What is a Delegate?
Delegates are elected representatives who attend Republican conventions at various levels to help shape party policy, vote on resolutions, elect party leadership, and represent their communities. The delegate process is a fundamental part of the Republican Party's grassroots democracy, allowing registered Republicans to have a direct voice in party governance.
The Delegate Process
The Texas Republican Party uses a tiered convention system that begins at the precinct level and progresses through county/senate district conventions to the state convention. This process occurs every two years in even-numbered years.
Step 1: Precinct Convention
When: Held immediately after the Republican Primary Election (typically at your designated polling location) or on the Saturday after the primary (may be at a different location)
Who Can Participate:
- Registered voters who voted in the Republican Primary Election, OR
- Registered voters who sign an oath of affiliation stating they will not participate in another party's convention process during that election cycle
What Happens:
- Attendees can introduce and vote on resolutions
- Delegates and alternates are elected to represent the precinct at the County or Senatorial District (SD) Convention
- Each precinct is entitled to elect one delegate and one alternate for every 25 votes (or major fraction thereof) cast for the Republican gubernatorial candidate in the most recent general election, with a minimum of one delegate and one alternate per precinct
How to Participate: Attend your precinct convention. If held immediately after the primary election, it will typically be at your polling location. If held on the Saturday following the primary, it may be at a different location. Contact your precinct chair or check with the county party for the specific location and time. No prior registration is required if you voted in the Republican Primary.
Step 2: County or Senatorial District (SD) Convention
When: Held on the fourth Saturday after the primary election
Who Can Participate: Delegates and alternates elected at the Precinct Conventions
What Happens:
- Delegates consider and vote on resolutions forwarded from Precinct Conventions
- Delegates and alternates are elected to represent the county or senate district at the State Convention
- Each County or SD Convention can elect one delegate and one alternate for every 300 votes (or major fraction thereof) cast for the Republican gubernatorial candidate in the most recent general election
- Delegates may participate in various committees such as Nominations and Resolutions
Note: If you cannot attend your precinct convention, you can contact your precinct chair to express your interest in being considered for delegate status at the County or SD Convention.
Step 3: State Convention
When: Held biennially in even-numbered years (typically in May)
Who Can Participate: Delegates and alternates elected at the County or SD Conventions
What State Delegates Do:
- Vote on the Party Platform: Delegates vote to finalize the party's platform, which outlines the party's positions on various issues
- Elect Party Leadership: Delegates vote to elect state party leadership, including the State Chair, Vice-Chair, and other party officers
- Set Party Rules: Delegates vote on party rules and bylaws that govern the state party
- Serve on Convention Committees: Delegates may be selected to serve on various convention committees, including:
- Platform Committee: Develops and recommends platform planks for consideration by the full convention
- Rules Committee: Proposes and reviews party rules and bylaws
- Credentials Committee: Verifies delegate credentials and resolves credential challenges
- Resolutions Committee: Reviews and recommends resolutions forwarded from lower-level conventions
- Nominations Committee: Handles nominations for party offices and leadership positions
- Select National Delegates: Every four years (during presidential election years), state delegates elect delegates to represent Texas at the Republican National Convention
- Select Presidential Electors: During presidential election years, delegates also select the electors who will cast Texas's electoral votes
Why It Matters: The State Convention is where the direction of the Texas Republican Party is determined. As a state delegate, you have a direct voice in shaping party policy, electing leadership, and setting the rules that govern the party.
Step 4: National Convention (Every Four Years)
When: Held every four years during presidential election years (typically in July or August)
Who Can Participate: Delegates elected at the State Convention during presidential election years
What National Delegates Do:
- Attend the Republican National Convention
- Vote on the party's presidential nominee
- Vote on the national party platform
- Vote on national party rules and bylaws
- Elect national party leadership
- Represent Texas Republicans on the national stage
How to Get Started
1. Vote in the Republican Primary
The first step to becoming a delegate is to vote in the Republican Primary Election. By voting in the primary, you automatically qualify to participate in your precinct convention.
2. Attend Your Precinct Convention
After voting in the primary election, attend your precinct convention. The convention may be held immediately after polls close on primary election day (typically at your polling location) or on the Saturday following the primary (may be at a different location). Contact your precinct chair or check with the county party for the specific location and time. At the convention:
- You can introduce resolutions for consideration
- You can be nominated and elected as a precinct delegate
- You'll help elect delegates to the County or SD Convention
3. Attend the County or SD Convention
As a precinct delegate, you'll attend the County or Senatorial District Convention, where you can:
- Vote on resolutions
- Be nominated and elected as a delegate to the State Convention
- Participate in convention committees
4. Attend the State Convention
As a state delegate, you'll attend the State Convention where you'll help shape the direction of the Texas Republican Party by voting on the platform, rules, and leadership.
Important Requirements
To participate in the delegate process, you must:
- Be a registered voter in Texas
- Vote in the Republican Primary Election OR sign an oath of affiliation
- Reside in the precinct/district you represent
- Be willing to commit time to attend conventions and meetings
- Be elected by your peers at the appropriate convention level
Why Become a Delegate?
Serving as a delegate is one of the most direct ways to influence the direction of the Republican Party. As a delegate, you:
- Have a direct voice in party policy and platform development
- Help elect party leadership at the state and national levels
- Shape the rules that govern the party
- Represent your community at higher levels of party governance
- Network with other committed Republicans from across Texas
- Gain valuable experience in party politics and governance
- Participate in the democratic process at its most fundamental level
Convention Cycle
The delegate process follows a biennial cycle:
- Even-Numbered Years: The full convention process occurs (Precinct → County/SD → State Convention)
- Presidential Election Years: In addition to the state convention, delegates also elect National Delegates and Presidential Electors
- Odd-Numbered Years: No conventions are held
Ready to Get Started?
The first step is to vote in the Republican Primary Election and then attend your precinct convention. Contact us to learn more about the delegate process and when the next conventions will be held.
Contact Us