MEET YOUR BOARD MEMBER

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1 46th Legislative District Democrats February 2014 General Meeting Thursday, February 20 Sign-in: 7:00pm Meeting: 7:30pm MEET YOUR BOARD MEMBER Meet Your Board Member will be a regular monthly article to introduce you to the people you elected to your Executive Board. It won t always be on the front page and we will only run the column if we have room depending on how much District Business needs to be discussed. This month, our Guest of Honor is our Chair, Sabrina Hill. I was born and raised in The Friendly City, Tifton, Georgia. I have 6 siblings but growing up, it was me and my three sisters. The four of us had a typical rural life doing farm work over the summer to earn money for school clothes. When we weren t working we had many adventures together going fishing, playing in the junkyard behind our house, gardening, visiting the library and playing with the other kids in the neighborhood. I ve lived in Seattle for 10 years and am married to Vincent Hill. We have a two year old daughter, Maya. We ve lived in Maple Leaf since I m a clinical data analyst and I analyze infection data with the goal of lowering hospital infection rates. I became interested in the 46 th LD and started coming to meetings in 2008 but couldn t figure out what was going on. I thought that volunteering at a higher level would help my understanding. The main issue I think the 46th needs to address is organizational. Our district is far more diverse than it would appear by coming to our meetings. I think we need to consider why our membership doesn t reflect the district and find ways to make our organization more attractive to the democratic voters in the district that don t attend our meetings with the goal of encouraging them to become more involved. That being said, we are closer to understanding more about our district with the political profile project developed this fall. Taking that further, I d like to see our LD quickly mobilize around issues and take more direct action toward changing policies we don t agree with. This fall, when the Seattle Schools proposed boundary changes, parents in our district quickly organized groups on social media and walked the neighborhoods with information. The school board responded with more acceptable boundary changes. The 46th District Democrats were not involved in this issue and we should have been as we do endorse school board members. I would like to see the 46th become more engaged in the community, determine which issues we should have a voice in and then help our neighbors get the results that benefit all of us. 1 Membership Meeting Thursday, January 16 Sign in starts at 7:00 North Star Dining Room, CC1254B North Seattle Community College 9600 College Way N (Complete Agenda on Page 2)

2 46th District Executive Board Members Chair: Sabrina Hill ( ) First Vice Chair: David Miller ( ) 2nd Vice Chair (Membership): Phillippa Kassover 2nd Vice Chair (Finance): Naomi Wilson Secretary: OPEN Treasurer: Betty Means State Committeeman: John Webber ( ) State Committeewoman: Sarajane Siegfriedt ( ) King County Male Representative: Larry Smith King County Male Alternate: Joshua Newman King County Female Representative: Phillippa Kassover King County Female Alternate: OPEN Sergeant at Arms (Hospitality Chair): Barbara Whitt ( ) At Large Members: Gerry Pollet Anita Merrell Julie Anne Kempf Ben Anderstone Nigel Herbig Phillip Duggan Scott Reiman Nick Pernisco (need or phone number) OPEN Demogram Editor: Barbara Whitt ( ) Next Demogram Deadline February 24, Crab Feed & Grass Roots Forum Presidents' Day - Monday Feb. 17th take a beautiful drive to Lacey for WA State Dems' first BIG (usually about 800 people) event of :00 AM - 4:00 PM - Event kicks off with training for PCOs, activists, party leaders. Votebuilder Training by great local and out-of-state trainers. Don't miss it! $15 includes lunch. 5:00 PM - Annual Crab Feed - Dungeness crab, fresh salmon, steamed clams, or a Vegetarian meal with a Jazz quartet for your entertainment. Meet our new WA State Chair, hear local legislators speak, learn where the party is today. $50.00, kids 12 or under just $10. Register online or get more info at crab. Call Michael Lorden today to carpool (206) Let's do this! Michael Lorden, PCO Coordinator Agenda for February 20, 2014 Membership Meeting - 7:30PM Call to order Flag Salute Approval of agenda Approval of Minutes Chair s Report Adopt 2014 Budget Appoint PCOx Program State Party Chair Committee reports Platform & Resolutions Elections Finance Proposed 2014 Endorsement Rules Treasurer s Report State Committee KCDCC Old Business New Business Cole Committee Good of the order Adjourn 2

3 General Meeting of the 46 th District Democrats, Jan. 16, 2014 The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Sabrina Hill followed by the Flag Salute led by Nick Pernisco. The revised agenda was approved and the Minutes from the last meeting were approved. Chair s Report: Sabrina announced a contribution to the 46th District Dems. from Nigel Herbig. She then announced vacancies on the board as follows: Katy Rohs resigned as Secretary. No nominations were taken for this position at the meeting. King County Female Representative.: Phillippa Kassover was nominated and elected. She will continue to serve as 2nd Vice Chair for Membership. King County Female Alternate: Antonia Gonzalez resigned from this position on the board and no nominations were taken for this position. At large position: Nick Pernisco was nominated and elected. Upcoming Dates: PCO Training in Lacy followed by the State Crab Feed The next general meeting will be held at N. Seattle Community College, room cc :00PM LD caucuses at Nathan Hale High School Performing Arts Center Program: Carl de Jong offered thanks to all who helped with the campaign to elect Democrats. He also outlined the county s accomplishments this year: Organized Accountability Canvases to educate voters in targeted areas about Rodney Tom and replace him in the next election. Organizing and educating new ethnic citizens particularly in the Somalian Community. Re-engaging former contributors Diversifying the board Organizing KC Dems. Lobby Day Events: Jan. 20 Event at Garfield H.S. to organize a march to honor Martin Luther King Jr. as well as register and educate voters. April 12 County Convention Rod Dembowski Update on the County Council: Transit and roads deficit $160 million. Proposed local option for funding. Create a county benefit district with revenue raising authority to raise licensing fees $40 to a total of $60 plus a tenth of a penny sales tax for $130 million. It also includes a low income fare for those in the 200% of poverty level. In response to the 46th LD and other districts voting to request the county to revise their immigration detention plan, the county passed an ordinance to turn over to ICE only detainees convicted of serious crimes in response to a federal request. Rod is continuing to work on human services including a Youth Action Plan which would set up a task force to study the problem and bring back recommendations. Budget provisions to cover services to citizens with limited English proficiency, equal pay for women, socially responsible banking services for the county. Selection of candidates to fill legislative vacancies. Rod gave his take on the recent filling of the vacancy in the 33rd District rejecting the recommendations of the PCO s in the district. Rod shared his considerations. Strong objections were raised by PCO s and others present from the 33rd District not respecting their choice. There was a good discussion and airing of grievances. Committee Reports: The Treasurer s report was printed in the Demogram. The 46th District Operational Fund balance as of is $ The Cole fund balance if $55, Cole Committee Update: Political Profile Project, Ben Anderstone, the project manager, reported that this is the last month of the project and he will report on the final results next month. Report of the Elections Committee on the Election schedule for 2014 to 2016: Julie Anne Kempf and Ben Anderstone outlined the races and potential measures for 2014 to The full schedule will be posted on the district web site. The Schedule for 2014 is as follows: May 12 to 16- Filing Week for candidates and PCO s July 18- ballots mailed out August 5- Primary Election Nov. 4- General Election The Schedule for 2016 May Filing for office July 15 Ballots mailed out August 2 Primary October 21 General election ballots mailed out Nov. 8 General Election Good of the Order: Jaxon Ravens, candidate for State Chairman and resident of the 46th District spoke to the membership about his experience and qualifications for State Chair. Phil Drew was appointed PCO by the Chair, Sabrina Hill. Sarajane Siegfriedt announced the acknowledgement of the contribution to the League of Women Voters from the 46th District Dems. The meeting was adjourned. 3

4 Rationale for the Proposed Changes Shortly after the 46 th LD s boundaries expanded, the Executive Board held a series of meetings with our new compatriots in Kenmore and Lake Forest Park. This series of meetings resulted in a significant body of work by the Executive Board and its sub-committees including the Elections Committee during This work created the endorsement process that was approved by the membership a year ago and used in The goal of the new process was to leverage the expertise of residents of Seattle on Seattle issues, Kenmore residents on Kenmore issues, and Lake Forest Park residents on Lake Forest Park issues. This goal was met via the Local Caucus process. Importantly, the decisions of the Local Caucuses are required to be ratified by the entire membership. After all, the endorsements that come out of the process are from the entire organization and not just the local caucuses. We learned a great deal in 2013 about doing endorsements across our three cities and the dozens upon dozens of jurisdictional boundaries. We received a great deal of feedback from members, candidates, and outside observers mostly positive. But it was clear improvements could be made to the 46 th s unique take on engaging and growing local our grassroots Democratic base. We noticed some technical issues with the process, and have penned fixes for those in the rules. Beyond that, the draft changes described below directly result from feedback received from you about the 2013 process. We re submitting these draft rule changes, which have been approved by the Executive Board for submission to a vote of the membership. The following numbered points are the feedback items we received from membership and PCOs. We describe below how this feedback has been addressed by the Election Committee and Executive Board. 1. Holding the endorsement meeting before the filing deadline creates problems and should be avoided. 2. Members did not feel like they had enough opportunity to personally meet candidates 3. The Candidate & Issues Forums were well-run, but more candidate contact was needed. These first three items were by far the most consistent feedback items we received. They don t actually require rule changes to address, but we thought it important to reiterate we are addressing them. The Executive Board has laid out a new process, described at the January General Membership Meeting, to address all three issues. The endorsement meeting will be after the filing deadline. We will hold an event the Sunday after the filing deadline for membership to meet candidates personally. We will have a candidate forum later that same day as well. 4. When a dual endorsement is made in the primary, and only one of the endorsed candidates moves through to the general election, the membership should have the opportunity to endorse another eligible candidate. This issue arose because the 46 th endorsed Ed Murray and Peter Steinbrueck for Seattle Mayor in the 2013 primary. Mr. Steinbrueck lost in the primary. Supporters of Michael McGinn wanted to either hold a completely new endorsement vote for the general election, or add Mr. McGinn as an endorsed candidate. By convention for the last several years, and written into the rules passed in 2013, this wasn t possible without going through the stated process to amend the endorsement rules. In response to this feedback, the Endorsement Committee wrote changes to the Bylaws and the Endorsement Rules to allow adding an endorsed candidate for the general when dual endorsed candidates don t both make it through. The Executive Board approved the draft changes for submission to a membership vote. 5. Questions about how many members must be present for a Local Caucus to make an endorsement decision This was a topic of considerable discussion by the Executive Board and the membership prior to passing the rules in February Both the Board and the Membership decided to set a low bar for a quorum under the rationale the entire membership must ratify any endorsement decision by a Local Caucus providing an important check and balance. The Executive Board has recommended two changes be presented to the membership connected with Local Caucus quorums. The 2013 rules did not specifically describe what to do if no Local Caucus quorum exists. The rules have been changed to specifically refer the endorsements to the overall membership. This is largely a technical change. The second rule change increases the size of a quorum for a Local Caucus to ten (10) or 10% of the registered membership in the Local Caucus area, whichever is larger. This change is most likely to affect Kenmore and Lake Forest Park, so we will be especially interested to get feedback from members in those jurisdictions on this proposed change. Our process requires these draft changes be submitted to the membership so everyone can have a chance for informed discussion at the February meeting. We re doing this via this and in the February Demogram to make sure everyone has ample chance for discussion. 4

5 46th DISTRICT DEMOCRATS BYLAWS The name of this organization shall be the 46th District Democrats. ARTICLE I NAME ARTICLE II POLICY This organization shall function continuously and shall operate under the applicable Bylaws and Rules of the King County Democratic Central Committee (KCDCC) and the State and National Democratic Parties. The purpose of the organization shall be to promote citizen participation in the Democratic Party, advance the 46th District Democrats platform, and support and work for the election of Democratic candidates and candidates for nonpartisan office who demonstrably espouse the principles contained in that platform. ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP Section 4: Section 5: All official Democratic Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) registered to vote in the 46th District shall be members of the organization. Any other resident of the 46th Legislative District who declares himself or herself to be a Democrat may become a voting member upon presentation of a membership application at a district meeting or postal mailing of a signed application to the district mailing address as printed in the newsletter. Those who were not members in the preceding calendar year shall be eligible to vote 21 days after receipt of their membership application. a. Dues apply for the calendar year from January through December. b. Categories of membership shall include: (1) Individual membership, (2) Family or couple membership, (3) Low income/student membership. (4) 4600 Club or other high-donor membership c. No person, who declares themselves to be a Democrat and otherwise meets the requirements for membership shall be denied participation in Party activities due to failure to pay a cost, fee, or poll tax, per DNC and WSDCC Charters and full participation policies. d. Annual membership dues at various levels to ensure the execution of activities related to the mission of the organization and the solvency of the district shall be asked of all members in a financial position such as they are able to contribute. e. Dues levels shall be reviewed on an annual basis by the District Executive Board. If, upon such review, the District Executive Board believes a dues adjustment should be made, a motion to that effect shall be made to the membership at the next regular membership meeting, following notice as required by Article V of these Bylaws. Any change in membership dues, and the effective date of such dues, shall be voted on by the membership. A member in good standing shall be any elected or appointed Precinct Committee Officer or any resident of the 46th Legislative District who has a current membership application on file. Membership is renewed annually. An out-of-district member is any individual or family who pays the 46th LD dues, but does not live in the district. These members shall receive the newsletter and notices of any special meetings, events, fundraisers and gatherings. These members shall not have voting rights. ARTICLE IV MEETINGS Regular Meetings: a. The regular monthly meeting shall be held on the third Thursday of each month, except for the month of December, and a summer month chosen to complement the election calendar in place that year. The District Executive Board may change the date and place for a particular regular monthly meeting, so long as all members are notified at or before the regular monthly meeting preceding the monthly meeting to be changed. b. Physical notice of the time, place and purpose of each regular meeting shall be sent to each member no later than 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. Members may opt in for comprehensive electronic notice in which they will receive regular meeting notices via as provided in Article V, section 2. 5

6 Section 4: Section 5: Section 6: Biennial Reorganization: A reorganization meeting for the District shall be held following each biennial general election, and shall be conducted in accordance with procedures prescribed by state law, the Washington State Democratic Party, and the KCDCC. Requirements for biennial reorganization notice are included in the aforementioned state laws and procedures. Special Meetings: a. A special meeting for official PCOs may be called by 25% of the official PCOs, or by the Chair. b. A special meeting for PCOs or all members may be called by 25% of the membership, 25% of the PCOs, or by the Chair. c. Under state law, a special meeting for official PCOs may be called to participate in the process to fill vacancies in certain public offices by the District chair, the KCDCC chair or the WSDCC chair, in instances in which they are empowered and called upon to do so under state law. d. Physical notice of the time, place and purpose of any special meeting shall be sent to each member no later than 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. Emergencies Affecting Meeting Locations: a. In the event that a meeting must be cancelled or moved on short notice due to inclement weather, loss of location venue by any cause, union strike at location venue, or any other legitimate reason which causes the location to be practically, ethically, or constructively unusable, comprehensive electronic notice as defined in Article V of these Bylaws shall be immediately disseminated, and all reasonable efforts shall be made to post clear and significant signage at all entrances to the original location stating that the meeting has been moved, and to where, or that the meeting has been cancelled and why. b. In the event the meeting is moved, no policy matters, endorsements, or officer vacancy elections shall be held in the first scheduled half hour of the meeting to allow members time to travel to the new meeting location. Notice: PCOs and/or members notice of any meeting called under any section of this Article shall be in compliance with the appropriate sections of Article V, Meeting Notice. A quorum shall be declared by the Chair to exist at any regular or special meeting of the membership when 40 voting members or 10% of the voting membership, whichever is less, is present. Once a quorum has been established for a duly called meeting, it may not be questioned until action on the items indicated in the written notice has been taken. ARTICLE V - MEETING NOTICE AND NOTICE RESPONSIBILITIES Section 4: Unless otherwise indicated, any required notice under these Bylaws or other policies and procedures of the 46th District Democrats is governed by this Article. Items to be included in any applicable official meeting notice: a. Any election to fill a vacancy in any elected officer position of the 46th District Democrats organization shall be announced at the immediately preceding District meeting. Notice thereof, and of any proposed amendment to these Bylaws, any proposed dues changes, any endorsement of a candidate or ballot issue, or except as provided in Article XV, Sec any donation or contribution of funds in support of any candidate, ballot issue or group, shall be included in the meeting notice sent to each member no less than 10 days prior to the meeting at which such business is to be transacted. b. The deadline for inclusion of items in the monthly District Newsletter shall be included within the preceding month's newsletter. Comprehensive Electronic Notice a. Unless otherwise indicated, Comprehensive Electronic Notice shall suffice for all notice required under these Bylaws or other policies and procedures. Comprehensive Electronic Notice shall include, at a minimum, dissemination on the same day via all the following methods: 1. ; 2. The District s social media accounts; and 3. The portion of the home page of the District web site set aside for current notices. b. Notice shall be considered given when the last of the three required methods in Section 2,1.a-c is posted or triggered. c. Even in cases where Comprehensive Electronic Notice is sufficient, Physical Notice as described below is allowed. Physical notice a. Where specified, Physical Notice is required. When not specified, Physical Notice is allowed, but not required. 6

7 b. The monthly District Newsletter shall suffice for Physical Notice, even for those individuals who specify they wish to receive it electronically instead of via hard copy. c. Postcards or other physical material delivered to individual addresses is an acceptable alternative method for providing Physical Notice. d. Where Physical Notice is required, it shall be accompanied by Comprehensive Electronic Notice. e. Notice shall be considered given the later of when all the written material is properly deposited in the US Mail or the Comprehensive Electronic Notice is completed as defined in Section 1, sub2 above. f. t is permissible for the content of a Physical Notice to refer recipients to electronic resources (i.e. thedistrict web site) for more information. If any Physical Notice includes such a reference, the electronic resource must be publicly accessible the same day as Physical Notice is deposited in the US Mail or the date of notice shall be changed to when the electronic resource is publicly accessible. Section 5. Section 6. Members and other individuals are responsible for updating District records with their own physical and/or electronic contact information. The District shall implement procedures allowing members and other individuals to easily update their physical and electronic contact information by visiting the District website, submitting the information via mail, or providing the updated information to designated individual(s) at any District meeting. In cases where Physical Notice is required, the Executive Board may decide to delay notice until the next regular issue of the monthly District Newsletter. If the Executive Board receives a request to provide Physical Notice sooner than the next regular issue of the monthly District Newsletter, the Executive Board may, with a simple majority vote of the Executive Board, require reimbursement for the costs of Physical Notice in order to complete Physical Notice earlier than the next monthly District Newsletter. ARTICLE VI OFFICERS Officers of the organization shall include the following, to be elected by majority vote of eligible voters PCOs present at the biennial reorganization meeting or, to fill a vacancy, at another District meeting after appropriate notice as required by Article IV of these Bylaws: a. Chair (one) b. 1st Vice-Chair (one) c. Female Representative to the KCDCC Executive Board (one) d. Male Representative to the KCDCC Executive Board (one) e. Female Alternate to the KCDCC Executive Board (one) f. Male Alternate to the KCDCC Executive Board (one) g. State Committeewoman (one) h. State Committeeman (one) Any member in good standing may be elected to the foregoing offices, but only elected PCOs or, in the case of an election to fill a vacancy occurring after the biennial re-organization, PCOs appointed after election of the Chair may cast votes for those offices, per State law and the WSDCC Charter and Bylaws Additional officers shall include the following, to be elected by majority vote of eligible voters present at the biennial reorganization meeting or, to fill a vacancy, at another District meeting after appropriate notice as required by Article IV of these Bylaws: a. 2nd Vice-Chairs (two) b. Secretary (one) c. Treasurer (one) d. Sergeant at Arms (one) e. District Executive Board Members-at-Large (nine) Any member in good standing may be elected to the foregoing offices; provided, at least one at-large position shall be filled by a resident from each of Seattle, Kenmore and Lake Forest Park; and if the Chair and Vice Chair are from Seattle, then, at least one Second Vice-Chair position must be filled by a resident of either Lake Forest Park or Kenmore. Rules for conducting the vote shall be adopted that ensure this distribution requirement will be met. General provisions: a. This organization functions continuously per Article II, therefore, all officers shall serve until the next biennial reorganization meeting or until their successors are duly elected and installed, unless they resign, become ineligible to serve, pass away, or are duly removed from office. b. All members of the Executive Board are expected to have routine access to and the 46th district web site, 7

8 or to arrange for equivalent ability to receive and send messages expeditiously and to be able to monitor the web site for information. Telephone contact alone does not fulfill this obligation of officers. Section 4: Section 5: Section 6: Section 7 Section 8 Section 9 Section 10 Section 11 Section 12 Section 13 The Chair shall be the chief executive officer of the organization, shall be the official spokesperson for the organization, shall preside over its meetings and supervise the preparation of its newsletter and other public announcements, shall serve as an ex officio member of all district committees, shall assign responsibility for maintaining the records of the District, and shall represent the District on the KCDCC Executive Board, and in any ex officio positions the WSDCC provides for District Chairs. In addition, the Chair shall serve as a deputy treasurer. The 1st Vice-Chair shall serve in the absence or incapacitation of the Chair and perform other duties as may be assigned by the Chair. The 1st Vice Chair shall also serve as a deputy treasurer. The two 2nd Vice-Chairs shall perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the Chair. The Secretary shall take, or cause to be taken, and maintain minutes of District and District Executive Board meetings. A draft of the meeting minutes shall be provided timely to the newsletter chair or other appropriate person for creation and publication of a capsule account of the meeting activities in the next newsletter. The minutes shall be posted for public inspection. The Secretary shall also assist the Chair in managing the organization's incoming and outgoing correspondence. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection, recording, safekeeping and disbursement of the organization's financial resources. The Treasurer shall manage the organization's bank account(s) and prepare appropriate reports to the Public Disclosure Commission. The Treasurer shall make a financial report at each regular District meeting, which shall be included in the minutes. Deputy Treasurers shall serve these duties in the extended absence or incapacitation of the Treasurer. The Sergeant at Arms shall be responsible for facilitating a welcoming environment at District meetings, including the arranging of tables, chairs and other meeting hall facilities. In the event of an emergency or instruction by the chair, the Sergeant at Arms will take such measures necessary to keep order or lead building evacuation during any district meeting. The Sergeant-at-arms shall also perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the Chair. The District Executive Board Members-at-Large shall perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the Chair. The two Representatives to the KCDCC Executive Board shall represent the District on the KCDCC Executive Board and report back on the business of that organization. The two alternate representatives to the KCDCC executive board shall keep current on KCDCC business and be ready to represent the district to KCDCC in the event the KCDCC representatives cannot attend a meeting. All KCDCC representatives shall also perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the Chair. The State Committeeman and State Committeewoman shall represent the District on the Washington State Democratic Central Committee (WSDCC) and report back on the business of that committee, and perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the Chair. Prior to each biennial reorganization meeting, the District Executive Board shall propose procedures for conducting the election of officers at that meeting and shall cause those procedures to be published in the meeting notice per Article V, sent to each member no less than 10 days prior to the meeting. To the extent adopted by the general membership and in compliance with the procedures referred to in Article IV, Section 2, those procedures shall govern the election of officers. ARTICLE VII VOTING Official PCOs, properly elected or duly appointed, shall be entitled to vote at all District meetings. In accordance with state law (RCW Chapter 29A.80, Political Parties) and the Bylaws of the Democratic Party of the State of Washington (Article IX, Legislative District Organizations), only elected and appointed PCOs may vote for the offices listed in Article VI, Section 1 of these Bylaws, or to fill legislative vacancies or adopt or amend District Bylaws. 8

9 All members in good standing as provided in Article III shall be entitled to vote for the offices listed in Article VI, Section 2 of these Bylaws, and, subject to Section 1, above, on all other items up for consideration at District meetings except as modified for registered voters in the Districts candidate and ballot measure support rules. Proxies shall not be recognized in voting on any District business. ARTICLE VIII VACANCIES IN OFFICE Section 1. Section 2. General provisions. Whenever a vacancy in an elected office of this organization shall occur, the Chair may appoint a temporary replacement to serve until the next District meeting at which time, after notice as required by Article IV of these Bylaws, a new officer shall be elected under the appropriate rules for the specific office. Vacancy in the office of District Chair. Whenever a vacancy in the office of District Chair shall occur, the First Vice Chair shall serve until a new Chair may be elected by the official PCOs in accordance with state law, or until the current term expires, whichever comes first. ARTICLE IX REMOVAL OF OFFICERS A District meeting may be called for the purpose of removing any officer, including Chair, upon the written request of 25% of the official PCOs. Physical Notice of this meeting must be sent to all PCOs and officers at least 10 days in advance. At this meeting, the officer (or officers) concerned may be removed by a majority vote of official PCOs attending. Elected officers other than the District Chair, 1st Vice Chair, Delegates/Alternates to the KCDCC Executive Board and Delegates to the WSDCC may be removed by the District Chair for failure to perform properly the functions of their office. Unexcused absence from two consecutive District or two consecutive District Executive Board meetings shall be grounds for removal. Physical notice of removal and the grounds therefore shall be given to the officer in writing, to be effective immediately, provided that the decision of the District Chair must be sustained by a majority vote of the membership of the organization present at a regular meeting, following physical notice as required by Article IV of these Bylaws. ARTICLE X PRECINCT COMMITTEE OFFICERS : Precinct Committee Officers. a. Official Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) are those persons who hold the public office of Democratic Precinct Committee Officer representing their precinct in which they are registered to vote. b. Elected PCOs are those persons duly elected to represent the Democratic voters of a 46th LD precinct as a Precinct Committee Officer via public election under RCW 29A and the WSDCC and KCDCC Charters and Bylaws. c. Appointed PCOs are those persons properly appointed to represent the Democratic voters of a 46th LD precinct as a Precinct Committee Officer via the vacancy appointment process under RCW 29A.80,et al. and the WSDCC and KCDCC Charters and Bylaws. d. All PCOs are expected to either serve as, or recruit an appropriate person in their precinct to serve as Election Captain. e. The 46th LD does not use the office of Acting PCO, but instead organizes grassroots election activity around Election Captains. Election Captains may be appointed to coordinate the grassroots election efforts of one or more vacant precincts. a. An Election Captain must live in the District but need not live in the precinct b. An Election Captain shall be superseded by appointment of a resident of the precinct as PCO, unless the PCO would prefer they continue as Election Captain. c. Election Captains are appointed by the District Chair, and may be voted upon by membership. The KCDCC Chair is empowered to appoint only official PCOs approved by the District organization. Within 15 days of such approval the District Chair shall submit the application to the KCDCC Chair, who is expected to take action on the appointments within 31 days of their submittal and to report such action back to the District with a written statement of the reasons for any denied appointment. 9

10 Section 4: Section 5: Each application for an appointed PCO position shall be submitted to the District Chair, who shall submit the application organization for action at its next meeting. When more than one application for the same precinct position is submitted in any District meeting, they shall be voted on at the same time. Disambiguation: Election Captains are also referred to in some Democratic charter documents as Acting PCOs. Acting PCO is a term of art for a Democrat performing the election organizing and field work duties of a PCO for an unrepresented precinct. However, an acting PCO is not an official PCO, and does not enjoy the same rights nor is responsible for all of the same functions as a person officially elected or appointed to the public office of Precinct Committee Officer. Therefore, the 46th District chooses to create a separate position of Election Captain which can be bestowed with both rights and responsibilities commensurate with the important work performed. ARTICLE XI NEWSLETTER EDITOR The Newsletter Editor shall, at the direction of the Chair, prepare and disseminate District Newsletters and other public announcements with respect to the organization's business, including notification to the membership regarding the time, place and purpose of meetings. The Newsletter Editor shall be appointed by and serve at the discretion of the District Chair, provided that such appointment shall be subject to confirmation by a majority of the members of the District Executive Board present and voting at a meeting of such Board. The Newsletter Editor may be an existing member of the Executive Board, or may be appointed from the general membership. In the latter case, the Newsletter Editor shall be given voting rights and responsibilities on the Executive Board. ARTICLE XII DISTRICT EXECUTIVE BOARD Section 4: All elected officers and the Newsletter Editor shall be voting members of the District Executive Board, which shall be responsible for implementing policies and transacting business approved by the membership. Executive Board meetings shall be held at regular intervals at the call of the Chair and shall be announced in the District Newsletter. All such meetings shall be open to the membership. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the members of the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall, as soon as practicable following the biennial reorganization meeting held pursuant to Article IV, Section 2, adopt Operating Policies not inconsistent with these Bylaws. Such Operating Policies shall be published and available for the membership to review and, as from time to time amended, shall remain in effect until they are repealed, amended, or rendered obsolete. The Executive Board shall perform such further duties as the facilitation of membership meetings pursuant to Article IV and confirmation of appointments by the Chair pursuant to Article XI, and shall call and propose rules for endorsement meetings pursuant to Article XVI. Additionally, the Executive Board may authorize expenditures pursuant to Article XIII and make endorsement recommendations to the membership pursuant to Article XVI. Subject to Article XVI, Section 5, the membership may from time to time delegate other authority to the Executive Board. ARTICLE XIII EXPENDITURE OF DISTRICT FUNDS Adoption of an annual budget by the District membership shall constitute authorization for payment of expenses provided for therein. The Executive Board may also authorize in advance any reasonable expenditure incident to a fundraiser event or other program approved by the District membership. Except as provided in Article XV, Sec. 5, all other expenditures must be authorized by a majority vote at a District meeting, following notice as required by Article IV of these Bylaws. No expenditure of funds of the 46th District Democratic Organization in excess of $2500 shall be made except by check signed by two of the following three officers: District Chair, First Vice-Chair or Treasurer. The District Chair shall, at least once during his or her term, appoint subject to confirmation by the District membership - a Financial Review Committee of at least two non-executive Board members. The committee shall review the District's financial records for the period since the previous such review and present a report to the membership within 90 days of their confirmation. 10

11 ARTICLE XIV COMMITTEES Section 4: Section 5: Section 6: Section 7: Section 8: Section 9: Section 10. There shall be nine standing committees and such additional committees as the Chair may from time to time appoint. The District Chair shall appoint all committee chairs and shall serve as an ex-officio voting member of all committees. All committee members shall serve at the discretion of the District Chair. The Program Committee shall be a standing committee responsible for the development of District meeting programs. The Legislative Action Committee shall be a standing committee responsible for developing, and assisting the organization with implementation of, action plans to advance key issues consistent with the District platform. The Committee shall, insofar as feasible, coordinate its efforts with related activities of the WSDCC, KCDCC, and other interested organizations. The Finance Committee shall be a standing committee with responsibility for developing an annual budget and recommendations for fund raising strategies to support the political and program objectives of the organization. The Membership Committee shall be a standing committee with responsibility for facilitating the growth and satisfaction of the membership The Platform and Resolutions Committee shall be a standing committee responsible in even-numbered years for developing, and proposing for adoption by the membership, a platform representative of 46th District Democratic voters values and views on matters of political relevance. The platform shall have local sections for Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, and Seattle- specific issues in addition to more general issues. Suggested positions highly specific in nature, or on transitory issues, shall be considered proposed Resolutions and treated in accordance with Article XV of these Bylaws. The Community Outreach Committee shall be a standing committee responsible for developing and implementing an action plan for linking the 46th District Democrats with neighborhood and community organizations within or affecting North Seattle. The Elections Committee shall be a standing committee responsible for developing and implementing a plan for recruitment, training and support of the District's PCOs, and for coordinating the efforts of PCOs, Election Captains, and volunteers to support endorsed candidates and ballot measure positions. This may include the establishment and training of Area Coordinators, and the development and/or distribution of campaign literature for elections. The Bylaws, Rules and Tally Committee shall be a standing committee responsible for the biannual review of the district Bylaws, the periodic review as needed of any of the Standing Rules library, the organization of consideration of any Operating Policies to be adopted, and the smooth organization and administration of all business at meetings conducted by paper ballot or needing tally clerks for counting a division of the house. The Raymond T. Cole Fund Committee shall be a standing committee responsible for managing and ensuring the integrity of Raymond T. Cole s bequest to the 46th District Democrats. The Cole Fund shall be managed separately from the Operating Budget in accordance with criteria, developed by the Committee and approved by the District membership, for evaluating and approving grant requests and ensuring their adherence to the values of Raymond T. Cole. These criteria shall be included in the District s Operating Policies. Section 1. Section 2. Section 3. Section 4. ARTICLE XV RESOLUTIONS Any proposed resolution must be submitted in writing to the District Chair and referred for review and recommendation by the Platform and Resolutions Committee. The proposed resolution shall be published in the Newsletter prior to the regular District meeting at which it is to be considered, unless the Committee withholds the resolution. A description of the proposal in the Newsletter and a link to the full text of the resolution on the District web site also satisfies this requirement. The Chair may place time limits and/or limits on the number of turns to speak per each side prior to the commencement of the debate. Upon a ruling by the Chair that a proposed resolution needs immediate consideration and could not reasonably have been submitted in time for the prescribed advance review and notice, the resolution may still be considered by the body provided: a. A two-thirds majority vote of members present and voting at a duly called meeting agree to immediate consideration of the resolution; AND b. The resolution sponsor brings to the meeting copies of the full resolution. The number of copies required is outlined 11

12 in the District s Standing Resolution and Platform Rules. ARTICLE XVI SUPPORT OF CANDIDATES AND BALLOT ISSUES Section 4: Section 5: Section 6: Section 7: The District Chair shall call endorsement meetings to be held to coincide with annual primary and general elections. The District Chair may call meetings under this Article to coincide with other elections or processes related to appointments for vacant positions; a. Physical notice of any meeting called under this Article must be provided least 21 days prior to the meeting. b. Any meeting called under this Article for purposes of the primary and general elections shall be timed so the membership s endorsements may be included in any official Voters Guide. If no Voters Guide is to be published, then the meeting shall be held after the filing deadline for the primary election and after the certification of the primary election. c. When applicable, the District Chair may call an endorsement meeting to be held prior to a Party nominating convention. Proper Use of Terms: a. Support for candidates and ballot issues appearing on a public ballot and subject to a vote of all eligible voters shall be called Endorsements. b. Support for candidates subject to an appointment process shall be called Recommendations. The District Executive Board may make suggestions to the membership for endorsements or recommendations. No such suggestions shall be made except upon a two-thirds majority vote of Executive Board members present and voting at a regular meeting of the board. The District Executive Board shall propose rules for the purpose of supporting candidates and issues in January of every year and the general membership shall adopt rules no later than at the February General Meeting. a. Notice of the rule proposal shall be provided to the membership in the February District Newsletter orwithin 3 days after the February District Executive Board meeting, at the discretion of the Chair. b. Once adopted, changes to these rules can only be made with a two-thirds majority vote of members present and voting. c. Once adopted, for any proposed change(s) to these rules that, in the judgment of the District Chair, substantively changes the previously-adopted rules, notice must be provided in proper form to themembership and to each affected candidate or ballot campaign committee 21 days prior to the meeting or the District Chair shall rule any motion proposing such change(s) Out of Order. d. Once adopted, for any proposed change(s) to these rules that, in the judgment of the District Chair, substantively provides an advantage to particular candidate(s) or ballot measure(s) or alternately disadvantages particular candidate(s) or ballot measure(s) shall be ruled out of order unless notice of the changes were provided to each affected candidate or ballot campaign committee 21 days prior to the meeting. e. e. If new rules are not adopted under this section, the most recent rules previously passed by the membership shall apply. The membership at any meeting may, by a two-thirds majority vote of members present and voting, delegate to the District Executive Board the authority to: a. Make a post-primary endorsement in any specified race; and/or b. Approve the distribution of funds to any official Democratic Party organization, or to any group in support of any candidate or ballot issue position, in accordance with priorities for such distribution established by the District and in accordance with the provisions of federal, state, and local law. c. Any such endorsement or approval of distribution of funds by the Board shall be by a two-thirds majority vote of Board members present and voting at a duly called Executive Board meeting, and shall be exempt from the physical notice provisions of Article IV of these Bylaws and from the expenditure provisions of Article XII of these Bylaws. d. Any such action by the Board shall be included in the next monthly District Newsletter. No candidate shall be considered for support without: a. Declaring his/her past and present party affiliation within the past five years (with the exception of candidates for judicial office), and b. Completing and returning to the District Chair, on a date prior to the endorsement meeting designated by the District Chair, any Candidate Questionnaire required by the District. This rule may be waived by a two-thirds majority of eligible endorsement meeting voters. Responses to candidate questionnaires shall be posted on the official District web site within three working days of the deadline set by the District Chair. No ballot measure shall be considered for endorsement without: 12

13 a. The District Chair or his/her official designee undertaking all reasonable effort to identify a person or group both in favor of and opposing the ballot measure to appear at the endorsement meeting; and b. b. Providing both Pro and Con persons or groups the opportunity to post a maximum 1,250-word summaryof their position on the District web site, due at least 21 3 days prior to the endorsement meeting. Section 8: Partisan affiliation. a. For partisan offices, the 46th District Democrats shall support only those candidates having declared affiliation exclusively with the Democratic Party for a period of at least one year prior to the endorsement meeting. b. For nonpartisan offices other than judicial office, the 46th District Democrats shall support only those candidates having (i) declared affiliation only with the Democratic Party, or (ii) publicly indicated nonaffiliation with any political party for a period of at least one year prior to the endorsement meeting. Section 9: No motion for support shall carry and no contribution shall be authorized, at any District meeting, except by a 60% majority vote of eligible members present and voting. Section 10: As used in these Bylaws, the terms endorsement or recommendation may include adoption of a position specifically opposed to a candidate or ballot issue. Section 11: If any section or portion of a section of this Article conflicts with rules governing the filling of a 46th District State Legislature position, the rules governing the filling of the State Legislature position shall govern. Section 12: Duration of Endorsement or Recommendation: a. The duration of any endorsement shall end with the final election for the ballot measure or candidate. Endorsements made for a primary carry through to the general election. i. b. When a dual endorsement is made in the primary and only one of the dual-endorsed candidates carries through to the general election, the unendorsed candidate may be considered for endorsement for the general election under the procedures outlined in the rules for the purpose of supporting candidates. c. b. Recommendations shall not carry past the conclusion of the appointment process. Candidates recommended for an appointment may not consider the recommendation as support for any subsequent electoral process, even for the identical office and seat as filled by the appointment. d. c. An endorsement or recommendation may be terminated under the District s reconsideration rules. ARTICLE XVII AMENDMENT AND SUSPENSION OF BY-LAWS These Bylaws shall function continuously. These Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of official PCOs present and voting at a duly called bi-annual reorganization meeting or during the first two regular meetings thereafter, in accordance with WSDCC and KCDCC rules, after physical notice as required by Article IV of these Bylaws. At subsequent dates, a two-thirds majority vote of official PCOs gathered at a district meeting after physical notice has been provided shall be required for an amendment so approved to take effect. These Bylaws may be suspended only for the purpose of waiving the requirement of advance written submission of proposed resolutions as set forth in Article XIV of these Bylaws, and in waiving the requirement for candidate questionnaires to be submitted prior to the candidate being considered for endorsement, as set forth in Article XVI. In either of these cases, such suspension must be supported by a two-thirds majority vote of members at a duly called meeting. ARTICLE XVIII RULES OF ORDER In any situation not expressly covered by state law, the rules of higher Party authority or these Bylaws, the latest edition of Robert s Rules of Order, newly revised, shall control except to the extent those Rules are inconsistent with any Standing Rules adopted pursuant to Article XII of these Bylaws and approved in the manner prescribed by Section 2 of Article XVII thereof. As Adopted with Amendments: February 1985; November 1986; February 1987; June 1992; March 1993; July 1993; April 1995; January 2000; June 2002; November 2002; April 2003; April 2005; April 2007; January 2009; April 2009; May 2009; January 2011; March 2011; February 2012; February 2013; February

14 Local Caucus folks have privilege position on the floor 46th District Democrats Candidate & Ballot Measure Support Standing Rules Proposed January 2014 Proposed language to be changed indicated via strikethrough or underline I. Meeting Scheduling and Conduct A. Meetings to allow the 46th District Democrats to express support for or against candidates or ballot measures under Article XVI of the Bylaws shall be called according to the terms of the Bylaws. B. These Support Meetings called under Article XVI of the Bylaws shall be run according to these Standing Rules. C. The District Chair may designate a person to run the candidate and ballot measure support portion of the meeting. Where these rules refer to District Chair or Chair, this also refers to the District Chair s designee, if any. II. Eligibility to Vote A. Those individuals defined as members in Article III of the Bylaws and who will be 18 years of age on or before election day are eligible voters. B. Voting by proxy is not allowed. C. Voters in a Caucus called under Section V below are only those defined as eligible in II A above and located within a precinct covered by the area specified for that Caucus. III. Appearance and consideration at candidate and ballot measure support meetings A. Only candidates and ballot measures eligible for support as described in Article XVI of the Bylaws are eligible to appear and be considered at the support meetings. B. The District Chair or his/her appointed representative will make absolute best efforts to contact all eligible candidates for office and those advocating for a ballot measure to participate in the meeting and any candidates and issues forums. However, it is the responsibility of any candidate or ballot committee wishing to participate in the support process to contact the District in a timely fashion. IV. Voting A. 60% of the eligible voters present and voting, excluding abstentions and excluding ballots ruled illegal, are required to Endorse or Recommend. B. Voting will be by written ballots issued to eligible voters; EXCEPT 1. A vote by show of hands may be called for in the case of a Third Ballot as described below. 2. A voice vote in the case of Caucus Slate ratification as described below. C. Counting of votes shall be completed according to the 46th District Democrats Standing Rule(s) covering methods of voting and determining results in effect at the time of the support meeting. V. Local Caucus Procedure A. The Executive Board may, at least 21 days in advance of any meeting declared for the purpose of voting on an Endorsement or Recommendation, designate geographically-based Caucuses whereby only residents of precincts located within the Caucus are eligible to vote on candidates or issues brought before the Caucus. The Executive Board is limited in this power to creating Caucuses for: 1. Kenmore, Seattle, and Lake Forest Park city government positions or ballot measures. 2. Northshore, Shoreline, or Seattle school district Board positions or ballot measures. 3. Any local utility, fire, or similar district positions or ballot measures. 4. Municipal or District Court positions or ballot measures. B. No rule in this document may be amended or stricken by any Caucus. No Bylaw may be amended or stricken by any Caucus. The Caucus may only consider races designated by the Executive Board. C. The Caucus may be held simultaneous with the full District support meeting or it may be held on a separate day and/or in a separate location. D. The purpose of the Caucus is to bring forward to the full membership a Caucus Slate of candidates and/or ballot measures Endorsed/Recommended by the Caucus members. E. A quorum for the Caucus shall be declared by the Chair to exist when 10 voting members or 10% of the membership eligible to vote in the Caucus, whichever is less more, is present when the first vote is taken. If a quorum for a Caucus is not present, the full membership will take up endorsement of the races originally designated as Caucus races. F. No Endorsement or Recommendation decision made by a Caucus is valid until it is ratified by the full membership. Full membership is defined as all members attending a meeting where Caucus ratification is on the agenda who are allowed to vote under Section II.A above. G. No candidate or ballot measure may claim support from a 46 th LD Caucus unless the decision of the Caucus is ratified by the full membership as described below. H. Caucus ratification procedures. 1. The District Chair may appoint a Caucus Chair. The Caucus Chair is not required to be a member of the Caucus. 2. The Caucus Chair will run the Caucus Endorsement/Recommendation meeting following all applicable Bylaws and the Candidate & Ballot Measure Support Standing Rules in effect at the time of the meeting. 14

15 VI 3. Endorsement/support votes held during the Caucus shall together become the Caucus Slate. 4. The Caucus Chair, or his/her designee, shall present the Caucus Slate at a meeting of the full district where Endorsements/Recommendations are on the agenda for purposes of ratification. a. Speakers, alternating Pro/Con, may speak on the question of whether to ratify the Caucus Slate. If there is no Con speaker, the Chair has the option to recognize only one Pro speaker. b. The designated time for these speeches shall be the longer of one minute or the time announced by the District Chair at the beginning of the ratification process. c. The number of speakers shall be the larger of four or the number announced by the District Chair at the beginning of the ratification process. 5. All members eligible to vote under Section II.A above shall vote whether to ratify the entire Caucus Slate as presented. A simple majority is necessary for ratification. A voice vote is allowed for ratification. 6. If the ratification of the Caucus Slate fails to win a simple majority, the following procedures apply: a. On each race in the caucus slate, a motion will be entertained to separate that race from the Caucus Slate. Proponents and opponents, in numbers specified by the District Chair, may speak on each motion for a period the greater of 30 seconds or time allowed by the District Chair. After the speakers finish, a vote of the full membership in attendance will be taken. A simple majority is necessary to separate the race. The vote may be taken by voice. b. If no motion is made on a specific race, that race remains part of the Caucus Slate. c. After the process in (a) and (b) above is concluded, a Modified Caucus Slate excluding those (if any) separated by majority vote in (a) above will be presented to all members eligible to vote under Section II.A of these rules for ratification. Ratification requires a simple majority vote. A voice vote is allowed. If the ratification of the Modified Caucus Slate does not pass, each race on the Caucus Slate must be taken up separately by all members eligible to vote under Section II.A above according to the Bylaws and the rules in this document. d. Any races where a motion to separate under (a) above passes will be considered by all members eligible to vote under Section II.A above according to the Bylaws and the rules in this document. e. The District Chair has discretion to table consideration of races separated from the Caucus Slate and/or all races in a failed Modified Caucus Slate to a subsequent meeting. Endorsement or Recommendation Procedures Candidates A. Nominations 1. For each race with candidates, the floor will be open to motions/seconds for endorsement of eligible candidates and for No Endorsement. Only eligible voters may make or second such motions. A motion to close nominations shall be out of order. After three audible requests for nomination with no response, the Chair shall close nominations for the position. 2. As used herein, the word nominate, in whatever form, does not refer to the conduct or consequences of LD Nominating Conventions held under the auspices of the State Democratic Party. B. Speeches 1. The designated time for speeches shall be the longer of one minute or the time announced by the District Chair at the beginning of the nomination process. 2. For each candidate nominated, the candidate or a member of the 46 th District designated by the candidate may speak for the designated time. For No Endorsement/Recommendation, a member of the 46 th District may speak for the designated time. 3. Members will hear all speeches on behalf of all candidates or No Endorsement for that race before commencing the vote. 4. Speeches will commence at such time after nominations are closed as the District Chair deems appropriate. The order of speeches shall be as follows: a. If, under Article XVI, Section 3, of the Bylaws, the 46 th District Democrats Executive Board has made an endorsement recommendation, a designee of the Executive Board may speak. This speech does not count against the time for any candidate or No Endorsement. b. Speeches for nominated candidates in the order in which they were nominated. c. a motion for No Endorsement was made, a speech for No Endorsement. C. Voting 1. First Ballot: All eligible candidates who are nominated, and No Endorsement, will be options on the First Ballot. No Endorsement shall appear on the First Ballot even if no specific motion for No Endorsement was made. Each eligible voter will vote for one nominated candidate or No Endorsement. a. In the case of a race with only one candidate, the First Ballot is eliminated and we begin with the Second Ballot procedure described below. b. If any nominated candidate or No Endorsement receives 60%, that decision controls. c. If neither a candidate nor No Endorsement receives 60%: i. If there are two to four ballot choices, we move automatically to a Second Ballot EXCEPT if the three choices are two candidates plus the option of No Endorsement, and No Endorsement received zero votes. In this instance, we move to the Third Ballot procedure described below. ii. If there are more than four ballot choices, all items on the First Ballot are arranged from highest to lowest in 15

16 order of percentage of votes received, rounded to one decimal point. The percentage of votes received for each ballot item is totaled starting from the top. (see example below) Once this total reaches or exceeds 50%: 1. If two or fewer ballot items are required to reach 50% or greater, we move to a Second Ballot. 2. If more than two ballot items are required, a Runoff Ballot is held with only those ballot items required to total 50% or greater. If any choice in this Runoff Ballot receives 60%, that decision controls. If no choice receives 60%, we move automatically to a Second Ballot. Choice Votes % Choice Votes % Candidate A % Candidate A % No Endorsement % No Endorsement % Candidate B % Candidate B % Candidate D % Total 55.9% Candidate E % Candidate C % VII. VIII. 2. Second Ballot: The top two choices receiving votes from the prior ballot, if any, shall be on the Second Ballot. (This may include No Endorsement ). If there is only one candidate and the First Ballot is eliminated, the Second Ballot shall be the candidate and No Endorsement. a. If any choice on the Second Ballot receives 60% of the vote, that decision controls. b. If the choices on the Second Ballot are a candidate and No Endorsement, and no choice receives 60%, the official outcome is No Position and the balloting is over. c. If the choices on the Second Ballot are two candidates, and no candidate receives 60%, then we move to a Third Ballot. 3. Third Ballot: Prior to the Third Ballot, a motion for dual endorsement will be entertained under the following procedure: a. Each of the two candidates on the Third Ballot, or his/her designated representative, shall be given up to 30 seconds to address voters. b. The Chair shall entertain a motion for a Dual Endorsement. c. If no motion is made and seconded, the official outcome is No Position and the balloting is over. d. If a motion is made and seconded, a vote will be taken. A dual endorsement requires a 60% vote. A show of hands may be called for, subject to the discretion of the Chair. If the 60% threshold is reached, the official outcome is a Dual Endorsement and the balloting is over. If the 60% threshold is not reached, the official outcome is No Position and the balloting is over. Endorsement Procedures Ballot Measures A. General 1. Ballot Measures include all initiatives, referenda, levies, and other races without candidates. Any such measure considered shall be presented in the form it would appear on the ballot. Any motion to endorse a position in support of or in opposition to such a measure is unnecessary and out of order, as that position Support, Reject, or Take No Position will be determined by the voting. 2. For each Ballot Measure considered, each of the three positions ( Support, Reject, and Take No Position ) are allotted time to speak. The designated time for speeches shall be the longer of one minute or the time announced by the District Chair at the beginning of the nomination process. Speakers are those invited by the District Chair for the meeting or, absent that, any eligible voter. Members will hear all speeches on that Ballot Measure before the vote. 3. Speeches will commence after the District Chair of his/her designee opens consideration on the Ballot Measure. The order of speeches shall be as follows: a. If, under Article XVI, Section 3, of the Bylaws, the 46 th District Democrats Executive Board has made a recommendation on the Ballot Measure, a designee of the Executive Board may speak. This speech does not count as a speech for Support, Reject, or Take No Position. b. A speech for Support, a speech for Reject, and a speech for Take No Position, in that order. B. Voting 1. First Ballot: Each eligible voter will vote for Support, Reject, or Take No Position. If any option receives 60%, that decision controls. If no option receives 60%, we move to a Second Ballot. 2. Second Ballot: The top two choices between Support, Reject or Take No Position will appear on the Second Ballot. If either option receives 60%, that decision controls. If no option receives 60%, the position of the 46th District Democrats will be Take No Position. Reconsideration of an Endorsement A. Endorsements shall only be reconsidered in the following circumstances. 1. Death or long-term incapacitation of the endorsed candidate. 16

17 2. Withdrawal of candidacy of the endorsed candidate. 3. Conscious and deliberate failure to file for office on the applicable ballot of the endorsed candidate. 4. Disqualification from the ballot of the endorsed candidate. 5. The endorsed candidate switches parties, or by declared choice of caucus, would cause the Democratic Party to lose committee chairperson positions. B. Reconsideration of an endorsement in these circumstances requires 10 day written notice to the body and all candidates eligible for endorsement for the affected office. The written notice must specify when the reconsideration and possible new endorsement process will occur. C. It is permissible for the reconsideration vote and potential new endorsement process to occur at the same general or special meeting. D. A 60% vote of the members is required to reopen the endorsement. If the membership votes in the affirmative to reopen the endorsement, then the endorsement process is carried through from the beginning, following the rules described herein, as if there had not been an endorsement in the race previously. IX. Tie votes A. If any vote for an Endorsement or Recommendation under VI.C.1 or VII.B.1 (or their subsections) results in a tie, and the tie affects which ballot choice moves on to the next step or receives the Endorsement/Recommendation, a Tiebreaker Vote will be held. Eligible voters will revote only on the two tied items with the subsequent winner advancing to the next step. B. If the Tiebreaker Vote results in a tie, the District Chair will conduct a coin flip to determine the outcome. X. Exceptions to these Rules If the District holds a LD Nominating Conventions under the auspices of the State Democratic Party to fill a vacancy in the State Legislature, the candidate winning the Nomination shall be the sole Endorsed candidate of the 46 th LD Democrats for the subsequent election. XI. XII. Suspension of Endorsement Rules Any request to suspend these rules for a particular race or ballot issue must be made prior to consideration of that race or ballot issue, and requires a two-thirds vote for such suspension; provided, however, that Rule IV s requirement of a 60% vote for an endorsement cannot be suspended and any motion to close nominations is prohibited. Section XVI of the Bylaws also governs whether proposed amendments substantially changing the process require advance, written notice to the membership. Procedure to comply with Bylaws Article XVI, Section 12(b) A. This section only applies when a dual endorsement is made in the Primary Election and only one endorsed candidate makes it through to the General Election. This section is triggered by Bylaws Article XVI, Section 12 (b). B. The candidate endorsed in the Primary Election who makes it through to the General Election is also endorsed for the General Election. This may not be reconsidered except under Section VIII above. C. If the other candidate in the General Election meets all eligibility requirements in these Rules and the Bylaws for endorsement, the 46 th District Democrats may add him/her as a Dual Endorsed Candidate under the following procedure. 1. At the specified endorsement meeting for the General Election, a motion must be made and seconded to consider endorsement of the other candidate. The motion must be made to the entire membership even if the race is subject to a Local Caucus. a. Speakers, alternating Pro/Con, may speak on the question of whether to pass the motion. If the race is part of a Local Caucus, the Chair shall insure members of that Local Caucus wishing to speak are recognized to speak. b. The designated time for these speeches shall be the longer of one minute or the time announced by the District Chair at the beginning of the ratification process. c. The number of speakers shall be the larger of four or the number announced by the District Chair at the beginning of the ratification process. 2. The entire membership shall vote on the question of whether to consider endorsement. 60% of the eligible voters present and voting, excluding abstentions and excluding ballots ruled illegal, are required to pass the motion. 3. If the motion passes, the appropriate body for the race Local Caucus or entire membership shall consider endorsement of the candidate under these rules. The ballot choices will be the candidate and No Endorsement. 17

18 Congratulations! Jaxon Ravens, our new Washington State Democratic Chair Photo by Al Garman, 2014 Feb 17, Mon. Feb 20. Thur Mar 9, Sun Mar 13, Thur Mar 20, Sat SAVE THE DATE! Presidents Day / Crab Feed Olympia District Meeting State Chair LD Caucus, Nathan Hale High School Legislative Session scheduled to end King County Caucus 2014 Caucus Cycle Legislative District Caucuses March 9, 2014 County Caucuses April 12, 2014 State Convention June 21, 2014 Spokane, WA A Letter FROM the Editor I would love to have articles about the district from the membership. If you have something newsworthy to share, or if you are interested in writing a monthly, or semi-monthly article please contact me at barbara@whitts-end.com. All articles are due during the last week of the month and there will be a notice in each Demogram with notification of the deadline. 18

19 46 th DISTRICT DEMOCRATS Treasurer s Statement January 16, th District Operational Fund Bank Balance as of January 16, 2013 $ 6, Outstanding Checks ($582.27) #4271 $10.00 Wilson (Banquet Permit) #4277 $22.27 Lorden (PCO Recruitment supplies) #4278 $ League of Women Voters/Seattle King Co. #4279 $ Lake City Community Center (May 18 Forum) Adjusted Bank Balance $ 6, COLE Savings $ 1, Cole Certificates of Deposit (5) $54, TOTAL Cole Funds $55, Submitted by Betty Means, Treasurer 19

20 P.O. Box Seattle, WA PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID # 3055 Seattle, WA Return Service Requested Show Your Commitment to the 46 th District Democrats. JOIN NOW! Pay dues electronically via Click and Pledge at our website where you can pledge as little as $5 a month - or mail a check payable to 46 th District Democrats to PO Box 15435, Seattle, WA To check if you are already a member, Phillippa Kassover at membership@46dems.org. NAME ADDRESS CITY ZIP HOME PHONE WORK PHONE YES! Please send me an when the newsletter is ready for online reading. Control your Demogram Subscription! Please help us be more Green Only! Please me each month when the new issue of the Demogram is available online. Please DON T print one for me. (Reducing the amount of money the District spends on printing and postage means more resources available to elect Democrats!) Both and Print! I am a paid member of the 46 th District Democrats in good standing, and I would like to receive the paper version of the newsletter. Print Only, Please! I need to receive the printed copy, as I either don t have easy access to or other reason. Name: Address: (Alternatively, you may a subscription request to Phillippa Kassover at membership@46dems.org) 20