FAQ: Can I Vote in a Convention by Proxy?

Over the past couple of weeks that I've been running for State Central Committee, I have gotten this question several times: "I will be out of town on May 19. Can I vote by proxy?"

The short answer is, NO. But I don't think the discussion should stop there!

Why can't you vote by proxy? Because the Republican Party of Virginia Plan doesn't permit proxies for participation in conventions or mass meetings.

Who does this impact? A lot of people! First, and most egregiously, it means our servicemen and women who are required to be away from home on the day of a convention are denied the opportunity to have a vote because they are serving our country! It also disenfranchises people who are required to work on the day of the primary (usually a Saturday) or who have religious restrictions on that day. Family obligations also prevent many people from participating, whether it is kids' athletic schedules, the difficulty of bringing young children to a long convention, or out-of-town travel. Health conditions keep yet other people from participating - for instance, I didn't participate in the 2008 state convention in Richmond to select our Senate nominee because I was 39 weeks pregnant. So many of the people who are busy being patriotic Americans, serving our country, raising children, working for a living, etc. are not able to have a voice in these conventions.

Why does RPV not allow proxies? Goodness knows! It may be as simple as inertia, but we should ask State Central to justify (or change!) this rule. It is particularly ironic that the State Central Committee members, who have the power to change the Plan, give themselves the right to vote by proxy at State Central Committee meetings.

What can I do about this? If you don't have a conflict on May 19, please register for the 11th District Convention ASAP using the proper form (remember, Fairfax County forms must be received by March 10, so there isn't much time left to mail it in). Then please vote for me on May 19, because I will be a tireless advocate to reform the RPV to make participation in the party easier, not harder, and that includes pressing to allow proxies at conventions.

If you have a conflict, you can't have an official proxy, but you can urge a Republican friend or two or three to register for the convention and vote for change on May 19. As a matter of fact, you can encourage as many Republican friends as you like to register and participate in this process together. Let's make this Party our party!