DemDaily: On Unity and Reform
December 11, 2017
The fifth and final meeting of the Unity Reform Commission of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) met December 8th and 9th in Washington, DC, concluding with their nearly unanimous recommendations for significant changes to the presidential nominated process.
| The DNC's Unity Reform Commission, created during the 2016 Democratic National Convention, is tasked with recommending improvements to ensure the presidential nomination "process is accessible, transparent, and inclusive." |
Chaired by Jen O'Malley Dillon and Vice Chair Larry Cohen, the Commission is made up of 21 members selected by Secretary Hillary Clinton, Senator Bernie Sanders and DNC Chair Tom Perez.
Commission created as a Clinton-Sanders compromise on nominating process
Charlie Baker (MA), Jan Bauer (IA), Jeff Berman (DC), Lucy Flores (CA), Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (OH), Maya Harris (NY), David Huynh (LA), Elaine Kamarck (MA), Jane Kleeb (NE), Nomiki Konst (NY), Yvette Lewis (MD), Gus Newport (CA), Jorge Neri (IL), James Roosevelt, Jr.(MA), Emmy Ruiz (TX), Nina Turner (OH), Jeff Weaver (VA), Wellington Webb (CO), Jim Zogby (DC).
Major Recommendations
* Reduce the number of unpledged delegates or 'superdelegates' by approximately 60%, from 715 to 315, with the votes of the remaining delegates tied to the results of their state.
* Institute absentee voting as an option in presidential caucuses.
* Institute same-day party affiliation switching and same-day voter registration in all 50 state presidential primaries.
* Mandate public reporting of raw vote totals from caucus states.
* Institute new accountability mechanisms for the party's budget, including joint fundraising agreements and contracts with outside vendors and consultants.
* Establish a seven-member Ombudsmen Council including the DNC's four regional Caucus Chairs.
 "We are incredibly proud of the work this commission has undertaken since May to ensure that our party's presidential nominating process is far more inclusive and brings new people into the party. The recommendations that the Unity Reform Commission are putting forth for consideration are historic." -- Chair Jennifer O'Malley Dillon and Vice-Chair Larry Cohen
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There are 447 DNC Members who are elected or appointed to a four-year term: State-Elected (200, apportioned by state population), State Party Chairs and Vice-Chairs, Official Party Committee
representatives (DSCC, DCCC, DGA, others) and 75 At-Large Members nominated by the DNC Chair.
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"Ultimately, we have the potential to have a Democratic Party now that reflects the will of the people, and the people will be able to understand what's happening on the inside. This is about being the people's party again." -- Nomiki Konst, Sanders appointee to Commission
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Sources: DNC.org, Politico, HuffPost, The Intercept, WashingtonPost
