Democrats! Look around. There’s information all over the place about the upcoming Municipal Caucus Day on Sunday, Feb. 26. We’re trying to get your attention. Many opportunities to participate in your Democracy await you. Attending your town’s Democratic Caucus is the first step.
Do you like to whine and moan about the Conservatives running our country into the ground? Do you forward emails from True Majority, Progressive Democrats of America, and Move On to everyone in your address book? Then I challenge you to put your time and money where your mouth is! Get involved.
This year the Caucus will be different from the last time we caucused during the Presidential election cycle. This year, the focus is on our own local grassroots organization, all the way up to the state candidates, platform and rules. If you want to see the Democratic Party take a different direction and increase its influence on the way Maine and our country are governed, you’d better get to your caucus. The caucus will also serve as a launching point for organizing volunteer work in our towns.
We won’t be campaigning at the caucus for any particular candidates. The delegates we elect are not pledged to any candidates. They will, however, go to the State Convention in June. There they will determine the direction of the Maine Democratic Party by enacting the Platform, Rules, and electing the State Committee Members. All the Democratic candidates will be there, and the events at the Convention will go a long way toward determining the outcome of the Democratic Primary Election two days later on June 6.
Do you have ideas for a better way to run our state? Then go to your caucus ready to make your voice heard. Think about it ahead of time. Decide how you will participate and which of the following positions you will run for:
• Town Caucus Chair or Secretary
• Town Democratic Committee Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer
• Town Delegates to the County Democratic Committee
• Town Delegate to the State Convention
• Town Election Clerk
Do you have a great vision of what the Party should stand for? Then come to the Caucus with your own Proposed Amendment to the Proposed Party Platform. Keep an eye on the state party Web site (www.mainedems.org) and read the new Proposed Platform. It will be available before the Caucus. We will be discussing its features at our Caucus, so that’s the place to start getting support for your proposal. We can sign your petition that you’ll submit 14 days before the Convention to the Platform Committee.
And do you want to see the Party work in better ways? Then bring us a Proposed Rule Amendment, too. It all starts at your local Caucus.
And if you really want to participate in running the Maine Democratic Party, then decide to run for a position on the State Committee. You’ll need to get your petitions signed by people who have been elected delegates to the State Convention, where your candidacy will be voted on. Start your petition right here at your Town Caucus and we can help you get signatures. First, read the recently updated Party Rules now on the Website. Select “Platform & Rules.”
Excited? Convinced? All you need now is to know where and when your Caucus will be on Sunday, Feb. 26:
Casco: 5-6:30 at Casco Municipal Building.
Raymond: 2-4 p.m. – Raymond Public Safety Building.
Sebago: 3:30-5:30 at Sebago Town Hall.
Standish: 3-5 p.m. at Steep Falls Fire Barn.
Windham: 2-4 p.m. at Windham Council Chambers, Town Hall
(Also available at www.mainedems.org)
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