News

Elected PCO Filing Deadline Approaches

May 13, 2016

The opportunity to file as a candidate for elected Democratic Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) opens on Monday, May 16 at 9:00 am and closes on Friday, May 20 at 4:00 pm with the Spokane County Elections Office

There is no filing fee to run as an elected PCO for your precinct.

Democratic PCO candidates will appear on the August 2, 2016 primary ballot in their precinct and, if elected, will serve a two-year term (starting at reorganization meetings in December 2016 or January 2017).

Elected PCOs choose the leadership of their legislative district (Chair and Vice Chair) as well as the leadership of Spokane County Democrats (Chair and Vice Chair).  

They also choose representatives from the legislative district and county to the Washington State Democratic Central Committee (Committeeman and Committeewoman). The Washington State Democratic Central Committee meets three times a year to adopt policy for Democrats in Washington. It also elects the Chair and Vice Chair of the State Party as well as the representatives from Washington to the Democratic National Committee.

The legislative district Chair, Vice Chair, Committeeman, and Committeewoman are the executive board of The Third Legislative District Democrats (along with an appointed Secretary and appointed Treasurer). The 3rd LD eBoard has the authority to act for the LD in between quarterly meetings of the PCOs.

The executive board of Spokane County Democrats consists of its Chair, Vice Chair, Committeeman and Committeewoman, as well as the leadership of the 3rd LD, 4th LD, 6th LD and representatives from the 7th LD and 9th LD precincts in Spokane County. The County Party's eBoard has the authority to act for the County Party in between quarterly meetings of its PCOs.

All precinct committee officers, whether they are elected or appointed, represent the Democratic Party in their precincts. PCOs are the building block of the Democratic Party --- and are the grassroots organizing base for all of our activities.

PCOs play an important role in electing Democrats to all levels of office. It's their job to get to know their neighbors, educate undecided or swing voters, and make sure Democrats are registered to vote. Before Election Day, they work to turn out voters.

PCOs represent their precincts at quarterly 3rd Legislative District meetings as well as quarterly Spokane County Democrats meetings. Many also volunteer for community outreach events, where we represent the Party or conduct voter registration drives. 

If you're interested in being an elected PCO, mark your calendar for Monday, May 16 and the beginning of Filing Week.