Question about local politics and running for positions

[liveoaktx]

Can someone fill me in on how the process works to get in different people in positions in the local party? For example, suppose you have a precinct chair who isn't doing anything and only shows up on voting day-what's the process for replacing that person-is it only every 2 or 4 years? What are the mechanics? Same thing for party chairman, how does a new one get picked?

[ray of light]

1. that's a good question

Go to the democracy cell project and post your question in the irc or in the forum for Dick Bell. He may not have your answer, but he could probably direct you to the right people to ask.

http://www.democracycellproject.net

[ashling]

2. The TDP offers

a grassroots training available that covers party organization etc. I'm sure that it would answer your question. It is free to arrange a training, but they generally try to get 20 people or so.

The TDP website would be a good source of information. Contact them.

[cosmik debris]

3. Local party chairs are elected in the party primary every 2 years.

You might remember seeing their names on the ballot. After the balloting, the chair is usually nominated to be the convention chair at the county convention.

If you are interested in this position, you need to get to know a LOT of people in the party. Hook up with other groups such as TDW (Texas Democratic Women) Labor unions, and Latino organizations. You will be able to judge their dissatisfaction with the current chair and determine if there is a chance of defeating him/her at the ballot box.

Be aware that this is a HARD job for which no one will thank you. It requires a large investment of time and sometimes money, and you have to put you neck on the line if there is ever an investigation of financial irregularities. Get to know the current chair, even if that seems distasteful. You can learn what they do and then decide whether you want to volunteer for an unpaid unrelenting migraine.

[crispini]

4. As far as precinct chair,

you will need to file in January to get your name on the ballot. It's in the TDP party manual, how this works. We will be electing new Precinct Chairs next year, I'm pretty sure. If the race is uncontested it won't be on the ballot which is why you may not have noticed it.

In Texas, party chair is voted on by the voters. We elect county party chairs in gubernatorial years -- 2006.

Please, do consider becoming a precinct chair if yours is not active. We need active, working precinct chairs in every precinct in order to take back Texas. PM me if you have questions about what PCs do. Up in Dallas we are developing some precinct chair training which I can send you if you are interested in learning more.

[cosmik debris]

5. I thought I was probably wrong so I looked it up

From the Rules of the Texas Democratic Party for 2004-2005 as handed out at the State Convention last year.

Sec. III, E, 1
(a) Each county shall have a County Executive Committee composed of a County Chair and of one Precinct Chair form each election precinct in the county. (Texas Election Code sec. 171.022)

(b) These members shall be elected by majority vote in the Party Primary Election held in even numbered years. The County Chair shall be elected by the qualified voters of the county, and the Precinct Chairs by the qualified voters of their respective precincts.

(c) The term of office for members of the County Executive Committee shall begin on the twentieth day following the Runoff Primary and shall continue for two years or until their successors are elected and certified.

And there you have it.

[crispini]

6. Yep. Didn't we both just say the same thing? :)

[cosmik debris]

7. You said Gubernatorial years

I said every two years. But I'm not trying to be a nit picker. I just wanted to share this link to the rules so everyone can read for themselves and they won't have to ask us!

http://www.txdemocrats.org/files/Rules2004.pdf

Knowledge is power. Please encourage everyone to explore the Texas Democratic Party Web Site.

http://www.txdemocrats.org/

[crispini]

8. Right on. It's a killer website.

Thanks for the correction! :thumbsup: