BYLAWS for 26th DISTRICT DEMOCRATS

Article One NAME

26th DISTRICT DEMOCRATS is the official organization of the Precinct Committee Officers (PCO's) of the 26th Legislative District of the State of Washington, as set forth in Washington State Democratic Central Committee (WSDCC) Bylaw Article IX and the Revised Code of Washington 29A80.061.

Article Two PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization is to:

1. Provide a forum wherein District PCO's and others interested in promoting Democratic Party causes principles may band together to debate and support Democratic Party causes and candidates.
2. Contribute to the formation, development and advancement of the ideas and principles of the Democratic Party.
3. Promote action to assure that all levels of government function for the common good for present and future generations.
4. Build and maintain an effective local Democratic organization to:
   1. Recruit, support and elect candidates who share our principles.
   2. Recruit and support PCO's dedicated to electing Democrats.
   3. Maximize turnout of voters who support Democrats.
5. Perform the functions assigned to Elected and Appointed Precinct Committee Officers as set forth in the Charter and Bylaws of the WSDCC and State law.

Article Three MEMBERSHIP

1. Elected PCO's are members of the organization for the period for which they have been elected, and Appointed PCO's are members for the balance of the term for which appointed.
2. Membership is open to all others residing within the bounds of the 26th Legislative District who assert themselves to be Democrats and who pay the requisite membership dues. The Chairs of the Democratic Central Committee for Pierce County and for Kitsap County shall be deemed ex officio members of this organization so long as it contains precincts within that county. Membership terminates immediately prior to each biennial reorganization meeting and must be renewed following the biennial reorganization meeting.
3. Dues shall be established at the biennial reorganization meeting. The Executive Committee shall have the right to waive dues upon application, submitted by letter, of any individual.

Article Four VOTING

1. Only elected PCO's shall vote for any office elected at the biennial reorganization meeting.
2. Only elected and appointed PCO's shall vote to remove or replace officers, to recommend appointments to fill public office vacancies, to conduct the official business of the Democratic Party at the Legislative District level, or to nominate Democratic Party candidates as set forth in the Rules and Bylaws of the WSDCC.
3. All members may participate in debate and may vote in any motion or resolution of an advisory nature.
4. Proxies and absentee votes are never permitted.

Article Five OFFICERS

1. The officers of the organization are Chair, 1st and 2nd Vice Chair, and each will be on the organization Executive Board.
   1. During the term of office of any of these, a replacement shall be elected by vote of the elected and appointed PCO's.
   2. Chair and First Vice Chair shall not be of the same sex nor reside in the same county.
2. State Committeewoman and Committeeman shall also be on the LD Executive Board and need not be elected PCOs but must be members in good standing.
3. Secretary and Treasurer shall also be elected at the biennial reorganization meeting and need not be PCO's. They shall also be members of the LD Executive Board.
4. Delegates to the County Central Committee Executive Board, in a number determined by the County Central Committee, shall also be elected at the biennial reorganization meeting and shall also be members of the LD Executive Board.
5. The Chair shall have the authority to appoint a Sergeant-at-Arms, Parliamentarian and committees. These positions are not members of the Executive Board.
6. All officers, appointees and committees serve from the time elected until replacements are elected at the next biennial reorganization meeting or until removed by the membership or appointing authority at an earlier date.

Article Six ELECTIONS

1. Election of all officers and representatives to the county central committee executive board shall occur at the biennial reorganization meeting called in accord with state law or any meeting called to elect a replacement thereto where seven days notice has been given in advance of the meeting. Candidates may be self nominated but nominating and seconding speeches are permitted.
2. Elections shall be by secret ballot unless there is a single candidate.
3. In the event there are more than two candidates for a position and no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, the person with the least votes shall be deleted and a vote taken from the remaining candidates until one candidate has a majority.

Article Seven REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

Any elected or appointed officer of the organization or committee member thereof may be removed for failure to discharge assigned duties of the office, provided that as to elected positions:

1. Charges for removal are in writing and signed by five members.
2. Removal shall be considered only where at least seven days notice of intent to consider removal has been given, the reasons for removal are stated and the opportunity for rebuttal has been provided.
3. To support removal requires two/thirds of the votes cast.

Article Eight DUTIES OF OFFICERS

1. Chair
   1. Serve as spokesperson for the organization.
   2. Preside at all meetings of the organization, utilizing the Agenda prepared in cooperation with the Secretary and Executive Board.
   3. Appoint the Sergeant-at-Arms, Parliamentarian and such committees as deemed necessary to assure proper function of the organization and serve as ex officio member of each.
   4. Recommend candidates for appointment to fill PCO vacancies, to the County Central Committee Chair.
   5. Advise and assist party organizations, candidates and elected officials.
   6. Assure maintenance of an up to date mailing list of members and PCO's in the district and persons within the district who have asked to be kept informed of activities.
   7. Represent the organization on the county Executive Board for the county of residence and at the Chairs Committee of the WSDCC, by both attendance and participation.
2. First Vice Chair
   1. Serve as the presiding officer in the absence of the Chair or at other times upon request.
   2. Represent the organization on the county Executive Board for the county of residence.
   3. Assist the Chair by attending and participating in committees as requested by the Chair.
3. Second Vice Chair
   1. Serve as presiding officer in the absence of both the Chair and First Vice Chair or at other times upon request.
   2. Represent the organization on the county Executive Board for the county of residence unless the Chair is also a resident of that county.
   3. Assist the Chair by attending and participating in committees as requested by the Chair.
4. Secretary
   1. Prepare the agenda for each monthly or other official meeting, coordinating such with the Chair and Executive Board.
   2. Keep minutes and records of the organization, including minutes of general, special and Executive Board meetings.
   3. Keep a record of all members and assure that proper notice of meetings is given to members and the public.
   4. Maintain a record of all PCO's, including the date of election or appointment.
   5. Maintain a record of meeting attendance.
5. Treasurer or Co-Treasurers
   1. Receive all money paid to the organization, issuing receipts there for, keeping a record identifying the source of and purpose of funds and making a monthly report to the membership.
   2. Issue checks in payment for obligations or payments authorized by the Executive Board, where appropriate, or the organization at meetings, and making a monthly report to the membership.
   3. Prepare a financial report upon request of the Executive Board or the membership.
   4. Serve as Chair of the Budget Committee; prepare by March of each year a proposed budget to be submitted to the membership at the April meeting; and prepare and file reports required by the Public Disclosure Commission.
   5. In January of each odd numbered year, arrange with the Chair for an audit committee of three persons to audit the books for the preceding two years.
6. State Committeewoman and Committeeman
   1. Represent the organization at meetings of the State Committee and at meetings of the County Central Committee Executive Board for their county of residence and report the activities thereof at organization meetings.
   2. Serve on committees of the WSDCC.
   3. Serve on the organization Executive Board.
   4. Perform liaison with the state and county organizations upon request.
      NOTE: Committeewoman or committeeman may be removed from the position for failure to attend two consecutive state committee meetings, upon action by the membership after notice of such intent and opportunity for hearing.
7. Sergeant at Arms
   1. Under the direction of the Chair, maintain order at meetings.
   2. At the request of the Chair or the Secretary, assist in determining eligibility to vote on matters before the body.
8. Parliamentarian
   Upon request of the Chair or, where appropriate, under Robert's Rules of Order, the Body or a member of the body, render a decision based on provisions of said Rules. The Parliamentarian does not make gratuitous rulings. Rulings may be set aside or overruled by the body as permitted by the Rules.

Article Nine MEETINGS

1. General Meetings
   1. Regular meetings are open to all, except that at any meeting the body may decide to limit attendance to those asserting to be Democrats.
   2. Regular meetings shall be held monthly.
   3. Notice of meetings shall be provided to newspapers generally circulating within the district and to other media to assist in publicizing meetings and to any website utilized by the organization.
   4. Except when the date, time and place of a meeting was announced at the preceding meeting, each member shall be given seven days advance notice of meetings either by mail or email. A record of such notice shall be kept by the Secretary.
   5. Those attending a duly noticed regular meeting shall constitute a quorum.
2. Special Meetings
   1. Special meetings may be called by the Chair, the Executive Board or majority vote of the membership at a regular meeting or by petition of eight members submitted to the Chair who shall immediately cause the secretary to give notice of the meeting to be held not less than seven nor more than fifteen days after receipt of the petition.
   2. At least seven days advance notice shall be given of special meetings, including date, time, place, purpose and by whom called, either by mail or email.
   3. Those attending a duly called and noticed special meeting shall constitute a quorum.
3. Biennial Organization Meeting
   1. Between the date of the state general election in even numbered years and the second Saturday of the following January and after the County Auditor has announced the names of the newly elected PCO's, the organization shall meet to elect officers and other elective positions for the succeeding two years.
   2. Only newly elected PCO's, as recognized by the County Auditor, may vote at this meeting.
   3. The meeting shall be publicized and notice shall be given to PCO's by mail at least seven days in advance of the meeting. Notice shall include date, time and place. A record of the notice shall be placed in the records.
   4. The ranking outgoing officer shall preside at the meeting until election of a new Chair, after which the new Chair shall preside. Such person shall assure that only elected PCO's vote.

Article Ten EXECUTIVE BOARD

1. Purpose
   1. To permit action to be taken in the name of the organization in the event that such needs to be taken immediately.
   2. To discuss matters to be presented to the membership for action, together with recommended action. Where recommendations are not by consensus, the membership shall be provided the substance of the discussion by the Executive Board.
   3. Perform other functions allowed by the Bylaws, directed by the membership, required by the rules of the WSDCC or required by law.
   4. Modify the adopted budget in the event of emergencies to allow the receipt and distribution of funds, such as where contributions have been received that require immediate use in providing financial assistance to Democratic Party candidates. Note: The Executive Board is not permitted to override any action of the membership unless such action was ruled illegal by either the State Democratic Party or the Public Disclosure Commission.
2. Members
   Elected or appointed Officers set forth above.
3. Meetings
   Subject to the call of the Chair on 48 hours advance notice by phone or email, with a record thereof. A quorum shall be four members if due notice has been given by the Chair or Secretary. A seriatim quorum is permissible only when all members are reached either by phone, email or in person.

Article Eleven COMMITTEES

1. Required
   The membership and the Chair may provide for committees deemed necessary and shall provide for committees required by either the National, State or County Democratic Committees.
2. Members
   Except as provided by these Bylaws or by National, State or County Rules, the Chair shall appoint the Chair of committees and at least two additional members. Any person asserting to be a Democrat may be appointed to membership on a discretionary committee.
3. Reports
   Committees shall make a report at each general meeting, including accomplishments and plans.
4. Funds
   No funds shall be obligated without prior approval of the membership.
5. Continuity
   Retiring Chairs of ongoing committees shall deliver committee records to the organization Chair.

Article Twelve NOMINATIONS AND ENDORSEMENTS

1. Nomination of LD Candidates The WSDCC has established Rules for the selection of Democrats for partisan office for the State of Washington applicable in the event of a so-called "top two" or Louisiana primary. Those Rules shall be followed.
2. Candidate Endorsement and Financing
   1. Endorsement
      Candidates requesting endorsement without financial assistance may present such request either in writing, in person or by representative at any general meeting. A majority affirmative vote is required for endorsement and permits the candidate to reflect endorsement in publicity and access to the organization mailing list.
   2. Financing
      Candidates requesting both endorsement and monetary contributions shall submit a written request and shall appear in person or by representative at the membership meeting where the request is to be considered. A majority affirmative vote allows use of the organization name in publicity, access to the mailing list and financial assistance as determined by the membership.
   3. 26th District Democratic candidates for State Representative and State Senator in the 26th District are exempt from the above requirements, and action may be taken upon motion by any member at any general meeting once filing for office has opened.
3. Issues
   1. Subjects
      The body may consider and debate any subject brought before it by the Chair, the Executive Board, a committee or any member at a general meeting, unless the subject is out of order or prohibited.
   2. Action
      The body may endorse stands, positions, resolutions or initiatives on any subject of a political nature.
   3. Financing
      At a regular meeting where a subject is discussed, the body by majority affirmative vote may allocate finances to support issues.
4. Statutory Offices
   In the event that 26th District PCO's are required to present recommendations to fill a public office vacancy, a special meeting shall be called by the Chair in accordance with State law and the WSDCC. Although the body as a whole may participate in discussion, a vote shall be taken only of elected and appointed PCO's.

Article Thirteen CONVENTION

The 26th District Democrats shall hold a District Convention in even numbered years prior to the County, State and National Conventions pursuant to the Rules of the County Central Committee, the WSDCC and the Democratic National Committee, to take positions and select delegates as may be appropriate.

Article Fourteen RULES

1. This organization shall be governed by these Bylaws, Robert's Rules of Order, Washington State law and the Rules of the WSDCC.
2. Bylaws shall continue in force until modified or repealed by a majority vote of those attending a meeting noticed for such action, which may be a regular meeting so long as notice of such purpose and the proposed amendment is included in the meeting notice.
3. Any elected or appointed PCO wishing the body to act on a proposed amendment to these Bylaws may make a motion at any regular meeting which, following a second, shall be placed on the agenda for the next regular meeting.
4. These Bylaws are intended to conform to the Charter, Bylaws and Rules of the Democratic Party of Washington State and those of the Democratic National Party, as well as those of the State of Washington relating to political parties. If any part of these Bylaws are found to be in conflict with the foregoing, the provisions contained herein shall be subordinate.

Adopted May 3, 2005

It is difficult to find another branch of knowledge where a small amount of study produces such great results in increased efficiency in a country where the people rule, as in parliamentary law.

—HENRY M. ROBERT