VAN ZANDT

Precinct Chair Requirements

​

• Attend quarterly meetings of the CEC.* The CEC conducts party business at these meetings.

• Must be registered to vote in her/his precinct.

• Must live in her/his precinct.

• Must have voted in the previous Democratic primary and/or Democratic primary runoff.**

• Must not have voted in the previous Republican primary.**

• Cannot publicly support or endorse an opposing party or a non-Democratic candidate in a race where a Democrat is on the ballot. This includes donating money, soliciting votes, or serving on a campaign committee.

• Eligible to hold elective office in the state of Texas.

• Texas Secretary of State website lists precinct chair names.

 

*  Texas Democratic Party Rules, p. 26).

** If this requirement is not met, one can sign an Oath of Affiliation to the Democratic Party (Texas Democratic Party Rules, p. 20).

​

CEC/County Chair/Precinct Chair Members’ Responsibilities

​

• Vote on budgets and approve major spending.

• Elect a new County Chair when a vacancy occurs.

• Select nominees for the ballot when a candidate withdraws or dies. This is done by only those chairs in the candidate’s district.

• Confirm appointments of Precinct Chairs, Party officers, and committee members.

• Understand issues and legislation and organize support or opposition.

• Vote on candidate endorsements and Party resolutions.

• Coordinate VZCDP’s involvement in county, state, and national election campaigns.

• Canvass the results of primary and primary runoff election

• Provide training and materials for Precinct Chairs

​

 

Precinct Chairs Are Strongly Encouraged to Participate in the VZCDP

​

• Become a Volunteer Deputy Voter Registrar.

• Attend monthly meetings of the VZCDP.

• Attend all precinct and/ or county conventions.

• Volunteer to support VZCDP committee activities.

​

​

Precinct Chairs Are Also Encouraged to Do the Following

​

• Learn the rules of the Texas Democratic Party (TDP) and have a basic knowledge of Roberts Rules of Order.

• Actively canvass Van Zandt County to identify and turn out Democratic voters year-round.

• Complete TDP’s Precinct Chair Training

• Know your precinct and assemble resources.

• Use the Voter Activation Network (VAN) to help access and update voter files.

• Assist the VZCDP with recruiting election judges, alternate judges, election clerks, and poll watchers.

• Get voters to the polls to support Democratic national, state and local candidates.

​

​

Texas Secretary of State & Elections

​

The Texas Secretary of State website includes official forms, election dates, county/precinct chair filing information, and filing deadlines.

​

If there is only one candidate for a Precinct Chair position, the candidate’s name does not appear on the Primary ballot. Instead, the Democratic County Chair will post a Notice of Precinct Chair Elected. The Precinct Chair’s term starts 20 days after the Runoff Election.

​