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Constitution
of the
Utah County Democratic Party
Preamble
We the Democrats of Utah County, recognizing
government as the People organized to provide for the common good and to
promote the values of civil society, do hereby establish this Constitution setting
forth the organization, principles and procedures for the governance of the
Utah County Democratic Party.
Article 1.0 – Officers
1.1
Executive Officers
1.1.1
Executive Officers: The Executive Officers
of the Party shall consist of: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer.
1.1.2 Elections: Executive Officers shall be elected to
two-year terms by a simple majority of delegates in odd-numbered years at the
county convention. The terms begin immediately following the convention.
1.1.3 Vacancies: If the
County Chair should resign, become ineligible to serve, or be removed mid-term
by the Central Committee, the Vice Chair shall serve as Chair for the remainder
of the term. The role of Vice
Chair shall then be filled by appointment of the Executive Officers. If an Executive Officer other than the
County Chair should resign, become ineligible to serve or be removed mid-term by
the Central Committee, he or she shall be replaced by appointment of the Executive
Officers and serve for the remainder of the term.
1.1.4 General Duties: The
Executive Officers shall carry out the day-to-day operations of the party.
Their responsibilities include:
1.1.4.1 County Chair: The
Chair shall preside over the Party generally and over the meetings of the
Executive Committee, the Steering Committee, the Central Committee, the annual
convention, and other related Party meetings. The Chair shall be responsible for candidate recruitment,
party building and coordination of public relations.
1.2 Legislative District Officers
1.2.1 Legislative District Officers: The
Legislative District Officers shall consist of: one Legislative District Chair
(District Chair), one Vice Chair and one Secretary/Treasurer in each House
District.
1.2.2 Elections: District
Officers shall be elected to two-year terms in odd-numbered years at
legislative district annual meetings by a simple majority of voters at the legislative
district annual meeting. convention.
1.2.3
Vacancies: If a
District Chair resigns, becomes ineligible to serve, is removed mid-term
or if no one runs for the office, the Executive Committee shall appoint someone
for the remainder of the regular two-year term. If a District Officer other than the District Chair becomes
ineligible, is removed mid-term, or if no one runs for an office, the District
Chair shall appoint someone to fill that position for the remainder of the
regular term.
1.2.4 General Duties: District
Officers shall organize and support Precinct Officers within their district to
recruit and support candidates and build the Party. The District Chair shall participate as a member of the
County Steering Committee and of the Central Committee. The District Vice Chair
shall participate as a voting member of the Steering Committee and the Central
Committee only in the absence and by delegation of the District Chair.
1.3 Precinct
Officers
1.3.1 Precinct Officers: The Precinct Officers shall consist of:
One Precinct Chair, one Vice Chair and one
Secretary/Treasurer in each precinct.
1.3.2 Elections: Precinct
Officers shall be elected to two-year terms in even-numbered years at precinct
caucuses by a simple majority of voters at the caucus.
1.3.3
Vacancies: If a
Precinct Chair resigns, becomes ineligible to serve, is removed mid-term
or if no one runs for the office, the District Chair shall appoint someone to
fill the remainder of the regular two-year term. If the District Chair does not appoint a Precinct
Chair within forty-five (45) days of the
vacancy, the County Chair shall appoint someone to fill the remainder of the
regular
term. If a Precinct Officer other than the Precinct Chair
becomes ineligible, is removed mid-term, or if no
one runs for an office, the
Precinct Chair may appoint someone to fill the remainder of the regular term.
1.3.4 General Duties: The
Precinct Chair shall report to the District Chair and lead his or her precinct
officers and members in building strong grassroots organizations at the
neighborhood level. The Precinct Chair shall participate as a voting member of
the Central Committee.
Article 2.0 – Standing Committees
The Party shall be governed
by four standing committees: Executive
Committee, Steering Committee, Central
Committee and Rules Committee. Additional committees may be organized as
needed.
2.1
Executive Committee
2.1.1 Purpose: The Executive Committee shall
lead, plan and execute the day-to-day
activities of the Party and its
various committees.
2.1.2 Members: The
Executive Committee shall be comprised of the four Executive
Officers. The County Chair
shall preside.
2.2 Steering Committee
2.2.1
Purpose: The Steering Committee shall approve quarterly budget
updates, coordinate with the Executive Committee to build the Party and make
recommendations to the Executive Committee regarding the budget and other Party
operations. It shall appoint and
remove Rules Committee members and have the authority to remove or discipline
party officers per paragraph 2.2.4
2.2.2
Members: The Steering Committee shall consist of the District
Chairs and the Executive Committee.
The County Chair shall preside.
2.2.3
Meetings: The Steering Committee shall meet regularly as determined
by the County Chair or by request to the County Chair from at least three (3) members
of the Steering Committee. A
decision shall be approved upon a majority vote of a quorum of the committee
members present except as otherwise noted. A quorum shall be defined as a
majority of committee members.
2.2.4 Removal or Discipline of Officers: The Steering Committee shall
have the authority to remove or discipline District and Precinct Officers other
than chairs upon a two-thirds (2/3) vote of a quorum of members physically present.
The Steering Committee shall have the authority to recommend to the Central
Committee the removal or discipline of Executive Officers, District Chairs and
Precinct Chairs upon a two-thirds (2/3) vote of a quorum of members physically
present.
2.3 Central Committee
2.3.1 Purpose: The Central Committee shall
have the authority to approve the annual budget, amend the Constitution and
Bylaws, remove or discipline Executive Officers, District Chairs and Precinct
Chairs and perform other duties as specified in the Bylaws.
2.3.2
Members: The Central Committee shall
consist of the Executive Committee, Steering
Committee, Precinct Chairs, Utah County residents who are current and previous
public officials who have won election as Democrats to public office in Utah
County, and currently-nominated Democratic Party candidates for public elected
office in Utah County. The County Chair shall
preside.
2.3.3
Meetings: The Central
Committee shall meet annually to receive a “State of the Party” report from the
Executive Officers and to consider other business as needed. Additional
meetings may be convened at the discretion of the County Chair. Additional meetings
also shall be convened if requested of the County Chair by at least ten percent
(10 %) of the total membership of the Central Committee. The County Secretary shall provide written
notice to all voting members at least ten (10) days prior to any meetings. This notice shall include specific
notice of any proposed amendments to the Constitution or Bylaws or removal of or
disciplinary proceedings against officers. A decision shall be approved upon a majority vote of a
quorum of the committee members present except as otherwise noted. A quorum
shall be defined as at least one-fifth (1/5) of the total committee members.
2.3.4 Removal or Discipline of Officers: The Central Committee shall
have the authority to remove or discipline Executive Officers and District
Officers upon a two-thirds (2/3) vote of at
least a majority of the committee members physically present.
2.4 Rules Committee
2.4.1
Purpose: The Rules Committee shall investigate challenges to
Party elections wherein allegations of unconstitutional
procedures, wrongdoing or mistakes are documented and submitted to the Rules
Committee within two (2) weeks following the election. It shall also investigate complaints
regarding any Party officer or committee member. The committee shall make recommendations pertaining to
allegations and complaints to the Central Committee. The Rules Committee
shall also make recommendations to the Central Committee regarding proposed
amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws.
2.4.2 Members:
The Rules Committee shall consist of
members appointed by the Steering Committee. The County Vice Chair shall preside.
2.4.3 Meetings: A decision shall be approved upon a
majority vote of a quorum of the committee members present. A quorum shall be defined as a majority
of committee members.
Article 3.0 – Conventions, Caucuses and
Delegates
3.1 Utah State Democratic Party Convention
and Delegates
3.1.1
Automatic At-Large State Delegates: The following people shall be
automatically designated at-large state delegates: Executive Officers, District Chairs, currently nominated
candidates for state and county office and present and former Democratic office
holders at the state legislative, county commission and federal levels who reside
in Utah County.
3.1.2 Elected State Delegates: Each precinct may elect one state delegate at its caucus in
even-numbered years. The state
delegate does not have to be one of the precinct officers. If voters at a precinct caucus fail to
elect a state delegate or if the elected delegate cannot attend the state
convention, the District Chair may appoint a delegate. If the District Chair does not appoint
a delegate within a reasonable time, the County Chair may appoint a delegate
for that precinct.
3.1.3
Appointed At-Large State Delegates: If the Party’s quota of state delegates is not filled by
automatic at-large and elected or appointed precinct delegates, the County
Chair may appoint at-large delegates to fill the remainder of the quota prior
to the state convention.
3.2 Utah County Democratic Party Convention
3.2.1
Purpose: The primary purpose of the county convention in
odd-numbered years shall be to elect Executive Officers. The primary purpose in even-numbered
years shall be to nominate candidates for state and county office.
3.2.2
Frequency: The county convention shall be held
yearly.
3.2.3
Public Notice: The Party
shall give public notice of the convention far enough in advance to provide
prospective attendees and candidates adequate and reasonable time to plan their
attendance and submit to the County Secretary their notices of candidacy.
3.2.4 Candidates for County Executive
Offices: Registered Democrats who
are residents of Utah County and who seek election as Executive Officers shall
file an intention to run with the County
Secretary no later than fourteen (14) days prior to
the county convention. In case of
competitive elections, the individual with a majority of the votes cast by
delegates will be elected. If no
candidate achieves a majority of the votes, the top two contenders will
participate in a second ballot held immediately following the first ballot.
3.2.5 Candidates for State and County
Offices: A candidate for state or county office shall receive sixty
(60) percent of the vote in order to receive the nomination at the
convention. If no candidate
receives sixty (60) percent of the vote, a second ballot shall be held between
the top two contenders. If no
candidate receives sixty percent (60%) of the vote on the second ballot, the
contest shall be settled by primary election.
3.2.6 Delegates at County Conventions: Anyone who is present at the county
convention, is a resident of Utah County, is a registered Democrat or has
submitted a form to register as a Democrat at the time of the vote shall be
considered a delegate to vote at the county convention.
3.2.7 Resolutions at County Conventions: Any combination of twenty (20) or more
members of the Executive Committee, Steering Committee or Central Committee may
co-sponsor a resolution to the county convention with a minimum of fourteen
(14) days advance written notice prior to the convention to the County Vice
Chair. Resolutions may be passed by a simple majority of delegates present at
the convention.
3.3 Legislative District Annual Meeting
3.3.1
Purpose: The purpose of the legislative district annual meeting
in odd-numbered years shall be to elect District Officers. The purpose in
even-numbered years shall be to organize for and elect a nominee for the
general election if more than one Democratic candidate has filed for a state
legislative office or a county commission seat.
3.3.2 Frequency: The legislative district annual meeting
shall be held each year on the same date and in the same place as the county
convention.
3.3.3 Candidates for District Offices: Anyone
who is present at the legislative district annual meeting, is a resident
of the legislative district, is a registered
Democrat or has submitted a form to register as a Democrat at the time of the
vote may seek election as a District Officer. Individuals seeking election as District Officers may
announce their intention to run prior to or at the legislative district annual
meeting. In the case of competitive elections, the individual with a majority
of the votes cast by delegates shall be elected. If no candidate achieves a majority of the votes, the top
two contenders shall participate in a second ballot held immediately following
the first election.
3.3.4 Voters at a Legislative District
Annual Meeting: Anyone who is present
at the legislative district annual meeting, is a resident of Utah County, is a
registered Democrat or has submitted a form to register as a Democrat at the
time of the vote shall be considered a delegate to vote at the county
convention.
3.4 Precinct
Caucuses
3.4.1 Purpose: The purpose of precinct
caucuses shall be to elect Precinct Officers and delegates to the Utah State
Democratic Convention.
3.4.2 Frequency: Precinct
caucuses shall be held in even-numbered years.
3.4.3 Candidates for Precinct Offices: Anyone
who is present at the precinct caucus, is a resident of the precinct, is
a registered Democrat or has submitted a form to
register as a Democrat at the time of the vote may seek election as a Precinct
Officer. Individuals seeking
election as Precinct Officers may announce their intention to run prior to or at
the precinct caucus. In the case
of competitive elections, the individual with a majority of the votes cast by
delegates shall be elected. If no
candidate achieves a majority of the votes, the top two contenders shall
participate in a second ballot held immediately following the first
election.
3.4.4. Voters at Precinct Caucuses: Anyone
who is present at the precinct caucus is a resident of the precinct and a
registered Democrat or has submitted a form to register as a Democrat at the
time of the vote shall be permitted to vote at the caucus.
Article 4.0 – Finances
4.1 Annual
Budget Report and Proposal: At the end of each calendar year the Executive
Officers, led by the County Treasurer, shall provide an annual budget report
disclosing expenses over the previous year. They shall also present an annual budget proposal to include
projected income, budget priorities and expenses for the following calendar
year. The Treasurer shall submit the annual proposal to the Steering Committee
for recommendations and to the Central Committee for approval prior to the
annual county convention.
4.2 Budget Proposal Approval: The
Central Committee shall have the sole authority to approve the annual budget
proposal.
4.3 Budget
Updates: The Treasurer shall submit budget updates to the
Steering Committee for approval at its regularly scheduled meetings at least
once per quarter.
Article 5.0 – Constitution and Bylaws Ratification
and Amendments
5.1
Constitution
5.1.1
Ratification: This Constitution shall become binding on the Utah
County Democratic Party when approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of a quorum of
the Central Committee that is physically present.
5.1.2 Amendments: Amendments to the Constitution shall become
binding on the Utah County Democratic Party when approved by a two-thirds (2/3)
vote of a quorum of the Central Committee that is physically present.
5.2 Bylaws
5.2.1
Purpose: The Party shall maintain a separate companion document
to this Constitution, to be called the Bylaws of the Utah County Democratic
Party (the Bylaws). The Bylaws shall
provide the rules and procedures governing the day-to-day operation of the
party.
5.2.2 Ratification: The
Bylaws shall become binding on the Utah County Democratic
Party when approved by a
majority vote of a quorum of the Central Committee that is physically present.
5.2.3
Amendments: Amendments to the Bylaws shall become binding on the Utah
County Democratic Party upon
a majority vote of a quorum of the Central Committee that is physically
present. Unless adopted in the form
of an amendment to this Constitution or otherwise designated, any resolution
adopted by the Central Committee relating to the governance of the Party shall
be considered a Bylaw.
Article 6.0 – Constitution Adoption and
Amendment History
·
Initial
Adoption: June 9, 1979
·
Amended
by Central Committee: April
29, 1994
·
New
Constitution Ratified by Central Committee: March 19, 2009
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