2020 Committee Reorganization Resources

Pursuant to section 8.1 of the Democratic Party of Virginia’s Party Plan, local committees are required to reorganize each odd numbered year. Each local committee will host a reorganization caucus no later than January 15th, 2020, and not earlier than December 1st, 2019. 
The following guidelines will be used for the reorganization:
  • Call to caucus.
  • Caucus rules.
Secret ballots are not allowed to be used during any recorded vote by an elected body. This means that when officer elections are held, each committee member must either print or sign their name on their ballots. You must be able to trace which candidate each committee member voted for.

Call to Caucus to Reorganize the King George Democratic Committee

Pursuant to the authority provided by the Virginia Democratic Party Plan, the King George Democratic Committee hereby calls an assembled caucus beginning at 7 PM (doors open at 6:45 PM) on January 6, 2020 at the Smoot Library (9533 Kings Highway, King George, VA).  The purpose of the caucus will be to elect the new members and officers for the King George Democratic Committee.
 
I. Candidate for Officer Filing Form:
Each person seeking to become an Officer of the Committee shall file a Declaration of Officer Candidacy Form and submit it by 6 January 2020 by 7:15 p.m.  Only those candidates who have timely and properly completed the form will have their names placed in contention.   
 
There shall be no filing fee for any candidates.
 
II. Notice:
The KG Dems shall provide notice of this caucus by placement of a general notice of the filing deadline and the caucus, including noticing the caucus date, time, and location, along with the Call to Caucus, on the King George Democratic Committee website and social media platforms; by email notification to Democrats who reside in King George; and through other reasonable means that will disseminate information about the caucus to registered voters in the county.  In addition, reasonable actions shall be taken to promote participation in the caucus in accordance with the Affirmative Action provisions of the Party Plan of the DPVA.
 
III. Participation
Every Democrat who is a registered voter in King George County is urged to attend and participate. If an individual does not appear on the Registered Voter List, they will not be allowed to participate. Participants will also be required to sign a Caucus Participation Form stating that they:

  1. Are a Democrat;
  2. Are a registered voter within King George County
  3. Believe in the principles of the Democratic Party; and
  4. Does not intend to support any candidates opposed to a Democratic nominee in the next ensuing election.
 
IV. Affirmative Action
It shall be the duty and goal of all members of the King George Democratic Committee to seek out and encourage the broadest possible participation within the committee, and in its membership, of all duly qualified citizens without regard to race, sex, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic identity, disability, or economic status.
 
V. Conduct of the Caucus
The doors to the caucus will open at 6:45 p.m. and close at 7:45 p.m. Upon the closing of the doors, only those participants who have registered or are in line to register at 7:45 p.m. will be permitted to participate.
 
VI. Determination of Winners
In the event that only one person files for a position, that person shall be declared the winner and the election for that specific position shall be cancelled.
 
If more individuals file than there are positions available, the candidates will be listed alphabetically on the ballot and will be elected by a plurality of the votes at the assembled caucus.
 
Vacancies may be filled by the new committee at the first meeting following the election of Officers.

Caucus Rules

  1. The doors to the caucus shall open, and the check in process shall begin at 6:45 p.m.
  2. The official clock shall be kept by the Chair.
  3. The doors to the caucus room shall be closed promptly at 7:45 p.m. Persons standing in line to complete a Membership or Candidacy Form at the time the doors close will be allowed to complete their forms and participate in the caucus.
  4. The Chair shall oversee the entire process and delegate responsibilities as they see fit. These responsibilities shall include checking in caucus participants, seating them, and serving as tellers for the contested elections.
  5. The caucus will be called to order by the Chair. The current Chair will serve as the Chair of the caucus.
  6. The Chair shall appoint a Secretary of the caucus.
  7. The first order of business will be to adopt these rules as permanent.
  8. The Chair shall announce the total number of credentialed participants, and inform the participants of the contested elections to be held in order to elect members.
  9. Pursuant to the Call to Caucus, those positions where equal or fewer people filed to the number of available positions shall have their elections, and the duly filed persons shall be declared the winner by acclamation.
  10. Participants will be given ballots for the contested elections they are eligible to participate in upon checking in. The ballots shall be filled out by making a mark in the box next to their candidate of choice.
  11. Upon the tallying of votes, the Chair shall announce the winners of the contested elections.
  12. Upon the announcement of winners, the caucus shall be adjourned.