| Plan of Organization and Rules of the Arapahoe County Democratic Party |
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PLAN OF ORGANIZATION
The name of this organization shall be the Arapahoe County Democratic Party, hereafter called the "Party".
The purpose of this Party shall be to elect Democrats to public office, facilitate elections, support the Democratic Party of the United States and the Democratic Party of the State of Colorado, identify issues that affect the health, welfare and happiness of present and future citizens of Arapahoe County, and develop Democratic positions on these issues.
Members of the Party shall be all persons properly registered with the Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder as Democrats.
While it is in session the County Assembly shall exercise all statutory powers given the Party. At all other times, the governing body of the party shall be the Central Committee, with full powers of the County Assembly. The Central Committee may delegate authority to the Executive Committee. The Chair shall carry out the mandate of the Central Committee and /or the Executive Committee.
A. Affirmative Action/Outreach. In order to create full participation by all Democrats in the Party, the Party shall adopt and implement an affirmative action program. All Party members shall be encouraged to participate in the delegate selection process, in all levels of the party organization, and as candidates. B. Non-Discrimination. Discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, or economic status in the conduct of party activities is prohibited. C. Open Meetings. All meetings of any Party Committee shall be open to any interested person. D.Fair Reflection. Delegates and Alternates to all party assemblies and conventions shall be chosen in a manner which fairly reflects the division of candidate preference, including uncommitted, expressed by those participating in the nominating process. E. Ethical Standards. The Party shall promote ethical guidelines for public officials, party officials, and candidates for public office. All candidates shall submit a Fair Campaign Practices Code affirmation with the letter of intent to seek the Party nomination. F. Gender. Whenever the masculine gender is used in these rules, it shall include the feminine, and vice versa. G. Assessments. No delegate to any assembly or convention, nor any candidate for party or public office shall be required to pay any assessment or to make a financial contribution as a condition of becoming or serving as a delegate or office holder.
A. Relationship to State Rules and Election Laws. These bylaws are intended to supplement and summarize the Plan of Organization and Rules of the Democratic Party of Colorado as they relate to County Parties. The Election Laws and the State Rules shall take precedence in the case of any discrepancies. B. Partisan Elections. The non-monetary resources of the Party, including, but not limited to, use of the office facilities and equipment, mailing lists and other information, shall be made available to all nominees of the Party in a fair and equitable manner. Financial contributions shall be awarded at the discretion of the Chair, upon the recommendation of the Campaign Funding Committee.
I. CENTRAL COMMITTEE A. Composition. The precinct committeepeople, and co-captains, the officers of each House District, Senate District, County Commissioner District, Captains, the officers of the Central Committee, and all Democrats elected to office at the county, state and national levels who reside in the county shall be members of the Central Committee; however, no person is entitled to more than one vote. B. Organizational Meeting. Between the first and fifteenth days of February of odd-numbered years, the Central Committee shall meet at the call of the Chair, who shall give at least ten days notice to all those entitled to attend. The incumbent chair shall call the meeting to order and preside until a new chair has been elected. The first order of business after the roll call shall be the election of the Chair, followed by the election of the other officers. At this meeting, the Central Committee shall also elect House, Senate and County Commissioner District officers, and members and alternates to the State Central Committee and the Congressional District Central Committees, in accordance with instructions provided by the State Party. C. Duties. 1. The Central Committee shall be the supreme governing body of the party except during sessions of the County Assembly. 2. The Central Committee shall meet at least once a year at the call of the Chair. Special meetings may be called at the written request of ten percent of the members of the Central Committee filed with the Chair within a period of fifteen days. It shall be the duty of the Chair within fifteen days from the receipt of such request to issue a call for a meeting of the County Central Committee. The date of the meeting shall be fixed by the Chair not later than thirty days nor less than ten days from the call. Ten days notice of all meetings shall be provided. 3. The Central Committee shall designate the time and place of all assemblies and conventions, and shall adopt a delegate selection plan for assemblies and conventions. 4. The Central Committee shall have the ultimate authority to decide all disputes under its jurisdiction. 5. The Central Committee may suspend these rules for a specific purpose, except for removal of officers, by a two-thirds vote of those in attendance. 6. The Central Committee shall elect officers in accordance with these rules, and shall have the right to ratify the actions of all committees, appointed or elected.
II.I. PRECINCT COMMITTEEPEOPLE A. Election and Term of Office. Two committeepeople shall be elected at each biennial precinct caucus. All people eligible by statute to vote at the caucus are eligible as candidates for this office. All disputes regarding election of committeepeople shall be resolved by the Credentials Committee of the County Party Assembly. Committeepeople shall serve for two years, until the subsequent caucus, unless removed for cause. B.. Duties and Responsibilities. 1. Representatives of the Party. As duly elected officers of the Party, precinct committeepeople are the representatives of the Democratic Party within their precincts, and have the right and privilege of representing the Democrats in their precincts at meetings of the Central Committee. 2. Responsibilities. Rights and privileges carry equivalent responsibilities, namely, to: a. Attend all Central Committee Meetings, or designate a proxy. b. Recruit party workers within the precinct and supervise their activities, as directed by the captains and House District officers. c. Distribute and/or supervise the distribution of the literature of the party within the precinct. d. Conduct and/or cause to be conducted within the precinct such registration drives and fund drives as shall be required by rule or resolution of the State Central Committee, the County Central Committee or by the duly authorized representatives of said Committees. e. Notify registered Democrats in the precinct of the time and place of the caucus. Support all nominees of the Party. Financial contributions are not required.
A. Elections and Term of Office. Any registered Democrat in Arapahoe County is eligible for election as an officer. Officers shall be elected at the biennial organizational meeting, and serve until the next such meeting, unless removed for cause.
1. Chair. The Chair shall be the chief executive officer of the Party, with all duties and obligations incumbent with the position, and shall carry out the mandate of the Central and Executive Committees, issue the call to and preside at all meetings of the Central and Executive Committees, serve as an ex-officio member of all committees, supervise the business and 2. First Vice Chair. The First Vice-Chair shall perform such tasks as assigned by the Chair necessary to carry out the duties of the Chair. In the absence of the Chair, the First Vice-Chair shall preside at all meetings and exercise all authority of the Chair. 3. Second Vice Chair. The Second Vice-Chair shall perform such tasks as requested by the Chair. 4. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Central and Executive Committees, maintain the files and records of the Party, oversee the operation the Headquarters, provide any information requested by the County Clerk or Secretary of State, and perform other duties as requested by the Chair. The Secretary may recruit one or more assistants, with the approval of the County Chair. The assistant(s) shall generally assist the Secretary and perform such tasks as requested by the Secretary. 5. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have custody of the funds of the Party, and shall make all payments mandated by the Party, provide written accounts of receipts and disbursements at each meeting of the Central and Executive Committees, prepare and file all financial reports required under State and Federal election laws, participate in the writing of each fiscal years budget, and serve on the Finance Committee. The Treasurer and other party officers permitted to draw on Party accounts shall be bonded for an amount set by the Executive Committee, the premium for which shall be paid by the Party. The Treasurer may recruit assistants, with the approval of the County Chair, who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Treasurer. C. Order of Succession. In the event of the resignation, absence, or disability of any officer, the responsibility for carrying out the functions of the party shall devolve upon the officers in the order listed above, until such time as the vacancy is filled, as provided for elsewhere in these Rules.
A. Composition. 1. Elected members. The officers of the Central Committee, the officers of the House Districts, the officers of the Senate Districts, the officers of the County Commissioner Districts, the captains elected at the biennial organizational meeting, and members of the State Central Committee, shall be members of the Executive Committee. 2. Captains-at -large. The Chair may appoint no more than twelve additional members, who shall be designated captains-at large. B. Terms of Office. Elected members shall serve until the next biennial organizational meeting, or until removed for cause, as provided for elsewhere in these rules . Appointed members serve at the pleasure of the chair. C. Meetings. At least two meetings shall be called each year by the Chair, who shall give at least ten days notice. D. Duties. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to approve and amend the budget presented each year by the officers. The Executive Committee shall exercise all the powers of the County Central Committee when the Central Committee is not in session. The Executive Committee shall assist the Chair in the control and management of the political campaigns of the party in the County.
A. Outreach/Affirmative Action Committee. 1. Composition. This committee shall be composed of one member elected from each House District, and at-large members to allow for equal representation by gender. The first meeting of the committee shall take place within thirty days of the biennial organization meeting. 2. Duties. The committee shall prepare a county affirmative action plan in compliance with state and national party guidelines, shall submit the plan for the consideration and approval of the Central Committee, and monitor the implementation of the plan.
1. Composition. The committee shall consist of three members appointed by the Chair within thirty days of the biennial organization meeting. 2. Duties. The committee shall perform a review of the Treasurer's accounts for the previous two-year term within 90 days of its appointment, and shall submit the review for approval by the Executive Committee. C. Rules Committee. 1. Composition. The committee shall have one member from each House District in the County, to be elected by the House District. The Party Chair shall appoint the Chair of the Rules Committee within thirty days of the biennial organization meeting. 2. Duties. The committee shall consider proposed amendments to these rules. Proposed amendments shall be submitted to the committee at least thirty days prior to the meeting of the Central Committee at which the amendment is to be considered. The Central Committee shall be notified of the intent to amend the rules ten days prior to the scheduled meeting. D. Finance Committee. 1. Composition. The Chair shall appoint no less than four and no more than ten members within thirty days of the biennial organizational meeting. The Treasurer, or the Treasurer's designee, shall be the Chair of the Finance Committee. 2. Duties. The committee shall assist the Treasurer in the preparation of the annual budget, and advise the Chair regarding the financial policies of the Party. E. Chair's Advisory Committee. 1. Composition. The County Party officers and House District, Senate District, and County Commissioner District Chairs, or their designees, shall serve on this committee. The Party Chair shall call and preside at the meetings of this committee. 2. Duties. The committee shall recommend appointments to fill vacancies in the Party organization, approve the agenda for Central Committee meetings, advise on the schedule of Party activities, and render any opinion requested by the Chair. The Executive Committee shall be notified of all recommendations by this committee. F. Campaign Committee. 1. Composition. The members of the committee shall be the County officers, House District, Senate District and Commissioner District Chairs or their designees, elected county officials not up for re-election, a former party officer to be named by the Chair, and one representative from the Finance committee to be selected by the committee. 2. Duties. The committee shall recommend a county campaign plan to the Executive Committee. G. Other Committees. The Chair shall appoint other committees as may be necessary from time to time.
A. Central Committee. All committeepeople, captains, and Democratic members of the Colorado General Assembly residing within the District, plus its officers and the Chair and First Vice-Chair of the Party shall be members of each House District, Senate District and County Commissioner District Central Committee. B. District Officers. The Central Committee of each House District, Senate District or County Commissioner District, or portion thereof, in the County shall elect a minimum of three and a maximum of five officers at the biennial organizational meeting. A chair, First Vice-Chair , Second Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer may be elected. Any registered Democrat in the District is eligible for such office. District Officers serve for two years until the next biennial organizational meeting, or until removed for cause as provided for elsewhere in these Rules. House District officers shall supervise the captains and captains shall serve as a liaison between the Party officers and committeepeople. House District, Senate District and County Commissioner District officers shall recruit a candidate for the District, and arrange for and conduct all District meetings. They are members of the Central and Executive Committees. C. Captains. House District Chairs shall propose captaincy districts at their discretion, save that no captaincy district shall have less that five precincts. Captains shall be elected by all the committeepeople of the House District at the biennial organizational meeting. They shall serve for two years until the next biennial organizational meeting, or until removed for cause as provided for elsewhere in these rules. D. Meetings. The District Chair shall call such meetings as necessary to inform the captains and committeepeople of the activities of the County Party and the District. A meeting of the House District must be called to ratify any redrawing of captaincy districts and/or reassigning of captains by the District officers. E. Duties. The primary responsibility of the House District and Senate District organizations is to nominate and campaign for a candidate for the Colorado General Assembly. Each House District shall also elect members of committees as provided for elsewhere in these rules. The primary responsibility of the County Commissioner District organization is to nominate and campaign for a candidate for the County Commission. VII. VACANCIES. A vacancy shall exist when an incumbent resigns, moves from his jurisdiction, dies, or is removed for cause. A. Precinct Committee people. House District Chairs, with the approval of the Chair, shall appoint a person residing within the precinct to fill a vacancy no less than thirty days prior to the next meeting of the Central Committee. The Central Committee shall then ratify all such appointments. B. Officers. 1. Chair. A vacancy shall be filled within thirty days by the Central Committee on the call of the First Vice-Chair, or in the absence of the First Vice-Chair, by the Second Vice-Chair. The call shall be issued within ten days of the occurrence of the vacancy. 2. Other Officers. The office shall be filled by election at the first meeting of the Central Committee after the vacancy occurs. The Executive Committee may make an interim appointment at its discretion. C. House, Senate, and County Commissioner District Officers. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as those for officers of the Central Committee omitting the reference to the Executive Committee. D. Captains. House District Chairs shall fill such vacancies by appointment, subject to the approval of the House District Central Committee, at least thirty days prior to the next Executive Committee or Central Committee meeting, whichever comes first. E. Members of Affiliated Committees. Such vacancies shall be filled at the discretion of the person who made the appointment. F. Members of Committees of Assemblies and Conventions. Such vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the House District Chair of the District in which the vacancy occurred.
A. Resignations. Resignations of Committeepeople, County Party officers, House, Senate or County Commissioner District officers, members of the Central Committee, or any standing committees of the Party shall be made in writing to the County Chair. Resignation of the County Chair shall be made in writing to the State Party Chair. The County Chair and/or Party Secretary shall request in writing a written statement of resignation from anyone whose resignation has been verbal. If no reply is received within ten days of this request, the position shall be considered vacant. B. Removals. 1. Causes. a. Officers, House, Senate and County Commissioner District Chairs, Captains and Committeepeople may be removed for the following: (1) Willful and intentional conduct in violation of these Party Rules. (2) Aiding and supporting any other political party other than the Democratic party. (3) Aiding and supporting any political candidate opposing a nominee of the Democratic party. (4) Conviction of a felony or crime of moral turpitude. (5) Failure to perform the functions of the office or to fulfill the responsibilities as outlined in these Rules. b. Executive Committee. The executive committee may remove one of its members by majority vote for failure to attend three consecutive meetings. Such person may still hold the office which entitled him to a position on the Executive Committee. 2. Procedure. Notice of the time and place of the meetings at which a removal is to be considered shall be provided ten days in advance to the person being considered for removal, along with written explanation of the causes to be considered. Every person shall have the right to appear at such a meeting to answer the charges. a. County Party Officers. A majority of the Central Committee members may call a special meeting of the Central Committee for the purposes of removing an officer for cause. Such action may also be considered at any regular meeting of the Central Committee, provided due notice is given to the person being considered for removal. Two-thirds of those present and voting may remove an officer for cause. b. District Officers. A majority of the committeepeople in the District may call a meeting of its Central Committee to consider such removals. The vote for removal must be by two-thirds of those present and voting. A simple majority of the committeepeople in the District shall constitute a quorum. c. Captains. House District Chairs may dismiss captains for any of the causes listed above, such action to be ratified by majority of the vote at the next meeting of the House District Central Committee. This body may also initiate such action. d. Precinct Committee people. Committeepeople may be removed by a two-thirds vote of those present at a meeting of the Central or Executive Committees. e. Right of appeal. Anyone who has been removed from office may appeal the removal at the next meeting of the Central Committee. A two-thirds majority of members present may vote to reinstate such person. Part Three: NOMINATING SYSTEM
B. Reading of Rules. The person calling the caucus to order shall read a statement of caucus rules and procedures provided by the Party, and shall distribute copies of them. C. Elections. The caucus shall then select a chair and a secretary and proceed to elect the allotted number of delegates to the County Assembly and/or Convention in a manner provided for in the rules, and elect two committeepeople. D. Certification. The officers of the caucus shall prepare a certified list of the names of the delegates to the County Assembly and/or Convention and the committeepeople from the precinct on the forms supplied by the Party and shall submit them to the Chair at Headquarters as soon as possible, and no later than noon of the following day. E.. Qualifications for Participating in Caucuses. Any interested person may attend a caucus, but those eligible to vote and be elected as delegates and committeepeople are limited by Colorado law, which shall be explained in plain language in the rules provided by the Party for the conduct of the caucuses.
A. Agendas for Assemblies and Conventions: The following items must be included, but the order shall be recommended by the committee on Permanent Organization: 1. Call to order by the Chairman of the Central Committee; 2. Selection of temporary officers; 3. Roll call; 4. Reports of committees on Credentials and Permanent Organization; 5. Recess; 6. Action on reports of committees on credentials and permanent organization; 7. Election of a permanent chair, secretary and other officers. 8. A specific time for the conduct of preference polls, if such is mandated by the delegate selection plan. 9. Report of Resolutions Committee; 10. Designation of candidates for direct primary election; 11. Selection of delegates to the State Assembly and /or Convention; 12. Establishment of a committee to fill vacancies in nominations for public office; 13. Other business; 14. Adjournment. B. Assemblies. 1. Purpose. Assemblies shall be held in each even-numbered year to designate candidates for public office, elect delegates to the State Assembly, and conduct other business as determined by these rules and the call. Candidates shall be designated for county-wide offices in the years so designated, and for state House and Senate, and County Commissioner Districts. 2. Date, Time and Place. The Central Committee shall fix a date not less than ten days nor more than thirty days after precinct caucuses. It may delegate its authority to set the date, time and place. The Assembly shall be at least one week before the State Assembly, and shall be in Arapahoe County. It is the duty of the Chair to issue a call to all those entitled to attend the Assembly at least ten days beforehand. 3. Designating Candidates. The Assembly shall take no more than two ballots upon candidates for each office to be filled. Every candidate receiving thirty percent or more of the votes of the delegates to the Assembly shall be certified by the presiding officer and secretary of the Assembly . If no candidate receives thirty percent or more of the votes, there shall be a second ballot cast on all the candidates for that office. If on the second ballot no candidate receives thirty percent or more of the votes cast, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be certified as candidates for that office by the Assembly. a. Tied votes. If two or more candidates receiving designation under these provisions receive an equal number of votes, the order of certification of designation shall be determined by lot drawn by the candidates. b. Certification. The chair and secretary of the Assembly shall make such certification of designation for direct primary election and other certificates as are required by law. They shall be responsible for filing the certificates in the office of the County Clerk. C. Conventions. 1. Purpose. Conventions are held in presidential election years to select delegates to the State Convention, which selects delegates to the National Convention. 2. The Convention shall be held in conjunction with the Assembly.
A. Selection. Delegates and alternates to assemblies and conventions shall be elected at the precinct caucus in accordance with a Delegate Selection Plan approved by the Central Committee. The Plan shall conform to guidelines from the State Party and the Affirmative Action Committee. B. Certification. The Credentials Committee shall have the responsibility of determining whether a delegate has been chosen in accordance with the Delegate Selection Plan. Final certification shall be on a vote of the Assembly or Convention to accept the report of the Credentials Committee. C. Alternates. A caucus, assembly or convention may elect one alternate for each delegate elected. IV. COMMITTEES OF ASSEMBLIES AND CONVENTION A. Composition: Each House District shall elect one member of each of four committees at the Central Committee meeting immediately preceding the Assembly or Convention. The chair of each committee shall be appointed by the County Chair. B. Committees. 1. The Permanent Organization Committee shall recommend to the Assembly or Convention an agenda and the order and time schedule of business; submit a list of the permanent officers of the Assembly or Convention for action by the body; recommend the composition of Legislative District and County Vacancy Committees; set time limits on speeches and debate; establish a way to complete the Platform if it is not adopted fully during the Assembly; and make any other recommendations it deems appropriate. 2. Credentials Committee a. Duties. The committee shall recommend the certification of delegates to assemblies and conventions, and resolve any controversies over the seating of delegates. No member shall wear any campaign material the day of the assembly or convention. This committee shall also ratify the election of committeepeople chosen at the caucus. b. Procedure. (1) Challenges. Anyone desiring to contest the qualifications of any delegate, or the conduct or result of any precinct caucus, shall file a protest with the county chair within seven days following the caucus. The person filing the protest shall have a hearing by the committee prior to the assembly or convention. (2) Resolution of disputes a. The committee shall schedule a hearing at which all interested parties shall be heard. b. The committee may take any one or more of the following actions upon determination of a valid challenge: 1) Deny certification of the challenged delegate 2) Reallocate votes among unchallenged delegates 3) Certify delegates and alternates 4) Certify an alternate delegation 5) Any other action which insures fair representation of all disputes. c. A written finding of fact shall be made after the resolution of all disputes. 3. The Resolutions Committee shall meet prior to the assembly of convention to draw up a document which expresses the principles and opinions of the party. Resolutions adopted at the precinct caucuses shall be duly considered. A copy of the report (the Platform) shall be made available to each delegate prior to the convening of the assembly or convention. The report may be amended from the floor, and shall be adopted in a manner prescribed by the Permanent Organization Committee.
A. Delegates. Absent delegates may only be replaced by alternates elected at the same time and place as the delegate. B. Candidates. The Assembly shall create vacancy committees for the positions under its jurisdiction. These committees may designate a candidate if the Assembly fails to do so, or fill a vacancy created by the withdrawal or death of a candidate.
B . The Party shall notify all newspapers in the County of the date, time and place of the precinct caucuses, and the rules, procedures and requirements for participation. C. Any person wishing to be nominated by an Assembly shall make known his intent to the Chair at least ten days prior to the Assembly. D. The party shall make every effort to notify the public of all meetings, assemblies and conventions in order that all interested people may attend.
A. Secret Ballot. Balloting must be secret at a precinct caucus if anyone requests that it be so. At other meetings, a secret ballot must be requested by a motion, and adopted by a majority in an open vote. B. Half votes. Caucuses, assemblies and conventions may not provide for one-half votes. C. Proxies. A proxy is written authorization for one person to vote on behalf of another at a meeting of a committee. 1. No person may carry more than one proxy. 2. A proxy must be given only to a person who resides in the same legislative district, or in the political subdivision for which the member was elected, and in the jurisdiction of the Central Committee involved. 3. The person giving the proxy may write instructions on it, and they shall be honored. 4. No proxy voting is permitted at any caucus, assembly, or convention, or in any meeting relating to the nominating process. 5. Proxies are permitted at the Central and Executive Committee meetings.
A quorum of any body is the number competent to transact business. A. Central Committee meetings. Forty percent of the whole number of members shall constitute a quorum. B. Executive Committee meetings. Forty percent of the whole number of members shall constitute a quorum. C. Assemblies and Conventions. A majority of the whole number of elected delegates shall constitute a quorum. IV. CONTROVERSIES AND COMPLAINTS All complaints regarding non-compliance with these Rules, or with State or Federal law, and requiring action by the Party, shall be submitted in writing to the Chair. If the person complaining can submit the signatures of ten percent of the members of the Central Committee, within a period of fifteen days after the action alleged to be in non-compliance with the rules occurred, a special meeting shall be called to consider the complaint. The Chair may appoint a committee to meet prior to the Central Committee meeting and submit a report for acceptance. Commonly recognized standards of due process shall be followed in considering the resolving of the complaint.
A copy of these Rules shall be made available at no charge for anyone requesting one.
Amendments to these rules shall be as provided in Part Two, Section V, Article C ("Rule Committee"). No action on the part of the State Party or the General Assembly shall automatically change these rules. They may be changed only by amendment on a two-thirds vote of the Central Committee.
Any procedure which is not prescribed in or governed by these Rules shall be governed by the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order.
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