Last evening was the County Convention. The purpose behind being on the ballot was to attend this event and to vote on a "slate" of delegates to go to State Convention.

When we signed in, we notified them we are not interested in going to State Convention. Various reasons, but mostly because we observe Sabbath and State Convention is on a Saturday.

We brought our littlest one and she got a lot of attention from our fellow delegates.

How it Went: Story Time

The meeting was supposed to begin at 7:00, but began at 7:30. There are two caucuses there and they divide up to vote on their own slate of delegates. Instead of dividing up, they had about a half-dozen political speakers address the two districts together.

It wasn't until about 8:45 that the two districts split up and the actual business of the convention began. After some debate over a technical issue, and a "permanent chair" was elected for the caucus, the list was compiled.

"Let's make this the fastest Convention ever!"

Yes, last County Convention, it went on until after midnight, way too late to be out and about. This convention, starting close to 9, reasonably one hour to make a list, we should be going home around 10.

Booooring.

Nothing happening but chattering among delegates, some playing with their phones, just a lot of twitting fingers, waiting patiently. As it got later and later, people began to complain that they had to get up early the next morning - they were reminded if they leave their VOTE leaves with them.

About 10:00 someone approached the podium and said "we're still counting". What? How long does it take to "count" 270 people?

At 10:30, we said enough and left. We took our vote with us. We fulfilled our elected position by attending the convention. Whatever "slate" they came up with, we would vote for anyway, because who wants to start all over again at this late hour?

This is all by design.

Whatever "slate" they come up with, everyone will vote to approve because it's late, they're tired, ready to go home. We left at 10:30, not knowing when the vote would take place.

We were glad to be home, going to bed at a reasonable time.

The Next Morning

We got up and checked with some people what we missed at the Convention. My wife looked at me and said "Guess what time they created the slate?".

I said "Eleven" thinking maybe we just missed it by a half-hour. "no, later". Midnight? No later. One?

They didn't create the slate of delegates until TWO FORTY FIVE in the MORNING!!!! 2:45 AM. ???????

Only about two dozen people were still in the room when the slate was completed and was formally voted.

This is crazy!! I'm glad we left when we did.

By the time they voted and went home and closed up the venue, it must have been 3:30 or so.

What Happened?

When people "sign in" they are supposed to be asked "Do you want to go to State Convention" and their names are added to a list. There were several people creating lists. Some people were on multiple lists, some people were on no lists. They had to determine who was absent, who emailed or texted they did or did not want to go to State Convention.

Terrible way to do it.

Ok Smarty Pants, How SHOULD they do it?

1. When people walk in and register, give them a ticket. Assume everyone wants the oportunity to go to State Convention.

2. Collect all emails/texts requesting to go and assign them a ticket, name and ticket number.

3. Put them in a box and start drawing. Have the ticket holder give their name and ask if they want to go to State Convention.

4. If yes, write their name on the SLATE, if no, discard the ticket and draw again.

5. If a person doesn't get selected, that should go or highly desires to go, they can make a motion to be added as an alternate.

If it takes 5 - 10 seconds per drawing (reasonable) a slate of 150 delegates and alternates would take TWENTY - FORTY minutes. An hour would be generous.

Even if it takes 2 hours, it would still be better than inviting people to a convention at 7 and ending after 3 AM.

It'll Never Happen

Why do they NOT do this lottery system? Because certain people like the ability to CHOOSE a slate for political purposes, customizing a slate that would vote in a certain way that the certain people prefer.

It's Political maneuvering.

There's always something that causes it to take hours and hours to generate these slates behind closed doors. When they make a slate and it comes time to vote, "Just vote yes" so everyone can go home.

Stupid games. I'm glad we left early.

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Benjamin Turner: God fearer. Rooted in Messiah. Husband of @lturner. Father of SEVEN wonderful children. The guy behind the camera. Blockchain enthusiast.

Bless the Most High!

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