Montgomery County
Democratic Central Committee
Handbook
Table of Contents
Page | ||
Introduction | 1 | |
Part 1: Rules | ||
1.1 | By-Laws of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee ………….. | 3 |
2.1 | Precinct Organization Rules (Rules Governing Qualifications, Elections, and | |
Meetings of Democratic Precinct Officials of Montgomery County, Maryland) | 10 | |
3.1 | Maryland Democratic Party Constitution ………………………………………... | 24 |
4.1 | Maryland Democratic Party By-Laws …………………………………………… | 26 |
5.1 | [reserved] …………………………………………………………………………. | 37 |
6.1 | Affirmative Action ……………………………………………………………….. | 38 |
7.1 | Annual County Brunch …………………………………………………………... | 39 |
8.1 | Area Coordinators ………………………………………………………………... | 40 |
9.1 | Assistant Secretary of the Central Committee …………………………………… | 46 |
10.1 | Assistant Treasurer of the Central Committee …………………………………… | 50 |
11.1 | Attendance at Central Committee Meetings …………………………………….. | 51 |
12.1 | Audits …………………………………………………………………………….. | 53 |
12A.1 | Awards …………………………………………………………………………… | 54 |
12B.1 | Ballot Inspections ………………………………………………………………… | 55 |
13.1 | Ballot Questions ………………………………………………………………….. | 56 |
14.1 | Bereavements and Recognitions …………………………………………………. | 61 |
15.1 | Board of Elections of Montgomery County ……………………………………… | 65 |
15.1 | Filling Seats on the Board ……………………………………………………… | 65 |
15.2 | Communications with the Board ………………………………………………. | 66 |
15.3 | Certification of Elections by the Board ………………………………………… | 67 |
16.1 | Bonding Requirements …………………………………………………………… | 68 |
17.1 | Bulletin Boards …………………………………………………………………... | 69 |
18.1 | Calendar ………………………………………………………………………….. | 70 |
18A.1 | Candidate Vacancies ……………………………………………………………... | 71 |
19.1 | Chair of the Central Committee ………………………………………………….. | 80 |
20.1 | Chaplain ………………………………………………………………………….. | 89 |
21.1 | Clubs and Caucuses ……………………………………………………………… | 90 |
21.1 | Maryland State Democratic Policies …………………………………………… | 90 |
21.2 | Montgomery County Democratic Party Policies ………………………………. | 93 |
21.3 | Organizations Chartered by the MCDCC ……………………………………… | 100 |
22.1 | Committees ………………………………………………………………………. | 101 |
23.1 | Comptroller ………………………………………………………………………. | 105 |
24.1 | Computers ………………………………………………………………………... | 106 |
24.1 | Computer Committee ………………………………………………………….. | 106 |
24.1 | Purchase of Computers ………………………………………………………… | 106 |
24.1 | Computer Use Guidelines ……………………………………………………… | 106 |
25.1 | Contracts …………………………………………………………………………. | 107 |
25A.1 | Contributions to the Central Committee …………………………………………. | 108 |
26.1 | County Council Redistricting Commission ……………………………………… | 109 |
Table of Contents (continued) | ||
Page | ||
27.1 | County Council Vacancies ……………………………………………………….. | 111 |
28.1 | County Executive Vacancies …………………………………………………….. | 112 |
29.1 | County Fair ……………………………………………………………………… | 113 |
30.1 | Data and Records—Custody and Release ………………………………………. | 114 |
30.1 | Examination of Records ……………………………………………………….. | 114 |
30.1 | Policy Regarding Release of Data …………………………………………….. | 114 |
30.2 | Printouts of Registered Voters ………………………………………………… | 115 |
30.3 | Availability of Specific Reports ………………………………………………. | 115 |
31.1 | Democratic Forum ………………………………………………………………. | 116 |
32.1 | District Liaisons …………………………………………………………………. | 118 |
33.1 | Dollars Drive …………………………………………………………………….. | 119 |
34.1 | Duplicating Services …………………………………………………………….. | 123 |
34A.1 | Election Judges …………………………………………………………………... | 124 |
34B.1 | Emeritus Positions ……………………………………………………………….. | 125 |
Executive Committee ……………………………………………………………. | 127 | |
Finance Law Opinion ……………………………………………………………. | 128 | |
35.1 | Funds for the Central Committee ………………………………………………… | 129 |
36.1 | Funds of the Precincts …………………………………………………………… | 131 |
37.1 | Headquarters Volunteer Corps ………………………………………………….. | 134 |
37A.1 | Holiday Observances ……………………………………………………………. | 135 |
38.1 | Holiday Party ……………………………………………………………………. | 136 |
38A.1 | Incorporation ……………………………………………………………………. | 137 |
39.1 | Judicial Elections ………………………………………………………………… | 138 |
40.1 | Labor Advisory Committee …………………………………………………….. | 141 |
41.1 | Legal Counsel …………………………………………………………………… | 143 |
42.1 | Legislative Issues ………………………………………………………………… | 144 |
42.1 | Considerations by the Precinct Organization ………………………………….. | 144 |
42.1 | Consideration by the Central Committee ……………………………………… | 144 |
43.1 | Legislative Vacancies ……………………………………………………………. | 147 |
44.1 | Liaison I, Liaison II, and District Meetings ……………………………………… | 157 |
44A.1 | Lobbyists ………………………………………………………………………… | 158 |
45.1 | Mail Services …………………………………………………………………….. | 159 |
46.1 | Meetings of the Central Committee ……………………………………………… | 160 |
46A.1 | Composition of Central Committees—Maryland Election Law ………………. | 162 |
47.1 | Municipal Elections ……………………………………………………………… | 165 |
48.1 | Newsletter ……………………………………………………………………….. | 166 |
48.1 | Content ………………………………………………………………………… | 166 |
48.6 | Advertising Rates and Advertising Policy …………………………………….. | 171 |
48.8 | Distribution and Subscriptions ………………………………………………… | 172 |
48.9 | Unpublished Material ………………………………………………………….. | 173 |
49.1 | Office Manager, Office Secretary, Executive Secretary, Information Systems | |
Manager, and Campaign Coordinator …………………………………………… | 174 | |
49A.1 | Office Space | |
50.1 | Officers of the Central Committee ………………………………………………. | 176 |
Table of Contents (continued) | ||
Page | ||
50A.1 | Payments …………………………………………………………………………. | 178 |
51.1 | Personnel Procedures ……………………………………………………………. | 179 |
52.1 | Plowman and Fisherman ………………………………………………………… | 181 |
53.1 | Precinct Boundaries and Redistricting …………………………………………… | 182 |
54.1 | Precinct Chair and Vice Chair Elections and Eligibility to Serve ……………….. | 186 |
55.1 | Precinct Chair and Vice Chair Vacancies ……………………………………….. | 187 |
55.1 | Filling Vacancies ………………………………………………………………. | 187 |
55.4 | Creating and Declaring Vacancies …………………………………………….. | 189 |
55A.1 | Precinct Directories ……………………………………………………………… | 191 |
56.1 | Precinct Newsletters …………………………………………………………….. | 192 |
56A.1 | Presidential Electors …………………………………………………………….. | 193 |
57.1 | Primary Elections ……………………………………………………………….. | 195 |
57.1 | Endorsements ………………………………………………………………….. | 195 |
57.1 | Services Available to Democratic Party Candidates …………………………… | 195 |
57.3 | Use of Party Headquarters …………………………………………………….. | 197 |
57.3 | Judicial Candidates ……………………………………………………………. | 197 |
57.3 | Presidential Candidates ………………………………………………………… | 197 |
57.4 | Precinct Funds ………………………………………………………………….. | 197 |
58.1 | Proxy Voting ……………………………………………………………………... | 198 |
58.1 | Maryland State Democratic Central Committee ………………………………. | 198 |
58.1 | Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee ………………………… | 198 |
59.1 | Publications of the Party ………………………………………………………… | 200 |
60.1 | Safety Deposit Box ………………………………………………………………. | 202 |
61.1 | Scholarship Program …………………………………………………………….. | 203 |
62.1 | School Board Elections ………………………………………………………….. | 205 |
62.1 | General Policy …………………………………………………………………. | 205 |
62.1 | Sample Ballots …………………………………………………………………. | 205 |
62.2 | Endorsements by Clubs ………………………………………………………… | 206 |
62.3 | Use of the Democratic Tent at the County Fair ……………………………….. | 206 |
63.1 | Secretary of the Central Committee …………………………………………….. | 207 |
63A.1 | Special Elections …………………………………………………………………. | 212 |
64.1 | Spring Ball ……………………………………………………………………….. | 213 |
64.1 | Tickets …………………………………………………………………………. | 213 |
64.2 | Advertisement Book …………………………………………………………… | 213 |
64.4 | Awards …………………………………………………………………………. | 215 |
64.10 | Campaign Literature ……………………………………………………………. | 221 |
65.1 | State Central Committee – Montgomery County Members ……………………... | 222 |
66.1 | Statements Critical of Democratic Officials ……………………………………... | 224 |
67.1 | Stationery ………………………………………………………………………… | 225 |
68.1 | Student Participation …………………………………………………………….. | 226 |
69.1 | Treasurer of the Central Committee ……………………………………………… | 229 |
70.1 | Trustees …………………………………………………………………………... | 231 |
71.1 | Vacancies on the Central Committee ……………………………………………. | 236 |
72.1 | Vice Chair of the Central Committee ……………………………………………. | 242 |
Table of Contents (continued) | ||
Page | ||
73.1 | Voter Registration ……………………………………………………………….. | 245 |
74.1 | Web Site …………………………………………………………………………. | 247 |
75.1 | Chronological Table of Standing Rules ………………………………………….. | 253 |
76.1 | Cross References from the Precinct Organization Rules ………………………… | 269 |
76.1A | Cross References from the Constitution of the State of Maryland ………………. | 270 |
77.1 | Cross References from the Maryland State Election Code (COMAR) ………….. | 271 |
77A.1 | Cross References from Judicial Decisions ………………………………………. | 272 |
77B.1 | Cross References from the Maryland Attorney General Opinions and Letters ….. | 272 |
77C.1 | Cross References from the Open Meetings Compliance Board Opinions ……….. | 272 |
78.1 | Cross References from the Charter of Montgomery County …………………….. | 272 |
79.1 | Cross References from the Bylaws of the Democratic Party of the United States . | 273 |
80.1 | Cross References from the Constitution and Bylaws of the Maryland Democratic | 274 |
Party | ||
81.1 | Cross References from the Bylaws of the Montgomery County Democratic | 274 |
Central Committee | ||
82.1 | Cross References from the Montgomery County Democratic Party Rules | 274 |
Introduction to the First Edition
As a member of the Montgomery County Democratic central Committee, (MCDCC), you have taken on a major responsibility to your constituents, your party, your county and your state. You are a member of the governing body of the Montgomery County Democratic Party. As a member of the MCDCC, you are also automatically a voting member of the Maryland State Democratic Central Committee—the governing body of the State Democratic Party.
This handbook has been compiled to help you deal with these twin responsibilities. The handbook contains the major documents of the State and County Democratic Parties, provisions
of state and county law that grant authority and responsibilities to the Central Committee, and a compilations (arranged by subject) of the internal procedures adopted over the years by the Montgomery County Central Committee. The handbook also contains rosters of elected officials and precinct officials from throughout Montgomery County.
It is hoped that, as time goes on, you will add budgetary documents, updates to the rosters, materials on the Maryland presidential delegate selection process, and other useful information to this handbook.
The responsibility for any errors in this compilation is mine. Any suggestions for corrections or improvements to this handbook would be greatly appreciated. A special Thanks goes to Linda Ross, who suggested the physical layout of the handbook; Joseph Hooper, who oversaw the printing and assembly of the handbook; Don Spence and George Leventhal who both (during their respective terms as Chair of the MCDCC) urged me to compile this work; and to all of the MCDCC secretaries and office managers since November 1966 who recorded and preserved the minutes and records of the Central Committee. An extra special thanks goes to Chris Swan Chabot (my bride of two-and-a-half months) who suggested the Chronological Table of Standing Rules as well as other features throughout the handbook.
Elliot C. Chabot
Secretary, MCDCC
September 14, 1998
Update by Rules Committee and Alan Banov, 2015-2016
Rules
The Secretary will maintain a current and correct compilation of the governing documents of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (including the Bylaws of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee; the Rules Governing Qualifications, Elections and Meetings of Democratic Precinct Officials of Montgomery County, Maryland; and the standing rules of the Central Committee). The Secretary will publish a copy of this compilation as the Rules section of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee Handbook. The Rules section of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee Handbook will constitute the “Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee” for purposes of the Maryland Elections Code…
Article XIII of the Bylaws of the
Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee
BYLAWS OF
THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE
ARTICLE I
Section 1. Name: The name of this organization shall be the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, hereafter referred to as the Committee.
ARTICLE II
Section 1. Objectives: The purpose of the Committee shall be to act as the governing body of the Democratic Party in Montgomery County, Maryland. This committee shall have the full power and authority to act in respect to all matters pertaining to the organization, maintenance, conduct, affairs and interests of the Democratic Party in Montgomery County, Maryland. It shall be the responsibility of this organization to promote, establish and conduct political campaigns in Montgomery County, Maryland for the nominees of the Democratic Party and to act as spokesman for the Democratic Party in this County on all questions of public policy.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership: This committee shall consist of members of the Democratic Party, elected as provided by law in the Election Laws of the State of Maryland.
Section l(a). Gender Balance Members. In addition to the members who are elected in the Democratic primary and those who are selected by this Committee to replace elected members, whenever there is an unequal number of female and male members, this Committee will select sufficient gender balance members so as to make its membership equally divided between women and men. These members will be full and equal members of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee in every way including the ability to speak, make and second motions, hold office, vote on all matters before the Central Committee including legislative vacancies, committee vacancies, and officer elections.
ARTICLE IV
Section 1. Officers: Officers of the Committee shall be elected from its membership and shall be Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer elected by a majority of the full membership.
Section 2. Election of Officers: Beginning September 1, 1998, officers will be elected at the meeting of the Committee to be convened at the permanent party headquarters on (1) the first Tuesday after the Gubernatorial Primary Election following the date of certification of election of all voting members of the Committee, and (2) the second Tuesday in December following the Presidential general Election. The officers will assume duty immediately and serve until their successors are elected and qualified. Any officers of the Committee may be relieved of their duties by a two-thirds (2/3rd) vote of the total membership of the Committee, taken at a meeting specifically called for such a purpose upon not less than ten (10) days’ notice.
Section 3. Vacancies: Resignations by MCDCC members and gender-balance members must be given to the members by written notice (including electronic communications) and will be effective at the beginning of roll call at the next MCDCC meeting. After learning of any vacancy, the Secretary will promptly notify the members. [Amended Apr. 12, 2016]
ARTICLE V
Section 1. Duties of the Chair: The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Committee, preserve order during the deliberations, appoint sub-committees with the consent of the Committee and serve as ex-officio member of such sub-committees and sign appropriate documents in connection with the work of the Committee. In addition, he/she shall have other powers and duties as may be granted to the Chair from time to time by resolution of the Committee.
Section 2. Duties of the Vice Chair: The Vice Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair in the Chair’s absence, and shall serve as Acting Chair in the event of a vacancy in the office of Chair, until such a time as a new Chair is elected.
Section 3. Duties of the Secretary (and in the Secretary’s absence, the Assistant Secretary): The Secretary shall have charge of all books, papers, records, and other documents of the Committee, shall complete statistics and other data as may be required for the use of members of the Committee and shall perform other duties as may be directed by the Committee. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of meetings of the Committee and as promptly as possible mail same to each member of the Committee. All records shall be maintained at the permanent office of the Committee.
Section 4. Duties of the Treasurer (and in the Secretary’s absence, the Assistant Treasurer): The Treasurer shall keep accounts of all monies the Committee receives and disburses and shall deposit all monies and valuables in the name and to the credit of the Committee in such banks and depositories as the Committee shall designate by appropriate resolution. The Treasurer shall provide a surety bond in the amount of not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), the cost of the bond to be borne by the Committee. The Treasurer shall submit a financial report at all regular meetings of the Committee. The Treasurer shall prepare and present as annual budget to the Committee. All expenditures shall be authorized by the Treasurer and shall be paid upon presentation of receipted bills or vouchers.
Section 5. Executive Committee
[Banov note: This section was added at the May 10, 2016 meeting of MCDCC.]
ARTICLE VI
Section 1. Finances: The Committee shall have the authority to raise funds as necessary for the implementation of the budget of the Committee.
Section 2. Audit: An annual audit shall be conducted by an accountant who is not a member of the committee. The results of this audit shall be available at the June meeting of the committee.
ARTICLE VII
Section 1. Meetings: Meetings of the Committee shall be held not less than ten (10) times in each calendar year. The Chair shall call all regular or statutory meetings. In the event of neglect, failure, or refusal, the Vice Chair or Secretary shall call such regular or statutory meetings.
Section 2. Emergency or special meetings may be called by the Chair or a majority of the Committee.
Section 3. Notice of the time and place of any meeting shall be mailed, postage prepaid, with a copy of the proposed agenda to each member of the Committee at least three (3) days prior to such a meeting; provided that in case of emergency any reasonable notice shall be sufficient.
Section 4. Any action within the power of the Committee may be taken at any regular meeting.
Section 5. Quorum: A majority of the members of this organization in person shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If, at any meeting of this organization, or a committee thereof, a quorum is not present, those present may recess from time to time until a quorum shall be present.
Section 6. Voting shall be in person or by proxy. All proxies shall be in writing, dated, signed by the proxy giver, and designate the person by whom the proxy is to be cast. All proxies shall set forth the specific issue upon which it is to be voted and the nature of the vote. Such proxies shall be valid only for the meeting next following the date of the proxy.
Section 7. The following order of business shall be observed at all meetings as far as applicable:
Section 8. A two-thirds majority of those voting shall be required for adoption of the official Democratic Party position on ballot questions and marking of the official sample ballot.
Section 9. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order will govern the Committee in cases which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws or any special rules of order the Committee may adopt.
ARTICLE VIII
Section 1. Headquarters: The Committee shall establish and maintain a permanent party headquarters, the site to be determined by the Committee. This headquarters shall be staffed as deemed necessary by the Committee in order to provide the necessary services for efficient governing of the Democratic Party.
Section 2. Staff: The Committee may employ a full time executive secretary and such other staff as the Committee shall deem necessary, and who shall perform such duties as are assigned to him/her. No member of the staff of the Committee shall be permitted to participate in any Democratic primary on behalf of any candidate or slate of candidates.
ARTICLE IX
Section 1. The Chair shall appoint such standing committees as may be deemed necessary.
Section 2. Appointment of Standing Committees: The Chair shall name the membership on all standing committees and will designate the member who will be chair. Membership on standing committees need not be restricted to members of the Democratic Central Committee.
ARTICLE X
Section 1. Amendments: These Bylaws may be amended in the following manner: by resolution submitted to a regular meeting of the Committee and acted upon at the next meeting of the Committee by a favorable two-thirds (2/3) vote of the total membership, notice to be given to the members of the Committee in writing at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting of the final voting upon the proposed amendment and a copy of the amendment must be sent along with the meeting notice to each member of the Committee.
ARTICLE XI
In addition to the seats on the Central Committee provided by elsewhere in these Bylaws, there shall be two seats on the Central Committee which shall be filled in the same manner as vacancies on the Central Committee are filled, provided that the occupants of these two additional seats are to be students and are to be of opposite genders.
The Chair of the Central Committee will appoint one of the two student members as the Chair of the Student Volunteer Mobilization Committee and will appoint the other student member as the Chair of the Student Club Organizing Committee. The Chair of the Central Committee will also appoint one member of the Central Committee to serve as Vice Chair of the Student Volunteer Mobilization Committee and one member of the Central Committee to serve as Vice Chair of the Student Club Organizing Committee.
The Central Committee may, by rule, set additional qualifications and responsibilities for the student members, set the length of office of the student members, and set the responsibilities of the Student Volunteer Mobilization Committee and the Student Club Organizing Committee. The student members of the Central Committee are entitled to all rights and privileges of voting members of the Central Committee and are subject to all of the same responsibilities as voting members of the Central Committee, except that they (1) are not entitled to vote at meetings of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee or the Maryland Democratic Central Committee, and (2) are not required to attend the meetings of the Maryland Democratic Central Committee.
ARTICLE XII
Section 1. Attendance: Any member of the Central Committee who fails to attend (for whatever reason) a majority of the Central Committee meetings during a twelve month period will be deemed to have resigned and their resignation automatically accepted. Submission of a proxy does not constitute attendance for these purposes.
Section 2. Secretary’s Report: At each meeting of the Central Committee, the Secretary will present a report indicating the number of absences during the last twelve month period for each member of the Central Committee. In the event that a member is resigned pursuant to section 1, the Secretary will promptly notify the member and the Secretary and Executive Director of the Maryland State Democratic Party.
Section 3. Definitions: For the purposes of this article:
Section 4. Telephone participation: For purposes of section 1, a member of the Central Committee who participates in substantially an entire Central Committee meeting by telephone, shall be deemed to have attended such meeting. A member of the Central Committee may use this provision no more than twice during a 12-month period. The Central Committee may by rule,
ARTICLE XIII
The Secretary will maintain a current and correct compilation of the governing documents of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (including the Bylaws of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee; the Rules Governing Qualifications, Elections and Meetings of the Democratic Precinct Officials of Montgomery County, Maryland; and the standing rules of the Central Committee). The Secretary will publish a copy of this compilation as the Rules section of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee Handbook. The Rules section of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee Handbook will constitute the “Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee” for purposes of the Maryland Elections Code[1]. Within thirty days after the adoption of any change to these documents, the Secretary will transmit appropriate replacement pages of the handbook to (1) each member of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, (2) The Maryland State Democratic Central Committee, (3) the Maryland State Board of Elections, and (4) the Montgomery County Board of Elections. Notwithstanding this policy, the failure of replacement pages to be properly distributed shall not invalidate or suspend the operation of any amendment to the governing documents of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (or any new governing document) that has otherwise been properly adopted[2].
EFFECTIVE DATE
These Bylaws shall go into effect and become effective immediately upon their adoption, said date being 9/6/67. [Amended 3/12/75, 4/26/78, 4/11/95, 7/9/96, 5/13/97, 1/13/98, 5/11/99, 7/13/99, 3/9/10.]
RULES GOVERNING QUALIFICATIONS, ELECTIONS, AND MEETINGS
OF DEMOCRATIC PRECINCT OFFICIALS
OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND
The strength of the Democratic Party depends in large measure upon effective precinct organization and administration. In order to promote the objectives and purposes of the Democratic Party in the County, State and Nation, including the rules on Party participation and affirmative action set forth in the Charter of the Democratic Party and its bylaws, the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (democratic Central Committee) and Montgomery County Democratic Precinct Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons (Precinct Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons) hereby adopt the following rules with respect to the qualifications, duties and election of precinct officials and area coordinators, subject to such amendments or modifications as may be made from time to time by the Democratic Central Committee, provided, however, and to the extent permitted by law, that no such amendment or modification by the Central Committee shall be adopted without the prior approval of a majority of the duly-qualified Precinct Chairpersons, [and] Vice Chairpersons and Area Coordinators present and voting at a legally called meeting and provided further that a majority of such Precinct Chairpersons, [and] Vice Chairpersons and Area Coordinators may themselves initiate amendments and modifications which shall become effective upon ratification by the Central Committee.
These Rules are divided into six (6) parts:
SECTION A – Precinct Offices and Qualifications
SECTION B – Area Coordinators
SECTION C – Functions and Duties of Precinct Officials
SECTION D – Election Procedures
SECTION E – Rules Governing Meetings of Democratic Precinct Officials
SECTION F – Effective Date
SECTION A – Precinct Offices and Qualifications
1. Registered Offices.
The registered Democratic voters of each Precinct in Montgomery County shall elect a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson, who shall serve for a period of four (4) years from the date of election or until their successors are elected or appointed, as provided for hereafter in these rules
2. Other Offices.
At the organization meeting for which provision is made in Section C, 1, each precinct may elect or designate such additional officers, including secretaries or assistant secretaries, treasurers or assistant treasurers, as may be deemed necessary or desirable.
3. Qualifications for Election to Office
No person shall be eligible to be elected to, or designated as, or continue to serve as, a precinct officer, except as otherwise provide who shall not be an actual bona fide resident of the precinct and a duly registered Democrat for six months. An elected public official or a member of the Democratic Central Committee may not run for election or serve as Precinct Chairperson or Vice Chairperson. Precinct Chairpersons, Vice Chairpersons, and Area Coordinators may not serve as an election judge or registration officer on election day.
4. Vacancies.
If there is a vacancy in the office of Precinct Chairperson, then the Vice Chairperson, provided the Vice Chairperson was elected or appointed permanently, shall become the Precinct Chairperson. In the event that the Vice Chairperson was not elected or permanently appointed, the Democratic Central Committee shall appoint the Vice Chairperson or another person as the Precinct Chairperson. The Precinct Chairperson may recommend a person to fill the vacancy of the Vice Chairperson by notifying the Democratic Central Committee in writing. If a vacancy exists in a precinct office other than the office of Chairperson or Vice Chairperson, the Precinct Chairperson shall have the power to appoint a person to fill the vacancy.
5. Appointed Permanent Chairperson and Appointed Permanent Vice Chairperson.
In the event that there is no Chairperson in a precinct and there is no elected or permanently appointed Vice Chairperson who is willing to serve – (see A, 4), either because of resignation, death, the movement of a Chairperson from the Precinct or any other reason, or because no candidate files for the office, the Democratic Central Committee may appoint a permanent Chairperson from within the precinct only. The Appointed Permanent Chairperson shall serve until the time of the next regularly scheduled county-wide election for Precinct Chairpersons and his/her term shall terminate at that date. Appointed Permanent Chairpersons shall have all the rights and duties of duly elected Chairpersons. All such appointments shall take effect upon receipt by the Democratic Central Committee of the signed filing form identical to that signed by Elected Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons. The same regulations shall apply to the appointment of a Permanent Vice Chairperson.
6. Appointed Provisional Chairperson
In the event that there is no chairperson in the Precinct and there is no elected or permanently appointed Vice Chairperson who is willing to serve – (See A, 4), either because of resignation, death, the movement of a Chairperson from the Precinct or any other reason, or because no candidate files for the office, the Democratic Central Committee may appoint a Provisional Chairperson from without the Precinct. The Provisional Chairperson may be removed by majority of the Central Committee at any time. The Provisional Chairperson shall perform as many of the duties of a duly elected Chairperson as possible and shall exercise the rights of a duly elected Chairperson. In no event shall the number of Provisional Chairpersons exceed ten percent (10%) of the number of precincts.
SECTION B – Area Coordinators
Area Coordinators shall be appointed by and be responsible to and shall serve at the pleasure of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee and shall be responsible for coordinating the activities of no less than five and no more than ten precincts. Area Coordinators shall maintain regular contact with precinct officials in those precincts for which they are responsible. They will be expected to identify problem areas and coordinate activities between precincts and the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee regarding meetings, dollar drives, general elections, and other party activities. They shall also assist in training new precinct officials and assist new officials in organizing their precincts.
SECTION C – Functions and Duties of Precinct Officials
1. Use of Precinct Funds.
No precinct funds may be used to support the candidacy of any primary candidate or slate, or any precinct candidate or slate. No precinct funds may be used to urge people to vote against and Democratic candidate (or slate) or for or against any School Board candidate or slate.
2. Duties of Officers.
All normal duties of precinct officials must still be performed during a Primary campaign. Access to a list of all registered Democrats in the precinct must be made available to representatives of all candidates or slates on a reasonable basis.
3. Records.
When new precinct officials take office, all precinct records, including financial records, shall be transferred to the new officials.
4. Precinct Operations Account
The precinct officials of each state senatorial district will meet at least once each year and elect one of their members to serve as a member of the Precinct Operations Account Audit Committee. Each precinct will have an entry in the Precinct Operations Account. The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee will maintain all account records and file all legally required reports. The Precinct Operations Account Audit Committee will have access to all records concerning the Operations account. Money in each precinct’s entry in the Precinct Operations Account may be spent only for: (1) education and communication with voters in the precinct; (2) the precinct’s fund raising for the Montgomery County Democratic Party; (3) support for Democratic candidates in General Elections; or (4) events sponsored by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee. All expenses must be documented by a written receipt and expenditure approved by the Precinct Chairperson (in writing) and submitted to the Treasurer of the Central Committee. No person may incur debt on behalf of the Central Committee without the approval of the Central Committee (or by approval of officials authorized by the Central Committee). A reserve of the lesser of:
will be maintained by the Central Committee to pay all of the expenditures authorized by this subsection.
SECTION D – Election Procedures
1. Precinct Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons, Filing Requirements
Candidates for Precinct Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons must file for said offices on the prescribed filing form with the office of the Democratic Central Committee during the period commencing on the 42nd day and closing on the 28th day prior to a general precinct election.
No filing fee shall be required. If no candidate files for the office of Precinct Chairperson, it shall be filled as provided in Section A, 5. A candidate may withdraw his/her candidacy for said offices by written notification to the office of the Democratic Central Committee no later than seven (7) days after the expiration date of the time for filing herein provided. If a candidate who has previously filed for Vice Chairperson, may, at his/her option, be considered as a candidate by notification to the Secretary of the Democratic Central Committee and the presiding Officer of the General Precinct Election prior to the convening of said General precinct Election.
2. General Elections.
b) (2) Notice to Voters – Candidates shall be provided with sufficient notices of the date, time, and place that the election is to be held and officers to be elected and qualifications of voters, on or before the 10th day prior to the general precinct election by the Democratic Central Committee for distribution to all registered Democrats in any precinct in which there is an election contest. Notice of all contested elections shall be published in one or more County newspapers.
SECTION E – Rules Governing Meetings of Democratic Precinct Officials
All meetings herein described shall be public.
2. Policy.
3. Definitions.
Whenever the term Precinct Chairperson or Precinct Chairpersons is used in these rules, it shall be deemed to mean Precinct Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and to include appointed and Provisional Precinct Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons as defined under “Rules Governing Qualifications and Elections of Democratic Precinct Officials of Montgomery County, Maryland.”
SECTION F – Effective Date
These rules shall be effective immediately upon adoption except that Section A, 3 shall become effective on the date of the next general precinct election. Revisions Adopted April 4, 1978.
[Sections C(1) and C(2)(a) were amended as shown on February 11, 2003.]
[Section C(4) was added on March 13, 1995.]
[Section E(2)(d)(i) was amended as shown on May 27, 1999.]
MARYLAND DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONSTITUTION
We, the Democrats of Maryland, recognize our heritage and responsibilities as members of a great and historic political movement dedicated to democratic government, social justice, and economic opportunity for all our citizens. We rededicate ourselves to furthering the principles and ideals that have led our Party since the time of Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson, and further dedicate ourselves to promote and elect the nominees of our Party for local, State and National offices. To these ends, and to our better governance, we hereby establish this Constitution for the Maryland Democratic Party.
Article I Name and Affiliation
The name of this organization shall be the Maryland Democratic Party. It shall maintain an affiliation with and be a part of the Democratic Party of the United States.
Article II Membership and Participation
Membership in the Maryland Democratic Party is open to all citizens of the State of Maryland who support the ideals and principles of the Maryland Democratic Party, and have registered their party affiliation as Democrats. Persons under the age for registering to vote are encouraged to participate in the activities of the party.
Article III State Central Committee
The supreme governing body of the Maryland Democratic Party shall be the Democratic State Central Committee of Maryland:
Article IV Amendments and Bylaws
MARYLAND DEMOCRATIC PARTY BYLAWS
[as amended December 13, 2008]
ARTICLE I NAME AND AUTHORITY
The name of this organization shall be the Maryland Democratic Party (herein, the Party). It shall have such authority and powers as may be granted, delegated, or otherwise permitted by the laws of the United States and the State of Maryland, by the Charter and Bylaws of the Democratic Party of the United States, and the Constitution of the Maryland Democratic Party.
ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP
Membership in the Maryland Democratic Party is open to all citizens of the State of Maryland who support the Party’s ideals and principles, and have registered their party affiliation as Democrats. Persons under the age for registering to vote are encouraged to participate in the activities of the Party. The right to vote in the Party’s primary elections shall be extended to all individuals who shall have registered to vote as democrats, and will be eligible to vote in the general election for which that primary will select the Party’s nominees.
ARTICLE III THE DEMOCRATIC STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF MARYLAND
As set forth in Article III of the Constitution of the Maryland Democratic Party, the supreme governing body of the Party shall be the Democratic State Central Committee of Maryland.
A member of the Democratic State Central Committee of Maryland may be considered to have resigned and their seat vacated by virtue of their regular failure to participate in the activities and affairs of the Maryland Democratic Party at the local or state level.
6. Removal of Members – A member of the Democratic State Central Committee of Maryland may be considered disqualified for office and removed as a member.
ARTICLE IV OFFICERS OF THE MARYLAND DEMOCRATIC PARTY
The officers of the Maryland Democratic Party shall be a Chair, two Vice-Chairs, Secretary, Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer, Deputy Secretary and such Democratic National Committeepersons as the Maryland Democratic Party shall be entitled to elect under the rules of the Democratic Party of the United States. All officers shall be elected by and serve at the pleasure of the Democratic State Central Committee of Maryland.
ARTICLE V THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
There shall be an Executive Committee of the Democratic State Central Committee of Maryland, comprised of the officers of the Maryland Democratic Party, and such representatives and other members as shall be provided for in these Bylaws. The Executive Committee shall have the power to conduct the business and supervise the affairs of the Maryland Democratic Party between the meetings of the Democratic State Central Committee of Maryland, including adopt a budget, except that it may not amend the party’s Constitution or Bylaws, remove officers or members of the Democratic State Central Committee of Maryland, or elect permanent officers of the Party.
ARTICLE VI COMMITTEES
The Maryland Democratic Party shall have certain standing committees, as enumerated in the Article, and such other special committees as may be appointed from time to time by the Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party. All committees appointed under this Article shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party. The membership of these standing committees shall be primarily drawn from the membership of the Democratic State Central Committee of Maryland. If a standing committee shall have co-chairs, at least one of them shall be a member of the Democratic State Central Committee of Maryland. With the exception of the Credentials Committee, each region shall be entitled to have at least one representative on each standing committee. In addition to their stated responsibilities, standing committees shall perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Chair, Executive Committee, or Democratic State Central Committee of Maryland.
ARTICLE VII PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
The Democratic State Central Committee of Maryland has an important role in the nomination and election of the President and Vice President of the United States.
ARTICLE VII STATE HEADQUARTERS AND STAFF
The Maryland Democratic Party shall establish and maintain permanent headquarters and professional staff. The staff of the Headquarters shall be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the business affairs of the Party.
ARTICLE IX LOCAL DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEES
The members of the Democratic State Central Committee of Maryland elected to represent a particular political subdivision of the State of Maryland shall comprise the Democratic Central Committee for each of said subdivisions. Each local Democratic Central Committee shall keep a current copy of its constitution and bylaws on file at the headquarters of the Mary Democratic Party.
ARTICLE X CODE OF ETHICS
Members of the Democratic State Central Committee of Maryland shall be subject to the same substantive rules of ethical guidance as state public officials to assure that they shall at all times conduct themselves in a manner that reflects credibility upon the office that they serve, shall not use their office to gain special privileges and benefits, and shall refrain from action in their official capacities when their independence of judgment would be adversely affected by personal interests.
ARTICLE XI ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
5.1 [RESERVED]
Affirmative Action[3]
(b)(i) The National, State and Local Democratic Party organizations shall undertake affirmative action programs designed to encourage the fullest participation of all Democrats in all Party Affairs. All Party Affairs shall mean all activities of each official Party organization commencing at the lowest level and continuing up through the National Democratic Party. Such activities shall include but need not be limited to the process in which delegates are selected to the National Democratic Convention; Party officials are nominated or selected; Party policy, platforms, and rules are formulated; and regular programs of voter registration, public education and public relations. Such programs may be developed and sponsored in cooperation with the Democratic National Committee.
(e) Each state or territorial Party may establish such procedures and structures as are necessary to ensure compliance with this Section, including procedures for review of complaints of non-compliance with this Section by any unit of the political process, including the State.
Bylaws of the Democratic Party of United States, article 2, § 11(b)(i) and (e)
Annual County Brunch
(see also Payments)
Patron [members of the Democratic Forum are entitled to]…
Benefactor [members of the Democratic Forum are entitled to]…
Sponsor [members of the Democratic Forum are entitled to]…
Policy on Democratic Forum Membership Programs,
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, February 7, 1995
Section 1. Recommendations.
The…Annual County Brunch Committee will…submit a proposal to the Central Committee recommending the cost of the tickets for [the Annual County Brunch]… In making its recommendations, the Annual County Brunch Committee should consider keeping the tradition that Brunch volunteers for a set minimum number of hours (who are members of the Montgomery County Young Democrats) be able to purchase their tickets at cost.
Section 2. Decisions.
After considering the recommendations of the…Annual Brunch Committee, the Central Committee will set the price of tickets for…[the] event.
Section 3. Superseded Policies.
This policy supersedes the policy on MCDCC tickets for the Annual County Brunch adopted by the Central Committee on February 7, 1995.[7]
Policy on Spring Ball and Annual County Brunch Tickets,
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, September 20,2001
Area Coordinators[8]
Area Coordinators shall be appointed by and be responsible to and shall serve at the pleasure of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee and shall be responsible for coordinating the activities of no less than five and no more than ten precincts. Area Coordinators shall maintain regular contact with precinct officials in those precincts for which they are responsible. They will be expected to identify problem areas and coordinate activities between precincts and the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee regarding meetings, dollar drives, general elections, and other party activities. They shall also assist in training new precinct officials and assist new officials in organizing their precincts.
Rules Governing Qualifications, Elections and Meetings of the Democratic
Precinct Officials of Montgomery County, Maryland, section B[9]
[The Labor Advisory Committee shall] assist the Central Committee Precinct Organization Committee members in terms of filling vacancies (existing and new ones)[.]
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, December 14, 1977
Any …[area] coordinator not performing the required support for all Democratic candidates or any precinct official or coordinator in violation of the precinct rules with respect to the support of all Democratic nominees in any way, with the inclusion of the defacing of the official Democratic sample Ballot, may be suspended or removed if that person is a campaign appointment,…by the chairperson or vice chairperson of the Central Committee nor the Co-Chairpersons of the Precinct Organization [Committee].
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, September 20, 1978
As an emergency measure, any member of the precinct organization committee, upon consultation with the Chairman of the Committee, may remove any…area coordinator who engages in obvious and flagrant violation of the Precinct Official’s Rules in a manner detrimental to the Democratic Party; on general election day, any member of the Central Committee may summarily remove any precinct official or area coordinator for such conduct.
Any removal shall be subject to the usual hearing procedures provided for in the Rules after the general election.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, September 15, 1982
Section 2. Objections of Candidates: if an elected official or area coordinator raises and objection [to an application for a vacant precinct chair or vice chair position], the applicant will be entitled to meet with a review committee consisting of the Chair(s) of the Precinct Organization Committee, the Central Committee members elected from that district, the area coordinator for that precinct,, and (in the case of precinct vice chair applicants) the precinct chair of that precinct, where the applicant can answer any objections. The invitation to the applicant will include a text of the objection. The applicant may bring an advisor to the review committee meeting who may advice and/or speak on the applicant’s behalf. The objector may attend the meeting. Where the review committee overrides the objection, the candidate’s name will be submitted to the Central Committee for voting at the next Central Committee meeting. The applicant shall have the right to appeal the decision of the review committee to the Central Committee.
Section 2 of policy
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, May 9, 1995[10]
A Precinct Chair or Vice Chair will be deemed to have moved out of their precinct (and therefore to have resigned) if the Central Committee receives a letter certifying that the Precinct official has moved out of their precinct signed by either (1) two District Liaisons from that district or (2) the Area Coordinator for that precinct and one District Liaison for that district. Additionally, a letter must be sent to the precinct official’s last known address in the precinct (endorsed “Do Not Forward”) and that the letter must have been returned.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, June 9, 1998
The Assistant Secretary shall:…
5. see to it that the “Circulation List” (i.e., the Central Committee reviewed list of applicants for precinct chair and vice chair vacancies provided for in section I of the Policy on Filling Vacancies adopted by the Central Committee on May 9, 1995) is distributed in a timely manner to:…(d) all precinct chairs and vice chairs who area coordinator is on the Circulation List, and (e) the area coordinator responsible for any precincts on the Circulation List…
Duties of the Assistant Secretary, §5(d)-(e),
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, April 13, 1999
…the long-standing practice (in accordance with section C(2)(c) of the Precinct Organization Rules) has been that precinct officials may support democratic candidates on primary election day, provided that they are not wearing their Precinct Chair, Precinct Vice Chair, or Area Coordinator pins when they campaign.
Minutes of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, February 8, 2000
Section 2. Announcement of Vacancy
When a Montgomery County Democratic seat in the Legislature becomes vacant, an announcement will:
Policy on Legislative Vacancies, § 2(a)(1),
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, June 12, 2001
Section 2. Announcement of Vacancy
When a vacancy occurs prior to the end of a Central Committee member’s term, an announcement will:
Policy on Legislative Vacancies on the Central Committee, § 2(b)(1),
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, June 12, 2001
§1. Purpose.
This policy will govern reorganization of the Montgomery County Democratic Party resulting from the redistricting of the Maryland general Assembly that occurs every ten years after the national census; as well as other precinct boundary changes that take place between decennial reapportionments.[11]
§2. Implementation Date of New Legislative Districts.[12]
The Precinct Organization will remain organized under the previous election’s legislative district until the second Tuesday in August of the first year that state legislators will be elected using new districts. (For instance, since the first election of state legislators to take place after the redistricting from the 2000 census is in November 2002, the Precinct Organization would use the 1990 census legislative districts until August 8, 2002, and then switch over to the new legislative districts on August 9, 2002.)[13]
§3. Definitions.
For the purpose of this policy:
…
§5. Term of Office for Area Coordinators.
Area Coordinators serve at the pleasure of the Central Committee. In Redistricting Years, the term of office of all Area Coordinators will expire on the second Tuesday of August.[15] In other years, the term of office for all of the Area Coordinators in a particular legislative district will end at the start of the third regular monthly meeting of the Central Committee held after the Montgomery County Board of Elections changes the number of precincts fir that legislative district.[16]
§6. Nomination of New Area Coordinators.
§7. Approval of New Area Coordinators.
At the Central Committee meeting when the Area Coordinators’ positions are to expire,[21] the Central Committee will vote on the approval of the Area Coordinators as part of the normal process of approving the Circulation List.
§8. Multi-district Precincts.
If, after the Board of Elections has finalized the precinct boundaries for the next election, a precinct is split between two or more new legislative districts, the precinct will be considered 9for purposes of Party organization) to be in the district that contains most of the registered Democrats in that precinct.
Policy on Legislative Redistricting and Party Organization, §§ 1-3 and 5-8,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, May 14, 2002,
amended by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, June 11, 2002,
further amended by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, March 14, 2006
§1. Definitions.
§Expiration of term of office.
Each appointment of an Acting Precinct Chair or Acting Precinct Vice Chair will expire at the end of the day of the next election held in that precinct. Each appointment of an Acting Area Coordinator will expire at the end of the day of the next election held in any of the precincts within the Acting Area Coordinator’s area.
§3. Appointments by the Central Committee.
Campaign appointments may be made by the Central Committee at its last regular meeting prior to the next election. If possible, proposed campaign appointments should be included in that meeting’s Circulation List – however, campaign appointments do not have to be held over to the next meeting of the Central Committee.
§4. Appointments by the Chair of the Central Committee.
Campaign appointments may be made by the Chair of the Central Committee provided that:
§5. Notification.
The Assistant secretary will see to it that a notification of any campaign appointment is promptly made (by electronic mail) to all persons specified in § 5 of the Policy on Duties of the Assistant Secretary, adopted by the Central Committee, April 13, 1999.[22]
§13. Verification of Precinct Organization Roster.
Policy on Ballot Questions, § 13,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, November 13, 2007
Assistant Secretary of the Central Committee
(see also: Officers of the Central Committee)
Duties of the Secretary (and in the Secretary’s absence, the Assistant Secretary): The Secretary shall have charge of all books, papers, records, and other documents of the Committee, shall compile statistics and other data as may be required for the use of the members of the Committee and shall perform other duties as may be directed by the Central Committee. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of meetings of the Committee and as promptly as possible mail same to each member of the Committee. All records shall be maintained at the permanent office of the Committee.
Bylaws of the Montgomery County Democratic central Committee,
Article V, § 3
A summary of actions taken at executive sessions [of the Central Committee] shall be provided by the Secretary or Assistant secretary to each Committee member. Such summary shall be kept confidential by the Committee member and shall be available only to committee members.
Guidelines for the Meetings of the Democratic Central Committee, § II(D),
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, May 6, 1975
The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Asst. Secretary and Comptroller are to be bonded … [as are] the Treasurer, Asst. Treasurer, Secretary and Office Secretary …
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, November 19,1975
All records of the Central Committee, including financial records, are open for examination by any registered Democrat in Montgomery County during regular office hours or by appointment under the supervision of the Secretary, Assistant Secretary or Office Manager, subject only to the previously adopted exception of the membership roster of Plowman and Fisherman.[23]
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, March 23, 1977
The Assistant Secretary shall:
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, April 13, 1999,
and amended by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, October 8, 2002[24]
The Assistant Secretary will collect all ballots [for the election of the Central Committee’s nominees to the County Council Redistricting Commission] and the Secretary and Assistant Secretary will tally the ballots. Each candidate may designate one observer to watch over the tallying of ballots. Proxies must be presented to the Secretary before any ballots are put into the ballot box.
Procedures for Selecting the Central Committee’s Nominees to the
County Council Redistricting Commission, § [9],
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, November 14, 2000
Section 5. Manner of filling vacancies.
At the meeting [of the Central Committee] to fill the vacancy [in the State Legislature],…
(g) the Secretary and Assistant Secretary will count the ballots;
Policy on Legislative Vacancies, § 5(g),
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, June 12, 2001
Section 4. Manner of filling vacancies.
At the meeting to fill … [a Central Committee] vacancy,
…
(f) the Assistant Secretary will collect all ballots in a ballot box;[25]
(g) the Secretary and Assistant Secretary will count the ballots …
Policy on Vacancies on the Central Committee, § 4(f), (g),
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, June 12, 2001,
and amended by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, November 13, 2007
§ 1. Definitions.
“Campaign appointments” are appointments of Acting Area Coordinators, Acting Precinct Chairs, and Acting Precinct Vice Chairs.
“Next Election” is the next general election, primary election, special general election, or special primary election. “Next election” does not include precinct chair and vice chair elections held under § D of the Precinct Organization Rules.
…
§ 5. Notification.
The Assistant Secretary will see to it that a notification of any campaign appointment is promptly made (by electronic mail) to all persons specified in § 5 of the Policy on Duties of the Assistant Secretary, adopted by the Central Committee, April 13, 1999.[26]
Policy on Campaign Appointments, §§ 1 and 5,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, August 13, 2002
§ 7. Communication to State Party.
The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee will designate one person to notify the Chairman of the Maryland State Democratic Party of its decisions. The Chairman of the State Party must be notified no later than September 15. In the event that the County Central Committee does not designate a person to notify the State Chairman, the Assistant Secretary shall be responsible for notifying the State Chairman.
Policy on Presidential Electors, § 7,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, June 8, 2004
Assistant Treasurer of the Central Committee
(see also: Officers of the Central Committee)
Duties of the Treasurer (and in the Treasurer’s absence, the Assistant Treasurer): The Treasurer shall keep accounts of all monies the [Central] Committee receives and disburses and shall deposit all monies and valuables in the name of and to the credit of the Committee in such banks and depositories as the Committee shall designate by appropriate resolution. The Treasurer shall provide a surety bond in the amount of not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000), the cost of the bond to be borne by the Committee. The Treasurer shall submit a financial report at all regular meetings of the Committee. The Treasurer shall prepare and present an annual budget to the Committee. All expenditures shall be authorized by the Treasurer and shall be paid upon presentation of receipted bills or vouchers.
Bylaws of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee,
article V, § 4
The Treasurer of the Central Committee (with the assistance of the Assistant Treasurer of the Central Committee) will compile an annual Dollars Drive accounting report that will be presented to the Central Committee at its regular August meeting. The annual report will indicate how much money (net) was raised by each precinct in the Dollars Drive, how much money was allocated to each precinct as a result of the money that they raised in the Dollars Drive, and how much money is in each precinct’s account in the Precinct Operations Account (formerly the Precinct Trust Fund). The report will also indicate which precinct raised the largest amount of money (net) in the Dollars Drive and which precinct raised the largest amount of money (net) per registered Democratic voter in the Dollars Drive.
Dollar Drive Accounting Policy, § 2,
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, March 11, 2003
Attendance at Central Committee Meetings[27]
A Member [of the State Central Committee] shall be declared to have resigned by the Secretary of the State Central Committee if (a) the Member’s local Democratic Central Committee has adopted a rule setting minimum attendance standards at local and/or State Central Committee meetings including a method of certifying Members’ attendance and (b) the Member is certified to the Secretary in accordance with the local Central Committee’s rules to have violate that attendance rule. Such Members may appeal their removal to the State Central Committee following the procedure set forth in section 6, provided that the appeal may only be made on the question of whether the local central committee’s rules have been violated.
Maryland State Democratic Party Bylaws, article III, § 5(B)(3)
… The student members of the Central Committee are … subject to all the same responsibilities as voting members of the Central Committee, except that they … are not required to attend the meetings of the Maryland State Democratic Central Committee.
Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee Bylaws, article IX
Any [voting or non-voting] member of the Central Committee who fails to attend (for whatever reason) a majority of the [County and State] Central Committee meetings during a twelve month period will be deemed to have resigned and their resignation automatically accepted. Submission of a proxy does not constitute attendance for these purposes.
Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee Bylaws, article XII, § 1
Telephone participation: For purposes of section 1, a member of the Central Committee who participates in substantially an entire Central Committee meeting by telephone, shall be deemed to have attended such a meeting. A member of the Central Committee may use this provision no more than twice during a 12-month period. The Central Committee may, by rule,
Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee Bylaws, article XII, § 4
The Secretary of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee is to perform the certifications required by Article III(5)(B)(3) [of the Maryland Democratic Party Bylaws] for Montgomery County. The Secretary of the County Central Committee is not to provide any certifications to the secretary of the State Central Committee between June 9, 1998, and September 15, 1998.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, June 9, 1998
The Central Committee attendance rules apply to any twelve consecutive months that a person is a member of the central Committee, even if a central Committee election occurs during that twelve month period.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, January 12, 1999
Any student member of the Central Committee who fails to attend (for whatever reason) a majority of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee meetings (held in Montgomery County) during a six month period, will be deemed to have resigned and their resignation automatically accepted. Submission of a proxy or participation in a meeting by telephone does not constitute attendance for these purposes.
Policy on Student Membership on the Central Committee, § 4,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, July 13, 1999, and
amended by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee December 13, 2005[28]
The Chair of the Central will organize and convene at least one meeting of Liaison II every calendar year. For purposes of Article XII of the Bylaws of the Central Committee, meetings of Liaison II (after September 12, 2006) will be treated as if they were meetings of the Central Committee.
Policy on Liaison I, Liaison II, and District Meetings, § 3,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, April 11, 2006
Audits
An annual audit shall be conducted by an accountant who is not a member of the [Central] committee. The results of this audit shall be available at the June meeting of the committee.
Bylaws of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, article VI, § 2
The precinct officials of each state senatorial district will meet at least once each year and elect one of their members to serve as a member of the Precinct Operations Account Audit Committee. Each precinct will have an entry in the Precinct Operations Account. The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee will maintain all account records and file all legally required reports. The Precinct Operations Account Audit Committee will have access to all records concerning the Operations Account. Money in each precinct’s entry in the Precinct Operations Account may be spent only for: (1) education and communication with voters in the precinct; (2) the precinct’s fund raising for the Montgomery County Democratic Party; (3) support of Democratic candidates in general elections; or (4) events sponsored by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee. All expenses must be documented by a written receipt and expenditure approved by the Precinct Chairperson (in writing) and submitted to the Treasurer of the Central Committee. No person may incur a debt on behalf of the Central Committee without the approval of the Central Committee (or by approval of officials authorized by the Central Committee). A reserve of the lesser of:
will be maintained by the Central Committee to pay all of the expenditures authorized by this subsection.
Rules Governing Qualifications, Elections and Meetings of Democratic Precinct Officials
of Montgomery County, Maryland, § C(4)
Awards
(see also: Dollars Drive; and Spring Ball: Awards)
A plaque [is to] be inscribed, “MCDCC Wall of Fame”, … the first tab on the plaque [is to] be inscribed “Vote No Coalition 2004-2005”, and that the plaque [is to] be kept in the Central Committee office.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, April 12, 2005
Ballot Inspections
Prior to every primary and general election, the Executive Committee of the Central Committee (or the Executive Committee’s representative) will inspect the proposed ballot faces prepared by the Montgomery County Board of Elections, as soon as the ballot faces are available for public inspection. If, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, the ballots should be challenged, the Executive Committee may make such a challenge on behalf of the central Committee. The Central Committee reserves the right to modify any position taken on its behalf.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, October 8, 2002
Ballot Questions[29]
A two thirds majority of those [Central Committee members] voting shall be required for adoption of the official Democratic Party positions on ballot questions and marking of the official sample ballot.
Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee Bylaws, article VII, § 8
(d) Marking of Official Ballots on All Matters Other Than Candidates –
Rules Governing Qualifications, Elections and Meetings of Democratic
Precinct Officials of Montgomery County, Maryland, § E(2)(d)(i)-(ii)
Policy on Ballot Questions
§ 1. Purpose.
The purpose of this policy is to set out the procedures for taking positions on ballot questions by the Montgomery County Democratic Party.
§ 2. Reserved.
§ 3. Solicitation for Advisory Committee members.
The April and May issues of The Montgomery Democrat will (in each even-numbered year) contain a notice inviting any interested Democrat to apply for a seat on the Ballot Questions Advisory Committee. To apply, each applicant must submit a resume and a cover letter to the Central Committee, which must be received no later than 5 p.m. on the Friday before the second Tuesday in May. The resume should include the applicant’s involvement in campaigns, community, and the Democratic Party. The cover letter should include a statement as to why the applicant wants to be on the Advisory Committee.
§ 4. Selection of Advisory Committee members.
At the regular May meeting of the Central Committee (in each even numbered year), the Central Committee will select the members of the Ballot Questions Advisory Committee. In accordance with § E(2)(d)(ii) of the Precinct Organization Rules, at least half the Advisory Committee must be members of the Precinct Organization (i.e., Precinct Chairpersons, Vice Chairpersons, and Area Coordinators). In addition, the Central Committee will strive for ethnic, geographic and ideological balance within the membership of the Advisory Committee.
§ 5. Identification of Judges subject to ballot questions.
No later than August 1 of each even numbered year, the Chair of the Ballot Questions Advisory Committee (unless the Chair of the Central Committee designates someone other person) will contact the Maryland Administrative Office of the Courts and inquire as to which judges will be on the November ballot for retention as a judge of the court. Each judge identified by the Administrative Office will be notified that the Montgomery County Democratic Party traditionally takes a position on those ballot questions and will invite each judge to provide material for consideration of the Party relevant to their being retained on the court.
§ 6. Identification of State Constitutional Amendments and Referenda.
No later than August 1 of each even numbered year, the Chair of the Ballot Questions Advisory Committee shall compile a list of State Constitutional Amendments approved by the General assembly since the last General Election. (Such information is normally available on the “Bills Signed and Vetoed” lists on the Web site of the Maryland General assembly (under the category: “Pursuant to Article XIV, Section 1, of the Maryland Constitution, the following constitutional amendments have been assigned Chapter numbers”). The Chair of the Ballot Questions Advisory Committee will verify these ballot questions and any other state ballot questions with the Maryland Board of Elections.
§ 7. Identification of County Ballot Questions.
No later than August 15 of each even numbered year, the Chair of the Ballot Questions Advisory Committee shall consult with the Montgomery County Council to determine what ballot questions have been certified by the Council for the General Election.
§ 8. Hearing and other input opportunities.
§ 9. Meetings of the Precinct Organization and Central Committee.
No later than the second Tuesday in August of each even numbered year, the Chair of the Central Committee (in consultation with the Chair of the Ballot Questions Advisory Committee) will schedule the meetings of the Precinct Organization and the Central Committee (provided for in § E(2)(d)(i) of the Precinct Organization Rules) for the purpose of determining the County Democratic Party’s position on each ballot question. Such meeting shall not be held on the same day as the election of Central Committee officers provided for in Article IV, § 2, of the Central Committee Bylaws. Notice of the meetings to determine the County Democratic Party’s position on ballot questions will also be sent by electronic mail to all members of the Precinct Organization and all persons designated in § 10 of this policy, for whom the County Democratic Party has an electronic mail address. The notice to the presidents of chartered Democratic organizations will also invite the organizations to hold meetings (between the receipt of the Report of the Ballot Questions Advisory Committee on the holding of the meetings of the Precinct Organization and the Central Committee) to discuss the ballot questions. Notice of the meetings, to the extent practical, will be published in The Montgomery Democrat and on the County Democratic Party’s Web site.
§ 10. Report of the Ballot Questions Advisory Committee.
The content and distribution of the report of the Ballot Questions Advisory Committee shall be in accordance with § E(2)(d) of the Precinct Organization Rules. Addionally, copies of the report of the Advisory Committee will also be sent to all members of the Central Committee; the presidents of all chartered Democratic organizations; and all elected public officials representing all or part of Montgomery County who were elected as Democrats.
§ 11. Conduct of the Precinct Organization meeting.
§ 12. Conduct of the Central Committee meeting.
§ 13. Verification of Precinct Organization roster.
§ 14. Superseded policies.
This policy supersedes the policy on Central Committee consideration of ballot questions (adopted by the Central Committee, October 6, 1994).[30]
Policy on Ballot Questions,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, November 13, 2007
Bereavements and Recognitions
Policy on Expressions of Sympathy and Recognitions of Achievements[31]
Section 1. Bereavements
or of any former long-term member of the Precinct Organization;
of any person listed in section 1(a) or (b):
Section 2. Congratulations
Section 3. Retirements
In the event that any person listed in section (a) retires from political office:
Section 4. Extraordinary cases
Expressions of sympathy and recognitions of achievements, not otherwise authorized by the policy, requiring the expenditure of funds, may be made on behalf of:
only if specifically authorized by the Central Committee. The Central Committee will consider proposals authorizing expressions of sympathy and recognitions of achievements, not otherwise authorized by this policy, only if they are submitted at a regular meeting of the Central Committee and acted upon at the next meeting of the Central Committee.
Section 6[33]. Sunshine Committee
The Chair of the Central Committee shall appoint a Sunshine Committee. The Sunshine Committee will (a) monitor local newspapers and other publications to attempt to identify individuals and events that should be recognized under this policy and (b) otherwise assist in the administration of this policy.
Section 7. Previous Policies
This policy supersedes the bereavements/memorials policies adopted by the Central Committee on January 5, 1972, and on April 14, 1982.[34]
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, September 14, 1999
Board of Elections of Montgomery County[35]
(see also: Candidate Vacancies; and Election Judges)
(g)(1) The Governor shall request the county central committee representing the majority party or the principal minority party, as appropriate, to submit a list of at least four eligible individuals from which the Governor may make an appointment of a regular member or a substitute member of the local board.
(2) The Governor may reject all the nominees if the Governor determines them to be unfit or incompetent, in which case the Governor shall notify the State Board in writing and request an additional list of at least four eligible nominees from the county central committee. A third list may be requested in the same manner.
(3) If a list containing the names of four eligible nominees is not submitted within 20 days of a request of if all the nominees on three lists are rejected, the Governor may appoint any eligible person who is a member of the appropriate political party.
(4) (i) … each appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate of Maryland.
(ii) …
(iii) If an appointee is rejected, the Governor shall make another appointment from the list or lists submitted under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection. If a list is not provided, or the nominees on the three lists are rejected, the Governor may appoint and eligible individual as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection.
Maryland Code (Election Law) § 2-201(g) [2007]
A regulated lobbyist may not:
(14) if serving on the State or local central committee of a political party, participate:
(iii) in actions related to filling a vacancy in a public office.
Maryland Code (State Government) § 15-713(14)(iii) [2002]
4. [36] After the executive session (if any), and after any further discussion in public session, the Central Committee will proceed to vote on the candidates [to be nominated for seats on the Board of Elections]. Voting will by secret ballot. Each candidate may designate one observer to watch the counting of ballots. Proxies are to be presented to the Secretary before any ballots are to be put into the ballot box.[37]
5. Each member of the Central Committee may vote for up to three candidates and must indicate the candidates in priority order (i.e., first choice, second choice, and third choice). When the votes are tallied, each “first choice” vote will count as three votes, each “second choice” vote will count as two votes, and each “third choice” vote will count as one vote.[38],[39]
6. The candidates who receive first and second highest vote tallies will be declared the Central Committee’s recommended nominees for the two majority party voting seats on the Board of Elections. The candidate who receives the third highest vote tally will be declared the Central Committee’s recommended nominee for the majority party substitute member seat on the Board of Elections.[40] Only one ballot will be conducted. An absolute majority is not needed to be a recommended nominee.[41]
7. Once the recommended nominees have been chosen, the Chair will recognize any motions concerning transmittal of the names of the nominees to the Governor.
Procedure for Selecting Nominees to the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors of Elections,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, December 8, 1998
2. Communications with the Board
Who may vote – Only those persons whose names appear as registered Democrats on the registration list, or persons whose names are verified as registered Democrats in that precinct by the Office of the Board of Supervisors of Elections[42], shall be entitled to vote [in precinct chair and vice chair elections]. The Democratic Central Committee shall request that the Office of the Board of Supervisors of Elections be open on the night of the general precinct elections in order that a name may be verified, should it not appear on the list.
Rules Governing Qualifications, Elections and Meetings of
Democratic Precinct Officials of Montgomery County Maryland, section D(2)(d)
The Assistant Secretary shall:
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, April 13, 1999
3. Certification of Central Committee Elections
2) each candidate to a party central committee who is certified by the local board to have been elected to that position.
Maryland Code (Elections Law) § 5-705(c)(2) [2002]
Bonding Requirements
The treasurer shall provide a surety bond in the amount of not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000), the cost of the bond to be borne by the Committee.
Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee Bylaws, article V, § 4
The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Assistant Secretary and Controller are to be bonded … [as are] the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary and Office Secretary …
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, November 19, 1975
Bulletin Boards
[There is to be] a bulletin board [in the Central Committee office] showing [current Democratic presidential] candidates, information about their campaign committees, and the Central Committee liaisons … [The Central Committee will also have] one type of literature for each candidate.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, August 27, 1975
Precinct chairs may accept advertisements for Democratic primary or general election candidates in precinct newsletters provided that: (1) all candidates are charged the same rate for the newsletter, (2) all such advertisements must be clearly labeled as paid advertisements (having a “by authority of” line is not sufficient), (3) somewhere in the newsletter, there must be a list of all the Democratic candidates running for office that was featured in the advertisement, and (4) the Treasurer of the Central Committee must be notified in advance that the precinct will be accepting advertisements. A list of all precincts accepting advertisements shall be posted on a bulletin board in a prominent place in the Party Headquarters and the information shall also be included in the Party’s Web site.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, June 9, 1998
The Assistant Secretary shall:
Policy on the Duties of the Assistant Secretary, § 6,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, April 13, 1999
Calendar
The Assistant Secretary shall:
Policy on the Duties of the Assistant Secretary, § 7,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, April 13, 1999
Candidate Vacancies (& Primary Election Ties)
(see also: Special Elections)
No Democrat files for a particular office
(2) (i) In a State legislative district or State delegate district comprising more than one county, a vacancy in candidacy for a political party that is entitled to have a candidate on the ballot shall be filled by a vote of the central committee in the counties in the district.
(ii) In filling the vacancy in candidacy under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the central committee of each county where the vacancy occurs shall cast a vote proportionate to its share of the population of the district as reported in the most recent decennial census of the United States.
(iii) If no person receives a majority of the votes cast under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, or if there is a tie vote by the central committees, the vacancy in candidacy shall be filled by the State central committee of the political party.
Maryland Elections Code, § 5-901 [2002]
Candidate for Governor, dies, withdraws, or is disqualified
(2) The State central committee shall make its selection by the 10th day following the death, withdrawal, or disqualification of the gubernatorial candidate.
(3) The candidate disqualified for the office of Lieutenant Governor under subsection (a) of this section is eligible to be chosen as the successor candidate for Governor.
(2) If the former candidate for Lieutenant Governor is not selected as the successor candidate for Governor, that individual is eligible to be selected again as the candidate for Lieutenant Governor.
Maryland Election Code, § 5-905 [2002]
Nominee for State-wide office dies, withdraws or is disqualified
(2) By the later of the fortieth day before the general election or the fifth day following the death, declination, or disqualification of the former nominee:
Maryland Election Code, § 5-1002 [2002]
Nominee in multi-county district dies, withdraws or is disqualified
Maryland Election Code, § 5-1003 [2014]
Nominee in a single-county district dies, withdraws, or is disqualified;
or if there is a tie
Maryland Election Code § 5-1004 [2014]
Nominee for Lt. Governor dies, withdraws, or is disqualified
(ii) The disqualified nominee for Lieutenant Governor is eligible to be chosen as the nominee for Governor.
(3) (i) The successor nominee for Governor promptly shall select a successor nominee for Lieutenant Governor and notify the State central committee of the applicable political party of the selection.
(ii) The disqualified nominee for Lieutenant Governor is eligible to be selected again as the nominee for Lieutenant Governor.
(4) Except as provided under paragraph (5) of this subsection, by the fifth day following the death, declination, or disqualification of the former nominee for Governor:
(i) the State central committee shall file a certificate of designation for the successor nominee for Governor and the successor nominee for Lieutenant Governor with the State Board; and
(ii) each of the successor nominees shall file a certificate of candidacy with the State Board.
(5) A State central committee may not file a certificate of designation for a successor nominee for Governor under this subsection within 10 days of the day of the general election.
(6) A Governor and Lieutenant Governor unit shall remain on the ballot for the general election if:
(i) a nominee for Governor dies, declines the nomination, or is disqualified less than 15 days before the general election; and
(ii) a certificate of designation and certificates of candidacy for successor nominees for Governor and Lieutenant Governor are not filed in accordance with this section.
(7) If a Governor and Lieutenant Governor unit comprised of a nominee for Governor who has died, declined the nomination, or become disqualified remains on the ballot as provided under paragraph (6) of this subsection, during the campaign period following the death, declination, or disqualification of the gubernatorial nominee until the general election, the Lieutenant Governor nominee officially becomes the gubernatorial nominee and may assert that status in the campaign.
(8) If a Governor and Lieutenant Governor unit comprised of a nominee for Governor who has died, declined the nomination, or become disqualified remains on the ballot as provided under paragraph (6) of this subsection and is elected, the vacancy resulting from the death, declination, or disqualification shall be filled as if it had occurred after the general election in accordance with applicable law.
Maryland Election Code, § 5-1005 {2014]
Policy on Filling Candidate Vacancies for Positions Elected Entirely Within
Montgomery County
Section 1. Purpose.
Sections 5-901 and 5-1004 of the Maryland Election Code provide that if (after the filing deadline has passed) there is no Democratic candidate for certain offices that appear on election ballots within Montgomery County, the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee may designate the Democratic nominee. The following policy will govern the participation of the central Committee in such situations.
Section 2. Covered Offices.
This policy covers the following offices:
Section 3. Call of the Central Committee.
If (between the deadline for filing for office and the General election) any of the positions listed in § 2 of this Policy do not have a Democratic candidate, the Chair of the Central Committee shall promptly call a meeting of the Central Committee for the purpose of designating the Democratic nominee for the position. The meeting shall be held no later than the applicable deadlines specified in § 4 of this Policy.
Section 4. Meeting Date.
the Central Committee shall meet to designate the Democratic nominee, no later than the later of:
Section 5. Announcement of Vacancy.
When a meeting of the Central Committee is called in accordance with § 3 of this Policy, an announcement will (within forty-eight hours of the Chair learning that there is no Democratic candidate)
In case of meetings held in accordance with §§ 4(a) or 4(c) of this Policy, the announcements will indicate the deadline and address for applying to fill the vacancy.
Section 6. Applications.
Applications (for positions to be filled in accordance with §§ 4(a) or 4(c) of this Policy) may be submitted until two hours before the start of the meeting to designate the nominee. Applications are to be submitted to the Montgomery County Democratic Headquarters and are to consist of twenty-five copies of a resume and a cover letter. Upon receipt of an application, the applicant will be promptly provided with a copy of the announcement specified in § 5 of this Policy.
Section 7. Manner of Designating Nominees.
At the meeting to designate the Democratic nominee,
Section 8. Notification of the Board of Elections.
The Chair of the Central Committee (or such other person as the Central Committee shall designate) will see to it that a Certificate of Designation is filed in a timely manner with the Board of Elections indicating the person that the Central Committee has designated as the democratic nominee.
Policy on Filling Candidate Vacancies for Positions Elected Entirely Within Montgomery County,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, November 8, 2005
Chair of the Central Committee[43],[44],[45],[46],[47]
(see also: Officers of the Central Committee)
… the party central committee for each county shall select the chairman of that county’s party central committee.
Maryland Election Code, § 4-202(b)(1)[48] [2014]
Note: prior rules version says to insert MD Elections Code § 13-218(c) here but it does not exist
Duties of the Chair: The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the [Central] Committee, preserve order during deliberations, appoint sub-committees with the consent of the Committee and serve as ex-officio member of such sub-committees and sign appropriate documents in connection with the work of the Committee. In addition, the Chair shall have other powers and duties as may be granted to the Chair from time to time by resolution of the Committee.
Bylaws of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, Article V, § 1
Meetings: Meetings of the [Central] Committee shall be held not less than ten (10) times each calendar year. The Chair shall call all regular or statutory meetings. In the event of his neglect, failure or refusal, the Vice Chair or Secretary shall call such regular or statutory meetings.
Bylaws of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, Article VII, § 1
Emergency or special meetings [of the Central Committee] may be called by the Chair or a majority of the Committee.
Bylaws of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, Article VII, § 2
The Chair shall appoint such standing committees as may be deemed necessary.
Bylaws of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, Article IX, § 1
Appointment of Standing Committees: The Chair shall name the members on all standing committees and will designate the member who will be chair. Membership on standing committees need not be restricted to members of the Democratic Central Committee.
Bylaws of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, Article IX, § 2
The Chair of the Central Committee will appoint one of the two student members as the Chair of the Student Volunteer Mobilization Committee and will appoint the other student member as the Chair of the Student Club Organizing Committee. The Chair of the Central Committee will also appoint one member of the Central Committee to serve as the Vice Chair of the Student Volunteer Mobilization Committee and one member of the Central Committee to serve as Vice Chair of the Student Club Organizing Committee.
Bylaws of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, Article IX, (2nd paragraph)
Any time proxies are voted, the proxy must be in the Chairman’s hand before the vote. [Except that, when electing nominees for the Board of Elections or the County Council redistricting Commission,] proxies are to be presented to the Secretary before any ballots are put into the ballot box.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, March 3, 1971;
amended by § 4 of the Procedures for Selecting Nominees to the
Montgomery County Board of Supervisors of Elections,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, December 8, 1998[49];
further amended by the Procedures for Selecting the Central Committee’s Nominees for the
County Council Redistricting Commission,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, February 14, 2000[50];
Guidelines for Meetings of the Democratic Central Committee
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, May 6, 1975
Loans up to $50, subject to approval of the Party Chairperson or their designee, are authorized to those precinct(s) which make written requests for money to carry on precinct activities. Money will be repaid out of Dollars Drive receipts.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, August 27, 1975
The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, assistant Secretary and Controller are to be bonded … [as are] the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary and Office Secretary …
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, November 19, 1975
The [Central Committee’s] computer will normally not be used at night to print out information. Night-time work, developing programs, and entering data, will only be done with the approval of the Central Committee Chairperson, Secretary and/or Office Manager.
Computer Use Guidelines (Operations) Section 2
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, February 27, 1985
After six months of employment the MCDCC Staff [Persons are] eligible to use 5 days of paid annual leave. Should a person work less than six months he/she will not be paid for any annual leave. After one year, each Staff Person will earn 10 days of paid annual leave per year. Leave is pro-rated on an annual basis.
Leave must be approved in advance by the Chairperson and is subject to the needs of the Committee.
Annual Leave section of the Personnel Procedures,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, September 12, 1995
A staff person may be terminated in the following manner:
Staffers may be suspended by the Chairperson of the Central Committee (or, in the absence of the Chairperson, by the Vice Chairperson).
Removal of Staff Persons section of the Personnel Procedures,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, September 12, 1995
Editor. The Central Committee will designate an editor who will have day-to-day responsibility for the maintenance of the [County Democratic Party’s] Web site. The Editor will consult with the Chairperson of the Central Committee before adding to the Web site any categories of material not already authorized by this Policy. If the Editor and Chairperson are not able to resolve any disagreement, the matter will be referred to the Internet Services Committee for resolution. Decisions of the Internet Services Committee can be appealed to the Central Committee, which will be the final authority.
World Wide Web Site Policy, section 4,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, December 12, 1995
[When considering ballot questions, the Central Committee will (First) receive the report of the Ballot Questions Advisory Committee, (Second) receive the recommendations of the Precinct Organization, (Third) receive comments from the public]
Fourth, the Chairperson [of the Central Committee] will go around the table and invite any member of the Central Committee to speak on the question for two minutes per person.
Fifth, the Chairperson will go around the table a second time and invite Central Committee members again to speak on the question for two minutes per person. The Chairperson will then request a motion to endorse the position taken by the Precinct Organization on the question. If that motion fails, (or no one will offer such a motion) the Chairperson will entertain other motions related to the ballot questions. The ballot questions will be taken up in the same order that they were taken up at the … meeting of the Precinct Organization … In accordance with Article VII, Section 8 of the Bylaws [of the Central Committee], a two-thirds vote of those voting yes or no is required for the Party to take a position on a ballot question and to mark the Democratic Sample Ballots.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, October 6, 1994
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, March 11, 1977[52]
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, May 12, 1998
Once the recommended nominees [for seats on the Montgomery County Board of Elections] have been chosen [by the Central Committee], the Chairperson will recognize any motions concerning transmittal of the names of the nominees to the Governor.
Procedures for Selecting Nominees to the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors of Elections, § 7,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, December 8, 1998
Open and free elections are one of the basic principles of the Democratic Party.
For an election to be open and free, all candidates for office must have equal and concurrent access to such fundamental information as to who is eligible to vote in the election (including all contact information that the organization possesses).
If a member of a Democratic organization in Montgomery County, who is a candidate (or who intends to become a candidate) for office in that organization’s next election so requests, the Chairperson of the Central Committee shall appoint a mediator to assist in making sure the organization’s elections are held in an open and free manner. In appointing a mediator, the Chairperson is to strive to appoint a person who (1) is experienced with parliamentary procedure and the conduct of elections and (2) is acceptable to all candidates in the organization’s election. The mediator may be (but is not required to be) a member of the Central Committee and generally should not be a member of the organization. Whenever the Chairperson of the Central Committee appoints a mediator, the Chairperson is to promptly notify the President of the organization and urge the organization to make use of the mediator.
At the request of the mediator, the organization will provide the mediator with a list of all persons (including contact information) who are eligible to vote in the election. The mediator will treat such a list as confidential, except that a mediator may provide candidates running for office within the organization with a copy of the list.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, January 12, 1999
Expression of Sympathy and Recognitions of Achievement
Section 1. Bereavements
Or of any other former long-term member of the Precinct Organization;
b) in the event that (after the Secretary has compiled a list of winners of the following awards) the Montgomery County Democratic Headquarters learns of the death of any current or former winner of the:
c) In the event that the Montgomery County Democratic Headquarters learns of the death of a:
Of any of the persons listed in section 1(a) or (b):
d) In the event that the Montgomery County Democratic Headquarters learns of the serious illness of the persons listed in section 1(a), (b), or (c):
Section 2. Congratulations. …
Section 3. Retirements.
In the event that any person listed in section 1(a) retires from political office:
Section 4. Extraordinary cases. …
Section 6. Sunshine Committee.
The Chair of the Central Committee shall appoint a Sunshine Committee. The Sunshine Committee will (a) monitor local newspapers and other publications to attempt to identify individuals and events that should be recognized under this policy and (b) otherwise assist in the administration of this policy.
Section 7. Previous Policies. …
Policy on Expressions of Sympathy and Recognitions of Achievements,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, September 14, 1999
§ 1. Definitions.
“Campaign appointments” are appointments of Acting Area Coordinators, Acting Precinct Chairs, and Acting Precinct Vice Chairs.
“Next Election” is the next general election, primary election, special general election or special primary election. “Next election” does not include precinct chairs and vice chair elections held under § D of the Precinct Organization rules.
§ 2. Expiration of term of office. …
§ 3. Appointments by the Central Committee. …
§ 4. Appointments by the Chair of the Central Committee.
Campaign appointments may be made by the Chair of the Central Committee provided that:
§ 5. Notification. …
Policy on Campaign Appointments,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, August 13, 2002
Prior to every primary and general election, the Chair of the Central Committee (or the Chair’s representative) will inspect the proposed ballot faces prepared by the Montgomery County Board of Elections, as soon as the ballot faces are available for public inspection. If, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, the ballots should be challenged, the Executive Committee may make such a challenge on behalf of the Central Committee. The Central Committee reserves the right to modify any position taken on its behalf.
Policy on Ballot Inspection,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, October 8, 2002
[A] money market account [is to] be established with Sun Trust Bank and … any expenditure from that account over $500 must have the approval of the Chair.”
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, May 13, 2003
Liaison I, Liaison II, and District Meetings
§ 1. Purpose. …
§ 2. Liaison I.
The Chair of the Central Committee will organize and convene at least one meeting of Liaison I every calendar year.
§ 3. Liaison II.
The Chair of the Central Committee will organize and convene at least one meeting of Liaison II every calendar year. For purposes of Article XII of the Bylaws of the Central Committee, meeting of Liaison II (after September 12, 2006) will be treated as if they were meetings of the Central Committee.
§ 4. District meetings. …
Policy on Liaison I, Liaison II, and District Meetings,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, April 11, 2006
Chaplain
[Neither the Bylaws nor the Rules of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee provide for a chaplain. In 1994, the Chair invited a member of the Central Committee, who was also a member of the clergy, to serve as Chaplain. The principal duties of the Chaplain were to make counseling services available to members of the Committee and to give an invocation at the beginning of Central Committee meetings.[53] After the member retired from the Central Committee, the Chair (on an experimental basis) invited others (both from within the Central Committee and clergy from outside the Committee) to deliver an invocation at the beginning of Central Committee meetings. At the request of members of the Committee, that experiment was discontinued after the April 8, 1997 meeting of the Committee.]
Clubs and Caucuses
1. Maryland State Democratic Party Policies[54]
Democratic Clubs: Charter and Registration Process
4. As it is the intention of the Maryland Democratic Party to foster a policy of inclusion within the Party, charter applications shall be approved upon submission of all the required information and fees. The Clubs Committee or local Central Committee may deny a Club application; however, it must do so by a majority vote at a public meeting with at least ten days prior notice to all parties concerned. In any case, the denial shall take place within ninety (90) days of submission. Any decision regarding the approval or denial of a Club charter may be appealed to the Executive Committee of the Maryland Democratic Party and shall be heard in accordance with the rules of the Maryland Democratic Party.
5. Upon approval of a Club’s charter, it shall be entitled to the following services from the Maryland Democratic Party, as well as other services as may become available from time to time:
6. The registration process shall be as follows:
7. …
8. …
9. …
10. (Disclaimer Section; to be completed.)
11. This policy shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the Executive Committee of the Maryland Democratic Party.
Adopted by the Executive Committee of the Maryland State Democratic Party, July 17, 1993
and amended by the Maryland State Democratic Party, October 18, 1997[55]
2. Montgomery County Democratic Party Policies
(5) Rented Space. Any organization chartered by the Central Committee … may rent space on the Web site at the rate of $50 per year up to 400KB. Any organization … so renting is fully responsible for the form and the contents of their Web pages and must provide it in a format that is directly loadable on the Party’s Web site (the Party is not responsible for converting materials to HTML or any other format). All pages rented under this provision must either contain a ‘by authority of” line or a statement that the information on the page does not necessarily represent the positions of the Montgomery County Democratic Party. The $50 per year fee is waived for the Coalition of High School Democrats. …
World Wide Web Policy, § 5,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, December 12, 1995
and amended by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, September 12, 2000[56]
Chartering Democratic Clubs and Caucuses
To be chartered, and to remain chartered, an organization must:
Have its membership (regardless of class of membership or rights of membership) consist only of people who are either
2. Endorsements
In any partisan race, a chartered organization may only endorse candidates of the Democratic Party. This prohibition shall not prevent the organization’s endorsement of candidates (who are registered Democrats) in non-partisan races (e.g., school board, judicial, etc.).
3. Granting Charters
An organization which is not currently chartered, but which meets the requirements for chartering, may be chartered with the approval of the Central Committee. The Rules Committee will review all proposed charters before they are submitted to the full Central Committee for approval. If the Central Committee, in its judgment, determines that granting of a particular charter would be offensive to the basic principles of the Democratic Party, the Central Committee may refuse to grant such a charter.
4. Revoking Charters
If a complaint is received by the Central Committee that a chartered organization is not conforming to the requirements for being a chartered organization (or is acting in a manner offensive to the basic principles of the Democratic Party), the Central Committee will refer the matter to a committee. The committee will notify the organization that a complaint has been filed against it (specifying what rule has allegedly been violated), investigate the matter, and make recommendations to the Central Committee. If the Central Committee determines that a chartered organization is not conforming to the requirements of being a chartered organization or is acting in a manner offensive to the basic principles of the Democratic Party, the Central Committee may revoke the charter of that organization. Before the Central Committee revokes the charter of an organization, the organization must be given at least twenty days’ notice of the meeting and the right to state its case before the Central Committee.
5. Renewals
6. Reports to the Central Committee
At the request of the County Central Committee, a chartered organization will provide the central Committee with a copy of the organization’s current constitution, bylaws and other governing documents.
7. Reports to the State Central Committee
Between February 1 and February 15 of each year, the secretary will provide the Maryland State democratic Central Committee with a list of all organizations currently chartered by the County central Committee (including a mailing address for each organization). In the event that the county charter of an organization also currently chartered by the state is revoked or is not renewed, the Secretary will notify the State Central Committee and request (on behalf of the County Central Committee) that the organization’s state charter be withdrawn or suspended.
8. Benefits of Chartered Organizations
Each organization chartered by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee is entitled to the following benefits (at the organization’s request). Organizations not chartered by the Central Committee will not be entitled to these benefits.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, April 7, 1998[57]
and amended by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, January 12, 1999[58]
[Open and Free Elections]
Open and free elections are one of the basic principles of the Democratic Party.
For an election to be open and free, all candidates for office must have equal and concurrent access to such fundamental information as who is eligible to vote in the election (including all contact information the organization possesses).
The October 6, 1971 Guidelines for Continuing Assistance to Democratic Clubs stated that:
The December 17, 1975 policy provided that the Central Committee “will continue to piggy-back flyers for club functions, but all clubs must be responsible for mailing, postage, etc., of newsletters.”
The July 27, 1977 Guidelines for Democratic Clubs using Central Committee facilities and Services provided that:
If a member of a Democratic organization in Montgomery County, who is a candidate (or who intends to become a candidate) for office in that organization’s next election so requests, the Chair of the Central Committee shall appoint a mediator to assist in making sure that the organization’s elections are held in an open and free manner.
In appointing a mediator, the Chairperson is to strive to appoint a person who (1) is experienced with parliamentary procedure and the conduct of elections and (2) is acceptable to all candidates in the organization’s election. The mediator may be (but is not required to be) a member of the Central Committee and generally should not be a member of the organization. Whenever the Chairperson of the Central Committee appoints a mediator, the Chairperson is to promptly notify the President of the organization and urge the organization to make use of the mediator.
At the request of the mediator, the organization will provide the mediator with a list of all persons (including contact information) who are eligible to vote in the election. The mediator will treat such a list as confidential, except that a mediator may provide candidates running for office within the organization with a copy of the list.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, January 12, 1999
Policy on Legislative Vacancies
Section 2. Announcement of Vacancy
When a Montgomery County democratic seat in the legislature becomes vacant, an announcement will
…
(4) the president of each Democratic organization chartered by the Central Committee;[59]
…
The announcements will indicate the deadline and address for applying to fill the vacancy.
Section 3. District organizations.
(a) If there is a chartered Democratic organization(s) for the legislative district with the vacancy, the Secretary will contact the president of that organization(s) and request that the organization(s) provide recommendations on filling the vacancy. The Secretary will also request that the organization(s) hold a public forum where the candidates may present themselves to the Democrats of the district. The Central Committee will give due consideration to any such recommendation, though the Central Committee will make the final decision in filling legislative vacancies.
(b) Subsection (a) of this section is not intended to authorize an organization to endorse a candidate(s) if the bylaws or other rules governing the organization prohibit the organization from endorsing a candidate(s). Likewise, if the bylaws or other rules governing the organization specify the procedure that is to be followed before the organization can endorse a candidate(s), subsection (a) of this section is not intended to supersede those bylaws or rules.[60]
Policy on Legislative Vacancies, §§ 2(a)(4) and 3,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, June 12, 2001;
amended by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, November 13, 2007
Policy on Vacancies on the Central Committee
Section 2. Announcement of Vacancy.
When a vacancy occurs prior to the end of a Central Committee member’s term, an announcement will …
(b) be sent by electronic mail to all the following persons that the Central Committee has an electronic address for: …
(4) the president of each Democratic organization chartered by the Central Committee;
…
The announcements will indicate the deadline and address for applying to fill the vacancy.
Policy on Vacancies on the Central Committee, § 2(b)(4),
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, June 12, 2001;
[High School Democratic Clubs]
Any member in good standing of a high school democratic club in Montgomery County [is entitled to] receive a free subscription to The Montgomery Democrat while in high school.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, July 10, 2001
Policy on Club Participation
§1. Purpose
Democratic organizations play an important role in providing Democrats with opportunities to participate in the Democratic Party. Keeping those opportunities available in a fair and open manner is one of the responsibilities of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, as well as the organizations themselves. The purpose of this policy is to identify certain practices that are necessary to maintain to the principle of Democratic Party that opportunities to participate should be open and available.
§2. Scheduling of meetings
The Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States provides that, “The scheduling of Democratic Party affairs at all levels shall consider the presence of any religious minorities of significant numbers of concentration whose level of participation would be affected.” It is therefore the policy of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee that no Democratic organization (or governing body of a Democratic organization) in Montgomery County may hold a business meeting at the time of a religious or cultural observance that would likely prevent the participation of any significant number of its members. Business meetings include (but are not limited to) any meeting where (1) officers, directors, or any similar officials are nominated or elected, (2) candidates for public or party office are endorsed, (3) the organization’s position on any legislative or other issue is to be voted on, (4) any of the organization’s governing documents are to be adopted or amended, or (5) the spending of money is to be authorized. For purposes of this policy, “business meetings” also include debates of (or forums for) candidates for public or party office.
§3. Voting participation
Voting in business meetings of democratic organizations (particularly in meetings to elect officers or to endorse candidates) by people who have had no previous involvement with that organization is contrary to the principles of basic fairness. No member may vote in a Democratic organization in Montgomery County (nor be counted in determining the presence of a quorum) unless they have been a member of that organization for at least thirty days and are physically present at the meeting. Democratic organizations may adopt additional reasonable requirements (e.g., requiring that before a member may vote that they have previously attended a meeting of the organization) concerning who may vote.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, October 10, 2006
Policy on Ballot Questions
§9. Meetings of the Precinct Organization and Central Committee
No later than the second Tuesday in August of each even numbered year, the Chair of the Central Committee (in consultation with the Chair of the Ballot Questions Advisory Committee and the Chair of the Precinct Organization Committee) will schedule the meetings of the Precinct Organization and the Central Committee (provided for in § E(2)(d)(i) of the Precinct Organization Rules) for the purpose of determining the County Democratic Party’s position on each ballot question. Such meeting shall not be held on the same day as the election of Central Committee officers provided for in Article IV, § 2 of the Central Committee Bylaws. Notice of the meetings to determine the County Democratic Party’s position on ballot questions will also be sent by electronic mail to all members of the Precinct Organization and all persons designated in § 10 of this policy, for whom the County Democratic Party has an electronic mail address. The notice to the presidents of the chartered Democratic organizations will also invite the organizations to hold meetings (between the receipt of the Report on Ballot Questions Advisory Committee on the holding of the meetings of the Precinct Organization and the Central Committee) to discuss the ballot questions. Notice of the meetings, to the extent practical, will be published in The Montgomery Democrat and on the County Democratic Party’s Web site.
§ 10. Report of the Ballot Questions Advisory Committee.
The content and distribution of the report of the Ballot Questions Advisory Committee shall be in accordance with §E(2)(d) of the Precinct Organization Rules. Additionally, copies of the report of the Ballot Questions Advisory Committee will also be sent to all members of the Central Committee; the presidents of all chartered Democratic organizations; and all elected public officials representing all or part of Montgomery County who were elected as Democrats.
Policy on Ballot Questions, §§ 9 & 10,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, November 13, 2007
School Board Endorsements in the 2008 Primary
As an experiment, for the 2008 primary only, sample ballots produced by Democratic organizations chartered by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee may be placed on the Democratic precinct tables even if the sample ballots include recommendations for School Board candidates provided that:
After the 2008 primary election, the Rules Committee will review the question of whether this experiment should be extended to the 2008 general election and, after holding such forums it may deem appropriate, submit recommendations to the Central Committee.
Under no circumstances should this experiment be extended beyond the 2008 general election, unless the Precinct Organization Rules are amended to make it clear that this activity is permissible.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, January 8, 2008
3. Organizations Chartered
by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee
Organization | Date Chartered |
African American Democratic Club of Montgomery County | May 14, 2002 |
Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club | before 1995 |
Central County Democratic Club | September 14, 1993 |
Coalition of Asian Pacific American Democrats of Maryland | December 14, 1999 |
Coalition of High School Democrats | September 12, 2000 |
District 14 Democratic Club | before 1995 |
District 15 Democratic Caucus[61] | June 8, 2004 |
District 16 Democratic Caucus | October 9, 2001 |
District 17 Democratic Club[62] | September 14, 1999 |
District 18 Democratic Caucus | September 14, 1999 |
District 19 Democratic Club | before 1995 |
District 20 Democratic Caucus | October 9, 2001 |
District 39 Democratic Caucus | May 11, 1999 |
District 39 Democratic Club | December 14, 2004 |
Germantown Democratic Club | July 21, 1993 |
Greater Silver Spring Democratic Club | March 9, 2004 |
Hispanic Democratic Club | November 14, 1995[63] |
Leisure World Democratic Club | 1973 |
Montgomery County Green Democrats | May 16, 1990 |
Montgomery County Young Democrats | August 8, 1995 |
Northern Montgomery Women’s Democratic Club | before 1995 |
Paint Branch High School Young Democrats | August 8, 1995 |
Rockville High School College Democrats | March 14, 1995 |
Rockville/Mid-County Democratic Breakfast Club | before 1995 |
Seneca Potomac Democratic Club | before 1995 |
Stonewall Democratic Club | May 12, 1998 |
20th District Democratic Breakfast Club | before 1995 |
Women’s Suburban Democratic Club | September 12, 2000[64] |
Chartered Organizations that have disbanded
Organization | Date Chartered | Date Disbanded |
District 15 Democratic Club | December 9, 1997 | January 2008 (merged into the District 15 Democratic Caucus) |
Maryland Deaf and Hard of Hearing Democratic Club | October 9, 2001 | c. January 2006 |
Montgomery County Democratic Action Group (MCDAC) | before 1995 | c. January 2000 |
Montgomery County Lawyers Club | January 14, 1993 | c. 1998 |
Montgomery County New Democrats | December 10, 1996 | August 2007 |
Committees
The following are permanent committees of the Montgomery County Democratic Party:
Committee | Membership[65] | Source |
Annual County Brunch Committee | - - - | Policy on Spring Ball and Annual County Brunch Tickets, adopted by the MCDCC, September 20, 2001 |
Ballot Questions Advisory Committee | Montgomery County Democrats selected by the Central Committee, a majority of whom must be members of the Precinct Organization[66] | Rules Governing Qualifications, Elections and Meetings of Democratic Precinct Officials of Montgomery County, Maryland, § E(2)(d)(ii); also Ballot Questions Policy adopted by the MCDCC, November 13, 2007 |
Budget and Finance Committee | - - - | World Wide Web Site Policy § 6, adopted by the MCDCC, December 12, 1995 |
Central Committee | 2 elected voting members (2 by the Democratic voters of each legislative district that is entirely within Montgomery County, plus 1 by the Democratic voters of each legislative district partially in Montgomery County, with the balance being elected by the Democratic voters county-wide): plus 2 non-voting student members (one male and one female); plus as many additional non-voting members has an equal number of men and women | Maryland Constitution, article III, § 13; Maryland Election Code § 4-203(f); Maryland Democratic Party Constitution, article III(2); Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee By-Laws |
Committee | Membership | Source |
| - - - | Computer policy adopted by the MCDCC, March 17, 1971 |
County Fair Committee | - - - | County Fair policy adopted by the MCDCC, August 8, 1995 |
Democratic Forum | Sponsors ($300), Benefactors ($500), and Patrons ($1,000) | Democratic Forums Membership Programs policy adopted by the MCDCC, February 7, 1995 |
Dollars Drive [Committee] | - - - | Rules Governing Qualifications, Elections and Meetings of Democratic Precinct Officials of Montgomery County, Maryland, § C(2)(d); also Dollars Drive policy, adopted by the MCDCC, June 30, 1976 |
Elections Procedures Committee | - - - | Duties of the Assistant Secretary, § 9, adopted by the MCDCC, April 13, 1999 |
Executive Committee | Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary | MCDCC By-Laws, article IV, § 1; also Personnel Procedures adopted by the MCDCC, September 12, 1995; Policy on Ballot Inspections, adopted by the MCDCC, October 2, 2002 |
Internet Services Committee | - - | World Wide Web Site policy adopted by the MCDCC, December 12, 1995 |
Issues Committee | - - - | legislative Issues policy adopted by the MCDCC, March 11, 1997 |
Labor Advisory Committee | “rank and file, local and international trade union members of the Democratic Party (residing in Montgomery County) together with labor oriented members of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee acting as a liaison to the Advisory Committee”[67] | Labor Advisory Committee policy adopted by the MCDCC, December 14, 1977 |
Newsletter Committee | Newsletter policies adopted by the MCDCC, December 9, 1997, and January 21, 1998 | |
Plowman and Fisherman | [paid membership] | Policies on distribution of Plowman and Fisherman and Democratic Forum membership lists adopted by the MCDCC, February 9, 1977, and January 21, 1988 |
Precinct Operations Account Audit Committee | one member of the Precinct Organization from each state senatorial district, elected by the members of the Precinct Organization from that district | Rules Governing Qualifications, Elections and Meetings of Democratic Precinct Officials of Montgomery County, Maryland, § C(4) |
Committee | Membership | Source |
Precinct Organization | all Precinct Chairpersons, Precinct Vice Chairpersons, and Area Coordinators | Rules Governing Qualifications, Elections and Meetings of Democratic Precinct Officials of Montgomery County, Maryland |
Precinct Organization Committee | - - - | Precinct Chair and Vice Chair Removal and Suspension policy adopted by the MCDCC, September 20, 1978; Ballot Questions policy adopted by the MCDCC, October 6, 1994; Policy on Filling Precinct Chair and Vice Chair Vacancies adopted by the MCDCC, May 9, 1995[68]; Policy on Legislative Redistricting and Party Organization, adopted by the MCDCC, May 14, 2002, and amended June 11, 2002, and March 14, 2006 |
Precinct Review Committee | at least three precinct chairpersons (appointed by the Central Committee) | Rules Governing Qualifications, Elections and Meetings of Democratic Precinct Officials of Montgomery County, Maryland, § C(2)(d) |
Rules Committee | - - - | § 3 of the policy on Chartering Democratic Clubs and Caucuses, adopted by the MCDCC, April 7, 1998[69] |
Spring Ball Committee | - - - | Policy on Funds of the Central Committee, adopted by the MCDCC, March 23, 1982; Policy on Spring Ball and Annual County Brunch Tickets, adopted by the MCDCC, September 20, 2001 |
Student Club Organizing Committee | Chair of the Central Committee to appoint the chair and vice chair from members of the Central Committee, with the chair being one of the student members of the Central Committee | MCDCC By-Laws, article XI; Policy on Student Membership on the Central Committee (§§ 2 and 5), adopted by the MCDCC, July 13, 1999 |
Student Volunteer Mobilization Committee | Chair of the Central Committee to appoint the chair and vice chair from members of the Central Committee, with the chair being one of the student members of the Central Committee | MCDCC By-Laws, article XI; Policy on Student Membership on the Central Committee (§§ 2 and 5), adopted by the MCDCC, July 13, 1999 |
Committee | Membership | Source |
Sunshine Committee | - - - | Policy on Expressions of Sympathy and Recognitions of Achievements, § 6, adopted by the MCDCC, September 14, 1999 |
Trustees Group | all former Montgomery County Democratic elected officials | Organization of the Montgomery County Democratic Trustees Group, adopted by the MCDCC, December 8, 2003[70] |
Voter Registration Committee | - - - | Rules Governing Qualifications, Elections and Meetings of Democratic Precinct Officials of Montgomery County, Maryland, § C(2)(d) |
Former permanent committees of the Montgomery County Democratic Party:
Committee | Membership | Source |
Networking Committee | - - - | Originally designated as a permanent committee April 11, 1995 by Central Committee By-Laws article XI §§ 1(b) and 2(b). Permanent status withdrawn July 13, 1999 by the adoption of the general revision of article XI. |
Political Inclusion Effort Committee | - - - | Originally designated as a permanent committee April 11, 1995 by Central Committee By-Laws article XI § 2(c). Permanent status withdrawn July 13, 1999 by the adoption of the general revision of article XI. |
Student Elections Oversight Committee | Secretary of the Central Committee and two members each of the Networking Committee, the Political Inclusion Effort Committee, and the Rules Committee | Originally designated as a permanent committee April 11, 1995 by Central Committee By-Laws article XI §§ 1(b) and 2(b). Permanent status withdrawn July 13, 1999 by the adoption of the general revision of article XI. |
Young Democratic Leadership Council | One representative from each high school and/or collegiate Democratic club chartered by the Central Committee[71] | Originally designated as a permanent committee April 11, 1995 by Central Committee By-Laws article XI § 1. Permanent status withdrawn July 13, 1999 by the adoption of the general revision of article XI. |
Comptroller
The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Assistant secretary, and Comptroller are to be bonded … [as are] the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary and Office Secretary …
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, November 19, 1975
Computers
(see also Data and Records Custody and Release; and Web Site)
1. Computer Committee
A task force is formed to monitor the Montgomery County Democratic central Committee’s computer needs and servicing.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, March 17, 1971
2. Purchase of Computers
Any computer accepted by the MCDCC should be union made.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, October 20, 1983
3. Computer Use Guidelines
OPERATION
USE AND DISTRIBUTION OF MAILING LABELS[72]
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, February 27, 1985
Contracts
Elected Officials, Precinct Officials and interested Democrats are to be notified of [the Central Committee’s] … intent to let a contract before we hire.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, August 14, 1975
Contributions to the Central Committee
(see also Funds of the Central Committee; Treasurer of the Central Committee)
Maryland Election Code § 13-226(c): Contributions other than transfers –
c) Special limit for central committees.
Maryland Election Code § 13-226 (c) [2014 ed.]
Maryland Election Code § 13-247. Disposition of surplus funds
After all campaign expenditures have been made and before filing a final campaign finance report under Subtitle 3 of this title, any remaining balance in the account of a campaign finance entity shall be returned pro rata to the contributors or paid to:
Maryland Election Code § 13-247 (1)(i)(ii) [2014 ed.]
County Council Redistricting Commission
SECTION 104. Redistricting Procedure
The boundaries of Council districts shall be reviewed in 1972 and every tenth year thereafter. Whenever district boundaries are to be reviewed, the Council shall appoint, not later than February 1 of the year before the year in which redistricting is to take effect, a commission on redistricting. The Commission shall be composed of four members from each political party chosen from a list of eight individuals submitted by the central committee of each political party which polled at least fifteen percent of the total vote cast for all candidates for the Council in the last preceding regular election. Each list shall include at least one individual who resides in each Council district, and the number of members of the Commission who reside in the same Council district shall not exceed the number of political parties which submitted a list to the Council. The Commission shall, at its first meeting, select one of its members to serve as its chair. No person who holds any elected office[74] shall be eligible for appointment to the Commission.
By November 15 of the year before the year in which redistricting is to take effect, the Commission shall present a plan of Council districts, together with a report explaining it, to the Council. Within thirty days after receiving the plan of the Commission, the Council shall hold a public hearing on the plan. If within ninety days after the presentation of the Commission’s plan no other law reestablishing the boundaries of the Council districts has been enacted, then the plan, as submitted, shall become law.
Montgomery County Charter, § 104,
as amended November 2, 1982, and November 3, 1998
A regulated lobbyist may not:
(14) if serving on the State or a local central committee of a political party, participate:
(iii) in actions related to filling a vacancy in a public office.
Maryland Code (state Government) § 15-713(14)(iii) [2002]
Procedures for Selecting the Central Committee’s Nominees to the County Council Redistricting Commission:
[1] The candidates will be invited alphabetically to address the Central Committee for up to one minute each. A representative may speak for any candidate who is not present.
[2] Once all the candidates have had an opportunity to speak, the members of the Committee may question the candidates in open session.
[3] After the questioning (if any) is completed, a motion may be made to go into executive session to discuss the selection as a personnel matter.
[4] If no motion to go into executive session is made or adopted (or, alternatively, after the completion of the executive session), the Central Committee will elect its nominees by secret ballot.
[5] For balloting, the candidates will be divided into Council Districts, and one person will be elected as the Central Committee’s nominee from each Council District. Each member of the Central Committee may cast up to one vote for each Council District.
[6] To be elected as the Central Committee’s nominee, a candidate must receive at least an absolute majority of the votes cast. In the even that no candidate from a particular District receives an absolute majority of the ballots cast, than any candidates who received no votes and the candidate in that District who received the least number of votes over zero, will be dropped from the ballot and a new ballot will be held. This will continue until one person is elected as the Central Committee’s nominee from each Council District.
[7] After the balloting for the five Council Districts positions has been completed, all of the candidates who were not successful will be considered for three at large seats. Balloting for the at large seats will begin immediately after the completion of the selection of the five Council District nominees. Each member of the Central Committee may cast up to as many votes as there are positions remaining to be filled.
[8] To be elected as the Central Committee’s nominee, a candidate must receive at least an absolute majority of the ballots cast. In the event that fewer candidates receive an absolute majority of the ballots cast, then there are positions remaining,
This will continue until one person has been elected as the Central Committee’s nominee for each position.
[9] The Assistant Secretary will collect all ballots and the Secretary and Assistant Secretary will tally the ballots. Each candidate may designate one observer to watch the tallying of the ballots. Proxies must be presented to the Secretary before any ballots are put into the ballot box.
Procedures for Selecting the Central Committee’s Nominees to the
County Council Redistricting Commission,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, November 14, 2000
County Council Vacancies
(see also: Candidate Vacancies)
SECTION 106. Vacancies
A vacancy shall occur when any member of the Council shall, before the expiration of the term for which the member was elected, die, resign the office, become disqualified for membership on the Council, or be removed from office. Unless the Council has provided by law for filling a vacancy by special election, the following process for filling a vacancy shall apply. When a vacancy has occurred, a majority of the remaining members of the Council shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy within thirty days. An appointee to fill a vacancy, when succeeding a party member, shall be a member of the same political party as the person elected to such office at the time of election. If the Council has not acted within thirty days, the County Executive shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy within ten days thereafter. If a person having held the vacant position was a member of a political party at the time of election, the person appointed by the County Executive shall be the nominee of the County Central Committee of that party. An appointee shall serve for the unexpired term of the previous member.
Any member appointed to fill a vacancy shall meet the same qualifications and residence requirements as the previous member.
Montgomery County Charter, § 106,
as amended November 2, 1982, November 8, 1988, and November 3, 1998
Filling vacant Elective Offices – From time to time a local Democratic Central Committee may be empowered or required by law of the Constitution and By-laws of the Maryland Central Committee to fill vacant elective office. In such an event, the local Democratic Central Committee shall insure that reasonable public notice is given concerning the vacancy, the procedure for filling the vacancy, and the qualifications and requirements for candidates to fill the vacancy. Meetings held by a local Democratic Central Committee for the purpose of filling such a vacancy shall be open to the public, and votes for the purpose of filling the vacancy shall be conducted by roll call.
Maryland Democratic Party By-Laws, article IX, § 6
County Executive Vacancies
(see also: Candidate Vacancies)
SECTION 205. Vacancy
A vacancy in the office of the County Executive shall exist upon the death, resignation, disqualification, or removal of the County Executive. The Council, by a vote of not less than five members, shall appoint a successor to fill the vacancy within forty-five days of the vacancy. An appointee to fill the vacancy, when succeeding a party member, shall be a member of the same political party as the person elected to such office at the time of election. If the Council has not made an appointment within forty-five days, the Council shall appoint within fifteen days thereafter the nominee of the County Central Committee of the political party, if any, of the person elected to such office. The Chief Administrative Officer shall act as the County Executive and perform all duties of that office until such time as the vacancy has been filled.
Montgomery County Charter, § 205
Filling vacant Elective Offices – From time to time a local Democratic Central Committee may be empowered or required by law of the Constitution and By-laws of the Maryland Central Committee to fill vacant elective office. In such an event, the local Democratic Central Committee shall insure that reasonable public notice is given concerning the vacancy, the procedure for filling the vacancy, and the qualifications and requirements for candidates to fill the vacancy. Meetings held by a local Democratic Central Committee for the purpose of filling such a vacancy shall be open to the public, and votes for the purpose of filling the vacancy shall be conducted by roll call.
Maryland Democratic Party By-Laws, article IX, § 6
County Fair
Each district is to take one day at the fair to work the tent.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, July 11, 1979
The facilities and property of the Democratic Central Committee are to be used exclusively to further the interests of the Democratic Party and are not available for use in non-partisan elections. This includes, but is not limited to … the Democratic tent at the Montgomery County Fair …
The Executive Secretary has the authority and the responsibility to determine the nature of any request to utilize MCDCC facilities and to reject any inappropriate use as described above. The Committee retains final authority in situations in which questions arise.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, September 16, 1987
Any organization chartered by the Central Committee can put whatever material the organization wants to in the Democratic tent [at the County Fair], provided that the material contains a disclaimer and provided the material is in good taste. The Co-Chairs of the County Fair Committee will be in charge of seeing to it that all material in the tent from chartered organizations meets these criteria.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, August 8, 1995
Each organization chartered by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee is entitled to the following benefits (at the organization’s request). Organizations not chartered by the Central Committee will not be entitled to these benefits.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, April 7, 1998
School Board [campaign] literature may not be displayed in the Democratic tent.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, August 11, 1998
Data and Records Custody (and Release)[75]
(see also Mail Services; and World Wide Web Site policy)
1. Examination of Records
All records of the Central Committee, including financial records, are open for examination by any registered Democrat in Montgomery County during the regular office hours of by appointment under the supervision of the Secretary, Assistant Secretary or Office Manager, subject only to the previously adopted exception of the membership roster of Plowman and Fisherman.[76]
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, March 23, 1977
2. Policy Regarding Release of Data
Policy Regarding Release of Data,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, May 12, 1998[77]
3. Printouts of Registered Voters
The [voter] print-outs are the property of the Central Committee placed in the care of each precinct chairman who are charged with their safekeeping. Arrangements to copy [a] list should be made with individual precinct chairmen and the Central Committee encourages the precinct chairmen to cooperate in making the list available upon request by either a member of the Central Committee or by an individual designated by a Democratic campaign committee.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, March 15, 1972
The Secretary is authorized to obtain a printout [of the registered voter list] for each precinct if it found to be economically feasible.[78]
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, April 12, 1978[79]
4. Availability of Specific Reports
The history of primary elections prepared by the T[ask] F[orce] on Candidate Selection shall be available for sale at the price of $2.00 per copy.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, April 27, 1977
Democratic Forum
A list of new Democratic Forum members is to be made available on the table at each MCDCC meeting, along with the Plowman and Fisherman list. A financial accounting of the Forum will be provided, as well.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, January 21, 1988
PATRONS
Annual Dues: $1,000
BENEFACTORS
Annual Dues: $500
SPONSORS
Annual Dues: $300
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, February 7, 1995
The Legal Counsel [of the central Committee] will be a Sponsor member of the Democratic Forum and will be exempt from paying dues for that membership…
Policy on the Legal Counsel, § 2,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, September 20, 2001
All trustees are encouraged to be active in … Democratic Forum … activities and operations.
Organization of the Montgomery County Democratic Trustees Group, § 4,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, December 8, 2003
(see also Liaison I, Liaison II, and District Meetings)
Beginning with the 1995-96 Dollars Drive, each precinct’s goal is to raise a minimum of 25 cents for each registered Democrat in their precinct (with a target goal of 41 per Democrat). For those precincts with fewer than 400 registered Democrats, the precinct chair and the District Liaison shall agree upon a goal. Precincts will be credited, after Dollars Drive expenses are deducted, 10% of funds up to the goal and 20% of the net funds raised above the goal.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, February 7, 1995[85]
amended by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, March 13, 1995
We will also make updated precinct directories available to any Democratic candidate (incumbent or non-incumbent), precinct official, or chartered organization for free, but we will satisfy only one request in a year. If more than one such updated directory is provided in a year, there will be a charge of $25 for each update. We will provide one copy per month of the circulation list for free upon request. District directories for their district are to be made available for free to District Liaisons upon request.
Policy Regarding Release of data, § 2,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, May 12, 1998
The Assistant Secretary shall: …
9. Notify the Montgomery County Board of elections of the names and addresses of the district liaisons and the Chair of the Elections Procedures Committee, each time any of those positions are newly filled, and request that the Board of Elections notify the Chair of the Elections Procedures Committee and the appropriate district liaison each time that the Board or its staff is studying a change of precinct boundaries, voting locations, permissible campaigning locations at a polling site, or any similar issue.
Duties of the Assistant Secretary, § 9,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, April 13, 1999
Dollars Drive[86]
Area coordinators … will be expected to identify problem areas and coordinate activities between precincts and the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee regarding meetings, dollar drives, general elections, and other party activities …
Rules Governing Qualifications, Elections and Meetings of Democratic Precinct Officials
of Montgomery County, Maryland, § B[87]
The duties of the officers shall be as follows:
(a) Duties of the Precinct Chairperson – The Chairperson shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Precinct. The Chairperson shall be responsible for the organization and administration of precinct affairs and activities and shall be specifically responsible for the following:
…
(4) Organizing and directing the Dollars for democrats drive and delivering funds and receipts to the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee promptly.
Rules Governing Qualifications, Elections and Meetings of Democratic Precinct Officials
of Montgomery County, Maryland, § C(2)(a)(4)
Loans up to $50, subject to the approval of the Party Chairperson or his designee, are authorized to those precinct[s] which make written request for money to carry on precinct activities. Money will be repaid out of Dollars Drive receipts.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, August 27, 1975
Program [OF THE Labor Advisory Committee]:
1. …
2. …
3. …
4. Assist in Dollars for Democrats drive whenever needed.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, December 14, 1977
Separate repayment is required of advances (transfers out) by the Dollars Drive and any other fund-raising activity which establishes a separate account.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, August 15, 1979
Beginning with the 1995-96 Dollars Drive, each precinct’s goal is to raise a minimum of 25 cents for each registered Democrat in their precinct (with a target goal of $1 per Democrat). For those precincts with fewer than 400 registered Democrats, the precinct chair and the District liaison shall agree upon a goal. Precincts will be credited, after Dollars Drive expenses are deducted, 10% of funds up to the goal and 20% of net funds raised above the goal.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, February 7, 1995[88]
amended by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, March 13, 1995
The Kominers Cup is to be awarded jointly to the precinct that raises the largest amount of money in the Dollars Drive and the precinct that raises the largest amount of money per registered Democrat in the precinct in the Dollars Drive.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, April 7, 1998[89]
Certificates of Appreciation are to be awarded at the Holiday Party (rather than at the Spring Ball) with an emphasis on Dollars Drive performance (though not exclusively).
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, April 7, 1998
The Assistant Secretary shall: …
Duties of the Assistant Secretary, § 8,
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, April 13, 1999
Dollars Drive Accounting
§ 1. Fiscal Year.
The Dollars Drive for each year will include all funds raised for the Drive from July 1 to June 30.
§ 2. Annual Report.
The treasurer of the Central Committee (with the assistance of the Assistant Treasurer of the Central Committee) will compile an annual Dollars Drive accounting report that will be presented to the Central Committee at its regular August meeting. The annual report will indicate how much money net) was raised by each precinct in the Dollars Drive, how much money was allocated to each precinct as a result of the money they raised in the Dollars Drive, and how much money is ion each precinct’s account in the Precinct operations account (formerly the Precinct Trust Fund). The report will also indicate which precinct raised the largest amount of money (net) in the Dollars Drive and which precinct raised the largest amount of money (net) per registered Democratic voter in the Dollars Drive.
§ 3. August 2003 Report.
In addition to the information required in § 2, the annual report to be submitted at the August 2003 meeting of the Central Committee should also indicate:
§ 4. Superseded Provisions.
This policy supersedes the policy starting the Dollars Drive, adopted by the Central Committee, June 30, 1976.[90]
Dollars Drive Accounting Policy,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, march 11, 2003
All Trustees are encouraged to be active in … Dollars Drive campaign … activities and operations.
Organization of the Montgomery County Democratic Trustees Group, § 4,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, December 8, 2003
Duplicating Services[91]
Use of the copier machine will be charged at 15 cents per copy.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, May 12, 1982
The following indicates the services which will be made available by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee to all Democratic Primary Election candidates and all the conditions which must be met to obtain those services:
…
4. Duplicating of general material may be done in the MCDCC office provided clean copy is submitted. Use of the electronic stencil and mimeograph machines will be made available on the same cost basis as to Democratic Clubs and precinct officials on an “as time allows” basis (after regular MCDCC work). Schedule of charges on reverse side.[92]
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, August 5, 1985
Election Judges
… Precinct Chairpersons, Vice Chairpersons, and Area Coordinators may not serve as an election judge or registration officer on election day.
Rules Governing Qualifications, Elections and Meetings of Democratic Precinct officials
of Montgomery County, Maryland, § A(3)
Duties of the Precinct Chairperson – The Chairperson shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Precinct. The Chairperson shall be responsible for the organization and administration of precinct affairs and activities and shall be specifically responsible for the following:
…
(5) Recommending to the Board of Elections individuals to serve as election judges for the precinct.
Rules Governing Qualifications, Elections and Meetings of Democratic Precinct officials
of Montgomery County, Maryland, § C(2)(a)(5)
Emeritus Positions
§ 1. General.
When the Central Committee wishes to honor a precinct official who has served the party long and well and/or who has previously received one of the primary awards of the Party, the Central Committee may designate them as a Precinct Official Emeritus.
§ 2. Selection.
The Central Committee will select Precinct Officials Emeritus in executive session. Voting will be by hand vote. A two-thirds majority of the votes cast for an award is needed for a nominee to win an award.
§ 4. Term of Appointment.
Any person who has been designated Precinct Official Emeritus shall have that title for life.
§ 5. Minutes.
Any reports concerning the nominations and selection of Precinct Officials Emeritus will not list the nominees or nominators, or the number of votes received by any nominee. The reports include the minutes of the Central Committee and the confidential summary of the Central Committee executive sessions.
§ 6. Publication.
Every Precinct directory published by the Party will contain a list of all persons who have been designated as a Precinct Official Emeritus. The Spring Ball ad book and the Party’s web site will also include a list of all persons who have been designated as a Precinct Official, Emeritus.
§ 7. Montgomery Democrat subscription.
Each Precinct Official Emeritus shall receive a complimentary subscription to the Montgomery Democrat.
§ 8. Definitions.
For purposes of this policy, the “primary awards of the Party” include the
Precinct Official Emeritus Policy,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, January 14, 2003
1. Proposed Policy for Designating Central Committee Members Emeritus
§ 1. General.
When the Central Committee wishes to honor a former Central Committee member who was elected by the voters but who was not able to complete their current term, but who has worked hard for the Party, the Central Committee may designate them as central Committee Emeritus.
§ 2. Selection.
The Central Committee will select Central Committee Members Emeritus in executive session. Voting will be by hand vote. A two-thirds majority of the votes cast for an award is needed for a nominee to win an award.
§ 4. Term of Appointment.
Any person who has been designated as a Central Committee Member Emeritus shall have that title for what would have been the remainder of their term as a member of the Central Committee.
§ 5. Minutes.
Any reports concerning the nominations and selection of Central Committee Members Emeritus will not list the nominees or nominators, or the number of votes received by any nominee. The reports include the minutes of the Central Committee and the confidential summary of the Central Committee executive sessions.
§ 6. Montgomery Democrat subscription.
Each Central Committee Member Emeritus shall receive a complimentary subscription to the Montgomery Democrat.
§ 7. Meetings.
Each Central Committee member Emeritus shall have the same rights at meetings of the County Central Committee as non-voting members of the Committee.
The motion was discussed and approved by voice vote, without objection
by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, April 14, 2009
2. Central Committee Member Emeritus
Policy on Emeritus Positions,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, April 14, 2009
Executive Committee
Prior to every primary and general election, the Chair of the Central Committee (or the Chair’s representative) will inspect the proposed ballot faces prepared by the Montgomery County Board of Elections, as soon as the ballot faces are available for public inspection. If, in the o[pinion of the Executive Committee, the ballots should be challenged, the Executive Committee may make such a challenge on behalf of the Central Committee. The Central Committee reserves the right to modify any position taken on its behalf.
Policy on Ballot Inspection,
adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, October 8, 2002
Finance Law Opinion
“In our opinion, if a campaign finance entity were to make a contribution (i.e. transfer) to a political party with the proviso that it could only be devoted to the party’s ongoing administrative expenses unrelated to any particular election, that expenditure would be for a nonelectorial purpose and would not be a permissible expenditure by the campaign finance entity under Campaign Finance Law.”
Letter to Jared DeMarinis, from Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler, dated August 6, 2007
92 Op. Att’y Gen. 92, 105-106
Funds of the Central Committee[93]
(see also: Assistant Treasurer of the Central Committee; Contributions to the Central Committee; Payments; and Treasurer of the Central Committee)
The Secretary and Treasurer each are authorized to approve up to $50 per quarter in unusual expenditures without asking for C[entral] C[ommittee] authorization.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, November 19, 1975
All records of the Central Committee, including financial records, are open for examination by any registered Democrat in Montgomery County during regular office hours or by appointment under the supervision of the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, or Office Manager, subject only to the previously adopted exception of the membership roster of Plowman and Fisherman.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, March 23, 1977
The Central Committee will prepare its financial reports on a fiscal year basis (July 1 to June 30).
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, September 7, 1977[94]
Separate repayment is required of advances (transfers out) by the Dollars Drive and any other fund-raising activity which establishes a separate account.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, August 15, 1979
One individual is to be appointed to be responsible for a fund-raising activity[95] and that person is requested to prepare a report after the activity detailing the sources of income, categories of expenditure, statement of net income and recommendations for future similar events.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, August 15, 1979
There is established a separate category for direct Central Committee campaign expenses during any campaign year.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, August 15, 1979
(1) A debt caused by the use of Central Committee services is to be paid at the time of pick-up by candidates during a primary campaign; (2) clubs with more than 3 months in arrears on a debt to the Central Committee must pay at time of pick-up; [and] (3) individuals and non-Democratic clubs are to pay cash on delivery.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, February 20, 1980
The Spring Ball Committee is allowed to accept advertising from cable-TV firms. Cable-TV ad book revenue is to be segregated and those funds are only to be used for office overhead expenses.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, March 23, 1982
New expenditures over $100.00 require [Central] Committee approval, unless previously approved by the Committee. A voucher system will be used for this accountability.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, April 12, 1989
The Chairman and Treasurer are authorized to sign checks. All checks of $500 or more are to be signed by both the Chairman and the Treasurer, except routine recurring checks (e.g., payroll and rent) need only one signature.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, September 19, 1994,
amended by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, October 19, 1994
The Treasurer is authorized to establish two money market accounts for funds in excess of what … [the Central Committee] need[s] on a daily basis.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, April 13, 1999
[A] money market account [is to] be established with Sun trust Bank and … any expenditure from the account over $500 must be approved by the Chair.
Adopted by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, May 13, 2003
Funds of the Precincts
(see also: Dollars Drive)
Duties of the Precinct Chairperson – The [Precinct] Chairperson shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the precinct. The Chairperson shall be responsible for the organization and administration of precinct affairs and activities and shall be specifically resp