2020 IN FOCUS: THE PATH TO BECOMING A DELEGATE TO THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION
by Mary Morrissey, Executive Director, Democratic Party of Illinois
@demsforillinois

The 2020 Presidential Election is in our sights – and we are energized and motivated to restore integrity to our country by ensuring the current occupant of the White House in a one-term president.

We know Democrats across Illinois are excited, eager and willing to play a role in all aspects of the 2020 election, including the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee next July. We appreciate and are encouraged by the enthusiasm and will be finding opportunities for people to get involved leading up to and during the election in November 2020. We are committed to gathering the volunteers, the voices and the energy we will need for a tough fight.

Our top priority will be to nominate a candidate who shares our common goal of supporting the hard-working people of Illinois and who can win back the White House. We know you feel the same way and we’re excited to work together with all of you.

And we certainly need your help. As a state party, we are working hard to engage Democrats from across Illinois in the process of selecting our next President – someone who better reflects the values of our country and the diversity of the Democratic Party.

That’s where you come in!

Earlier this month, we kicked off a series of 21 Delegate Information Sessions across the state to educate Democrats on the process of selecting delegates to the 2020 Democratic National Convention. At each of our sessions, attendees hear from representatives of the Democratic Party of Illinois as well as other state and local Democratic leaders. The sessions run through the month of September.

A delegate plays a significant role by representing Illinois at the Convention and helping select the Democratic presidential nominee. Delegates also help shape the Democratic Party’s platform and policies.

For the 2020 Democratic Convention, Illinois has been allocated 184 delegates and 13 alternate delegates. We are committed to helping elect an Illinois delegation that represents the diverse set of backgrounds and beliefs that make up our great state.

Our informational sessions cover:

  • Illinois Democratic delegate selection process
  • Role of a delegate in the selection of the Democratic presidential nominee
  • How to become a delegate
  • Duties and responsibilities of a delegate
  • How to connect with a presidential campaign

There are some requirements to becoming a delegate. You must:

  • Be registered to vote: https://ova.elections.il.gov
  • Support the Democratic Party
  • ​Gain the support of your Democratic Presidential candidate

Serving as a delegate is an important role in the Democratic Party. Delegates have defined responsibilities before and after the Primary Election in March 2020:

Delegate Responsibilities – Pre-Primary Election

  • Circulate petitions and secure a minimum of 500 signatures for their delegate candidacy.
  • Circulate petitions and secure signatures for the presidential candidate to whom they are pledged.
  • File petitions, statement of candidacy and pledge of support form with the State Board of Elections January 2-3, 2020.
  • File statement of candidacy and pledge of support form with the Democratic Party of Illinois.

Delegate Responsibilities – Post-Primary Election

  • Participate in the Illinois National Convention Delegate meeting in

April, 2020.

  • Attend the Democratic National Convention.

If you are considering becoming a delegate, there are some of the key dates to keep in mind:

October 5, 2019: District-level delegate candidates can begin circulating nominating petitions ​to be a candidate for delegate on the March 17, 2020 Illinois Democratic Primary ballot.
January 2-3, 2020: Petitions, statement of candidacy and pledge of support form must be filed with the State Board of Elections to run to become a delegate in the 2020 primary election.
January 3, 2020: Deadline for filing statement of candidacy and pledge of support forms with state party, 1201 S. Veteran’s Parkway, Suite C, Springfield, IL 62704.
March 17, 2020: Illinois Primary Election Day
April 2020: Illinois National Convention delegation meeting, at-large delegates selected
July 13 – 16, 2020: Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee
Nov. 3, 2020: Presidential General Election

We’ve already had engaged crowds and great discussions in Joliet, Hillside, Bradley, Urbana, Centralia and Fairview Heights. We look forward to more productive sessions throughout the state.

We hope you will join us at one or more of these events and encourage others in your community to do the same. A full list of information sessions can be found here.

For more information on 2020 and how to get involved, click here. We need your help to engage Democratic voters across Illinois and elect a Democrat for President!

Mary Morrissey

Executive Director

Democratic Party of Illinois