Well, there’s really two sides to that experience but most who read this will be much more interested as a delegate so I’ll steal Steve Thomas’ summation:
“You will come in, check-in, and receive your delegate credentials, and your ballots. The various campaigns will have tables set up, so you can meet and speak with them. Most will have coffee, donuts and such as well. Then the delegates will be officially “seated”, and the convention called to order. There will be some procedural “Roberts Rules of Order” type stuff, where the convention chairman is elected, there will be reports by the committees (credentials, nominations, resolutions, etc.), reading of the rules, etc., and then the speeches begin. Each candidate for office can give a short speech, followed by a round of “seconding” speeches, where 1 person can give a speech in support of each candidate.
Next, instructions on the voting process are announced. Then the voting begins. You vote by paper ballot, and bring your vote forward. (note: you can vote for as many as 3 folks for Council) A little strip of the vote is snipped off by a convention volunteer, and you place your ballot in the box. Once the votes are collected, they are taken to the count room and tallied. 1 Rep from each campaign is present when the votes are counted and tallied. The convention adjourns during this time. You can stay seated, or go get some more free donuts. The convention reconvenes when there are results. The results are announced to the convention. While the mayor’s race will be decided on a single round of voting, City Council might take a few rounds to determine three nominees. The process for voting will be the same each time, except the number of folks you can vote for may change, as nominees are selected. At the end of the process, we will have our Mayoral nominee, and three council nominees. For political junkies, a convention is very exciting. I guess it’s a matter of taste.”
Steve’s about right on.
