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TRINITY
COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I Name and Purpose Section 2) PURPOSE: This Committee shall have charge of the party campaigns for the Democratic Party and its candidates for public office for which elections are held in Trinity County. The Committee may work with other Democratic county central committees and with the Democratic State Central Committee on matters of mutual concern. The committee shall conduct such other business as is deemed appropriate by its membership. ARTICLE II Membership Section 2) EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS: The ex-officio members of this Committee shall be those elected officials and Party nominees specified in the Election Code. Section 3) ALTERNATES: Any regular member may appoint an alternate member for himself or herself, who shall have the same privileges and obligations as the member, but who may vote only in the absence of the member who made the appointment. Section 4) ASSOCIATES: The Committee may appoint associate members, who shall have all the privileges of notice of and participation in meetings, except for the privileges of appointing alternates and voting. Section 5) STUDENT ASSOCIATES: The Committee may appoint student associate members, who shall have all the privileges of notice of and participation in meetings, except for the privileges of appointing alternates and voting. Section 6) ELIGIBILITY: All regular members, alternates and associates shall be residents of Trinity County and registered as affiliated with the Democratic Party (with the exception of the student associate members who are under the age of 18 years. These student associate members will have pledged their commitment to register upon turning 18). Section 7) TERM:
The term for all members shall, in accordance with Sections 7225 and
7242 of the California Elections Code or successor statutes, commence
with the first Central Committee meeting following each direct primary
election, or their appointment to the Central Committee as herein provided,
and shall continue until the first Central Committee meeting following
the next succeeding direct primary election, unless the member is earlier
removed in accordance with these By-Laws. Members shall be sworn-in
immediately following the commencement of the Organizational meeting. Section 9) REMOVAL: Any regular member of this Committee may be removed, subject to the rules of the election code, by a 2/3 vote of members present and voting at a meeting of this Committee, provided that no vote to remove a member shall occur without due process including prior (15 days) written notice to all members of such impending vote to remove and provided that no member shall be removed except: 1) The member publicly avows preference for or gives support to another party or a candidate opposed by the Democratic Party's nominee for an office; or 2) A member publicly advocates that voters should not vote for the Party's nominee for an office; or 3) The member fails to attend more than three consecutive meetings of this Committee when such absence is not due to illness or being out of county. Any alternate shall be removed automatically if the position of the member who appointed the alternate becomes vacant. Any alternate may be removed by notice of the member who appointed the alternate. Any associate member or student associate member of this Committee may be removed by majority vote of members present and voting at a meeting of this Committee, provided that the same due process granted to regular members, previously stipulated, is given to the associate or student associate member. Section 10) DUAL MEMBERSHIPS: No one shall be both a regular member and an ex-officio member. ARTICLE III Officers Section 2) DUTIES OF CHAIRPERSON: The Chairperson shall chair all meetings of the Central Committee and the Executive Board in a fair and impartial manner, shall facilitate the purposes of the Committee, shall represent the Central Committee at all appropriate civic, community, and political functions; shall serve as the Central Committee’s official spokesperson; and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned herein, required by state law, or otherwise delegated by the membership. Section 3) DUTIES OF VICE CHAIRPERSON: The Vice Chairperson shall assist the Chairperson in the performance of his or her duties; shall serve as liaison with all Democratic Clubs in their jurisdiction; and shall perform such other duties as the Chairperson or the membership may direct. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson shall preside over meetings of the Central Committee or the Executive Board. Section 4) DUTIES OF SECRETARY: The Secretary shall take and record the minutes of all meetings of the Central Committee and the Executive Board; shall carry on all necessary correspondence for the Central Committee; shall issue written notice of all meetings and other functions as may be required by these By-Laws or by direction of the Central Committee; and shall perform such other duties as the Chairperson or the membership may direct. Section 5) DUTIES OF TREASURER: The Treasurer shall serve as chief financial officer of the Central Committee and shall be responsible for all monies and financial records of the Central Committee; shall collect all receipts and pay all expenses in accordance with the applicable state and federal laws, provisions of these By-Laws, and policies and procedures adopted by the Central Committee; shall prepare and file all financial documents mandated by state or federal law; shall notify members of all official statements required to be filed; and shall perform such other duties as the Chairperson or the membership may direct. Section 6) ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Officers shall be elected at the organizational meeting following every direct primary election, and shall serve until the organizational meeting after the next succeeding direct primary election. Elections shall take place immediately following the swearing-in of regular members. Elections shall be by signed and written ballots except when there is but one candidate", in which case the candidate may be elected by acclamation. Officers shall be eligible for re-election, provided they remain eligible members of the Central Committee. The new officers shall be seated immediately following their election. Section 7) TERM: The term of office shall be for two years or until a successor is elected. Section 8) VACANCIES: A vacancy in any office shall be filled by a vote of a majority of members present and voting at a meeting of this Committee, provided that prior notice of such vacancy and election shall be given to regular members. Section 9) REMOVAL: An officer may be removed, subject to the rules of the election code, by a 2/3 vote of members present and voting at a meeting of this Committee, provided that no vote to remove an officer shall occur without due process, including prior (15 days) written notice to all members of such impending vote to the officer who is proposed to be removed and prior written notice, signed by at least three members of the Committee, of specified charges against the officer and the basis of such charges, and provided that no officer shall be removed except for gross misconduct or neglect of duty in office. ARTICLE IV Meetings Section 2) QUORUM: One-third of the regular members of this Committee or their alternates shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Section 3) PLACE AND PROXIES: No meeting of this Committee shall occur outside Trinity County and no proxy voting shall be allowed at meetings of this Committee, but members of this Committee may assign or accept proxies to be used at meetings of other Democratic organizations. Section 4) PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE: In all cases not provided for by law or by these By-laws, the meetings of this Committee shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order. ARTICLE V Executive Board Section 2) MEMBERSHIP: The Executive Board shall consist of the officers of the Committee. Section 3) MEETINGS: The Executive Board shall meet as determined by the Chairperson or when requested by at least two members of the Board, and all members must be made aware of such meetings and may attend and participate. Three members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. ARTICLE VI Amendments Article VII Nominations
and Endorsements Section 2) ENDORSEMENTS in NON-PARTISAN or SPECIAL ELECTIONS: This Committee may endorse, by affirmative vote of 60% of those members present and voting, any Democrat who has filed as a candidate for non-partisan office.
Section 4) NUMBER: This Committee shall not endorse more candidates for an office than the number to be elected for that office. Section 5) RESTRICTIONS: This Committee shall make no form of endorsement other than an official endorsement as expressly provided for herein and shall not support in any way a candidate who is not a Democrat. Section 6) EXECUTIVE BOARD POWER TO ENDORSE: If a special election in Trinity County is called to take place within 30 days after the close of filing, the Executive Committee may endorse by affirmative vote of all Executive Committee members, any Democrat who has filed for that office, unless there is a scheduled meeting of this Committee prior to the election. Then the Executive Committee may delegate its endorsement power to this Committee. Section 7) PROCEDURES:
Endorsement Procedures shall only take place when requested in writing
by a candidate who has taken out papers for a non-partisan office, or
a member of this Committee. In all races, irrespective of any other
consideration, where an endorsement procedure is instituted, all candidates
who are registered Democrats shall be notified in writing of the date,
time and place of all relevant meetings and of their right to consideration.
This Committee shall maintain a proof of service of notice. No endorsement
shall take place until the deadline for filing has passed
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