Delegate qualifying for 2012 Democratic Convention open in La. until April 12

The Louisiana Democratic Party issued a reminder Tuesday that qualifying to become a delegate for President Barack Obama at the Democratic National Con­vention in Charlotte, North Carolina remains open through April 12, 2012, at 5:00 p.m. The delegate selection process is open to all Democrats registered in the State of Louisiana and all registered Louisiana Democrats may cast a ballot in the May 5, delegate election. Democrats are encouraged to run for the delegate positions which require no qualifying fees. To qualify, interested candidates must complete and return a qualifying form which is available on the front page of the new Louisiana Demo­cratic Party website, www.la­demo.org.

“Running to be a delegate for President Obama is an excellent way for Louisiana Democrats to get involved in their party and I encourage all those Democrats who want to fight for our Democratic ideals and principles to run for a delegate position,” said Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Buddy Leach. “Dele­gates play an important role in representing Louisiana at the Democratic National Convention. I ask Democrats from around the state to join the rebuilding effort of their Democratic Party and run for a delegate position for the 2012 Democratic National Con­vention in Charlotte. We look forward to sending a strong message at the convention that Louisiana Democrats stand firmly united behind President Barack Obama and his efforts getting our state and country back to work.”

The Democratic Party of Loui­siana is an open party, which in­cludes rather than excludes people, and as such encourages full participation by all registered Democrats in the delegate selection process.

This article was originally published in the April 2, 2012 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper