The rules for Caucus Day

Friday, Jan. 18, 2008 | 4:18 p.m.

So what are the dos and don'ts at caucus sites? People are wondering, so the party sent out a couple of memos, including some re-jiggered rules for the at-large precincts. I have obtained both memos:

MEMORANDUM

TO: All presidential campaigns

FROM: Travis Brock, Jayson Sime

DATE: January 17, 2008

RE: Caucus Location rules of engagement

The NSDP has received a number of inquiries and phone calls from Nevada residents and presidential campaigns regarding possible disruption at Caucus locations. Included in this memo is information contained in The Nevada State Democratic Party Caucus Guide which is our official caucus guide. In addition to this information, further rules of engagement for conduct at caucus locations are listed below.

1) First, please be respectful of Nevada’s caucus participants. Participants have the right to caucus freely and without intimidation at their precinct caucuses. Any obstruction of this right is a violation of Voter Rights and can be construed as harassment and intimidation. The NSDP will pursue appropriate avenues should we determine voters are being harassed, bothered and otherwise encumbered from full and free participation in their caucus.

2) While most caucus locations are being held on public property, the NSDP has full authority to operate the precinct caucuses in a way which allows participants to freely caucus. This means that disruptive campaign displays such as loud cheering, signage, bullying or other actions which can make caucus goers uncomfortable will not be tolerated inside the locations. The NSDP will remove anyone we feel is encumbering a caucus goer’s right to freely participate in their precinct caucus. And, as directed in meetings with campaign representatives and NSDP Caucus Temporary Chair trainings, NO CAMPAIGN SIGNS are allowed inside a caucus location other than the ones put up by the Temporary Chair to denote preference group sections.

3) In general, the NSDP has trained Temporary Chairs to remove anyone who is disrupting the caucus process. At private properties it is also up to the discretion of the property holder. We have been strictly advised that this activity will not be allowed in At Large precincts on Strip properties.

EXCERPT FROM “THE NEVADA STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CAUCUS GUIDE”:

Observers at the Caucus

Nevada’s new historic opportunity in the nomination process brings with it a tremendous responsibility to provide information and access to the entire nation. Because precinct caucuses are open meetings, others have been invited to attend as observers. We have a responsibility to welcome these guests and give them an opportunity to fully observe Nevada’s new process. Each Democratic precinct caucus in Nevada should be prepared to have at least one representative from a news organization. Some precinct caucuses will be visited by camera crews during the caucus, a few will be carried live and in their entirety by a national news organization. News organizations serve as the eyes and ears for the nation. We have an additional responsibility to help them do their jobs.

There are rules that must be followed by observers at the precinct caucus. The Temporary Chair is obligated to inform observers of these rules:

• Only eligible, registered caucus participants may participate on caucus matters or elections.

• The Temporary Chair will ask that all observers be in an area other than that reserved for the eligible caucus participants.

• Observers must remain quiet and not become involved in caucus discussions once the caucus is called to order.

• Eligible caucus participants are to be considered actively participating in the caucus from the time it is convened until it is adjourned. It is not appropriate for a reporter to interview a caucus participant while the caucus is in session.

• Campaign Staff and campaign volunteers that are observers will not be allowed to communicate, signal, or instruct the eligible caucus participants once the caucus is called to order by the Temporary Chair.

• All facilities at the caucus have been reserved for the caucus attendees and the Nevada State Democratic Party. The Temporary Chair, as an officer of the Nevada State Democratic Party, has first right to these facilities. The phone at a caucus site (if there is one at the site) must be available to the Temporary Chair whenever he or she requests it.

• Broadcast equipment at a caucus must be set up and used in a way that will not hinder or obstruct the participation of any caucus attendee.

In the event of persistent violations of these rules, the Temporary Chair may ask the disruptive person(s) to leave. IF THAT DOES NOT WORK CALL YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT. Do not call 911 unless there is a life threatening emergency.

Summary:

Let us not forget we are the Democratic Party. Democrats do not intimidate voters, harass or use tactics which would make a voter uncomfortable and not able to freely exercise their right to vote. This pertains to the voting booth and to caucus locations. We recognize that tensions are high, but implore presidential campaigns and other observers to act civilly and respectful of Nevadans who are participating in their precinct caucus.

MEMORANDUM

TO: All campaigns

FROM: Jayson Sime, Jean Hessburg - NSDP

RE: At Large Precinct campaign observers

In response to campaign requests that the NSDP allow more campaign observers per At Large site, we are allowing an increase in credentialed campaign observers for each campaign. Previously, we had allowed (2) campaign observers per campaign per At Large site. In response to campaign’s concerns, we are raising that cap to (10) observers --- space permitting -- per campaign.

Please keep in mind, our At Large sites are on private properties and have a limited capacity to handle caucus goers. Room capacities are limited by the Fire Marshall, so our priorities will be for caucus participants if we are over capacity.

Should it be a choice between allowing (10) credentialed campaign observers per site, and allowing additional people to caucus, we will choose the latter. Should we run out of room for caucus goers, we will make additional room by equally removing (1) observer from each campaign at a time to make room until we reach (2) final observes per campaign. Campaigns will, at all times, no matter room capacity, be allowed, AT MINIMUM (2) observers.

Again, the NSDP is increasing the allowance of credentialed campaign observers to (10) per At Large site per campaign. Should the NSDP caucus site run out of room, we will begin to remove credentialed campaign observers (1) per each campaign with a MINIMUM left of (2) credentialed campaign observers per site.

It would be helpful, but not required, if each campaign submits their list of credentialed campaign observers ahead of time to Bill Buck at [email protected]. Again, this is not required, but may speed up credentialing and overall registration issues.

Thank you for your cooperation.