Political Party Convention Process

Political parties in Texas outline their governing philosophy through a convention process that begins at the precinct or neighborhood level. On the night of the primary, each precinct has a convention that is open to anyone who voted, either that day or in early voting in the party’s primary. Two major things are done at that meeting. After the election of a chairman for the meeting, the precinct convention elects a number of delegates to represent the precinct at the county or senatorial convention approximately two weeks later. Each precinct can send a certain number of delegates. Once that is done, the floor is open for any delegate to offer (a) resolution(s) on any topic for discussion and vote. (Click here for a list of resolutions proposed by THSC PAC.)  All resolutions that are adopted will be forwarded to the resolutions committee at the next level, the county or senatorial convention. The resolutions adopted in each precinct reflect the philosophy of the majority participating at that convention.

Two weeks from the Saturday following the primary, county or senatorial conventions are held. Each county that is wholly contained in a Texas senatorial district has a county convention. Those counties that are split between more than one state senatorial district have senatorial district conventions. Delegates elected at precinct conventions attend to represent their precincts. At these county/senatorial conventions, delegates elect delegates and alternate delegates to represent their county/senatorial district at the political party’s state convention and adopt resolutions that will be sent to the platform committee of the political party’s state convention.

In the summer, the political parties meet at state conventions to elect party officers and adopt a platform based on resolutions that began in the precincts. Each political party’s platform is a public statement of its governing philosophy. Thus, those who take part in this process choose who will lead that political party for two years and have a voice in expressing the philosophy of the party. The political party is defined by those who participate in its convention process. Parties change over the years based on those who are participating in and defining that political party. Home school parents who wish to take part in this process and give their children that experience should get a copy of the political party’s rules from the party’s county or state headquarters and become familiar with parliamentary procedure. Each time one goes through this process is a great educational experience.

Democrat Party

http://www.txdemocrats.org/the_party/tdp_rules/

Republican Party

http://www.texasgop.org/site/PageServer?pagename=RPTBasics

Primary Election Day, March 4, gives the perfect opportunity to begin adding up these hours!  Click here for more information on THSC's Good Citizenship Program and how your family can participate.