Precinct Caucus Training
How you can become the voice of
hundreds of others.
All Politics is Local.
-Tip ONeil
People often say that, in a
democracy, decisions are
made by the majority of
the people. Of course,
that is not true. Decisions
are made by a majority of
those who make
themselves hearda very different thing.
-Walter H Judd
The World is Run by
those Who Show Up.
-Unknown
You Get It!
You know America is in trouble.
You understand that the American Federal government was
created by the States and the people.
You know that the
creature,
the Federal
government
does not have
sovereignty over
the creator,
the States and the
people.
You Get That.
You understand that our founding fathers very wisely and
carefully created a Constitution to define and limit that
young government’s powers to protect the States and the
people…. primarily from that government.
You’re amazed at how many don’t understand that.
It irks you to know that
the Federal government
controls access to
70% of Utah’s land,
depriving the people of
energy resources that
would make Utah
energy self-sufficient
for over 400 years.
You know the Government that we created does not have
the legal authority to do that.
You understand the intent of the
Constitution’s 10th Amendment
“The powers not delegated to the United States by
the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States,
are reserved to the States respectively, or to the
people.”
Madison explained to the people in
Federalist No. 45 that the powers of
the new government would be
“few and defined.”
You know instinctively that taking $4,500 from your pocket
and giving it to someone to help buy a new car is wrong.
You’ve Checked it Out!
You’ve counted
the very few
enumerated
powers that the
federal
government
was supposed
to have.
You understand that forcefully confiscating wealth of one
group and redistributing it to another group is not one of
those intended powers.
You see corruption is rampant.
You understand that
the federal
government now
criminally exceeds
those very limited
enumerated powers
and today they don’t
even try to mask it.
You see that Goldman Sachs accepted $10 billion in
government rescue funds to help it stay afloat last year but
Goldman employees will receive $19 billion in
bonuses for 2009. You think its more than coincidence
that the government is crawling with Goldman executives.
40% of Americans pay no taxes.
In fact many
Americans have
lost their will
to be self
sufficient and
have become
dependent on
this ever
growing federal
government.
You are angry, frustrated and scared!
You understand…
…as our government has
devoured the rights,
powers and
responsibilities of the
States and people, we
are no longer in charge
of that government that
we created… we have
become servants of it.
Every night you shout at the TV.
You know as individuals, we
can’t do anything to
influence those compromised
national leaders, particularly
the incumbents.
Letters and emails allow
you to be heard occasionally
but don’t create change.

Shouting at the TV doesn’t
work.

Over half of Americans
don’t even think their vote
counts …they have given up
trying.

There is one hope...
we outnumber them.
There are only
500 or so national
public office
holders and there
are well over 300
Million of us.
We literally
surround
them.
What if…
…the voices of
thousands residents of
one state shout out
and act with the same
common purpose to
limit the federal
government?
And, what if…
the State Legislature
acts aggressively to
challenge the
unconstitutional
Federal actions?
What if…
…the people and legislatures of 50 states stand shoulder to
shoulder with that same common purpose
Limit the Federal government?
If just this vocal and committed fraction of those 300 million
citizens with the same common purpose combine their voices and
actions, they become an army and
their collective voice becomes a roar.
That is the only peaceful strategy to
reverse things.
Utahns must resolve to stand up to the Federal
government and to challenge Federal mandates and
programs legislatively.
 In order to succeed, the people of Utah must
understand why and fill the pipeline of local and state
government with elected officials who understand and
are committed to limited government and the intent of
the constitution.
 States across the nation with one common purpose
must act in unison.

It’s happening…
Utah legislators who have formed an alliance with
other lawmakers throughout the country to challenge
the federal government through state legislative
actions.
 Those citizens, like you, who “get it” are counted on to
actively support the States’ Rights concept and that PHC
legislation by taking responsibility for your own
neighborhood.

Purpose of Today’s Training
To prepare 9.12ers and States’ Rights advocates and PHC
supporters to become neighborhood delegates to your
county and state political conventions.
By becoming a delegate, you
educate your neighborhood
and
you personally nominate
candidates to fill leadership
positions in the State.
This is where the power is.
Reality 1: Community
organizers understand
the importance of
grassroots,
neighborhood
activism. In many
parts of the country it’s
a key to gaining power
and keeping it.
Reality 2: In Utah, delegates to the Republican Party
conventions have the most significant voice in selecting
Utah’s leaders. All it takes is to get off the couch and talk to
our neighbors.
In order to change the faces on Capitol Hill, we must change
the names on the ballots from the bottom up.
As a delegate, you have the power to make that change.
As a delegate you
will represent
hundreds of
registered voters
from your precinct.
2010 Key Dates
Neighborhood Caucus
Tue. March 23
SL County Convention
Utah State Convention
Primary Election Day
General Election 2010
Sat. April 24
Sat. May 8
Tues. June 22
Tue. Nov. 2
What is a Precinct Caucus Meeting?
 Precinct Caucus meetings are held by the political
parties every even numbered year to organize the
precincts and elect party convention delegates.
 A precinct is the smallest political organizing unit
in the state. Basically, a precinct is the households in
your neighborhood. A precinct will vary in size and
population determines the boundaries. Local
municipalities draw the precinct boundaries.
 Precinct Caucus Meetings
typically take place in the
home of someone who lives
in your neighborhood. They
may also take place at
libraries, schools or other
public buildings.
 Anyone who attends a
Precinct caucus meeting can
nominate other attendees or
themselves to become a
delegate or precinct officer.
 You need to know the number of your neighborhood
precinct in order to attend your precinct caucus
meeting. Go to your County Clerk’s website to
determine your precinct number and polling place.
 The exact location of your caucus meeting will be
officially printed in the newspaper on the Sunday
before the precinct caucus meetings but you should
be proactive and find out well before.
This year, precinct caucus meetings will be held
Tuesday, March 23, 2010.
 The person
conducting this
workshop may
be able to
provide your
Precinct
Chairperson’s
name and
phone
number.
 You can also call your county political party for more
information.
What is a delegate and how do I
get elected as a Party Delegate?
A delegate is an
elected representative
to the county or state
political party from their
precinct. Delegates are
elected at the precinct
caucus meetings.
I represent my
Neighborhood
Registered Republicans who will be age 18 by the
general election and have lived in Utah at least 30
days immediately before the next election can be a
delegate .
Delegates represent their precinct and attend and vote
at all County Party Conventions and/or State Party
Conventions, depending on the county in which you live.
Delegates assist
Precinct Officers with
political organizing in
their legislative
district.
Delegates vote on the
content of their party
platforms and
governing documents.
 Remember, in order to become a Republican Delegate,
you must be a registered Republican. You may
register before your precinct caucus or at the caucus.
 Delegates are elected for two-year terms.
 Each precinct is allocated a specific number of
delegates (based on the relative strength of past voter
performance in that precinct).
One, Two or Three Delegates
State Delegates
 Delegates are elected at the Precinct Caucus.
 State Delegates attend State Primary Convention.
(Held during even numbered years after all County
Organizing Conventions have been held. In 2010 that
is Saturday, May 8.
 State Delegates elect Party candidates in contested
races (including statewide offices).
 State Delegates approve the party platform and vote
on platform amendments.
State Delegates
 State Delegates attend the State Organizing
Convention
(Held during odd numbered years after all County
Organizing Conventions have been held)
 State and County parties determine State Delegates
 State Delegates elect State Party officials
 Delegates hear and vote on amendments to the State
Party Platform
County Delegates
 Delegates elected at the Precinct Caucus Meeting.
 Delegates attend County Primary Convention (Held
during even numbered years; SL County Convention is
Sat. April 24, 2010).
 Delegates nominate the Party’s candidates (including
County offices).
 Delegates approve the party platform and vote on
platform amendments.
County Delegates
 Delegates attend County Organizing Convention
(Held in spring during odd numbered years).
 Delegates elect County Party officials.
 Delegates hear and vote on amendments to the County
Party Platform.
How do I get elected as a Delegate?
 Typically to get elected as
a party delegate, you will
need to run a “minicampaign” for yourself in
your neighborhood.
 Depending on the
neighborhood that you live
in, it can be very
competitive to get
yourself elected as a
delegate and you should
be prepared.
The Crucial Conversation
This process begins with you
initiating a crucial
conversation with your
family, friends, and neighbors.
Step by Step
1. Have a crucial conversation with your neighbors and
contact the political party activists in your precinct and
commit them to attend and vote for you at the precinct
caucus. A short hand-out video is being developed that
you can use to help motivate your neighbors.
Step by Step
2. Read the Party Platform before you go to your caucus. For
the Utah State Republican Party platform go to www.utgop.org
3. Bring a photo ID with you to your precinct caucus meeting.
4. Ensure all of your supporters show up that at the precinct
caucus to vote for you.
5. During the precinct caucus meeting individuals who are
running for a delegate position will give a short speech or will
be asked to talk about why they are interested in becoming a
delegate.
Step by Step
6. When the meeting is coming to an end, the group of
attendees will vote for their new delegates and elect new
precinct officers.
7. Be prepared to stay at the meeting the whole time (about 2
hours), voting takes place at the end.
Keys To Success:
 Contact the current precinct chair at least a month
before the caucus and learn about the history and
personality of your precinct. Find out if there are others
of like mind who are advocates of small government and
States’ Rights or those that typically have been delegates
in your precinct.
If so, form an
alliance with
them to make
certain that
those neighbors
on both your
teams don’t split
the vote.
Keys to Success:
 Canvas your neighborhood at least a month in
advance of the caucus, building a team of supporters of
your point of view.
 Depending on the precinct, usually if you bring 10-12
voters to the caucus you will be elected.
If you and another aligned
neighbor with the same goal
both bring a dozen voters
who each vote for both of
you, each of you will almost
always win the caucus
election.
Helpful Hint:
Check out the iCaucus Videos:
These resources are great tools to educate and activate
your neighbors.
Ourcaucus.com
Find out how Congress was stolen from us with
the step-by-step Video Presentation:
"The 12 Articles of the Independence Caucus“
You will also find how-to webinars, written instructions and
forums to network and share ideas with iCaucus members.
Our thanks to iCaucus for inspiration on our crucial conversation methodology.
Again, the
time frame:
 Neighborhood Caucus
Tue. March 23
 SL County Convention
Sat. April 24
Sat. May 8
 Utah State Convention
 Primary Election
 General Election
Tue. June 22
Tue. November 2
Optional Slides
 Slides that were edited out of the presentation to
simplify.
Definitions
Precinct Caucus—a grass-roots meeting that is held for political
organizing purposes
Delegate— a person elected at a precinct caucus meeting who votes at
their party convention to elect the party’s nominees to run in the primary
and general elections and helps organize their precinct for elections
Legislative District—a geographical area that an elected official
represents
Legislative Chair—person elected by precinct chairs to organize their
legislative district and work with precinct officers, delegates, candidates
and potential candidates.
Organizing Convention— a convention that occurs in the odd-numbered
years to elect State Party officers, County Party officers and review party
platforms.
Nominating Convention— a convention that occurs in even-numbered
years so that delegates can elect their party’s nominees to run in the primary
and general elections
Precinct— the smallest political organizing unit in the state a geographical
area. Your precinct number is usually printed on your voter registration card.
Precinct Caucus—a political party meeting of the voters in a precinct that is
held to elect delegates and precinct officers. Both parties hold precinct
caucus meetings in even numbered year on the same date (typically in late
March).
Precinct Chair—elected by attendees at the precinct caucus meeting.
Responsibilities include being a member of the County Party Central
Committee, organizes precinct for elections, possibly hosts the precinct caucus
meeting in the next even numbered year, works with the Legislative Chair to
help organize district
Precinct Secretary—elected by attendees at the precinct caucus meeting,
keeps accurate minutes, records, and lists for the precinct
Precinct Treasurer—elected by attendees at the precinct caucus meeting,
keeps accurate, detailed financial records for the precinct
Precinct Vice-Chair—elected by attendees at the precinct caucus meeting,
member/attendee of the County Party Central Committee, assist Precinct
Chair in duties, assume the duties of the Chair in their absence