Georgia Delegates: Frequently Asked Questions

Dear Georgia Delegates to the National Convention,

We will be having two meetings for the Georgia Delegation so that we can discuss logistics and other matters as we prepare for the National Convention in Charlotte.

The first meeting will take place at the Democratic Party Headquarters in Savannah, Georgia on Saturday, August 4^th.

DPG location is:  406 E. Bay St. Savannah, GA  31401

The second meeting will take place at the Democratic Party Headquarters in Atlanta on Saturday, August 18^th.

DPG location is:  763 Trabert Ave. NW, Suite A; Atlanta, GA  30318

Both meetings will cover the same material and will begin at 1:00 PM and last about 2-3 hours. Please try to attend at least one of the meetings. If you are unable to attend, please let us know so that we can give you more information as we get closer to the event.

Many of you have questions about the Convention.  Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions:

When will our Delegation be officially certified?

The Georgia Delegation will receive Final Certification when ALL of our paperwork is complete. We still have Official forms that are outstanding from several of the delegates.  If you have not completed the form and returned it to us, please do so immediately.

By scan form and email to [email protected]

By fax to 1-877-744-9438.

Click here to download the form.

When will we receive further information as Delegates from the DNC?

If you haven’t heard anything from anyone DO NOT PANIC: In mid-August, you will all receive a Delegate packet from the DNC. Please remember that the DNC is working as fast as they can to make the process work.  This convention has more than 6,000 Delegates, the largest group ever. The vetting process alone is enormous.

When will Invitations to events go out to Delegates?

Official invitations to Convention events will be sent through us when those events are finalized.  The Georgia Delegation will be hosting its own event on Monday, September 4^th from 4-7:00 PM.  More details will follow.

I was elected to a Standing Committee but haven’t heard anything yet from the DNC. What should I do?

If you were elected to a Standing Committee, you should be hearing from the DNC in the next few days.  I spoke with them today and they are working on making contact with each of you.  Please do not call the DNC.  They have been inundated with calls from around the country and this slows down the process. Please also remember that the Presidential Campaign has complete and total control over these positions.  My understanding is that a meeting of the Standing Committees will take place in Detroit in August. If you don’t hear something by early next week, call the Party office at 678-232-2012.

What are the dates we need to be in Charlotte?

The tentative schedule is on Saturday, September 1^st and runs through Thursday, September 6^th.  The Franklin Group will make sure that we have rooms for the entire period and will adjust any reservations that need to be extended. Don’t worry-if you’re a Delegate you’ll have a room.

What are the “working days” for the Delegates?

The Convention will be called to order on Tuesday, September 4^th.  Business meetings will take place on the 4^th and 5^th.  The President will accept the Nomination on Thursday Evening, September 6^th. The official meetings will be gaveled open each day at 4:00 PM in the Arena.  There will be Committee and Caucus Meetings open to the public during the day at the Convention Center.

Are passes available to get friends and family into the Arena or events?

The short answer is no. This convention has the most number of Delegates in the smallest venue that has ever been put on by the DNC. At past Conventions, credentials were available for visitors and were done via a lottery system. That will not happen this year.  We hope to set up a co-op of the Delegates to allow passes to be shared.  Do not expect passes to be available and if somehow they are, they will be extremely limited.

What’s the Hotel like?

We have one of the nicer Hotels in the Airport area.  We are the lead delegation because of our size.  We share our hotel and one other with Minnesota, Democrats Abroad and South Dakota. We will have breakfast every morning for our Delegation and guests.

How will our Delegation be organized and how about transportation?

We will discuss all of these details at the meetings.  We will assign Delegates to work with us in certain areas. We’ll discuss that further at the meetings. Transportation will be difficult.  Transportation to and from the Georgia Delegation Hotel and Charlotte Convention Center, Time Warner Arena and Bank of America Stadium will be provided each morning free of charge to all “credentialed” guests only. All other guests or anyone without an official credential will need to make their own travel arrangements. Airport Shuttles for Delegates are free. Guests arriving with Delegates are able to ride the DNC shuttle for a $30.00 fee. The Charlotte Light Rail System is about .8 of a mile from the Hotel.

What should I do now?

There is really nothing to do now.  If you have any questions, please contact the State Party. Finally, relax and enjoy the experience.  It’s all going to work out.  As I tell people all the time, if we were highly organized we’d be Republicans….Don’t panic. It will all fall into place.

Thanks for all you do!  I look forward to working with all of you.

Mike Berlon