2010 Pre-Primary convention details emerge

New Mexico's Republican and Democratic Parties have set a date and picked locations for their 2010 pre-primary nominating conventions.

Both parties will host their conventions on Saturday, March 13th.

Republicans have decided to meet at the Albuquerque Hilton Hotel, while Democrats will head north to the Hilton Santa Fe Golf Resort and Spa at Buffalo Thunder.

Democrat Party Chairman Javier Gonzales told party members -- in an email sent last week -- that he had toured sites from Las Cruces to Santa Fe, but indicated he, and his staff, who are anticipating a "significant increase in turnout" chose a venue with a "greater capacity than was necessary in year's past."

"Having the Pre-Primary Convention at the Buffalo Thunder Resort means that the DPNM will save precious resources which can be utilized in the 2010 election season, keep costs to delegates at a minimum and allows the DPNM to host events for delegates on both Friday and Saturday evening at an amazing resort and conference space," Gonzales wrote.

State GOP Executive Director Ryan Cangiolosi sent an email to Republican candidates telling them the party would allow them to rent tables and sponsor coffee breaks for between $200 and $250, and is inviting campaigns to host receptions on the Friday evening before the convention.

Democrats will host 2160 delegates, including 446 State Central Committee delegates. Delegates, and alternate delegates, will be elected at state County conventions. State Central Committee members are automatic delegates. A similar process is used to pick delegates in the Republican Party.

Candidates, in each party, will have to file nominating petitions, but if candidates who get 20 percent of the pre-primary delegate votes they are automatically qualified for a position on the June 2 primary ballot. Candidates who fail to receive a preprimary convention designation, or collect 20 percent of the delegate votes, can still be placed on the ballot by the Secretary of State, but must submit signatures from four percent of the total vote of the candidate’s party within ten days following their respective parties convention.

Updated to correct Republican Party dates.