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Automatic Delegates FAQ

What is an automatic delegate?

An automatic delegate is a person who is a member of their legislative district’s delegation to the state convention, or is a member of Washington’s delegation to the Democratic National Convention, because they have been elected to certain public offices or certain Democratic Party officer roles.

Who is an automatic national delegate?

Washington has 19 automatic national delegates:

  • Our Democratic State Governor;
  • Our Democratic U.S. Senators;
  • The eight Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington State;
  • Six members of the Democratic National Committee (four elected and two appointed) who reside in Washington State; and
  • The State Party Chair and Vice-Chair.

Who is an automatic state delegate?

The following people are automatic state delegates in the legislative district where they reside:

  • The Chair, Vice-Chair, and State Committee Members of the local Democratic Party organization in the legislative district.
  • Any Democratic County Chairs, Vice-Chairs, or State Committee Members who reside in the legislative district.
  • Any other State Committee Members (e.g., State Party officers) who reside in the legislative district.
  • Any Democratic National Committee members who reside in the legislative district.
  • Any Democratic members of Congress who reside in the legislative district.
  • Any Democratic statewide elected officials who reside in the legislative district.
  • Any Democratic state legislators who represent the legislative district.

Most legislative districts will have four to eight automatic delegates.

If I’m an automatic delegate, do I need to file or run in the upcoming delegate elections?

You do not need to file or run for state delegate if you’re an automatic state delegate, and you do not need to file or run for national delegate if you’re an automatic national delegate.

If you’re an automatic state delegate and would like to be a national delegate, then you will need to file and run for national delegate, and vice versa. Automatic state delegates may want to run for one of the twelve PLEO (Party Leader and Elected Official) national delegate seats (pre-register to be notified when filing opens).

As an automatic state delegate, am I eligible to vote in the elections of national delegates?

No. Only the people who are elected as state delegates on April 6 will be eligible to vote in the CD-level national delegate elections on May 18th. Automatic delegates and alternates who are seated as state delegates because the LD met its affirmative action goals are not eligible to vote in the May 18th elections. The apportionment of voters in national delegate elections must be “based on population and/or some measure of Democratic strength” (Democratic National Committee, Delegate Selection Rules for the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Rule 8.B), and the number of automatic delegates who happen to reside in a given legislative district is not based on either of these criteria.

If you are a State Committee Member representing a legislative district, you will be eligible to vote in the elections of PLEO and at-large national delegates on June 9th. However, you are eligible to vote in these elections because you’re a State Committee Member from a legislative district, not because you’re an automatic state convention delegate.

If I’m an automatic delegate, do I have to pay my own way to the state or national convention?

Yes. All national delegates, including automatic national delegates, are responsible for getting themselves to and from the Democratic National Convention, and for costs associated with attending the National Convention such as lodging at the designated hotel, food and drink, and other expenses. The State Party does provide training to candidates and delegates on how to fundraise and identify potential funding sources—see our events calendar for more information and training dates.

All state delegates are similarly responsible for the costs of attending the state convention. However, the state convention is in a hybrid format and can be attended virtually, which may minimize the cost of participating.

I have other questions.

Please contact DelegateInfo@WA-Democrats.org and we’ll do our best to answer them.