Bylaws

Bylaws of the Washington State 12th Legislative District Democrats

Effective March 27, 2025

ARTICLE I: NAME 

The name of the organization shall be the 12th Legislative District Democratic Organization, hereinafter referred to as the 12th LD. 

ARTICLE II: MISSION STATEMENT 

  1. To express the Democratic Party’s basic principles of inclusion and diversity by welcoming all 12th LD residents who share Democratic values in organizational activities.
  2.  To contribute to the development and advancement of ideals and principles that constitute the core values of the Democratic Party.
  3. To promote such actions as to ensure that all levels of government function for the common good of both its current residents and future generations.
  4. To build and maintain an effective Democratic organization for the purpose of:
    1. Recruiting, supporting, and electing candidates to office who reflect the values and positions of the 12th LD. 
    2. Promoting positions on issues of public policy that are consistent with the values and positions of the 12th LD. 
    3. Maximizing Democratic votes in all elections.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP 

  1. All persons residing within the geographic boundaries of the 12th LD who declare themselves to be Democrats shall be eligible to be members of this organization.
  2. Membership shall also be granted to the Chairperson of each county Democratic Central Committee having precincts within the 12th LD.
  3. All PCOs and members shall have full voting privileges on matters coming before the body with the following exceptions as per statutes of the State of Washington and these Bylaws.
  4. Voting privileges at Bi-Annual Reorganization meetings shall be restricted to those Democratic Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) duly elected in the primary elections immediately preceding said meeting and consistent with Washington State Democrats Bylaws.
  5. Membership dues shall be $20.00 per year. Persons may apply for a waiver of partial or full fee.

ARTICLE IV: PRECINCT COMMITTEE OFFICERS 

  1. An elected Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) is one who is elected in the primary election by the voters in the precinct in which they reside.
  2. An appointed PCO is one who is a resident of the county and precinct and is appointed by the County Chair, or is a County resident willing to be assigned to a precinct they do not reside in.
  3. No vacant PCO position shall be filled by appointment during the period between the primary election and the reorganization meeting.

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS and DUTIES 

  1.  Elected officers of the 12th LD shall be: Chair, Vice-Chair, State Committee members (2), Secretary, and Treasurer. State Committee members shall be of differing genders, where possible. Chair and Vice-Chair shall also be of differing genders, where possible.
  2. Other officers to be appointed by the Chair shall be:
    1. Sergeant at Arms
      • To welcome and assist guests and maintain decorum in the meeting room.
    2. Parliamentarian
      • To advise on procedural issues and assist the Chairperson as requested.
  3. Duties of these officers shall be:
    1. Chair
      • The Chair shall call and preside over meetings and other administrative business of the organization and shall be the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the 12th LD and Executive Board.
    2. Vice Chair
      • The Vice Chair shall serve in the absence of the Chair and perform such other duties as assigned by the Chair. In the event the Chair position is vacated, for any reason, the Vice Chair shall become the Chair and the Executive Board shall select a new Vice Chair.
    3. State Committee Members
      • The 12th LD Committee members shall represent the membership of the 12th LD to the Washington State Democratic Central Committee and report to the membership regarding the business of the State Committee.
    4. Secretary
      • The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings and all records of the organization except those assigned to other officers. The Secretary shall be responsible for notifying the members of the time and place of all meetings.
    5. Treasurer
      • The Treasurer shall have custody of all funds, keep accurate accounts and deposit all monies in a bank designated by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall make all required reports to the Public Disclosure Commission and provide financial reports to the 12th LD.
  4. Vacancies

In the event of vacancy in any office other than that of the Chair, said vacancy shall be filled by selection of the Executive Board. Filling a vacancy in the position of the Chair shall follow the same procedures as in a reorganization.

ARTICLE VI: REORGANIZATION 

Officers shall be elected at a 12th LD reorganization meeting following the general election held in November of even-numbered years. The meeting shall be held within a reasonable number of days prior to the State Central Committee reorganization meeting. The following rules shall apply to the specific election of reorganization:

  1.  Eligible voters for statutory races must be elected PCOs. Members may vote on the remaining officers.
  2. There shall be no proxies.
  3. Signed ballots shall be required for in person or online voting.
  4. Notice shall be given to all qualified PCO’s by phone, e-mail or USPS whichever shall reach the person.

ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS 

Meetings of the 12th LD General Membership shall be held at least four (4) times a year. Quorum for all meetings shall consist of at least six (6) members.

ARTICLE VIII: EXECUTIVE BOARD 

The Executive Board (E-Board) shall be made up of the officers, duly elected and/or appointed as provided by these Bylaws.

  1. The Chair of the Executive Board shall have the authority to act in the name of the 12th LD between the scheduled meetings, but shall make no policy decision until the matter shall be presented to the membership for ratification.
  2. The Executive Board may authorize such expenditures as are necessary and reasonable for the operation of the organization needed prior to the regular meeting.
  3. Executive Board meetings may be called by the Chair and/or three (3) or more members of the Board.
  4. The Executive Board members shall attend at least three fourths of the 12th LD General membership meetings per year (or be excused from attending by advance notification to the Chair). Members must have no more than one unexcused absence from Executive Board meetings. Failure to comply can be cause for removal from office by the Executive Board.
  5. The Chairs of the Chelan, Snohomish & King County Democratic Central Committees will be invited to attend Executive Board meetings.

ARTICLE IX: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 

  1. These Bylaws shall become effective upon adoption by a majority of those members present and voting at a duly called 12th LD General Membership meeting with notice of Bylaw consideration given.
  2. The organization shall operate under the laws of the State of Washington, the National and Washington State Charter of the Democratic Party.
  3. In any situation not expressly covered by these Bylaws, Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern.
  4. The retiring Chair shall relinquish all property of the 12th LD including all books, mailing lists, computer records and all other supplies to the newly elected Chairperson upon conclusion of the biennial Reorganization meeting.
  5. Meetings of the 12th LD may be held virtually, in person or in a hybrid model due to the distance between the counties. All efforts will be made to ensure inclusivity for all members.

ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENTS 

  1. No amendments to these Bylaws shall be considered unless notice of proposed amendments shall have been given to each County Chair within the 12th LD and each member of the 12th LD Executive Board at least twelve (12) days in advance of proposed action.
  2. Bylaws may be amended by affirmative vote of a two-thirds majority of membership in attendance at the meeting where such action is scheduled.
  3. The 12th LD may, from time to time, adopt additional procedural rules consistent with these Bylaws for the conduct of meetings or the handling of special matters, or relating to the operation of other Party Organizations. Such rules may be adopted or amended by a majority vote of the membership.

ARTICLE XII: ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, APPOINTMENTS 

  1. The 12th LD may take the following actions with respect to support for candidates seeking elected office by election or appointment:
    • Endorsement and full support by the Executive Board;
      1. Strive to limit to one candidate per office in each primary or general election,
      2. Require a 50%+1 majority of the members present and voting,
    • Approval of allowing candidates access to mailing lists and other assistance as the Executive Board feels is prudent. Approval requires a simple majority (50%+1) of the members present and voting and may be granted to more than one (1) candidate per elected position.
    • Non-endorsement with No official support from the 12th LD
    • No action 
  2. Candidates or Election Committees seeking assistance from the 12th LD, shall contact the Chair, who shall present the request to the Executive Board and may request the candidate to:
    • Submit a written application to the Executive Board (a format from the Executive Board)
    • Appear in person before the Executive Board.(in which the same format will be used for each candidate.)

DATE ADOPTED: 3/27/25

CHAIR: Alma Chacon