COFO leaders decided before the Freedom Vote that the Democratic Party was their best inroad to political power . At a meeting on March 15 , 1964 , it was decided that an alternate party should be formed to challenge the regular state delegation to the Democratic National convention to be held on August 24 . This was the birth of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party ( MFDP ) . By July , the summer project 's focus began to shift toward preparations for the convention . Moses sent notice to workers throughout the state that , " everyone who is not working in Freedom Schools ... devote all their time organizing for the convention challenge " . On August 6 , the MFDP held a statewide convention in Jackson ( two days after the discovery of the bodies of Chaney , Schwerner , and Goodman ) . The delegation of sixty-eight was formed with Henry as chairman , and Ed King as vice-chair , with the aim of convincing the Credentials Committee of the unjust practices of the regular state delegation , and that the MFDP was the true Mississippi delegation . Moses felt that the mostly middle-class representatives of Jackson looked down on Hamer and the delegation 's poorer , rural members
Democratic National convention
1964 Democratic National Convention
Council of Federated Organizations