California Democratic Party 2020 Delegate Selection Plan Guide

California Democratic Party 2020 Delegate Selection Plan Guide
The Democratic National Convention is July 13-16, 202 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

OVERVIEW
The California Delegation will send a total of 495 Delegates and 35 Alternates to the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The total delegation will be comprised of 416 Pledged Delegates and 35 Alternates and 79 Unpledged Delegates. Each state must have a delegation which is 50% self-identified female, 50% other than self-identified female or within one, and must have a Delegate Selection Plan that includes Affirmative Action Goals (quotas are prohibited).

Who can be a Delegate – Only Registered Democrats (Party Preference) can participate.

Who can attend meetings – All steps in the delegate selection process are open to the Press and the Public.

Breakdown of California’s Pledged Delegates
District-Level Delegates: 272 Alternates: 25
At-Large Delegates: 90 Alternates: 10
PLEO Delegates: 54
Total number of Delegates: 416 Alternates: 35

Breakdown of California’s Unpledged Delegates
Democratic Governor 1
CA Congressional Democrats 45* Some Electeds are also DNC members
DNC Committee Members 33
Total 79

Gender Breakdown
The number of self-identified male and self-identified female delegates will not vary by more than one. In the case of non-binary gender delegates, they will not be counted in either the male or female category.

2020 Affirmative Action Goals
Hispanic/Latino 30%
Native American 2%
Youth* 20%
African American 16%
LGBT 12%
Asian/Pacific Is. 10%
Disabled Person 10%
*Under 36

The Affirmative Action Goals were established by the DNC because historically these groups have been underrepresented. It should be noted that some delegates will fall into two or more of the above categories.

HOW PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES ARE ALLOCATED PLEDGED DELEGATES
Candidates are allocated District-Level Delegates in each Congressional District in which they receive 15% or more of the primary vote and those candidates who receive 15% or more of the statewide vote are allocated PLEO and At-Large Delegates. If Candidate A receives 50% of the statewide vote, then Candidate A gets 50% of the 90 At-Large Delegates and 50% of the 54 PLEO Delegates. See the District-Level Delegate Guide for the breakdown by CD.

UNPLEDGED DELEGATES – 79 Total
California’s Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, Governor Brown and members of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) are all automatic delegates to the National Convention.

DISTRICT-LEVEL DELEGATES – 272 Delegates and 35 Alternates
Each of California’s 53 Congressional Districts (CDs) are allocated from 4 to 11 District-Level delegates, based on population and presidential voting from the 2012 & 2016 elections. Using the same criteria, 26 of the 53 CDs are also allocated 1 Alternate each. Potential candidates for District-Level Delegates must submit Form A, pledging their support to a Presidential Candidate, during the filing period of January 6 through March 3. Caucuses will be held April 19 in each CD where Democrats registered in the CD will be able to vote to slate delegates.

AT-LARGE (i.e. STATEWIDE) DELEGATES – 106 Delegates and 11 Alternates
Any registered Democrat who is committed to a candidate can apply to be an At-Large Delegate by filing Form B during the filing period of February 7 through April 21. At-Large Delegates are confirmed by a vote of the 271 District-Level Delegates at the May 2020 Statewide Delegation Meeting.

PLEDGED PARTY LEADERS AND ELECTED OFFICIAL (PLEO) – 54 Total
A PLEO is a registered Democrat from the categories below. No elected official or party leader is automatically a PLEO Delegate. In order to be considered for one of the 54 PLEO Delegate spots, an individual must file Form C, pledging their support to a presidential candidate who received at least 15% or more of the statewide primary vote. PLEO Delegates are confirmed by a vote of the 271 District-Level Delegates at the May 2020 Statewide Delegation Meeting.

PLEO Candidates in Order: big-city mayors and statewide elected officials; state legislative leaders and state legislators; other state, county and local elected officials; California Democratic Party Leaders.