I have a question about being a precinct chairman

[Catholic Sensation]

I have been named interim chairman of my county's precinct for the Democratic Party, and am wondering if anyone here has done or is doing anything like this. Mostly, I'm wondering what the hell I'm supposed to do. I asked my county's democratic party chairperson and they haven't responded.

Also, if anyone is in Wake County, NC's Precinct 08-08, and would like to organize, holla at me, I apparently have to assign people the role of "vice chair" and shit like that or something.

[Dr.Phool]

1. Sounds like your party is as organized as ours.

I'm precinct captain (same thing) in my Florida district. The job is mainly to keep in contact with the voters and turn them out. You're also representing all the Democrats in your precinct to the county apparatus. Down here we have County Democratic Executive Committees.

You'll also help coordinate activities in your area for your candidates. And help monitor the polls. Try to recruit volunteers for this.

Check out the possibility of attending a Camp Wellstone if one comes up near you. They can be reached at www.wellstone.org. It's 3 days of intensive grassroots training and it only costs $35, and thats all returned to you in meal money.

[xray s]

10. Thanks for that Wellstone link!

I have to keep my eye out fro a Camp Wellstone in the Chicago area. :hi:

[lindashaw]

2. I"m in Texas and am a precinct chair. I guess they're about the same.

I would suggest you go to your voter registration and ask for a list of Democrats in your precinct who voted in the 96-current primaries.
Then you can start creating a base of people you can start networking with. From there, it kind of takes on a life of its own. Hope this gets you started. Plus, your Democratic Party website for your state will have some helpful info. There is a form you can download to be the chair. It has to be filed with your County Chair.

[Frances]

3. My precinct chair

had a list of all the Democrats in our precinct. At election time, volunteers went door to door passing out fliers. We also asked the Dems if they wanted to be on her email list. (She tried hard not to send too many emails because she didn't want to offend people.)

Also she asked for volunteers to sit at a Democratic table on election day. We passed out fliers and just said hello to people as they came in to vote.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. Step one - organize yourself and educate yourself

on all ballot measures and local elections.

Step 2 - get volunteers for phoning and canvassing.

Step 3 create a map of your precinct and a calendar of days to walk the precinct, When going door to door it is best to have people canvas in TWOS so that they are safe and it gives legitimacy to the visit.

Step 4- Make sure you have materials for the elections and people can REASONABLY answer voters questions or direct them to someone who can.

Step 5 - Coach people on presentation, if necessary.

Step 6 - GET OUT THE VOTE..INSPIRE PEOPLE - DO THE JOB LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT..This time around..it does!

[Catholic Sensation]

5. Thanks for all your help

I'm only 21, so I wasn't entirely sure what I was getting into. I figured this could be good practice for when I go up against this right wing christian asshole for the NC House in two years.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

6. It is but if you are seriously planning to run in 2 years

you should begin to make contacts a bit higher up now. Attending public hearings both in your community and in your state capitol are a good way to make connections within your state Democratic party.

[Catholic Sensation]

7. Yeah I've been going to local meetups

I met a pretty high level guy with the Wake County Democratic Party. I don't have to worry about being the Democratic nominee because this fucker reppin my district hasn't been challenged in years by a Dem. The son of a bitch's bills all surround pro-life shit. He actually proposed that North Carolina create an alternate license plate that says "Choose Life." NC was (is?) in a budget crisis, and this son of a bitch wants an expenditure like that? God I hate republicans...

[Streetdoc270]

8. hope this helps

My Mom was Precinct Chair in Lincoln County NC, She had to set up the polling place and monitor the elections, afterward she had to deliver the ballots and account for everything at the end of the day. Congrats on the post.... most people wait for years and never get a position in the party, good luck!

[dflprincess]

9. It all depends on where you are and how organized or active

the local party is. In my area about all the precinct chair has to do is show up for a few meetings and convene the next precinct caucus (two years after his/her election)