FAQ – Democratic County Central Committees
What is a Democratic County Central Committee?
The County Central Committees encourage the growth and success of the Democratic Party within their county by coordinating and promoting Party activities. Additionally, they also recruit and work for the election of Democratic Party candidates throughout their county. Many County Central Committees open campaign headquarters; in fact, several County Central Committees establish permanent offices and hire staff.
What do County Central Committee members do?
During their term, County Central Committee members organize activities throughout their county. They hold informational meetings; they raise funds for their projects; they plan and implement voter registration drives; and they facilitate the different Democratic campaign operations within their county. County Central Committee members are elected every two years.
How often do County Central Committees meet?
County Central Committees usually hold monthly general meetings. Various sub-committees may meet more often. You can find out where and when your County Central Committee meets at www.cadem.org/countyparties.
Why is it important for me to be a member of a County Central Committee?
Over the years, the Democratic Party has relied on the participation of committed Democrats in each county to conduct voter outreach and to build and invigorate the party. Your local Democratic Party is only as strong as its members; so if you want to join with other active, hard-working Democrats and take on a bigger role in your community, roll up your sleeves and get involved!
How do I become a County Central Committee member?
County Central Committee members run for office in primary elections in even-numbered years. That means that candidates for the County Central Committee will be on the ballot in this year's June 3 primary election.
In order to be a County Central Committee member, you must be a U.S. citizen and you must have been a registered Democrat for at least three months before the date your application is filed. You may not have been registered as a member of another political party (except Decline to State) for at least twelve months before the date your application is filed.
Where do I register to run for County Central Committee?
You need to go to your County Registrar of Voters and pick up petitions to run for County Central Committee. Then you need to get a minimum of 20 VALID signatures from Democrats in your district on your petitions (with a maximum of 40). After you submit your signed petitions to the Registrar of Voters in your county, you will fill out a declaration of candidacy and be sworn in as a candidate. There is no filing fee.
What is the deadline to register to run for County Central Committee?
The deadline for returning your signed petitions to your County Registrar of Voters office is 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 7, 2008. There is no extension period, so be sure to have your petitions at the Registrar's office by March 7.
You should turn in your petitions a day or two before the deadline so you can check your signatures at the Registrar's office and make sure they're valid; that way, you'll have a little extra time to get more signatures if there's a problem.
How is my County Central Committee organized?
It depends on the county in which you live:
- If you live in Los Angeles County, your County Committee will be made up of seven members from each Assembly District either partially or wholly within your county.
- If you live in San Francisco County, your County Committee will be made up of twelve members from each Assembly District either partially or wholly within your county.
- If you live in Alameda, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego or Santa Clara Counties, your County Committee will be made up of six members from each Assembly District partially or wholly within your county.
- In all other districts, your County Committee will be comprised of members chosen from each County Supervisor district. Your County Registrar of Voters will have already applied a formula to determine exactly how many Central Committee members will be chosen from each County Supervisor district.
What are the rules for circulating my County Central Committee petition?
You must obtain 20 VALID signatures from registered Democrats who live in your district. If you live in an Assembly District that extends over more than one county, the people who circulate and/or sign your petition must live in the portion of your Assembly District that is in your county.
You can circulate your own petitions, or you can have other people circulate them for you. But anyone who circulates your petition must be a resident of the same district that you are running to represent.
Each petition requires information about the person who has circulated the petition and the race for which the petition has been circulated. This information must be completed for your petition to be valid.
Once I file my papers, what will happen?
If there are more candidates in your race than there are positions available, your name will be placed on the June 3 primary election ballot, and the voters will choose between the candidates.
If the number of candidates is less than the number of positions available, then the County Registrar of Voters will not place your name on the ballot; you will simply be declared as a winner in the election.
Once I become a County Central Committee member, what should I do?
Attend the next meeting of your County Central Committee to find out when they will swear in the new members and then get ready to get active! And even if you don't get elected, you can still get involved with your County Central Committee, either as an alternate or an associate member. All you need to do is attend a meeting and find out the best way you can participate.
Why haven't I ever heard about County Central Committee elections?
Although Democrats usually vote for their County Central Committee members in the primary, the position is not always on the ballot. Here's why: If the number of candidates is less than the number of positions available, all of the candidates will be declared winners, and you will not see the position on your ballot.
If you have questions, please email us at the California Democratic Party.
"The Democratic Party can be a powerful vehicle for change, but it works at its best when we are all working together. As Chairman of the California Democratic Party, I want to invite you to join together with us as we tackle the important challenges that lie ahead."
– Sen. Art Torres (Ret.), Chairman, California Democratic Party
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