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.
January 20, 2012 at 8:41 am
http://www.vml.org/
FYI:
Yesterday the VML e-mailed an “Action Call” to members alerting
them to several bills being introduced in the GA that would require
party identification on ballots for candidates for local offices.
Currently the Code of Virginia (24.2-613,24.2-640) prohibits it.
“The VML has had a long standing position in support of nonpartisan
elections , on the premise that there is not a Republican or a
Democratic way of running local governments.”
January 20, 2012 at 8:53 am
http://www.manassasgop.com/
Suggest reading the “Convention Call” and rules.
(Note, for example, how a candidate could get the majority of votes,
but not win the nomination).
January 20, 2012 at 10:34 am
@Andy and Steve,
Thanks for the convention info.. Approx. how long does a convention last.
January 20, 2012 at 11:41 am
Glad to hear from the City’s Voter Registration & Elections Department that the Republican party has rescinded the pledge requirement for the primary.
January 20, 2012 at 3:29 pm
4Kids-
I’m not a made member of the GOP and don’t know the
secret high temple rituals, but would guess the convention will last
around two or three hours – depending on the number of voters and ballots
needed to select the winners.
January 20, 2012 at 8:11 pm
4K&D
You may want to prepare for 3-4 hours for the convention (i.e. 9am-1pm). It is not unusual for 2-3 rounds of voting to happen.
January 20, 2012 at 10:36 pm
Like I said in the other thread, there is definitely time to kill during a convention. I suggest bringing a book…
January 20, 2012 at 10:38 pm
Bring a book and vote Harrover. You just don’t want anything else…:)
January 21, 2012 at 2:03 am
You already know that’s my plan Mr. H :).
(Well that and also voting for Jon Way, Mark Wolfe, and Ian Lovejoy…)
January 21, 2012 at 12:32 pm
Are smart phones permitted at the convention?
January 21, 2012 at 3:39 pm
4Kids, I would imagine like any other meeting, do the courtesy thing and set to vibrate or turn off during the time seated for business. Can’t imagine AndyH or a couple of others going through 2 to 3 hours without their smartphone or Ipad (especially Andy – watching him in withdrawal would just be too frightening to watch!)
January 22, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Yes, smartphones, Ipads, Slates, PSP, Kindle, Nook, Laptops, etc., will be allowed at the convention. You will be asked to put them in vibe or silent mode during convention business, but we live in a wired world.
January 25, 2012 at 7:39 am
I’ve attended two of them, and they are a bit of a dog and pony show, but fun nevertheless. Though, I’d recommend walking to the school, to help work off all the free donuts. 😉
January 25, 2012 at 12:29 pm
wow… thank you all for posting this information, its fascinating. I just called Elections and learned the numbers for Saturday, not sure if it’s PC to reveal them but I’m bringing a pillow and War and Peace 🙂 this is very exciting and I’d love to volunteer – I absolutely promise to NOT speak. If you need food, drinks, errand runners on that day let me know – I have two kids that aren’t old enough to vote, but want to show support.
Yay, Harrover!
January 25, 2012 at 4:30 pm
wow… thanks all for posting this information, its fascinating. I just called Elections and learned the numbers for Saturday, not sure if it’s PC to reveal them but I’m bringing a pillow and a huge thermos of coffee 🙂 I absolutely promise to NOT speak, but if you need food, drinks, errand runners on that day let me know – I have two kids that aren’t old enough to vote, but want to show support.
Yay, Harrover!
January 25, 2012 at 11:12 pm
@Jessica Reistad
Sheryl Bass’ email says “the turnout could be nearly 800 delegates and would be unprecedented in City of Manassas history”. So I guess it’s not PC to reveal the numbers for Saturday…
I found it interesting I got emails from Parrish and Bass and letters from Wolfe and Harrover all on the same day…
January 26, 2012 at 7:40 am
Oops, so much for self editing… Sorry about the double post.
@Andrew Beverage – I heard the same numbers, I’ve only been to one before, Miller and Weimer. It was a nail biter, came down to three votes. This one might be even more interesting.
I’m counting on the wisdom of people like you to educate and guide simpletons like me… I want to make sure that my votes are for the candidates who really plan to make a difference.
Or say no to the status quo.
January 26, 2012 at 8:37 am
@Andrew,
I had the same group of people hit me yesterday…. add Ian. BTW, I had more than one call asking me for my support of Mayor Parish.
January 26, 2012 at 9:03 am
@Andy,
I understand that you are busy with the upcoming convention; but, when are you going to post a new blog? There have been a few MCPS articles in the paper (MJM, Patch) and I would love to know what others are thinking.
January 26, 2012 at 5:56 pm
I too received letters from Andy, Hal and Mark. I find it amazing that none of the letters mentioned illegal aliens/immigration and it’s negative impact on the City, or what the three would like to to do so solve the issue. I guess I’ll have to find others to vote for on Saturday.
January 28, 2012 at 10:58 am
My household received letters asking for participation in the local convention. We completed requested forms and provided them along with requested funds promptly well before the closing date. This a.m., we arrived at Metz school a few minutes before 9 a.m. and proceeded to circumnavigate the parking lot finally settling in an empty space in the last lot. Upon arrival at the door, we were turned away (at approx 905).
So my question is where is/was it clearly stipulated that entry will not be allowed after 9 a.m. and what was the point of the registration form and check for entry?
Is it unreasonable to expect that the registration form state “no participation allowed” after 9 a.m.?
I look forward to a prompt response.
January 28, 2012 at 4:18 pm
It was published that all participants must be in the building at 9 a.m. Sorry you missed out but hopefully you will remember for the next time. They have to have a cut off time to avoid issues.
January 28, 2012 at 6:54 pm
@DDC,
Paragraph 1 of the Call to Convention clearly stated the following: “Registration opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 9:00 a.m.” Steve Randolph posted a kink to the website where that could be found in this thread and suggested reading that very document.
In addition, you may have received emails from candidates that also clearly stated that rule: Mark Wolfe (1/28/2012 2:44AM) wrote “It is vital that you get to Metz on time. You must be in the registration line BEFORE
9am. At 9:01, you will not be allowed to join the line to be registered. “; Sheryl Bass (1/25/2012 3:24PM) wrote “…the doors open at 8:00 a.m., and registration continues until 9:00 a.m. “; Judy Ratcfille on the behalf of Hal Parrish (1/25/2011 3:21PM) wrote “REGISTRATION BEGINS AT 8:00 AM AND YOU MUST BE THERE BY 9:00 AM” (all caps in the original email).
Furthermore, Jon Way’s website stated: “Time: 9:00 am (registration opens at 8:00 am and closes at 9:00 am. Come before 9:00 to meet candidates and have a cup of coffee)”.
That covers the first half of your first question, I just named several places where it was clearly stated when registration opens and closes.
As to question to second half of your first question on the point of the registration form and ID check, basically the form is so your status as a registered voter (as per the requirement to attend as stated in the Call to Convention) could be verified before the day of the convention. The ID check was to make sure you are you claim to be, just like every other time to go to vote. I’m sure Steve Thomas, another poster here and a leader in the MCRC, could fully explain the reasons before the registration form and ID in more detail then this if you wanted a more detailed answer.
As to your second question, yes that would be an unreasonable expectation in my opinion. As delegates, we have a responsibility to learn and follow the rules of the convention. This includes reading the Call to Convention which stated registration opens 8PM closes at 9AM. As such, we all should have ensured that we would present in the building prior to 9AM, preferably as close to 8AM as possible (In fact, they actually opened registration even earlier as I arrived in the building at about 7:45AM and had my ID checked and given was my “kit” at that time.) Furthermore, as delegates we have a responsibility to be informed voters. This includes finding as much information on the candidates as possible by doing things such as reading all the emails the candidates send us and replying if we have a question for them, visiting their websites, and perhaps even calling them to question them if you are “old school.” Earlier I cited three candidates’ emails and one candidate’s website which if read would have clearly stated the registration times. There is no need to expect the form to tells us that for those reasons.
I hope I answered your questions fully, if perhaps at length, and that this response is prompt.
PS: Since we don’t know each other I should add my disclaimer: I admit in the above I was perhaps blunt but I apologize in advance for any thing that seemed rude, mean-spirited, etc… . “It’s nothing personal, it’s just business.”
January 30, 2012 at 7:57 pm
I would like to say thanks such a lot of for your job you have made in writing this post. I am hoping the same most effective work by you in the future also.