March 30, 2009 Endorsement Meeting

240 PCDO Member Ballots were cast (an all-time record number), 186 by Township residents and 54 by Borough residents. This means that to reach the endorsement threshold, 112 votes from Township residents were required to garner 60% of the Township votes, and 120 total votes were required to obtain 50% of the total. The tallies were as follows:

Based on the required levels mentioned above, none of the candidates received 60% of Township votes, while all of the candidates over 50% of the total votes.

Andrew Koontz won the PCDO endorsement, having received more
than the 60% of votes needed for endorsement according to our bylaws. No other
candidates reached that threshold.

Results:

Total Number of Voters 67

Each voter could cast up to three votes (for three open positions on the June ballot)

Dan Benson 26

John Cimino 5

Andrew Koontz 59

Tony Mack 19

Michael Maloney 5

Lucylle R.S. Walter 31

Alysia Welch-Chester 23

The fundraiser for the headquarters was a great success – we
brought in about $2100. Thank you to all
who came, who contributed and who made chili!

Although we didn’t end up actually holding any contests, the
person who made the lamb chili should know that it received the most
compliments/ recommendations.

There was a strong turnout for the annual PCDO potluck and reorganization on January 20, 2008. The slate of officers presented by the nominating committee was elected by acclamation in the absence of contest.

The most exciting part of the evening was the vote to determine whether the organization would endorse any presidential candidate. A PCDO member or representative for the campaign spoke for Clinton, Kucinich, Edwards, Obama, and the Uncommitted slate (delegates who would go to the convention and eb able to vote for any candidate). A 60% threshold is required by the PCDO bylaws for an endorsement. Of the 113 votes cast, the results were:

1. Obama, 54 votes
2. Clinton, 35 votes
3. Edwards, 10 votes
4. Kucinich, 6 votes
5. Uncomitted, 5 votes
6. Gore (written in), 2 votes
7. No Endorsement, 1 vote
8. Mike Gravel, 0 votes

Thus, while Obama had the clearly largest plurality, no candidate achieved 60% of the total (68 votes), and thus none was endorsed.

The Resolution Supporting Competitive Primary Elections passed with 76 votes in favor to 15 against.

Jo Butler makes announcement while awaiting results of the vote: the Giants score.

Melissa Harris Lacewell speaks on behalf of Barack Obama, top vote-getter

If you have never voted in a primary election in New Jersey, chances are you are registered as an "unaffiated" voter. In New Jersey, only people who filled out a party declaration form or who voted in a previous Democratic primary are registered Democrats. That is why the majority of voters in New Jersey are unaffiliated with either party.

The good news is this means that if you are willing to declare your party affiliation you can vote in the Democratic presidential primary. All you do is show up at your polling place on election day and tell the poll worker you want to affiliate with the party. You will sign a form then you'll be able to vote, and voila -- you're a member of the Democratic Party!

For more information, see Voting in the Primary

The following resolution was proposed to and then passed by the PCDO members at the annual membership meeting on January 20.

A Resolution of the Princeton Community Democratic
Organization (PCDO) Supporting Competitive Primary Elections.

WHEREAS, Competitive elections are essential for a healthy,
representative democracy; and

WHEREAS, Non-Competitive elections increase voter apathy,
reduce accountability and cause disillusionment with the Democratic Party; and

WHEREAS, Competitive elections increase voter participation,
increase accountability and lend vitality to the Democratic Party; and

WHEREAS, Competition tends to raise the caliber of the
winning candidates; a benefit to the Democratic Party and to the community; and

WHEREAS, Social dynamics among incumbents, party leaders and
PCDO members can be a powerful force against challenges to the status quo, and

WHEREAS, Voter demographics* virtually assure the election
of Democrats at the local level, and gerrymandering has reduced competitiveness
at the state legislative and congressional level;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the PCDO that we actively
promote competitive primaries within the Democratic Party and within our organization,
facilitating competition with concrete actions and by creating a social climate
where Democratic challengers at all levels are welcomed and encouraged.

* According to June 2007 voter registration records, 74% of
partisan voters in Princeton are Democrats and 26% are Republican

Signed by: Anne Reeves; Beth Healey; Chad Goerner; Wendy
Benchley, Dan Preston; Grace Sinden; Jenny Crumiller, Mark Freda; Peter
Lindenfeld; Robert Turoff; Russ Weiss; Tony Cline, Andrew Koontz and Barbara
Trelstad.