PRECINCT CHAIR
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Voting Precinct?
The voting precinct exists to facilitate elections at the local level. The precinct is the smallest political subdivision in Texas, while the senate districts are the largest. State law sets the maximum number of registered voters in a precinct based on the county’s population.
The County Commissioners’ Court determines precinct boundaries.
What is a Precinct Chair?
The party leader in the voting precinct is the precinct chair, who is elected by the voters in the precinct in the Democratic Primary. The precinct chair is the “go-to person” for all Democratic precinct activity. An active, effective precinct chair makes an enormous difference in the success of the Party and our candidates.
What is the difference between a Precinct Chair and an Election Judge?
It is no longer the case that the election judge and precinct chair are synonymous. The precinct chair should be getting Democrats and like-minded voters to the polls, while the election judge should be running the election.
Rationale:
- The precinct chair is a partisan Party position.
- The election judge is a non-partisan position.
- There is no law prohibiting a precinct chair from being an election judge.
- The precinct chair usually should not be the election judge.
- The precinct chair should help find judges, alternate judges, and clerks
As stated earlier, in some cases it is more useful for the precinct chair to be the election judge, alternate judge, or clerk. This should be the exception rather than the rule.
What does a Precinct Chair do?
Duties and Responsibilities
The following is a list that includes, but does not limit, the official and unofficial duties and responsibilities of the precinct chair:
- Organize the precinct and get to know the people in the precinct
- Be a standing member of the County Executive Committee
- Represent the precinct by attending every County Executive Committee meeting
- Get our voters to the polls
- Bridge the gap between voters and elected officials
- Help find judges, alternate judges, and election clerks
- Get people to do the following volunteer jobs:
~Work the precinct polling place on Election Day ~Pass out literature ~Report pertinent information back to the Democratic party headquarters and Democratic campaigns ~Dress the polls on Election Day- Understand the TDP Rules and Texas Election Code
- Encourage primary voters to attend the precinct convention
- Place sign(s) at the Primary voting locations indicating the location of the precinct convention
- Organize and conduct the precinct convention
- To call a CEC meeting when County Chairs fail to do so
Who can be a Precinct Chair?
You must be:
- 18 years old or older
- A resident of the precinct
- Have a Democratic voting history
- Not be a candidate for a partisan office
How long is the Precinct Chair's term?
The Precinct Chair serves for two years or until their successors are elected and certified.
How do I become a Precinct Chair?
Becoming a Precinct Chair between Primary Elections.
Requires a majority vote of the County Executive Committee comprised of all Precinct Chairs.
To submit your name for consideration contact the County Chair. Contact information for the County Chair is available by clicking on Contact Us.
Becoming a Precinct Chair during a Primary Election.
Requires a majority vote by qualified voters in the respective precinct.
Begin by filing for a place on the ballot. Current Precinct Chairs must also file during Primary election years.
The filing period begins September 12th, 2011 and the form must be submitted by 6pm on December 15, 2011.
Complete the form below and submit it prior to the filing deadline.
What if my Precinct already has a Precinct Chair?
Contact your County Chair or Precinct Chair to see what volunteer positions are available.
Contact your County Chair to inquire about becoming a Precinct Captain.
Contact information is available by clicking on Contact Us.
