Oct. 10, 2003 — The Democratic Party of the U.S. Virgin Islands has submitted for approval to the Democratic National Committee the 2004 Delegate Selection Plan governing the election of at-large delegates and alternates to the party's national convention. The convention will be held in Boston, Mass., in July 2004.
The plan calls for the V.I. delegation to be selected in caucuses to be held in both districts on April 18, 2004, said a release from state chair James A. O'Bryan Jr. As in previous conventions, the V.I. delegation will be comprised of six delegates and one alternate, each having one-half of a vote, for a total of three votes. The four Democratic National Committee members (state chair, vice chair, national committeeman and national committeewoman) will each have one-quarter of a vote, for a total of one vote. The territory's Democratic governor and Congressional delegate will each have one vote. Thus the delegation will have a combined total of six votes at the convention.
The draft proposal was placed on public review for comments for a 30-day period which ended Sept. 30, 2003.
The plan allows for one man and two women to be elected in caucuses from the St. Thomas-St. JohnDistrict, and two men and one woman from the St. Croix District on April 17, 2004. The alternate and the delegation page will be designated by the party chair on April 20, 2004. In compliance with the proposal, the state chair has appointed a five-member Affirmative Action Committee to oversee the implementation of the delegate selection plan.
Democratic Party officials and titles listed on the release include, in addition to O'Bryan: Carmen Gonzalez, vice chair; Derek M. Hodge, national committeeman; Maria E. "Chi Chi" Heywood, national committeewoman; Terrence T. Joseph, district chair, St. Croix; Elmo A. Adams Jr., district chair, St. Thomas; Julien Harley, district chair, St. John; Pamela C. Richards, executive director; and Cecil R. Benjamin, political director.
The detailed timetable for Section D, "Presidential Candidate Filing Deadline," includes
2003
March 1 – Affirmative Action Committee appointed
Aug. 27 – Public comments solicited on proposed Delegate Selection
and Affirmative Action Plan. Press releases transmitted
Sept. 16 – Implementation of Affirmative Action Plan
Sept. 30 – Period of public comment on Delegate Selection Plan
is completed. Responses are compiled for review by the Territorial
Committee
Oct. 1 – Territorial Committee reviews public comments and adopts
revised Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plan
Oct. 5 – Implementation of Affirmative Action Plan begins
Nov. 1 – President candidate submits statement specifying steps to
encourage full participation in helping the territory reach its
affirmative action equal division goals.
2004
Jan. 22 – Delegate and alternate statements of candidacy, and pledge of
Support forms are available from the Territorial Committee
March 2 – National Committee Secretary certifies the V.I. unpledged
delegates
March 16 – Date by which presidential candidates must certify
their authorized representatives
March 18 – At-large delegates and alternate deadline for filing statement
of candidacy and pledge of support with Territorial Committee
March 20 – State Party provides list of delegates candidates to the
Presidential Campaign for review
March 25 – Presidential candidate must file with State Democratic chair
list of candidates approved
April 6 – Presidential certifying date for standing committee members
April 19 – Caucus convenes. At-large delegates and alternates selected
April 20 – Selection date for permanent standing committee members,
for delegation chair and convention page
April 20 – State Chair certifies at-large delegates and alternates.
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