Bylaws
Of the Jefferson County Democratic Central CommitteePresented to Central Committee for Adoption 4/6/2019
Preamble
The Mission of the Jefferson County Democratic Central Committee is:
1. Recruit, support and get elected to public office, candidates who uphold the values and philosophy of the Democratic Party.
2. Effectively turn Jefferson County into a majority Democratic stronghold.
3. Raise awareness in the Community regarding issues that pertain to economic justice, human rights and equal opportunity for all citizens.
4. Protect the voting rights of all of the citizens of Jefferson County and promote free and fair elections.
5. Advocate on behalf of the citizens of Jefferson County on issues important to Democratic principles in order to promote, pass and enact legislative action.
6. Support our elected Democratic Legislators and Officials and provide updates to the residents of Jefferson County throughout the Legislative sessions.
7. Recruit members and fundraise for the Jefferson County Democratic Central Committee.
8. Increase awareness for and be an example of Democratic values throughout the County.
I. Jefferson County Democratic Central Committee (hereafter known as JCDCC)
A. As provided in Montana Law, there is a JCDCC, which consists of the duly elected or appointed precinct committeemen and committeewomen of each precinct. Precinct committeemen and committeewomen hold such position for terms of two years from the date of their election or in the case of appointment, until the next regularly scheduled election.
B. Those committeemen and committeewomen who reside within the limits of any incorporated city or town shall constitute ex-officio the city central committee and shall have the same power and jurisdiction as to the Democratic Party in such city affairs as the JCDCC has in county matters, except to fill vacancies as provided in Bylaws 7, 13, 14, 15 and 16.
C. Appointed precinct committeemen and committeewomen shall have the same rights, privileges, duties, and responsibilities as elected precinct committeemen and committeewomen.
D. Duties and powers of JCDCC:
1. The committee shall conduct in the county the business of the Democratic Party not in conflict with the powers of the state central committee.
2. The JCDCC may not adopt any bylaws or regulations that conflict with the laws of Montana or the bylaws of the Montana Democratic Party.
3. All public meetings of the JCDCC are open to all members of the Democratic Party of Montana regardless of race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or philosophical persuasion.
4. Members of the Democratic Party are defined as any individuals who are supportive of the Democratic Party’s mission and values, without test of membership or oath, and are in good standing with the organization. All members of the Democratic Party of Montana shall be encouraged to participate in party affairs.
5. The time and place for meetings of the JCDCC on all levels shall be publicized fully and in such a manner as to assure timely notice to all interested persons. Such meetings shall be held in places accessible to all party members and large enough to accommodate all interested persons.
6. The Montana State Central Committee and JCDCC shall before every general election conduct an intensive effort to inform residents of voter registration procedures and provide all possible assistance in registering new voters.
7. When the JCDCC is providing financial or technical support to any Democratic nominee for public or party office, in providing that support, preference shall be given to those candidates who support the party.
8. It shall be the duty of all delegate selection conventions and all JCDCC members at every level, to encourage persons from all income levels, young people, women, persons of minority races or ethnicities, senior citizens, LGBT persons, and other underrepresented and minority groups to participate in and seek selection as delegates to Party conventions and as members of Party committees.
9. The JCDCC shall fill vacancies as provided in state party bylaws 7, 13, 14, 15 and 16, which are hereby referenced in the attached appendix.
10. The JCDCC shall perform such duties as may be specified by the Montana Presidential Nominating Convention Delegate Selection Bylaws as those bylaws may be amended from time to time.
11. The JCDCC may authorize subcommittees to exercise any of the powers conferred upon it by the laws of Montana. Each precinct committeeman or woman shall represent the respective precinct in any ward or subdivision committees formed.
12. JCDCC shall to the best of its ability:
a. actively recruit candidates for every office elected in the county on a partisan ballot;
b. provide campaign assistance to candidates of the Democratic Party;
c. assist in registration and get-out-the-vote projects;
d. provide a local voice for Democratic views on local and state issues;
e. monitor the activities of public officials in the county and demand
accountability;
f. maintain the books and records of the JCDCC;
g. actively raise funds that will be used to support the JCDCC and its mission.
II. County convention and selection of officers
A. The JCDCC shall meet in county convention between April 1 and May 31 of each odd numbered year and elect the following officers:
1. A County Chair and Vice Chair, one of whom shall be a woman and one of whom shall be a man.
2. A State Committeeman and a State Committeewoman.
3. Four State Central Committee Alternates, two of whom shall be women and two of whom shall be men. These officers serve as alternates to the Chair, Vice Chair, State Committeeman, or State Committeewoman. Central Committee Alternates shall replace members of the same sex whenever possible. The county convention shall designate first and second Alternates.
4. A Secretary and a Treasurer.
B. Only Precinct Committeemen, Precinct Committeewomen, and current JCDCC officers and elected Democratic Officials, may vote for officers at the county convention. Officers are not required to be Precinct Committeemen or Precinct Committeewomen. The officers elected by the county convention shall constitute the Executive Committee of the County Central Committee and are charged with the execution of the county party's policies and programs between meetings of the full committee. They shall be entitled to full voting privileges at all other meetings of the county central committee. (see Montana Democratic State Party Rule 2, Section B, Subsection 2 in attached Appendix).
III. Duties of officers
A. The duties of the Chair shall be to:
1. Call all regular and special meetings in accordance with these bylaws, state party bylaws, and Montana law.
2. Preside at the county convention.
3. Set the agenda for meetings.
4. Appoint such subcommittees as may be authorized.
5. Sign certificates of election for the delegates to the state convention.
6. Perform all duties required by Montana Democratic State Party bylaws 13, 14, 15 and 16, referenced in attached appendix.
7. Provide guidance to the JCDCC regarding Montana law and bylaws regarding the conduct of election campaigns and prohibited practices.
8. Conduct such actions not in conflict with these bylaws, the state party bylaws, or the laws of Montana, as may from time to time, be assigned by the JCDCC.
9. Serve as a representative of the county to all meetings of the state central committee.
10. Preside as chair of the executive committee.
11. Appoint a temporary chair to run the JCDCC meeting in the absence of the chair and the vice chair.
B. The duties of the Vice Chair shall be to:
1. Preside at meetings in the absence of the chair.
2. Succeed to the position of the chair in the event of a vacancy in the chairmanship.
3. Perform such duties as may be assigned by the JCDCC.
4. Serve as a representative of the county to all meetings of the state central committee.
C. The State Committeeman and Woman (or their alternates as appropriate) shall:
1. Serve as a representative of the county at all meetings of the state central committee.
2. Maintain contact all year with the state Democratic office.
3. Report to the JCDCC on activities of the state central committee and state Democratic office via email and/or at JCDCC meetings.
D. The duties of the Secretary shall be to:
1. Sign certificates of election for the delegates to the state convention.
2. Maintain custody of the papers and records of the JCDCC not in possession of the treasurer or on deposit at the JCDCC office.
3. Keep minutes of the JCDCC meetings and submit such minutes for the committee’s review at subsequent meetings.
4. Inform the state party headquarters of the JCDCC officers and their contact information within ten days of the election and/or change of officers.
5. Maintain an up-to-date list of all Democratic precinct committeemen and women in the county and report the list and updates to the county election office.
6. File a copy of these bylaws with the Jefferson County elections office and with the county and the state party headquarters.
7. Upon election of Officers and Precinct Committee people, the Secretary shall notify with the proper forms, the County elections office.
8. Provide reasonable notice of JCDCC meetings.
9. Take such actions as directed by the JCDCC.
E. The duties of the Treasurer shall be to:
1. Keep the financial records of the JCDCC.
2. Collect and account for all funds held by the JCDCC.
3. Make such expenditures of the committee’s funds as directed by JCDCC.
4. Report the financial condition of the committee, at each Executive and JCDCC meeting.
5. Comply with all Montana campaign finance laws and bylaws, including the preparation and submission of all required reports.
6. Submit financial records for inspection as directed by the JCDCC.
F. Officers shall not miss more than two consecutive monthly Executive committee meetings in a calendar year. If so, their seat shall be vacated and a replacement shall be appointed according to the bylaws in section V.
G. The officers elected by the county convention shall constitute the Executive Committee of the JCDCC. The duties of the Executive Committee are as follows:
1. The Executive Committee is charged with the execution of the county's party policies and programs between meetings of the full JCDCC.
2. The Executive Committee shall meet before the JCDCC to assist the chairman in developing the agenda for the JCDCC and to formulate policy and other recommendations for review and discussion by the JCDCC.
3. The Executive Committee may approve between meetings of the JCDCC funds to be spent on furthering the mission of JCDCC. In such cases, the Executive Committee shall report to the Central Committee at the next regular meeting the amount and purpose of said extraordinary expenditure. These amounts shall not exceed $500.00.
4. Should the chair, or acting-chair in the chair’s absence, deem immediate action necessary, the chair or acting chair shall have the authority to poll the Executive Committee or the JCDCC by email and to have a vote by email on responding to said immediate need. A quorum for vote via email is a majority of the members who responded. Voting members have a set amount of time, determined by the ballot administrator, to respond or their vote will not count.
IV. Precinct Men and Women
A. Precinct men and women may be elected in the primary election held in even numbered years or when there is a vacancy, be appointed by voting as described in Section V, “Vacancies.”
B. The duties of a precinct men and women will be to:
1. Serve as the representative of the JCDCC in their precincts, make direct contacts with neighbors living in their precinct, gather information about the voting patterns of people living in their precincts, and support the JCDCC by using this information to elect Democratic candidates to public office.
2. Attend the regularly scheduled monthly meetings.
3. Participate in JCDCC public events by planning or working on community events, i.e., county fair, town festivals, parades, the annual Gala fund raiser and other similar venues.
4. Serve on standing or ad hoc planning committees during each term while in office as a precinct person.
5. Identify and introduce people from their precinct or acquaintances who may become possible Democratic candidates for public office or have interest in joining JCDCC.
6. Assist with Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) activities in each election.
7. Contribute their resources such as knowledge, ideas, skills, money, suggestions and critiques to JCDCC to the extent of their self-determined ability.
8. Submit a written resignation to the JCDCC if unable to continue to perform precinct duties.
V. Vacancies
A. A vacancy exists whenever a precinct committeeman or woman, officer or member, dies, resigns, becomes permanently incapacitated, or fails to maintain the qualifications of the office.
B. Vacancies shall be filled as follows:
1. Remaining members of the JCDCC shall appoint a registered voter who is a resident of the affected precinct to fill any vacancy in the office of precinct committeeman or woman; the appointment becomes effective immediately.
2. The JCDCC shall elect a person having the necessary qualifications to fill a vacancy in any of the committee’s offices not succeeded to by an appropriate alternate as provided in these bylaws. In the case of an officer vacancy, only precinct committeemen and committee women can vote.
3. If there are no elected or appointed precinct committeemen or women serving in the county, the state central committee shall appoint a County Central Committee.
4. A vacancy in the office of Chair shall be filled by the Vice Chair.
C. Unless otherwise specified, vacancies on any committee or board shall be filled by vote of the members of such committee or board.
VI. Voting
A. Precinct committeemen and women are entitled to vote at all meetings of the JCDCC. Only precinct committeemen and women and the current Executive Committee Officers can vote at the county convention to elect officers.
B. Officers may vote at all meetings of the JCDCC
C. Other persons who may vote at regular Central Committee meetings include:
1. County officials elected on the Democratic Party ticket.
2. Democratic legislators representing all or part of Jefferson County.
3. State party executive board members residing in the county.
4. Montana executive branch officials elected on the Democratic ticket and residing in the county.
5. Registered voting members of the County Democrats.
D. Secret ballots can be used for voting on motions if requested by a majority of the members of the JCDCC, in attendance.
E. No proxies will be allowed in any matter voted on by the committee (Montana Democratic Party State Rule).
VII. Meetings
A. Meetings are to be conducted in a civil, respectful manner.
B. Regular meetings of the JCDCC shall be held on the fourth (4th) Wednesday of each month, unless otherwise planned with appropriate notice.
C. Meetings of the Central Committee may be called by the chair, or by five of the JCDCC’s members.
D. Reasonable notice of regular meetings or those called by the chair shall be provided by
the secretary to all JCDCC members and such other persons as may be deemed appropriate.
E. The members present shall constitute a quorum for meetings of the JCDCC.
F. The chair shall provide an agenda for all regularly scheduled meetings. The JCDCC may amend the order of business by a majority vote.
G. The bylaws contained in the current edition of Robert's Bylaws of Order shall govern in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws of the county organization and any special bylaws of order the organization may adopt.
VIII. Amendment and appeals
A. These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the JCDCC, or at a special meeting called for the purpose of amendment. These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at such meeting. Notice regarding the rule(s) to be amended, including the exact wording of the proposed amendment(s), must be sent to all persons eligible to vote at the Central Committee's meetings at least two (2) weeks prior to such meeting.
B. Any person eligible to vote at a meeting may appeal the application of these bylaws to the Chair, or to the Central Committee by motion. An appeal based on a claimed conflict with state law or Montana Democratic State Party bylaws may be appealed through a timely written protest to the State Chair.