be elected at their respective congressional district. Automatic by virtue of respective public or Party office as provided in Rule 9.A. of the 2020 Delegate Selection Rules. Selecting Body: A committee consisting of a quorum of the district level delegates. File a statement of candidacy, pledge support and loyalty oath with FDP by 12pm on May 5, 2020. Selecting Body: A committee consisting of a quorum of the district level delegates. File a statement of candidacy, pledge support and loyalty oath with FDP by 12pm on May 5, 2020. B. Selection of Standing Committee Members (For the Credentials, Platform and Rules Committees). Standing committee members will be selected by the state’s National Convention on Sunday, May 31, 2020. Delegates as summarized below: Members Per Committee 9 Total Members 27 Selection Date Filing Requirements and Deadlines May 31, 2020 Presidential candidate(s), or authorized representative(s), will provide the list to the State Democratic Party by 8am on May 31, 2020. C. Selection of Delegation Chair and Convention Pages The Delegation Chair will be selected by the National Convention Delegates on Sunday May 31, 2020. 37 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan 6 Convention Pages will be selected by the State Democratic Chair on Sunday, May 31, 2020 D. Presidential Candidate Filing Deadline By Saturday, November 30, 2019, the Florida Democratic Party will submit a list of its presidential candidates to the Secretary of State to be placed on the Presidential Preference Primary ballot. Presidential candidates must certify the name of their authorized representative(s) to the State Democratic Chair by Monday, December 2, 2019. E. Selection of Presidential Electors 29 Presidential Electors shall be certified by the Florida Democratic Party Executive Committee no later than Monday, August 31, 2020. F. Timeline Date Activity 2019 March 13 Delegate Selection Affirmative Action Committee members are appointed by the State Chair. March 14 Florida Democratic Party receives extension from DNC allowing for submission of Delegate selection and Affirmative Plans on June 14,2019. April 8 & April 11 Affirmative Action Committee meets to draft proposed Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plans. May 3 Proposed Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plans are tentatively approved for public comment by State Party Committee. Public comments are solicited on the proposed Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plans. Press releases are mailed announcing the public comment period. June 1 Period for public comment on state Plan is concluded. Responses are compiled for review by the State Party Committee. June 3 State Party Committee reviews public comments and adopts revised Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plans for submission to DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee. Press releases are mailed announcing the approval of the Plan. June 14 Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plans are forwarded to the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee. September 9 State Party begins implementation of the Affirmative Action Plan. Press kits, as described in the Affirmative Action Plan, are sent to all state media. November 30 Deadline for the State Party to submit list of recognized Democratic presidential candidates to Secretary of State. 38 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan December 2 Presidential candidate deadline for certifying the name(s) of the authorized representative(s) to the State Party. Deadline for each announced presidential candidate to submit a statement specifying steps the candidate will take to encourage full participation in the delegate selection process. (Individuals who announce their candidacy after this date must provide this full participation statement to the State Party not later than 30 days after their announcement) December 3 The Secretary of State shall prepare and publish a list of names of the presidential candidates submitted. December 9 Deadline by which the State Party and Affirmative Action Committee will distribute documents related to the delegate selection process in various delegate districts. 2020 February 3 February 13 February 15 February 17 District level delegate candidates may obtain the statement of candidacy and pledge of support forms and filing instructions from State Party Committee Headquarters, in person, by mail, or from State Party’s web site at www.floridadems.org. Deadline for Congressional District Chairs to determine the location of each Congressional District Caucus and report the location to the Florida Democratic Party. Deadline for Congressional District Chairs, State Committeemen, and State Committeewomen to request additional CD Caucus locations and submit request to the State Party Chair. Deadline for voters to register as a Democrat in order to participate in the Presidential Preference Primary. Pledged PLEO and at-large and alternate candidates may obtain the statement of candidacy and pledge of support forms and filing instructions from State Party Committee Headquarters, in person, by mail, or from State Party’s web site at www.floridadems.org March 6 Secretary of the Democratic National Committee shall confirm the names of the Automatic delegates who legally reside in Florida to the State Democratic Chair. March 7 District-level delegate deadline for filing the statement of candidacy and pledge of support forms with State Party is March 7, 2020 at 12:00 PM (noon) ET. March 17 Presidential preference primary. March 20 State Party provides list of district level delegate candidates to the respective candidates. March 27 Presidential candidates provide list of approved district-level delegate candidates to the State Party. Secretary of State certifies the results of the primary. 39 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan April 2 Upon approval by State Party Chair, a Congressional District may offer “early voting” opportunity on this date. April 4 Post primary caucuses held to elect district level delegates. April 8 State Party certifies in writing to the Co-Chairs of the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee whether each Presidential candidate has used their best efforts to ensure that their respective district level delegate candidates meet the affirmative action and inclusion considerations and goals detailed in the Affirmative Action Plan. April 14 State Party certifies the election of the state’s district-level delegates to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee. Pledged PLEO, at-large and alternate candidates deadline for filing the statement of candidacy and pledge of support forms with State Party by May 5, 2020 at 12:00 PM (noon) ET. May 5 May 8 State Party provides list of PLEO and at-large and alternate candidates to the respective Presidential candidates. May 12 Presidential candidates provide approved list of pledged PLEO delegate candidates to State Party. May 30 Meeting of district level delegates convened. Pledged PLEO delegates selected. Following selection of PLEO delegates, presidential candidates provide approved list of at-large delegate and alternate candidates to State Party. State Convention selects at-large delegates and alternates. Presidential candidates submit list of candidates for standing committee members to State Party. National Convention delegation meeting. Delegates select National Convention Standing Committee Members and Delegation Chair. State Chair names convention pages. May 31 June 2 June 9 August 3 The deadline for certifying the Delegation Chair, Pages and Standing Committee Members is three days after their selection. The State Chair needs to certify that the presidential candidates have used their best effort in meeting the goals is within three days after the campaigns return the list of approved At-Large delegates. The deadline by which the State Chair will certify the elected PLEO delegates and the AtLarge delegates and alternates, and the presidential preference of the Automatic delegates to the DNC Secretary. Deadline by which the Presidential Electors shall be nominated by the authorized representative of the Democratic nominee for President. 40 Florida 2020 Delegate Selection Plan August 31 Deadline by which the State Executive Committee meets to approve the list of Presidential Electors and deadline to submit the list to the Governor of Florida. 41