Nevada Caucus

Volunteer Guide
Thank you for committing to volunteer with Bernie 2020 during the Nevada Caucus! This packet
is to help you prepare for your role on Caucus Day (February 22, 2020). The first page lays out some of
the most important info for all of our caucus volunteers, as well as a list of printed materials that should
be included in the rest of your packet.

Go to ​berniesanders.com/nevada/caucusvolunteer to (1) sign up for a caucus volunteer training, (2) join

our caucus volunteer Facebook Group, (3) figure out where to pick up materials before Caucus Day.
 Caucus Volunteer Timelines
Jan. 4 - Feb. 14: Caucus Volunteer Trainings​. This is a two and a half hour training that you’ll need to
do in order to fill your role on Caucus Day. You should only need to attend this training once. You can
RSVP for a training at ​berniesanders.com/nevada/caucusvolunteer

Feb 8 - 14: Site Leads ​will pick up Caucus Day materials, and bring them to the caucus on February
22.

Feb. 16 - 20: Caucus Volunteer Refreshers! ​These will be one hour refresher webinars. We’ll go over
the most important information you need in order to fill your role on Caucus Day. You’ll be able to
RSVP at ​berniesanders.com/nevada/caucusvolunteer

February 21: Caucus-Eve Call. The night before the caucus, we’ll do a big conference call in order to
recap all of the important info you’ll need on Caucus Day. Mark your calendars!

February 22: Caucus Day! Registration for the caucus starts at 10 AM–you should be at your location
by 9:30 at the latest!

A few quick reminders before you get started:

1. Caucus Volunteers should not vote early​. We need you to be an active participant at your
caucus, meaning you will have the chance to engage with your neighbors during the caucus.
You cannot be an active participant if you vote early.
2. Sign up for volunteer shifts at ​events.berniesanders.com​. We can’t win this without your help!
3. Get your friends to commit to volunteering with us on caucus day at ​b-2020.com/nvsurvey

Table of Contents

1. How to Caucus 7. Caucus Day Reporting

2. Precinct Captain Responsibilities 8. Using the Hotline on Caucus Day
3. Precinct Captain Checklist 9. Persuading people to support Bernie
4. Ambassador Responsibilities 10. Bernie 2020 Caucus Room Talking Points
5. Whip Responsibilities 11. Crafting your Bernie Speech Worksheet
6. Observer Responsibilities 12. How to do delegate math

In addition to this document, you should review the following resources:

● Go to ​bit.ly/caucusreportfeb22​ to review the report you’ll need to submit on Caucus Day.
● Go to ​bit.ly/nvcaucusmath to practice your delegate math! You can always call the precinct captain
hotline if you have questions about delegate math on Caucus Day, but it’s best to practice
beforehand!
 How to Caucus
The Nevada Caucus is Saturday, February 22, 2020. Registration begins at 10 AM, you should be
there no later than 9:30 AM. This document outlines all of the most important information about
caucusing here in Nevada, and is laid out in steps that correspond to what you can expect to be doing
at different points on Caucus Day.

9:00 AM​: Bernie 2020 Caucus Volunteers start arriving at caucus locations assist with set up as
necessary. Arrive no later than ​9:30 AM.

10:00 AM​: Registration Begins. People start lining up to check in to the caucus. If they aren’t registered
to vote as a Democrat, they can register or update their party affiliation when they arrive. After checking
in, they’re handed a ​Presidential Preference Card, ​which will be used to record who they supported
during the caucus.

10:00 AM: ​Bernie 2020 Caucus Volunteers should be among the first to check in. After check in,
Precinct Captains should recruit our supporters to assist as necessary. Observers should be by the
check in desk to ensure our supporters are being allowed inside. Ambassadors should be talking to
other campaigns’ supporters and / or teaching our supporters to go talk to the supporters of other
candidates as well.

12:00 PM: ​Registration wraps up. Anyone in line by 12 PM should be allowed inside the caucus. This is
the earliest that the caucus should be called to order.

12:30 PM: By this time, all caucuses should be called to order. First thing that happens is electing a
Precinct Chair. In some precincts, you’ll also elect a Secretary. A volunteer with the NV Dems should
be there. This person has been trained on how to run a caucus. Elect them as the Precinct Chair.

1:00 PM: ​By this time, every precinct should have announced their ​Viability Threshold​. This is the
number of people you need in order to get at least one delegate. Here’s how to calculate the viability
threshold:
● Step 1: Add up the total number of people at the caucus and the number of people who voted
early from your precinct. This is the ​total number of people who are participating in your
caucus.
● Step 2: ​Multiply the total number of people who are participating in your caucus by the viability
percentage for your precinct.
○ If your caucus elects 2 delegates, your viability percentage is 25%
○ If your caucus elects 3 delegates, your viability percentage is 1/6th (divide by 6)
○ If your caucus elects 4 or more delegates, your viability percentage is 15% (most precincts)
○ If your caucus elects 1 delegate, there is no viability threshold. Get the most votes in order to
secure this delegate.
● Step 3: ​Round up! You ​ALWAYS​ round up when calculating viability thresholds.
~1:00 PM: The First Alignment. The way you vote in a caucus is by standing with all of the other
Bernie supporters.
● Group up all of our supporters as instructed by the Precinct Chair.
● The Whip should make sure no one leaves or goes and caucuses for a different candidate.
● The Precinct Chair will come by and count you up. Then they will announce how many people from
your precinct voted for Bernie during early voting. The total number of votes Bernie receives is
equal to the number of people caucusing for Bernie with you, PLUS the number of votes Bernie got
during early voting from your precinct
● If you have more votes than the viability threshold, then you’re viable!
● If it’s less than the viability threshold, then you are nonviable and will have to get more support
during realignment, or you’ll have to realign for another candidate.
● If Bernie is viable in your precinct, then the Precinct Chair or a volunteer with the NV Dems will
come by and collect your ​presidential preference cards​, which is how they are officially counting
you.
● During this time, the Precinct Captain should write down how many votes each candidate received
on the first alignment (both in-person votes and early votes)

~1:15 PM: Realignment. After you know which candidates are viable and which are not, it will be time
for those nonviable candidates to realign.
● At this point, the Ambassador should give a 60 second speech about Bernie. Keep it focused on
the issues, and how Bernie has been fighting for working families for his entire career.
● If the chair lets you, go speak to the supporters of other candidates one-on-one. They do not have
to allow you to do this.
● If Bernie was viable, then all of our supporters can just hangout for a minute.
● If Bernie was not viable, then try to convince supporters of other nonviable campaigns to realign
with you. You have up to 15 minutes to convince them to realign with you.
● If enough of them realign with you to make you viable, great! If not, then realign with another
campaign, or with the uncommitted preference group.
● Remember: Two nonviable groups CAN realign together.
● After everyone in the room realigns, they will realign anyone who voted early for a nonviable
candidate, based on which other candidates that person listed.
● The Precinct Chair or a volunteer with the NV Dems will collect ​presidential preference cards
from anyone who had to realign.
● At the end of realignment, the Precinct Captain should write down how many votes each candidate
received after realignment (both in-person votes and early votes).

~1:30 PM: Elect Delegates. ​Once you know how much support each candidate received, the Precinct
Chair will do the math in order to figure out how many delegates each candidate should receive.
● The Precinct Captain should check their math using the Delegate Math Worksheet. Call the Bernie
2020 Hotline with any questions about delegate math.
● Once you know how many delegates Bernie gets, lead the other Bernie supporters in electing
delegates to go to the county convention (happening on 4/18/20, state convention is 5/30/20).
● Unlike 2016, if you don’t elect all your delegates, or if they can’t go to the county convention, then it
won’t impact the number of national delegates we receive.
● After all of the math is done, the Precinct Captain should write down how many delegates each
candidate was awarded.

~2:00 PM: Go home! ​Bernie supporters can leave if…

● (1)​ you have elected delegates for Bernie
● (2) ​someone has collected everyone's presidential preference cards.
● Precinct Captains should take a picture of the poster the Precinct Chair puts up with all of the
results.
● Precinct Captains or another caucus volunteer should submit the report at ​bit.ly/caucusreportfeb22​.
Please do not leave the caucus without submitting your report!
 Precinct Captain Responsibilities
The Precinct Captain is responsible for filling in for any unfilled roles. No Ambassador in your
precinct? That means you’re the Ambassador. No Whip? You’re the Whip. No Observer? You’re the
Observer. Reference the other documents to see how to fill these roles (don’t worry, it’s all very easy).
Contact your field organizer to see if there are other caucus volunteers in your precinct. Not sure who
​ erniesanders.com/nevada
that is? Find the office closest to you at b

Your first job: delegate roles as necessary. As the Precinct Captain, you should fill in for any unfilled
roles on Caucus Day. However, you can also ask the other Bernie supporters who come to the caucus
to fill in one of these roles. Give them the one pager that outlines their responsibilities, and assure them
that filling any of these roles is pretty easy.

Before Caucus Day, you should pick up your Precinct Captain t-shirt ​by doing a door knocking
shift or phone banking shift in one of our Field Offices. These should be available starting Feb. 8.

During the Caucus write down how many votes each candidate received during the first alignment,
and during realignment. You’ll use this to submit your report at the end of the caucus. We need these
reports in order to make sure all of the results are accurate. As the Precinct Captain, you should be the
only Bernie supporter directly interfacing with the Precinct Chair. Please check the Precinct Chair’s
math by using the document in this packet titled “Delegate Math Worksheet.”

Run the election of Bernie delegates by reading this script:

“Hey everyone! My name is ________ and I’m the Precinct Captain for the Bernie campaign in this
precinct. We were awarded __ delegates and __ alternates and now we need to elect those delegates
to the county convention. If you want to be a delegate, you must be available on April 18 for the county
convention, and on May 30 for the state convention. The campaign wants to include delegates who
come from historically underrepresented communities, which include African Americans, Hispanics and
Latinx, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, LGBTQ+ Americans, People with
Disabilities, and young people. We should also try to have a gender balance in our delegation. Who
wants to run to be a delegate?” Let each person who wants to be a delegate say a few word. Then,
elect delegates based on a show of hands.

Once the caucus is over: ​send us the results of your caucus so that we know how things went in your
precinct. Submit your report at ​bit.ly/caucusreportfeb22​. You should report: (1) how many people came
to your caucus, (2) how many people voted early from your precinct, (3) how many in person votes
AND early votes each candidate received after the first alignment, (4) how many in person votes AND
early votes each candidate received after realignment, (5) how many delegates were awarded to each
candidate.
 Precinct Captain Checklist
Before Caucus Day
□​ Complete your Caucus Volunteer Training before February 14
□ Review this guide in its entirety before the caucus, and ask your field organizer any questions you
may have.
□​ Familiarize yourself with the Caucus Day Report by going to ​bit.ly/caucusreportfeb22
□​ Contact your Field Organizer to see if there are any other caucus volunteers in your precinct.
□ Attend a caucus volunteer training refresher webinar between February 16 and 20. RSVP at
berniesanders.com/nevada/caucusvolunteer
□​ Attend the Caucus-Eve Call on February 21.
□​ Pick up your Precinct Captain t-shirt in one of our Field Offices starting February 8.
□​ Do ​NOT​ vote early
On the morning of Caucus Day
□​ Bring your box of Caucus Day supplies to the caucus
□​ Arrive at your caucus location by 9 AM, and absolutely no later than 9:30 AM
Before the caucus starts
□​ Delegate responsibilities as necessary by passing out one pagers on how to fill each role.
□​ Encourage our supporters to engage with the supporters of other campaigns in a positive way
During the caucus
□ Write down the results of the caucus as it is happening. You can write them down on the Delegate
Math Worksheet.
□​ Run the election of Delegates by reading the script provided in the caucus volunteer guide.
 Ambassador Responsibilities
The Ambassador’s number one job is to head up our Caucus Day persuasion efforts. Lots of people
who show up at your caucus are going to be there for candidates that will not be viable. We can
significantly increase our lead by getting these people to realign with us during the caucus. The only
way they will do this is if they want to be a part of our preference group. Your job is to convince them
that Bernie is the best person to take on Donald Trump and be our next President.

The Ambassador’s first job at the caucus is to ​pass out buttons to our supporters​. The Precinct
Captain should have brought a box with buttons to the caucus. Pass them out to Bernie supporters
after they check in with the NV Dems at the registration desk. ​As you pass out buttons, ask our
supporters if they can help you persuade other people at the caucus to support Bernie. ​Tell them
that this is very easy, and there are just a few things they need to do:
1. Be positive and pleasant: being negative about another person’s preferred candidate is not
going to make them more likely to support Bernie.

2. Talk about the issues that matter to you: start the conversation by saying what got you to
come out and caucus for Bernie. Instead of saying things like “he’s the only one I trust,” try to
phrase it like “he’s consistently fought for working families his whole career.”

3. Make the ask! If the conversation went well, ask the person you’re talking with to caucus for
Bernie instead of their first choice candidate. If they say no, then ask them if they’ll realign with
Bernie if their first choice isn’t viable.

You have two major opportunities to persuade people to support Bernie during the caucus.
1. Before the caucus starts: The best time to engage in one-on-one persuasion is before the
caucus get started. Look at the document called “Persuading People to Support Bernie” to
learn about the Issue / Problem / Solution / Ask model. This is a way of talking about issues in a
positive and productive way, and will work well in a caucus room. Also look at the Bernie 2020
Caucus Room Talking Points to see where Bernie stands on the issues that most important to
caucus-goers in Nevada.

2. During realignment: ​You should give a 60 second speech about Bernie. Practice this ahead of
time by using the “Crafting your Bernie Speech” worksheet in this packet. Each campaign will
have the chance to give one of these speeches. In some precincts, the person running the
caucus (the Precinct Chair) will also allow people to engage in one-on-one persuasion during
realignment. If this happens in your precinct, encourage other Bernie supporters to go around
and talk to the supporters of other campaigns about how Bernie has been fighting for working
families since the beginning of his career.

Remember to ALWAYS keep it positive during a caucus. People will not want to realign with us
if we are attacking their first choice candidate. Having a positive interaction with someone who
has to realign can go a long way in encouraging that person to support Bernie.
 Whip Responsibilities
The Whip’s number one job is to make sure that Bernie supporters don’t leave during the caucus, and
that all of the Bernie supporters are counted before they leave.

The Whip’s first job at the caucus is to make sure no one leaves before the caucus gets started.
Stand by the door and make sure people aren’t going home early. Remind them that we need their
support in order to win in Nevada and take a crucial step towards putting Bernie in the White House.

Once the caucus has started, ​your number one job is to make sure all of the Bernie supporters stick
together. Stand near the main entrance to make sure none of the Bernie supporters leave early. If there
is more than one entrance, recruit someone to stand by the other entrance.

At 12 PM, make sure that all of the Bernie supporters are inside the caucus room. They should not
leave the caucus room after they check in.

After the caucus is called to order, everyone will start grouping up based on which candidate they
support. Look around and make sure that none of the Bernie supporters are standing with other
campaigns. Make sure that no one was convinced to support another candidate between the time they
checked in with you and the caucus getting started.

If Bernie is viable after the first alignment, then a volunteer will come by and collect our supporters
Presidential Preference Cards. This is how votes are actually collected and counted. If we are viable,
then make sure that person collects ​all​ of the Bernie supporters’ preference cards.

If Bernie is not viable after the first alignment, then we’ll either have to realign, or convince the
supporters of other nonviable candidates to realign with us. Your job is to make sure everyone sticks
together, and does everything they can to get people to realign with us, before we go realign with any
other candidates. If we do have to realign, make sure that our supporters realign instead of just leave
the caucus. After realignment, a volunteer with the NV Dems should collect the presidential preference
cards from anyone who had to realign, or who was supporting a nonviable candidate during the first
alignment.

Do not let our supporters leave the caucus until

1. We have elected delegates for Bernie ​(unless we were nonviable)
2. Someone with the NV Dems has collected presidential preference cards from all of our
supporters.
 Observer Responsibilities
The Observer’s number one job is to make sure that Bernie supporters are allowed to participate in
their precinct caucus, and to use the Bernie 2020 Hotline to report any issues that are keeping people
from participating.

The Observer’s is to make sure that all of the Bernie supporters get checked into the caucus. Anyone
can participate in the 2020 NV caucus if they are a US citizen who will be 18 years old by November 3,
2020. They must be registered to vote as a Democrat, but they can register to vote or update their party
affiliation when they get to the caucus. If they have an NV ID, then they’ll register to vote online. If they
do not have an NV ID, then they’ll register to vote using a paper voter registration form, and the last
four digits of their SSN.

The only reason an eligible voter should be turned away from the caucus is if they are at the
wrong location. ​If they are registered at an old address, they can just update their voter registration in
order to get into the caucus. If they are registered at their current address, but live in a precinct
assigned to a different caucus location, they will have to go to their correct, assigned caucus location.

Once the caucus has started, ​your number one job is to make sure all of the Bernie are able to
participate in the caucus, and that the early votes from your precinct are being included in the counts of
how many supporters each candidate has. The NV Dems are using a tabulation app to count the
results of early voting during the caucus. If the Precinct Chair has any issues connecting to the app,
they can call the NV Dems hotline to get the results of early voting in their precinct. No matter what
happens, the early votes from your precinct ​must​ be included in the results of the caucus.

Only call the hotline if something is keeping people from participating, or if anyone has questions about
delegate math. ​Examples:
1. The caucus location is not open
2. No one showed up to run the caucus / there is no Precinct Chair
3. They ran out of paper voter registration forms
4. They aren’t letting someone in because they won’t show an ID (you never have to show an ID to
register to vote or to get into the caucus)
5. Doors were shut too early, and people who were in line by 12 PM are not being allowed in
6. Doors were closed too late, and now people are being allowed in without checking in
7. Caucus site address changed
8. NV Dems Precinct Chair is unable to report results using their app
9. NV Dems Precinct Chair did not collect the presidential preference cards
10. NV Dems Precinct Chair cannot connect to app in order to count early votes

Do not call the hotline with second hand reports (I heard on twitter that….)
Do not call the hotline to tell us that someone is putting up signs for another candidate.
Refer to the document titled “Using the Hotline on Caucus Day” ​to see when to use the hotline.
 Caucus Day Reporting
We’re relying on you to tell us how the caucus went in your precinct! You’ll submit your report by going
to ​bit.ly/caucusreportfeb22​. Go to that website before Caucus Day so that you can familiarize yourself
with the reporting process. (It’s very easy, and you do not need to create an account in order to submit
the results!)

If for whatever reason you are unable to submit your report at ​bit.ly/caucusreportfeb22​, please call the
caucus volunteer hotline. We’ll send you the number for the caucus volunteer hotline before the caucus
gets started.

During the caucus, the Precinct Captain should record the results on the paper Delegate Math
Worksheet. Then, after the caucus, the Precinct Captain should submit results at
bit.ly/caucusreportfeb22​.

What you need to report:

● Your Name, Contact Information, and Precinct Information. Your precinct number should be
posted by the check in desk, and will be on the caucus reporting poster that has all of the
results. They will put that poster up at the end of the caucus.
● Total Participants: ​How many people showed up at your caucus, and how many people voted
early from your precinct?
● First Alignment results: ​How many ​in-person votes AND ​early votes did each candidate
received on the first count?
● Realignment results: How many ​in-person votes AND ​early votes did each candidate
received after nonviable supporters realigned?
● Delegate allocations: ​How many delegates was each candidate awarded?

Optional Reporting:
● Bernie Delegate Contact Information: ​Who was elected as a delegate for Bernie? If you’re
able to send us this info, great! However, we will also receive it from the Nevada State
Democratic Party in the days after the caucus.
● Issues / Flags: ​You can also let us know if something happened at your caucus that you would
like to report to the campaign. ​However, please know that these reports will not be reviewed
while they are being submitted. If something comes up during the caucus, then call the
Caucus Volunteer Hotline.
 Using the Bernie 2020 Hotline on Caucus Day
We’re giving our caucus volunteers a special number to call in order to resolve any issues that might
come up during the caucus. This will give you a direct line to our staff. ​The purpose of this hotline is
to make sure all of our supporters are able to participate in their caucus, and answer any
questions about delegate math. Additionally, if you have any issues submitting your report, then
call the Caucus Volunteer Hotline. We are also going to give our supporters a different phone
number to call to answer questions like “where is my caucus” and “can you give me a ride to the
caucus?” We will send you the caucus volunteer hotline number in the days leading up to the caucus.

The Caucus Volunteer Hotline Number is ​(775) 853-9444​.

This number will not be able to take calls before Caucus Day.
Only call the hotline if something is keeping people from participating, or if anyone has questions about
delegate math or the caucus rules or procedure. ​Examples:
1. The caucus location is not open
2. No one showed up to run the caucus / there is no Precinct Chair
3. They ran out of paper voter registration forms
4. They aren’t letting someone in because they won’t show an ID (you never have to show an ID to
register to vote or to get into the caucus)
5. Doors were shut too early, and people who were in line by 12 PM are not being allowed in
6. Doors were closed too late, and now people are being allowed in without checking in
7. Caucus site address changed
8. NV Dems Precinct Chair is unable to report results using their app
9. NV Dems Precinct Chair did not collect the presidential preference cards
10. NV Dems Precinct Chair cannot connect to app in order to count early votes

Do not call the hotline with second hand reports (I heard on twitter that….)
Do not call the hotline to tell us that someone is putting up signs for another candidate.
 Persuading People to support Bernie
There are two main opportunities to persuade people to support Bernie during the caucus: (1) before
the caucus starts, and (2) during realignment. Before the caucus, the Ambassador should have as
many conversations as possible with the supporters of other campaigns. They should also recruit our
supporters to go talk to other candidates’ supporters.

During realignment, on person from each preference group will have the opportunity to make a 60
second speech about why they support their candidate. The Ambassador or Precinct Captain should
give this speech. Additionally, some precinct chairs may also allow people to engage in one-on-one
conversations during this time, though they are not required to do so.

When you’re persuading people to support Bernie at the caucus, you can use an ​Issue / Problem /
Solution / Ask model to talk about why you support Bernie. Here’s how to use an Issue / Problem /
Solution model:

Step 1: ​Identify an issue that you or the person you’re talking with cares about​. An example might be
Healthcare​.

Step 2: ​Talk about how that issue has created a problem in your life, or in the lives of your loved ones.
An example could be ​rising drug costs.​

Step 3​: Present Bernie’s solution to the issue, and talk about why taking a BIG approach is the best
way to address the issue. An example could be ​guarantee healthcare as a human right, and give
people the care they need regardless of their income or employment status.

Step 4: ​Ask them to caucus for Bernie. If they say no, ask them to realign for Bernie if their first choice
isn’t viable.

Here’s an example:
Issue: Our current healthcare system is designed to profit pharmaceutical executives, and leaves
over 80 million Americans without health insurance, or completely underinsured
Problem: The insulin for my child’s diabetes costs hundreds of dollars a month, but if I go to
Canada I can get the same medicine at one-tenth the cost
Solution: ​Under a Sanders Medicare for All plan, we will have no copays, no deductibles, no
premiums, and no out-of-pocket costs. Every man, woman and child will have comprehensive
healthcare, and access to the medicine they need without going bankrupt.
Ask: ​That’s why Bernie is the best candidate to take on the pharmaceutical industry, and
guarantee every American has quality healthcare. Can you commit to caucusing for Bernie with
me?
Second Ask ​(If they say no) ​: ​Alright—if your candidate isn’t viable, then can you commit to
realigning with us and supporting Bernie?
 Bernie 2020 Caucus Room Talking Points
Climate change / Green New Deal
● Issue: Climate Change is the single greatest threat facing our planet, and we only have a decade
to fundamentally address the issue.
● Problem: ​100 companies are responsible for 71% of the global emissions since the late 1980s.
The foremost causes of global warming are due to corporate greed. The system doesn’t work for
everyday people like us. We need to re-envision an economy that works for us.
● Solution: ​We need a sustainable economy. That means lots of jobs in green industries. The Green
New Deal will create 20 million new, union jobs; restructuring the economy to benefit working
people, not fossil fuel executives.
● Ask: ​That’s why Bernie is the best candidate to take on the fossil fuel industry and stop climate
change. Can you commit to caucusing for Bernie with me?

Wealthy paying their fair share in taxes

● Issue: ​As the super-rich are only getting richer, the rest of us have seen our wages stagnate or
even decline.
● Problem: ​For everyday Americans like you and I, it would take 100 years to make what a CEO
makes in a single year. It isn’t fair that the three wealthiest people in this country own more wealth
than the bottom half of the American people.
● Solution: ​We need to make this country work for all of us, not just the wealthy few. Bernie has
proposed a wealth tax and a tax on excess CEO-pay that would substantially break up the
concentration of wealth and power of a small, privileged class.
● Ask: ​That’s why Bernie is the best candidate to take on the corporate class and make an economy
that works for all of us. Can you commit to caucusing for Bernie with me?

Medicare for All

● Issue: ​We deserve a healthcare system that recognizes the fundamental dignity of life.
● Problem: ​Everyone has either experienced or knows someone who has experienced health
problems. Job insecurity, immigration status, student debts, etc. all represent obstacles to
receiving healthcare in America.
● Solution: ​When Bernie says Medicare for All, he means for all. Under Sanders’ Medicare for All
plan, we will have comprehensive coverage with no deductibles, no premiums, and no
out-of-pocket costs. America’s current health system is corrupt. Private health insurance
companies and the pharmaceutical industry make billions as everyday people struggle to cover
health costs and afford life saving medication. It is the right of every man, woman, and child to
comprehensive health coverage. Corporations should not profit off the sick.
● Ask: ​That’s why Bernie is the best candidate to take on the pharmaceutical industry and make and
guarantee healthcare for every man, woman and child.. Can you commit to caucusing for Bernie
with me?
Equal Pay
● Issue: ​In the U.S., women get paid 80 cents on the dollar. Broken down by race, the gender wage
gap becomes even more stark. While white women earn 80 cents per every dollar earned by their
male counterparts, Black women earn 61 cents, Native American women earn 58 cents, and
Latinas earn just 53 cents.
● Problem: ​The gender wage gap has individually cost Nevadan women, on average, $8,645
annually
● Solution: Bernie will pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, which guarantees that women will be paid
equally to their male counterparts, receiving equal work for equal pay.
● Ask: ​That’s why Bernie is the best candidate to take on the pharmaceutical industry and make and
guarantee healthcare for every man, woman and child. Can you commit to caucusing for Bernie
with me?

Fighting for Nevada

● Issue: ​Right now, thousands of Nevadans still lack access to health care, can’t afford their rent, or
have to work two jobs to make ends meet. Nevadans want someone who will fight to improve our
economy, give our children a better education and make health care a priority.
● Problem: ​Stagnant wages have caused families to forego health care services or take on two jobs
to be able to afford rent. The lack of affordable housing also increases the burden for many
low-income families. Nevada has one of the highest rates of uninsured children in the country.
● Solution: ​I’m caucusing for Bernie because he’s the only candidate who is unabashed about
taking on powerful special interests and making sure our government works for everyone, not just
the wealthy few. I can trust that when Bernie is in the White House, he’ll fight for all of my family
and yours.
● Ask: ​That’s why Bernie is the best candidate to fight for Nevadans like you and I. Can you commit
to caucusing for Bernie with me?

Affordable Housing
● Issue: ​Nevada has the lowest rate of affordable housing for the lowest income earners and has the
highest rate of homeless youth. The state is facing an affordable housing shortage.
● Problem: ​Families are struggling to afford rent on low wages. There isn’t enough affordable
housing supply for Nevadans who are in need of a safe and decent home to live in.
● Solution: ​Bernie has introduced the most comprehensive proposal to invest in affordable housing
by building at least an additional 10 million permanently affordable housing units across the
country and he is the only candidate to propose national rent control. Bernie also has a plan to end
homelessness in this country, but putting $32 billion towards addressing it as a mental health issue
instead of a crime.
● Ask: ​That’s why Bernie is the best candidate to address the housing crisis in America. Can you
commit to caucusing for Bernie with me?
Immigration
● Issue: ​Nevada has a thriving immigrant community. Many live in the shadows or are at risk of
being deported and many DACA recipients live in uncertainty of their status being stripped away.
Nevada’s immigrant community makes up a large part of our labor force.
● Problem: ​My good friend is a DACA recipient who lives in a mixed-status household. Everyday
they live in fear not knowing what’s next because of Trump’s anti-immigrant policies.
● Solution: ​Bernie is the only candidate approaches immigration policy with humanity at its core,
calling for a moratorium on deportations on his first day in office. He will reinstate and expand
DACA and DAPA to provide security and stability for these families. Bernie has also proposed to
enact a swift and fair pathway to citizenship for undocumented individuals living in the country
today, because he acknowledges their contributions as valuable members of our society.
● Ask: ​That’s why Bernie is the best candidate to fix our broken immigration system, and put
everyone on a pathway to citizenship. Can you commit to caucusing for Bernie with me?

Better Wages
● Issue: ​Wages have remained stagnant and the federal minimum wage has not been raised in
more than a decade.
● Problem: ​People work two jobs to make ends meet, pay their bills and afford rent.
● Solution: ​I’m caucusing for Bernie because he has fought to make the fight for a $15 minimum
wage a national issue. I can trust Bernie to hold corporations accountable, especially when many
pay $0 in federal income taxes while their workers haven’t seen an increase in their wages for
years. Bernie is fighting for a more democratic and equitable workplace, where workers have more
say in making sure they get their fair share in wages and benefits.
● Ask: ​That’s why Bernie is the best candidate to take on the corporate class and make sure that all
Americans can earn a living wage. Can you commit to caucusing for Bernie with me?

Social Security Benefits

● Issue: ​Americans are increasingly worried that their Social Security benefits will be taken away
from them. Half of American households over the age of 55 have no retirement savings and one
out of five seniors are trying to live on less than $13,500 a year.
● Problem: ​I am scared that I won’t be able to retire comfortably or afford a medical emergency in
case the Congress decides to cut our social security.
● Solution: ​I’m caucusing for Bernie because he believes we should expand Social Security and
protect pensions, knowing that we can live in a country where every senior lives in dignity and
security, and does not have to choose between paying for basic necessities like medicine, food, or
housing.
● Ask: ​Bernie has been fighting for social security since he got to Congress, and has been a vocal
advocate for this critical program for decades. Can you commit to caucusing for Bernie with me?
Drug Costs
● Issue: ​The pharmaceutical industry holds a monopoly on drug prices, causing the cost of
prescription drugs to skyrocket.
● Problem: ​Americans pay, by far, the highest prices for prescription drugs in the entire world.
Everyday people can’t afford necessary medication like insulin because corporations choose to put
profits over people. Right now, the government cannot negotiate with drug companies. It accepts
whatever price corporations set, even when that price is artificially inflated.
● Solution: ​We need to end pharmaceutical companies’ monopoly on drug pricing. Bernie Sanders
will establish the Bureau of Prescription Drug Affordability and Access, which will control prices of
prescription drugs and abolish patent protections for manufacturing companies that don't comply.
Bernie will stop the pharmaceutical industry from ripping off the American people by making sure
that no one in America pays over $200 a year for the medicine they need.
● Ask: ​That’s why Bernie is the best candidate to take on the drug lobbyists and pharmaceutical
industry, and build a comprehensive system that guarantees healthcare for everyone. Can you
commit to caucusing for Bernie with me?

In addition to the Issue / Problem / Solution / Ask Model, you can use ​shared values between
campaigns in order to build relationships with the other candidates’ supporters. If their candidate isn’t
viable, the last thing they want to hear is how much you didn’t like their candidate. Instead, talk about
what their candidate has ​in common ​with Bernie.

Biden Argument: ​Joe Biden is advocating for us to go back to an era before Trump’s presidency and a
time when both Democrats and Republicans were willing to compromise.
● Response: ​Bernie Sanders’ fight is about bringing people back to the political process, where we
have more say in the decisions that affect our every way of life. He’s advocating for a better future
for all, not to go back to a time when workers continued to struggle, health care was still too
expensive, and we couldn’t get big ideas passed through Congress. Bernie’s time in Congress also
proved he could work with both Democrats and Republicans in accomplishing what was
necessary, and our campaign believes that it takes a people power movement to advocate for the
changes that we seek to transform our country.

Warren Argument: ​Warren has made her campaign about big, structural change that we desperately
need in government.
● Response: ​Warren and Bernie both have similar goals: to transform our government so that we
can tackle and solve issues that affect every American. Bernie has put forward proposals that go
even further in addressing the most critical issues that we face, like doubling down on Medicare for
All, canceling all student debt, consistently scoring the highest among conservation groups in his
plan to address the climate crisis and holding corporations accountable to make workplaces more
democratic. He believes that it takes more than just policy to move our agenda forward; it takes a
movement to accomplish the bold, transformational change that we are fighting for.
Buttigieg Argument​: Pete Buttigieg is an outsider to DC and a millennial. He can answer the
obstacles young people face today.
● Response​: Buttigieg is a millennial, but Bernie’s policies go even farther in actually addressing the
dire future millennials face. Bernie’s Green New Deal, with its focus on the creation of union jobs,
tackles the environmental and financial anxieties of millennials today. Pete Buttigieg particularly
underperforms with people of color. Bernie speaks to the intersections of race and the economy
that resonate with communities of color.

Booker Argument: ​Booker is a champion of Criminal Justice Reform.

● Response: ​Bernie has put together a criminal justice reform proposal that tackles the issue from
its historically racist roots. Bernie has called to end profiteering in prisons, expunge past marijuana
convictions, end cash bail and close down private prisons and detention centers. Instead of
spending $80 billion a year on jails and incarceration, Bernie is going to invest in jobs and
education for our young people.

Klobuchar Argument: ​We need a moderate candidate to beat Donald Trump.

● Response: ​Bernie has the most individual contributions than any other candidate, including
Trump. Poll after poll, we also know that Bernie beats Trump. Bernie is the only candidate who
meets the electability standard, while also being the only candidate who will fight for the progress
we want.

Yang Argument: ​Andrew Yang wants to give everyone 1,000 dollars a month
● Response: ​Universal Basic Income offers an allowance, but Bernie’s movement envisions a world
of labor solidarity. Bernie’s call for sectoral bargaining would raise wages across industries and
empower workers. While UBI offers smaller, individual gains, we can achieve so much more by
uniting as a movement. That is what Bernie represents.

Steyer Argument: ​Tom Steyer made addressing climate change a focal point of his campaign.
● Response: ​Bernie Sanders knows we do not have decades to address climate change. We need
to move our economy away from its dependency on fossil fuels. Sanders’ Green New Deal will
revitalize our economy with sustainable jobs, that simultaneously recognize the dignity of working
people.

Gabbard Argument: ​Gabbard is an anti-establishment candidate who stands up to the complacency

and corruption of party elites.
● Response: ​Bernie offers a consistently progressive record that brings people into a larger
movement. Bernie knows that our political system needs radical change; that is why he is calling
for a revolution. If we want to build a system decoupled from the motivation of profit, we need to
unite the American people. Bernie can do that.
 Crafting your Bernie Speech
During realignment, the Ambassador or the Precinct Captain should give a 60 second speech about
why people should realign with Bernie. Use this worksheet to plan out your speech!
Part 1: The Issue
Start off by talking about an issue that is important to you or your community. Example: “our current
healthcare system is designed to profit pharmaceutical executives, and leaves over 80 million
Americans without health insurance, or completely underinsured.”

Part 2: The Problem

After you talk about the issue that matters to you, contextualize it by talking about the problems this
issue is creating in your life. Example: “the insulin for my child’s diabetes costs hundreds of dollars a
month, but if I go to Canada I can get the same medicine at one-tenth the cost.”

Part 3: The Solution

Once you’ve laid out the problems you or your loved ones are facing, talk about Bernie’s solution.
Example: “under a Sanders Medicare for All plan, we will have no copays, no deductibles, no
premiums, and no out-of-pocket costs. Every man, woman and child will have comprehensive
healthcare, and access to the medicine they need without going bankrupt.”

Part 4: The Ask

End your speech by making a passionate ask for everyone to realign with Bernie. Example: “That’s
why Bernie is the best candidate to take on the pharmaceutical industry, and guarantee every
American has quality healthcare. If you want to beat Donald Trump, then please realign with us!”
 How to do Delegate Math
Delegate Math is easy! During the caucus, Precinct Captains should check the Precinct Chair’s math to
make sure they correctly allocated delegates to each campaign. If you have any questions about
delegate math, during the caucus, please call the hotline.

When you pick up your materials for Caucus Day, we’ll give you a worksheet that will look similar to the
one used by the NV Dems Precinct Chair. This worksheet will help you do your delegate math.

We use a simple equation to determine how many delegates each candidate should receive. A few
things to keep in mind:
1. If a candidate is viable, then they will ALWAYS get at least one delegate
2. Early votes are being counted along side votes at the caucus. The total number of votes we
receive is equal to the number of people standing there at the caucus with you supporting
Bernie PLUS the number of early votes we received from your precinct. Similarly, the total
number of people who participate in the caucus is equal to the number of people who show up
at the caucus PLUS the number of people who voted early from that precinct.

Here’s a step by step walkthrough of how to do delegate math.

Step 1: ​Add up the number of supporters each candidate received at the caucus, and the number of
early votes they received. For example, if Bernie has 20 supporters at the caucus after realignment,
and he has 20 votes through early voting, then Bernie has ​40 total supporters.

Step 2: ​Multiply that number by the ​number of delegates​ your precinct elects. This is a number that is
predetermined before the caucus.

Step 3: ​Divide that number by the total number of people who showed up at the caucus, plus the
number of people who voted early.

Step 4: ​Round. If a decimal is .5 and above, round up. If it’s below .5, then round down.

Do this for each candidate

Examples are included below, but we’ve also made a website where you can practice your delegate
math! Go to ​bit.ly/nvcaucusmath​ ​to practice delegate math before the caucus!
 Basic Example

Let’s say 50 show up at the caucus, and 50 people vote early from this precinct. The precinct elects 7
delegates. Bernie gets 20 votes at the caucus, and 16 votes through early voting.

Step 1: ​Bernie got 20 votes at the caucus, and 16 votes through early voting. Those add up to 36.

Step 2: ​The precinct elects 7 delegates, so we multiply 36 TIMES 7. That comes out to 252.

Step 3: ​50 people showed up at the caucus, and 50 people voted early from our precinct. That means
we have 100 total people participating in the caucus. Divide 252 by 100. This comes out to 2.52.

Step 4: ​Round 2.52 up to 3. Bernie gets three delegates

Repeat those steps for each candidate, and then add up all of the delegates you awarded to make sure
it matches up to the number of delegates the precinct was supposed to elect. If it does, you’re all done!

Sometimes, after you do the delegate math, you award one too many delegates, or are missing a
delegate. In that case, you’ll have to figure out who to take a delegate away from, or who to give a
delegate to.

Giving a delegate: ​If you do the math, and then realize that you haven’t awarded ​enough​ delegates,
you’ll need to see who is “closest” to getting the next delegate. The person who is closest to getting
another delegate is whoever has the ​highest decimal.
● Example: ​Let’s say your precinct is supposed to award 7 delegates. After doing the delegate math,
you get the following numbers:
○ Candidate A: ​2.45​ delegates, rounds down to ​2 delegates
○ Candidate B: ​1.4​ delegates, rounds down to ​1 delegate
○ Candidate C: ​2.1​ delegates, rounds down to ​2 delegates
○ Candidate D: ​1.05​ delegates, rounds down to ​1 delegate
● When you add up those delegate allocations (2+1+2+1), you only get ​6​, but your caucus was
supposed to elect ​7 delegates​. Who will you give the extra delegate to?
● The answer is that you will give the delegate to ​Candidate A​ because they have the highest
decimal. Therefore, Candidate A will receive 3 delegates.
Taking away a delegate: ​If you do the math, and then you realise that you’ve awarded ​too many
delegates, you’ll need to see who is “farthest” from getting another delegate. The person who is farthest
from getting another delegate is whoever has the ​lowest decimal. ​However, you cannot take away a
viable candidates only delegate.
● Example: ​Let’s say your precinct is supposed to elect 7 delegates. After doing the delegate math,
you get the following numbers:
○ Candidate A: ​1.06​ delegates, rounds down to ​1 delegate
○ Candidate B: ​1.57​ delegates, rounds up to ​2 delegates
○ Candidate C: ​1.53​ delegates, rounds up to ​2 delegates
○ Candidate D: ​2.90​ delegates, rounds up to ​3 delegates
● When you add up those delegate allocations (1+2+2+2), you get ​8​, but your caucus was supposed
to elect ​7 delegates. ​Who will you take a delegate away from?
● The answer is that you will take a delegate away from ​Candidate C. ​Even though Candidate A has
the lowest decimal, you cannot take away their only delegate. Candidate C has the next lowest
decimal, so you will take a delegate away from ​Candidate C, ​who will only receive one delegate.

Viability Rule: ​A viable candidate can NEVER lose their only delegate. In rare circumstances, it’s
possible to have more viable candidates that you have delegates to award. In this circumstance, you
will award an extra delegate.
● Example: ​Let’s say your precinct is supposed to elect 3 delegates, but Candidates A, B, C and D
are all viable. After doing the delegate math, each candidate only has one delegate. In this
circumstance, you will elect ​4 delegates​ (one for each candidate) even though your precinct was
only supposed to elect 3 delegates.
 Tiebreakers

Each precinct will have an unopened deck of cards, which will be used to break a tie. ​High card wins,
and aces are the highest card.​ If candidates draw the same number card, they will refer to the suit of
the card to figure out who won. ​Spades are highest, then Hearts, then Diamonds, then Clubs.

Tiebreakers only occur when: (1) candidates are competing for the gain or loss of a delegate
(meaning the equation awarded one too many or one too few delegates), ​AND (2) candidates are in
an exact decimal tie, ​and therefore you can’t use their decimals to figure out who to take a delegate
away from, or give an extra delegate to​.
● Example: ​Your precinct is supposed to elect 8 delegates, but after doing the delegate math,
you’ve awarded 9 delegates.
○ Candidate A: ​1.2000​ delegates, rounds down to ​1 delegate
○ Candidate B: ​3.6000​ delegates, rounds up to ​4 delegates
○ Candidate C: ​1.6000​ delegates, rounds up to ​2 delegates
○ Candidate D: ​1.6000​ delegates, rounds up to ​2 delegates
● Now, you have to figure out which candidate to take a delegate away from. Candidate A cannot
lose their only delegate, and candidates B, C, and D all have the exact same decimal (.6000).
Therefore, candidates B, C, and D will have to ​draw cards.
○ Candidate B draws the 10 of clubs
○ Candidate C draws the 10 of spades
○ Candidate D draws the Ace of hearts
● You take the delegate away from ​Candidate B​. Candidates B and C both drew the lowest card,
which was 10. However, candidate B drew the 10 of clubs, which is a lower suit than the 10 of
spades.