Articles
Presidential Convention Delegate FAQ's
by Craig Swaggert
- Why did the IP decide to hold an endorsing convention?
As Michael Bloomberg said in his visit to Minneapolis earlier this year, the time has come for independents to organize and demonstrate their clout. Independent voters are the largest group of voters as more and more citizens become dissatisfied with the two established parties. The presidential campaigns are aware of this and approached the IP about a possible endorsement earlier this fall. With all that is at stake in this year’s presidential election, we decided it would be in the best interest of independent voters and our party to evaluate the candidates against our platform and consider an endorsement.
- If I attend the special endorsing convention does that mean I have to vote to endorse one of presidential candidates?
No. If you decide that no candidate is deserving of the IP endorsement, you can make a motion to withhold the endorsement, or vote for or against similar motions.
- Is there anything I need to do to prepare for the convention?
YES! Please pre-register if you plan to attend. You can do this at http://www.independenceminnesota.org/endorse You can also review the IP party platform, and the week before the convention, the candidates’ responses about their positions regarding the IP Platform will be posted on the website. The IP screening committee will evaluate their responses and post their opinion as well. In addition, you may want to attend the League of Women Voters Presidential Town Hall on the morning of October 25th. It is being held at Normandale College. More information can be found at www.lwvmn.org/
- Will presidential candidates be appearing at our endorsing convention?
Each candidate has been invited to attend or send a representative from their campaign to make a brief presentation to you about why their candidates deserve the Independence Party endorsement.
- If I am an alternate, how will I know if I will get to vote at the convention?
Delegates are seated first and as an Alternate you would be seated as a Delegate only if not enough Delegates from your district had not shown up that day. Of course, it is very likely that in most districts there will be open Delegate seats. But in full honesty, we will not know until that day. On the other hand, this should be a most interesting show of political theatre in a highly charged national race. You could also check in with the Chair of your local Congressionial District who should have a good idea of number of delegates in your district
