This year DC Republicans will be going to the ballot box THREE times in 2024:
1. DC Republican Presidential Primary: March 1, 2, & 3, 2024 from 8:00am to 7:00pm
2. DC Primary Election (non-presidential primary): Tuesday June 4, 2024
3. General Election: Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Why is the DC Republican Presidential Primary in March?
The DC GOP has scheduled the presidential primary for Friday, March 1- Sunday, March 3, 2024, from 8:00am to 7:00pm at The Madison Hotel (1177 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005) to give voters the strongest voice possible in selecting our next President.
At its own expense, the DC GOP is organizing the DC Republican Presidential Primary for March 1-3, 2024, the earliest possible time under party rules.
A June primary would have violated National Republican Party Rule 16(c)(1), which prohibits primaries to elect, select, allocate, or bind delegates to the Republican National Convention from occurring after the second Saturday in June or less than forty-five days before the convention is scheduled to begin, whichever is earlier.
The 2024 Republican National Convention is scheduled to begin on July 15, 2024, and this deadline will fall on May 31, 2024.
What is Rule 16(c)(1)?
“No primary, caucus, convention, or other process to elect, select, allocate, or bind delegates to the national convention shall occur prior to March 1, nor shall any such process occur after the second Saturday in June in the year in which a national convention is held or less than forty-five (45) days before the national convention is scheduled to begin. Neither of these provisions, nor those in paragraph (c)(2) of this rule, shall apply to Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada, which may conduct their processes no earlier than one month before the next earliest state in the year in which a national convention is held”
What would happen if DC GOP violated Rule 16(c)(1)?
We would lose delegates to the national convention according to Rule 17(a).
What is Rule 17(a)?
“If any state or state Republican Party violates Rule No. 16(c)(1) of these rules, the number of delegates to the national convention shall be reduced for those states with thirty (30) or more total delegates to nine (9) plus the members of the Republican National Committee from that state, and for those states with twenty-nine (29) or fewer total delegates to six (6) plus the members of the Republican National Committee from that state. If any state or state Republican Party violates Rule No. 16(c)(2), the number of delegates and the number of alternate delegates to the national convention from that state shall each be reduced by fifty percent (50%). Any sum presenting a fraction shall be decreased to the next whole number. No delegation shall be reduced to less than two (2) delegates and a corresponding number of alternate delegates. The corresponding alternate delegates shall also be reduced accordingly.”
How many delegates does the DC GOP have for the national convention?
DC GOP is given nineteen delegates which includes the three (3) Republican National Committee (RNC) Members (Chairman, Committeewoman & Committeewoman) and sixteen (16) alternate delegates.
How many delegates would the DC GOP have if the Party violated rule 16(c)(1)?
According to rule 17(a) DC GOP would be allocated a total of six (6) plus the members of the Republican National Committee. DC GOP would lose 68% of our delegates.
Why don’t states like –Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada violate rule 16(c)(1)?
Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada are exempt from this rule:
“…Neither of these provisions, nor those in paragraph (c)(2) of this rule, shall apply to Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada, which may conduct their processes no earlier than one month before the next earliest state in the year in which a national convention is held.”
How will DC GOP delegates be allocated?
According to rule 16(c)(2), the allocation of our delegates will be on a proportional basis because our primary dates are March 1st-3rd
What is rule 16(c)(2)?
“Any presidential primary, caucus, convention, or other process to elect, select, allocate, or bind delegates to the national convention that occurs prior to March 15 in the year in which the national convention is held shall provide for the allocation of delegates on a proportional basis.”
What does it mean “allocation of delegates on a proportional basis?”
DC GOP will allocate our delegates proportionally to the candidates based on the District wide vote.
Are the DC GOP delegates “bound” to the primary results?
DC GOP delegates and alternate delegates will be bound through the first ballot at the Republican National Convention. Delegates will be unbound for all subsequent ballots.
How will the delegates and alternate delegates be bound?
Delegates and alternate delegates shall be bound on a proportional basis through the national convention to candidates receiving the threshold amount or more.
What is the threshold amount?
DC GOP has determined the threshold shall be 15% of the certified districtwide vote. If no presidential candidate reaches the 15% of the districtwide vote, the threshold becomes 10% for a candidate to receive delegates and alternate delegates. If no presidential candidate reaches the 10% threshold, then all delegates shall be allocated proportionately amongst those candidates receiving enough votes to be allocated at least one delegate.
Is there a scenario where a candidate can “take all” the delegates?
Yes – If a candidate receives an EXCESS of 50% of the certified districtwide vote, the candidate will receive all of DC’s delegates.
What is the formula for allocating delegates?
The votes received by each presidential candidate in EXCESS of the threshold, without rounding, shall be divided by the total number of valid votes cast for all presidential candidates receiving in excess of that threshold amount.
Starting with the candidate receiving the highest number of districtwide votes, the percentage shall be multiplied by the total number of delegates rounding up to the next whole number to produce the delegate allotment for each candidate.
This allocation process will be repeated with each of the remaining presidential candidates in descending order for their districtwide totals until all available delegates are allotted.
What is the process to become a delegate for the DC GOP?
Anyone interested in becoming a delegate for the DC GOP during this election cycle will have to complete an application form and submit their resume by 5 PM EST on Friday, March 8, 2024. NO applications will be accepted after 5pm. If your application is time stamped 5:01pm it will not be accepted.
Where do I obtain the application?
Applications can be obtained by emailing Nicole at nicole@dcgop.com or on the DC GOP website https://dcgop.com/run-for-local-office/
Applications MUST be submitted by 5 PM EST on Friday, March 8, 2024
Are there any requirements to become a DC GOP delegate or alternate?
Yes – Below are the requirements to becoming a DC GOP delegate:
- The individual MUST be a legal registered Republican in the District of Columbia
- The individual MUST be a District tax paying resident
If you are registered in another state or pay income tax in another state, you are NOT eligible to be a DC GOP delegate or alternate.
Example 1: If you work in a congressional office and pay taxes in your home state of Michigan (or any other state), you are NOT eligible to be a delegate.
Example 2: If you are retired and pay taxes in the state of Florida but have a home in the District, you are NOT eligible to be a delegate.
Example 3: If you live in Virginia or Maryland but work in the District, you are NOT eligible.
If you have questions about your eligibility please contact Nicole at nicole@dcgop.com
What is the process once my application has been submitted?
- All applications will be reviewed and compiled by the Executive Director of the DC GOP after the 5 PM EST, Friday, March 8, 2024 deadline to insure all applications are valid.
- If an application is missing any information, it will be considered incomplete and invalid. An incomplete or invalid application results in the disqualification of the applicant.
- All applicants will be given until the official 5 PM EST, Friday March 8, 2024 deadline to complete their application. There will be no time or date extensions on the application.
- Presidential candidates must submit to the DC GOP a list of proposed delegates and alternates by 5 PM EST on Friday, March 22, 2024.
- All applications will be compiled by the Executive Director of the DC GOP to present to the DC GOP Chairman and Executive Committee.
- All applicants and presidential candidate proposed list of delegates and alternates will be reviewed and elected by the DC GOP Executive Committee no later than Friday, April 5, 2024.
- All delegates and alternate delegates will be bound to a presidential candidate as elected by the DC GOP Executive Committee no later than Friday, April 5, 2024.
- All applicants will be contacted via email about their status and next steps no later than Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Are there any automatic delegates to the national convention?
No – The DC GOP does not have automatic delegates to the national convention who serve by virtue of party position or elective office. The ONLY exceptions for this rule are the RNC Members – the DC GOP State Party Chairman, National Committeewoman, and National Committeeman as outlined by rule 16(d)(7).
If I apply to be a delegate, do I choose my candidate or does the party chose the candidate?
The application allows the applicant to indicate their preference(s) for President. The applicant’s preference will be noted during the allocation process.
Each applicant will be able to choose more than one candidate in the case their first preference drops out of the nominating process.
Applicants are not required to choose more than one candidate.
What happens if my candidate drops out prior to the national convention? Am I still bound to my candidate?
If you are selected as a delegate and your candidate drops out before the national convention, you will be bound to your candidate through the first round of voting.
Once selected as a delegate or alternate, how am I bound to a presidential candidate?
- At the time of the election of delegates and alternates, the DC GOP Chairman may allow each RNC Member to select the Republican presidential candidate to whom they will be bound. Each RNC Member shall select from among the candidate(s) receiving delegates.
- The remaining delegates shall then be bound so that all delegates are, in the aggregate, allocated.
- Alternate delegates shall be ranked by the Executive Committee for the purposes of filling vacancies.
As an applicant for delegate or alternate delegate will I have to pay a fee just to apply?
After I am elected as a delegate or alternate delegate, are there any administrative fees?
Yes. The DC GOP will be assessing an administrative fee to offset delegation expenses such as ground transportation, special events, delegation meals, credential support and delegation management. This is not an exhaustive list.
As a delegate or alternate delegate, are my costs covered at the national convention?
NO. All delegates and alternate delegates to the national convention will be required to pay for their own lodging, food, transportation to and from the national convention city and any other miscellaneous or associated expenses. The DC GOP does NOT cover delegate expenses for national convention.
Can a delegate or alternate delegate vacate or decline their position?
Should any elected delegate or alternate delegate decide to vacate or decline their position, they will have to submit written notification of their intention to the Chairman of the DC GOP.
What happens if a delegate or alternate delegate vacates or declines their position?
- A vacancy, no matter how it was caused, will be filled by the highest ranked alternate delegate available to be bound to the SAME Republican presidential candidate as the vacating delegate.
- An alternate delegate vacancy will be filled by a majority vote of the DC GOP Executive Committee
Voting in the DC Republican Presidential Primary
The DC GOP recommends that all voters take the time to review the information the DC Board of Elections has on file. You can review and update your voter registration at:
https://www.dcboe.org/Voters/Register-To-Vote/Register-to-Vote/
Can anyone vote in the Republican Presidential Primary on March 1-3, 2024?
No – ONLY legal, registered District Republicans can vote in the Republican Presidential Primary taking place on March 1-3, 2024. In order to do so, a voter MUST be registered to vote as a Republican by Friday, February 16, 2024, at 5:00 PM EST.
Do I need to be registered with a party to vote in my primary election?
Yes – A voter must be registered as Republican by Friday, February 16, 2024, at 5:00 PM EST.
Can I change my party registration to be able to vote in the DC Republican Presidential Primary?
Yes – An individual can change their party registration to be able to vote in the DC Republican Presidential Primary. The change must be made by Friday, February 16, 2024, at 5:00 PM EST.
What is the link to change my party registration?
https://www.dcboe.org/Voters/Register-To-Vote/Register-to-Vote/
How do I register to vote, change my party affiliation, or update my registration?
Prior to Friday, January 26, 2024, District residents may register to vote, change party affiliation, or update their registration online at https://www.dcboe.org/voters/register-to-vote/register-update-voter-registration.
Starting Saturday, January 27, 2024 – February 16, 2024, ALL voter registrations, changes to party affiliation, or updates MUST be made in person at the District of Columbia Board of Elections office located at 1015 Half Street, SE, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20003.
Can I register to vote when I show up to vote during March 1-3, 2024, primary weekend?
No – All voters must be registered as Republican by Friday, February 16, 2024, at 5:00 PM EST.
Is online voter registration available?
Yes – District residents may register online with the District of Columbia Board of Elections but must be registered by Friday, February 16, 2024, at 5:00 PM EST.
What is the deadline to register to vote in person?
Friday, February 16, 2024, at 5:00 PM EST. Remember, there will be NO on-site registration during primary voting.
Will I be able to vote by mail for the DC Republican Presidential Primary?
No – For the Republican Presidential Primary on March 1-3, 2024, DC registered voters will NOT be able to vote by mail. This only applies to the primary on March 1-3, 2024. The DC GOP Executive Committee will establish a voting process to accommodate active-duty military personnel, overseas voters, and individuals unable to vote in person due to injuries suffered in military service. Ballots received after the close of the polls on March 3, 2024, will NOT be accepted or counted.
What is the deadline to register to vote by mail?
For the DC Republican Presidential Primary, March 1-3, 2024, there will be NO vote by mail. The DC GOP Executive Committee will establish a voting process to accommodate active-duty military personnel, overseas voters, and individuals unable to vote in person due to injuries suffered in military service. Ballots received after the close of the polls on March 3, 2024, will NOT be accepted or counted.
If I am active-duty military personnel, overseas voter, or an individual unable to vote in person due to injuries suffered in military service, what is the deadline to request mail-in ballot in person?
The DC GOP Executive Committee will establish a voting process to accommodate active-duty military personnel, overseas voters, and individuals unable to vote in person due to injuries suffered in military service. The deadline date to request is Friday, February 16, 2024, at 5:00 PM EST.
What is the deadline for mail ballot return?
Under no circumstances will any ballot be accepted and counted after the close of the polls on March 3, 2024.
Can I vote early (before Election Day) in person?
No – For the DC Republican Presidential Primary on March 1-3, 2024, there will be NO early voting. The primary will span over three days at The Madison Hotel (1177 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005) to give voters the strongest voice possible in selecting our next President.
Is there an ID requirement to vote on election day? If so, what is an acceptable form of ID?
Yes – A state-issued photo ID is required to match the current DC Board of Elections voter registration records (name and date of birth). If you are not on the voter rolls, you will need to provide evidence of your current voter registration in the District of Columbia from the appropriate elections office and a state-issued photo with a matching name and date of birth.
Where will the DC Republican Presidential Primary be held?
The DC Republican Presidential Primary will be held March 1-3, 2024, at the Madison Hotel -1177 15th St. NW.
What times will the polls be open?
TBD
Do I need to bring anything with me to vote?
All voters will need to bring a state-issued ID. The information on your state-issued ID must match the information provided by the DC Board of Elections. If a voter does have a voter registration card, we suggest bringing it with your voter ID. A voter registration card is NOT required. A voter registration card just assists in processing the voter at registration.
Your vote matters, and the DC GOP is here to help answer any questions you may have. Should you require any further information about the DC Republican Presidential Primary or delegate process, please contact Nicole at nicole@dcgop.com.
Should you require any further information about the DC Republican Presidential primary or
delegate process, please contact Nicole at nicole@dcgop.com.