THURSDAY, APRIL 17 FROM 7-9PM, SELECT BOARD ROOM, BELMONT TOWN HALL
DOORS WILL OPEN AT 6 and you must be line by 7
The Belmont Democratic Town Committee will hold its annual caucus to elect delegates to the annual MassDems Convention, which will be held September 13th, 2025, at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA.
Q: What is the MassDems Convention?
A: On Saturday, September 13, 2025, people from all across Massachusetts will gather at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA for a Platform Convention, where we meet to vote on what the priorities of the Party will be for the next four years. Expect a loud, friendly crowd of fellow engaged democrats. We’ll hear from our elected leaders; at past conventions, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, congresspeople from across the Commonwealth, Governor Maura Healey, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, and many others have addressed delegates. This is a great way to participate in our Party!
Q: What does it mean to be a delegate?
A: Democrats from every town and city are voted in to represent their respective towns and cities at the MassDems annual convention, where we will vote on the priorities of the Party. Belmont has 18 delegate and 4 alternate positions.
Q: Who can become a delegate or alternate?
A: Registered and pre-registered democrats who turn 16 by March 29, 2025 are eligible to run as a delegate. You DO NOT have to be a member of the Belmont Democratic Town Committee.
Q. What’s the process to become a delegate like?
A. Any registered or pre-registered can become a delegate candidate. We’ll have a list of registered democrats and you can register the day of the caucus.
Nominations are made from the floor, and it’s ok to nominate yourself. You must be present to be nominated, and you need to give written permission to accept nomination.
If there are more candidates than delegate spots, we’ll have ballots ready for you to write down your votes. Delegates and alternates apportioned to each ward and town must be gender balanced (within one, in the case of odd numbers) with non-binary gender delegates and alternates not being counted in either the male or female category. One open ballot will be used for the initial election of self-identified male, female and non-binary gender candidates. Should only self-identified male and female candidates be nominated, the committee may use separate male and female ballots. For elections on one ballot, the distribution of seats will be determined by the election results with the candidate receiving the highest vote determining which gender gets the first delegate allocated. If there is a tie at the top between two or three candidates (ie: [male / female] or [male / female / non-binary]), determination of the first delegate allocated will be determined by lot.
Q. I can’t make it to the caucus but would like to be considered as a delegate. Is that possible?
A. Exceptions are made for a person serving in the Armed Forces of the United States who advises his or her chair. If there are not enough candidates present to fill all delegate and alternate positions, two-thirds of those present and voting at the local caucus may move to have a candidate’s name placed in nomination despite the candidate’s absence, provided that the candidate has notified the chair of their interest in running prior to the election. If there are fewer present candidates than delegate or alternate positions then present candidates are deemed elected.
Q. I didn’t get elected during the caucus. Can I still serve as a delegate?
A. At least 45 days prior to the Convention, the State Committee elects several add-on delegates from the disabled, military, LGBTQ+, and youth communities. Preference is given to those who attend the caucus. There will be forms to fill out if you wish to be considered for an add-on position.
Q. Does it cost anything to attend the Convention?
A. The Convention (not the caucus!) is $75, and the Belmont Democratic Town Committee will support any person who wants to attend and for whom the fee is a deterrent.
For the complete method of selecting delegates, please see this document from MassDems.