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After the Presidential election in 2008, my office was inundated with requests for 2009 Presidential Inauguration tickets to the point that all any staff and I could do was to answer calls and take requests. We received approximately 5,000 individual requests averaging three tickets per request; however, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies allotted only 198 tickets to Congressional offices. In anticipation of a large volume of requests for the 2013 Presidential Inauguration, an online registration form was setup on my website and my staff also took requests by phone until the November 26th deadline for submitting requests. We did not receive 5,000 requests this time; however, the 198 tickets that my office has been allotted will still not accommodate all of the requests that were received. Based on our past experience, we believe that the most fair and effective way to handle the large disparity between supply and demand is to do a lottery style drawing as we did after the 2008 election. My office will separate all requests by the six counties that make up the 12th Congressional District; I will then draw and distribute the tickets based on the ratio of the population of each county to the entire district. Individuals will be notified shortly after we conduct the lottery as to whether they will or will not receive tickets. Please note that even constituents who receive tickets are not guaranteed a seat and may not have the best view of the ceremony. The National Mall will be open to anyone who wishes to attend and no ticket has historically been required to be on the Mall. Also please consider that the weather in Washington D.C. in January is cold with temperatures usually in the low 30’s and that the swearing-in ceremony will take place outside. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) has launched the official Presidential Inauguration website (http://inaugural.senate.gov) and the first ever Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/JCCIC). Please refer to this site for the most up-to-date information regarding the 2013 Presidential Inauguration. The site provides important historical information and as we get closer to the Inauguration will include specifics about the 2013 Inauguration and logistical information for those that will be attending the event. Please assist us by sharing this information with others. The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC), which will be formed by the President-elect, is responsible for most of the official balls and galas, as well as the Inaugural Day parade. Ticket requests for these and other official events should be directed to the PIC. |
