Democratic House Speaker Tip O’Neill coined the phrase that “All politics is local” and at the heartbeat of local politics is a Precinct Committee Person (PCP)
So what is a Precinct Committee Person (PCP)?
PCPs are the driving force behind registering voters, “Get Out the Vote (GOTV)” as well as educating family, friends and neighbors about the candidates and issues. PCPs are either elected as part of the county primary elections in even-numbered years or can be appointed and confirmed by a vote of existing Lincoln County Democratic Central Committee members, aka the Democratic Party of Lincoln County Oregon.
A Precinct Committeeperson is a representative of the Party in the precinct in which he or she resides. For every 500 registered voters in a precinct, there should be one precinct person of each gender. Each Precinct Committee Person is a member of the County Central Committee of the county party. In Lincoln County there are a total of 153 PCP slots.
What are the PCP’s powers and responsibilities?
The precinct is the smallest geographical unit in the country, it is your neighborhood. You know the people, the schools and the community centers. You have your hand on the pulse of the precinct because you understand the problems, potentials and have a desire to improve your neighborhood.
PCPs can attend State Central Committee Meetings, vote on official party business, elect county party leadership, elect Platform Convention delegates and, occasionally, even nominate replacement state legislators or state senators when they retire, or replacement Democratic nominees who withdraw after the primary. PCPs also vote on Central Committee appropriation of funds, by-law changes and candidate endorsements. PCPs are not required to attend general meetings but the more that show up to vote the better the democratic the process works.
What is time commitment and what is expected of a Precinct Committee Person (PCP)?
The time you invest is up to you. Some of you are already doing the work of PCPs without formally being one, talking to friends, family and neighbors about the candidates and issues. Some like to submit Letters to the Editor or opinions in local media. Some like to organize phone banking or neighborhood canvassing. Others enjoy hosting a gathering (BBQ or House Parties) or staffing a table or booth at an event. It really depends on you and the time you can share to make Lincoln County, Oregon and America a better place to live for this and future generations.
What is the PCP term of office?
A PCP’s term of office is approximately two years. It runs from the date that the Oregon elections office has certified the May primary election results in one even-numbered election year (usually in June) until it has certified the same primary election results of the next even-numbered election year.
How do I become a PCP?
PCPs can either be elected or appointed.
Election Method – Starting in late September of an odd-numbered year, Oregon voters registered as Democrats for at least 180 days, may file to be elected to fill PCP slots in the May primary election. For 2020 the last day to file is March 10th. Here is the link for the filing form: https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Documents/SEL105.pdf
Appointment Method – After the May primary elections, most Democratic county parties appoint registered Democrats to vacant PCP slots in their precinct through mid-June of the next even-numbered election year. If your precinct is already occupied you can be appointed to an adjacent precinct. The PCP appointment process in Lincoln County includes filling out an appointment form for submission to the Lincoln County Democratic Party Secretary and subsequent vote approval at a general meeting.
Never underestimate your power as a PCP – because the precinct is where elections are won or lost!
Please visit our website at www.lincolncountydemocratsoregon.com for additional information about the Lincoln County Democratic Party of Oregon
