Noteworthy

California's Delegation to the Republican National Convention

How the delegation is elected and organized

The Republican National Convention is most known for nominating the party's candidate for President and Vice President.  It also conducts other important business of the Republican Party, such as the adoption of rules and taking the legal steps necessary for the party to exist for the subsequent four years. 

Califronia will send a total of 172 delegates to the national convention, the most of any state.  The 172-member delegation consists of 159 members who will be elected by Congressional District, 10 statewide at-large delegates, and the state's three RNC Members (the state chairman, the national committeeman, and national committeewoman).  In addition, the state will send 169 alternates to the convention (the three RNC members are not permitted alternates).  The total size of the delegation, including both delegates and alternates: 341.

HOW DELEGATES ARE CHOSEN

Each candidate for President who qualifies to appear on the ballot must submit a list of proposed delegates to the Secretary of State by May 6.  This list  must include three proposed delegates per Congressional District (3 x 53 districts = 159), and ten statewide at large delegates.  Before the primary, the candidates must also submit to the Secretary of State their list of proposed alternate delegates, which must be allocated according to the same formula as delegates (three per Congressional district, plus ten statewide).

California will hold its statewide Presidential primary on Tuesday, June 5.  Only registered Republican voters may vote in California's Republican Presidential Primary.  Results will be tabulated by Congressional District, and statewide.  For each Congressional District a Presidential candidate wins by a plurality (a majority is not required), the three delegates and three alternates chosen by that candidate will become the party's delegates to the convention from that district.  The ten statewide delegates and alternates chosen by the candidate who wins the plurality of the statewide vote will be the party's statewide delegates to the national convention.  The only automatic delegates ("superdelegates") to the Republican National Convention are the three RNC members from each state.

California delegates to the national convention are required to vote for the candidate who named them on the first two ballots.  This rule does not apply to the state's three RNC member/delegates.

HOW THE DELEGATION IS ORGANIZED

Shortly following the statewide primary on June 5, the delegation to the national convention must meet and elect a delegation chairman, and two members (one man and and one woman) to represent the state on four committees of the convention: Rules, Credentials, Permanent Organization, and Resolutions.  Alternates may not serve on committees, nor serve as the delegation chairman.  Delegates may not serve on more than one committee.

IS THERE A FEE TO SERVE AS A DELEGATE?

RNC Rule 15, Sec 10 states: "No delegate or alternate delegate, or candidate for delegate or alternate delegate, to the national convention shall be required to pay an assessment or fee in excess of that provided by the law of the state in which his or her election or selection occurs as a condition of standing for election or serving as a delegate or alternate delegate to the national convention."  Califronia has no fee stipulated in state law.

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION

Delegates will convene for the Republican National Convention in Tampa Bay, Florida August 27 - 30, 2012.  A local host committee is responsible for many of the arrangements necessary for the convention.  People interested in volunteer for the convention should contact the host committee through their website.  An online form will be available for volunteers to sign up.

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