Convention and Carpool Update

February 2026 County Convention is on Grosse Ile

Our Winter Update last night was another awesome event -- 80 people, updates on important local issues, and 2 amazing candidate speakers: Doug Lloyd for Attorney General and Anthony Forlini for Secretary of State.

Because of the engaging conversation and excellent questions from attendees, we did not get a chance to cover our last agenda item - Convention Update. Since it has been 13 months since we last had a County Convention, we thought it would be a good idea to have a refresher for everyone. As promised, below is what we were planning on covering.

Republican precinct delegates and at-large delegates will be convening throughout the state on Thursday, February 26, 7pm, for the purpose of elevating delegates to be Delegates to the March 28 State Endorsing Convention in Novi, MI. The purpose of the convention is to endorse candidates for AG, SOS, Supreme Court, University and Education Boards.

Confirmation or RSVPing, in writing or otherwise, is not required in order to attend county convention. RSVPing as a courtesy is good, but it is not required. When I was Chairwoman, I requested RSVPs to facilitate a smooth convention, but the convention rules are very clear about this. You can just show up at county convention on Thursday without RSVPing if you wish.

What is required is what is called The Notification Rule. This is very important, especially for those wishing to go to State Convention but cannot attend County Convention. You must notify, in any written form, to the chair or designees, no later than 2 hours before County Convention. In other words, they must receive your written notification by 5pm. This rule does not apply to At-large delegates. At-large delegates are automatically State Delegates.

As a precaution, I recommend precinct delegates notify in writing ahead of time their intention to become a delegate or alternate delegate to the state convention, even if they have every intention and plan to go to County Convention. Why do I recommend this? Because sometimes emergencies happen. It is a lesson learned from my time as Chairwoman. I had PDs tell me they got lost, were very sick, family emergency, etc. It was a difficult conversation telling them that the rules are clear, and they could not go to State. I wish I didn't have to tell them that, but those are the rules. So, for good measure, let the chair and designees know your intention to go to State Convention.

The next topic is the Precinct Delegate Preference Rule. This means that PDs have priority over all other county convention attendees, including Hard-Working Republicans (HWR), to fill one of our 64 delegate or 64 alternate spots. For example, if one of our sub-caucuses does not fill all of their apportioned spots, PDs from other sub-caucuses have priority to fill them over HWRs. Once PDs fill as many spots as they can, then the HWR process starts. HWR is up to 15% (formerly 10%) of our allocation, or 9. HWRs must be nominated and voted on by the delegation. The rules no longer allow for guests that are not HWRs to be elevated as delegates or alternates. The sub-caucus apportionment is as follows:

Northville – 12 delegates and alternates

Plymouth – 18 delegates and alternates

Canton – 8 delegates and alternates

Downriver – 26 delegates and alternates

Last but not least - carpools. Due to distance, tolls, and being February, we do not want anyone to drive alone to Grosse Ile. We created a Google Sheet to use to sign up for either driving or being driven. I’ll be a driver, and Matt Wilk has volunteered as well. I understand some of you have already set-up carpools. If you could please enter what you have set up in this Google sheet, so we know who still needs help with a spot. Please enter your name and phone number where appropriate. Please keep in contact, so I know everyone who wishes to carpool has a carpool.

Thanks again for all that you do, and don’t hesitate to email me with questions!