Pillars of a house of law

DOUGLAS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE

By-Laws Amended December 2025

 ARTICLE I

Name

1.1     The name of this organization shall be the Douglas County Democratic Committee, the County Committee of the Democratic Party of Georgia, hereinafter to be referred to as the “County Committee” or “DCDC.” All members, officers and subdivisions of the committee are subject to these Bylaws and to the Charter and Bylaws of the State Committee of the Democratic Party of Georgia, hereinafter referred to as the “State Committee.” Where the Committee and State Party Bylaws are in conflict, the State Party Bylaws shall prevail.

ARTICLE II

Governing Authority and Duties

2.1    The County Committee will be the governing authority of the Douglas County Democratic Committee, henceforth referred to as “DCDC.”

2.2    Duties of the County Committee will include:

a.    Promoting a positive image of the Democratic Party in the local community;

b.    Promoting the development of Party organizations and activities;

c.    Seeking and encouraging qualified candidates for public office;

d.    Supporting Democratic nominees;

e.    Performing primary and election functions as required by law;

f.     Maintaining appropriate records;

g.    Promoting and adding logistical support to the State Affirmative Action Program;

h.    Performing other duties as required by the State Committee;

i.     Electing State Committee members;

j.     Determining Party Districts and Apportionment; and

k.    Raising funds for the above purposes. 

ARTICLE III

Membership, Committee Districts, and Election of Members

 3.1    Any person age 18 and older who resides in and is registered to vote in Douglas County, Georgia, and who shall declare themselves to be a member of the Democratic Party, shall be entitled to membership in the DCDC.   

3.2    Any member of the DCDC, who is registered to vote in the County for at least one year, is eligible to be elected to the County Committee.

3.3    DCDC shall consist of four (4) districts in relation to the Commission Districts of Douglas County. Each County Commission District will be allocated six (6) elected members, numbered one (1) through six (6). Except for at-large voting members, all members of DCDC — whether elected or otherwise appointed — must reside in the applicable designated county commission district. The DCDC will have two (2) voting members-at-large, who may reside anywhere in the county and serve a four- (4-) year term. These members-at-large are voting members and count toward a quorum..

3.4    DCDC members are to be elected by the Party District Caucus.

3.5    Public notice of the election must be given by publishing the same in at least three of these venues: newspaper; public organ of general circulation; social media; broadcast media (radio or television); community website; or email to past and present members in Douglas County at least two (2) weeks preceding the election.

3.6    Only DCDC members who reside in a particular county commission district and meet all other criteria may nominate or vote for a member from that district.

3.7    The DCDC Chair shall appoint chairs of party district caucuses.

3.8   Half of the district committee posts (odd numbered) shall be elected in gubernatorial election years and half (even numbered) shall be elected in presidential election years.  Election to any role in the DCDC will be by public ballot, either using a tally of a show of hands, publicly signed and read paper ballots or electronic resources such as Election Buddy.

3.9    Such caucus shall be held within 45 days following the General Primary. If the DCDC does not officially set a time and place, the Congressional District Chair shall set the time and place of the Caucus.

3.10  The candidate receiving the highest number of votes is elected without requiring a run-off.

3.11  Members take office on the first day of the first month after their election and serve four (4) years unless affected by reapportionment.

3.12  Ex-officio Members: Elected DCDC officials — who qualify through the County Committee — shall serve as ex-officio members of the DCDC.

3.13  DCDC will elect Committee Members to the State Committee at a time designated by the State Democratic Party. The State Democratic Party, pursuant to its bylaws, determines the number of State Committee Members for each county. A majority is required for the election of State Committee Members. An individual need not be a County Committee member to be elected to the State Committee.

3.14  DCDC’s executive committee will select members from the County Committee to serve as sitting members for the Douglas County Board of Elections and Registration, presenting to the full County Committee for a final vote. As of adoption of these bylaws, there are two positions available for selection.

  3.15  Donations are encouraged at $40 per year for an individual and $75 for a family. Neither payment nor dues are requisite for participation in the DCDC.

ARTICLE IV

Officers and Executive Committee

 4.1.    The Committee shall elect executive officers no later than Dec. 31 of even-numbered years to take office Jan. 1 of the following year or immediately following the election, whichever is earlier. The new Chair will — immediately upon taking office — notify the State Committee Chair and appropriate Congressional District Chair of their election.

4.2.    The Committee may from time to time expand the number of Vice-Chairs. The officer elections require a majority vote and cannot be conducted by secret ballot. If there is no majority, the candidate with the least number of votes is eliminated and the Committee votes for its choice of the remaining candidates. On the first ballot, the vote is taken again after removing the candidate with the least number of votes. This process shall continue until a majority is reached.

4.3    Only County Committee members are eligible to vote for officers.

4.4.   Officers shall serve two- (2-) year terms. County Committee members elected by primary ballot or caucus shall be four (4) years.

4.5.  The DCDC Executive Committee shall consist of the officers and shall act on behalf of the DCDC between county committee meetings. The Executive Committee will meet monthly at least ten (10) days prior to the monthly DCDC general party meeting at an established time and place — either in-person or online — for the purposes of collectively establishing and setting the agenda for the monthly party meeting and to conduct such other business as may be required.

4.6  The Executive Committee must prepare a budget on an annual basis for approval by the county committee no later than Dec. 31. The budget must include anticipated receipts and expenses on a timeline. Approval of the DCDC is required for the budget and for any modifications to the budget during the calendar year.

4.7   Election of County Committee Executive Officers: In October of the end of an officer’s term, the DCDC Executive Committee may appoint a Nominating Committee. The duty of the Nominating Committee will be to call for nominations and determine which individuals whose names are submitted for nomination are qualified to fill Executive Committee offices. Members of the Nominating Committee shall not be candidates for office. By appropriate notice to the members at least ten (10) days in advance of the election meeting, the Nominating Committee will provide the names of qualified individuals selected by the Nominating Committee. Nominations may also be made from the floor at the election meeting.

 

ARTICLE V

Duties of Officers

 5.1   Chair: The Chair will have overall responsibility for DCDC affairs and be the official spokesperson for the DCDC subject to the provisions of the State Charter, these Bylaws and to such directives as may be given by the Executive Committee. The Chair heads the County Committee, presiding over DCDC meetings and serving as an ex-officio member of all regular and special committees. The Chair has the specific responsibility to formulate each year — with the Executive Committee — a Strategic Plan and budget for the DCDC for that year based upon projected revenues and expenses. The Chair, along with the Secretary, has legal authority to sign all written contracts and obligations of the DCDC. The Chair may sign checks in the absence of the Treasurer. The Chair is authorized to make an expenditure of funds up to the amount of $300 that was not an approved expenditure in the budget adopted by the County Committee, with the consent of one additional officer other than the Treasurer. The Chair will select the Parliamentarian, who will be a non-voting advisory member of the Executive Committee.

5.2   Secretary: The Secretary will be responsible for taking minutes at all County Committee and Executive Committee meetings and for presenting those minutes at the following meetings of those groups. The Secretary can, at their discretion, appoint a Recording Secretary who will be responsible for the minutes under the direction of the Secretary. The Secretary will maintain current membership rolls, records of all official correspondence and will oversee publicity and membership activities.

5.3    Treasurer: The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining accurate, up-to-date records of all expenditures and income to the DCDC account and for depositing and disbursing funds in accordance with the budget and other approved expenditures. All funds received or dispersed must go through the County Committee bank account. The Treasurer will provide a written report of such to the Executive Committee at scheduled meetings and to the County Committee at quarterly meetings. The Treasurer has authority to disburse budgeted funds to authorized members consistent with the approved budget and the receipt of funds consistent with projections. The Treasurer will provide receipts for all income, require and maintain receipts for all expenditures, and provide open and transparent access to this information to Committee members. The Treasurer will be a member of the Finance Committee.

5.4    First Vice Chair: The First Vice Chair serves as Chair in the Chair’s absence and has the authority, powers and duties of the Chair. They ensure compliance with the State Party Charter and Bylaws; compliance and updating of DCDC Bylaws; parliamentary procedure in all business conducted by the County Committee; and lead fundraising efforts.

5.5    Second Vice Chair: Second Vice Chair for Field Activities is responsible for all outreach to the community in the form of canvassing, recruiting poll watchers, voter registration and contact, phone banking, campaign materials, Get Out The Vote (GOTV), etc. This will include maintaining a strong community presence and increasing the positive visibility of the party.

5.6    Third Vice Chair: Third Vice Chair for Candidate Recruitment and Support identifies opportunities to recruit, develop and assist Democratic candidates for office.

5.7    Upon expiration of term, all officers shall deliver to their respective successors within ten (10) days after the election of the latter, all records, monies and other materials pertaining to the Committee. All funds will be audited before the transfer of finances.

  

ARTICLE VI

Vacancies and Removal

 6.1    All vacancies in the County Committee or Officers shall be filled by election by the remaining Committee members, provided at least three (3) such members remain.

6.2  County Committee members who have three (3) consecutive unexcused, no call/no email absences from regularly scheduled meetings of the County Committee will have their seat declared provisionally vacated by the Chair at the third such meeting. The Secretary will send written notice to the absent Member that their seat is vacated because of the absences within 30 days of the third unexcused regularly scheduled meeting. The notice will also inform the Member that they may be reinstated automatically by simply attending the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Committee. Should there be no response from the absent Member, the County Committee may proceed to elect a replacement Member. Member elections should be held within 30 — and no more than 60 — days after a vacancy is determined. Nominations for members may be made from the floor, provided nominees meet the criteria in Article III of these bylaws. If the absent Member is a DCDC Officer, the Committee may proceed to elect a replacement Officer from among the members of the Committee.

6.3    A Member may resign by written notice to the Chair and such resignation will be effective immediately. An elected member who ceases to have their primary residence in the county commission district in which they were elected will be deemed to have resigned effective upon their change of principal residence, unless the Member is a County Committee Executive Officer or an “at large” member of the County Committee.

6.4    County Committee members and officers may be removed by the County Committee for cause, with reasonable written notice — at least 30 days and not to exceed 60 days — detailing the justification for their removal. The Member will have an opportunity to address the County Committee. A 40% quorum of the County Committee must be met, and a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote is required to remove the Member.

     6.4.1    The removal procedure will be conducted by a subcommittee appointed by the Chair. If the Chair is the subject of the removal procedure, the subcommittee will be appointed by a majority vote of the other County Committee officers. No hearing before the County Committee will be held thirty (30) days before the time charges have been received by the Member to be removed. No Member of the subcommittee may vote on the charges at the time of voting by the full County Committee.

     6.4.2    The Member to be removed will have the right to be informed of all persons who will be witnesses against them and who will speak in support of the charges before the full County Committee.

     6.4.3    The person to be removed will have the right to counsel and may present all witnesses, documents and arguments in support of their position. The subcommittee — which has tendered the charges — may also have counsel and present witnesses, documents and arguments in support of its position.

     6.4.4    Should a Member’s seat or office become vacant due to removal for cause, the vacancy will be filled at the next scheduled meeting of the County Committee following the Member’s removal.

 6.5    Should a Member’s seat or an office become vacant due to death, illness or resignation, that seat or office will be declared vacant by the Chair and vacancy will be filled at the next scheduled meeting of the County Committee, provided the declaration of vacancy has been given at least ten (10) days in advance of the meeting. Any meeting called for the purpose of filling a vacancy must comply with the provisions in 8.5 and does not qualify as an emergency.

ARTICLE VII

Committee Functions, Records, and Certification

 7.1    The Committee shall maintain records of all financial transactions kept on a calendar year basis and a list of unpaid obligations. Financial records will be reviewed by an independent reviewer each year with a report provided to the Committee no later than the March meeting following the end of the organization year. Reports on financial status will be made at each Executive Committee meeting and each County Committee meeting. An annual report will be submitted to the State Democratic Party and the State Ethics Commission as required.

7.2    All receipts and disbursements will go through the County Committee account. All expenditures will bear the signature of the Treasurer and one other authorized Executive Committee member. Every expenditure shall be accompanied by a voucher detailing the expense amount, check number, authorization and purpose.

7.3    Two copies of the Bylaws and officers’ names will be delivered to the County Board of Elections clerk for stamp. One copy will remain with the clerk, one with the County Committee. An electronic copy of the stamped Bylaws will be filed with the State Party.

ARTICLE VIII

Meetings and Voting

 8.1.    All meetings of the County Committee will be open to the public unless a matter of business arises during a regular meeting that requires the Executive Committee to go into executive session by a three (3) members’ vote of the Executive Committee officers.

8.2.    Regular Meetings: Regular meetings of the County Committee shall be held on the date, time and place determined by the Chair or County Committee. All members are afforded a maximum of three (3) minutes for remarks during the “public comment” time on the meeting agenda. Additional time may be allotted for elected officials or for members at the Chair’s discretion.

8.3.    The County Committee will meet regularly at least once each quarter. Where meetings are not held in a previously designated time and place, all members will be provided written notice at least ten (10) days in advance.

8.4    If the Chair fails to call regular meetings of the County Committee, the Congressional District Chair will call a meeting in the County for the purpose of reconstituting the County Committee.

8.5    The Chair may call special meetings at any time, provided all members are given ten (10) days’ written notice in advance.

8.6    Emergency Meetings: Emergency meetings may be called by the Chair with five (5) days’ written notice to County Committee members. This correspondence will be transmitted by email.

8.7.   Quorum: A quorum for conduct of County Committee business will be determined by 40% of the Members, unless otherwise required in these Bylaws.

8.8.    No person shall be entitled to more than one vote. No Member may cast a vote on the behalf of another Member.

8.9.    All meetings of each body of the Committee will be open to the public unless the Committee votes to go into Executive Session under the requirements of Section 8.1 of these Bylaws.

8.10.  Unless otherwise provided for, the most recently revised Robert’s Rules of Order will govern the conduct of all meetings.

ARTICLE IX

Committees

 9.1.    Membership of Standing Subcommittees will be constituted from the membership of the County Committee members. The Chair of the County Committee may appoint any other person who is not a member of the County Committee as an additional member of a Standing Subcommittee, but not being a member of the County Committee, such persons have no voting rights on the latter.

9.2    The County Committee will provide for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Subcommittee within the Hospitality Committee. The DEI Subcommittee will encourage the full participation of all Democrats in party affairs, pursuant to the standards of non-discrimination incorporated into the Democratic National Committee Charter and Bylaws and the definition of party affairs given in the same. The DEI Subcommittee will, from time to time, recommend to the Executive Committee measures to facilitate and increase the participation of low- and moderate-income persons in Party affairs.

9.3    The Chair of the County Committee may establish other standing committees as it deems necessary including the following:

     9.3.1    Finance and Budget: The Finance and Budget subcommittee will consist of no fewer than three (3) persons. These persons are responsible for inspecting the books and records; assisting and consulting with the Chair in the preparation of an annual budget to present to the Executive Committee for approval in January of each year; and planning for financing and the DCDC’s budget. After the adoption of the budget by the County Committee, the subcommittee will pursue such course of action as needed for raising sufficient funds to support the DCDC. Subcommittee members will be appointed by the Chair and ratified by the County Committee. The subcommittee will report its findings to the full County Committee.

     9.3.2    Bylaws, Policies and Procedures: The Bylaws, Policies and Procedures subcommittee will review and recommend to the Executive Committee and the County Committee any actions or revisions to the Bylaws, policies and procedures of the DCDC as deemed necessary.

     9.3.3     Hospitality: This committee has oversight of all County Committee activities involving welcoming members and families into the DCDC. This committee provides refreshments for meetings, events and activities, as well as coordinating and maintaining an outreach program for senior members, youth members, nursing home/homebound members and others.

     9.3.4     Candidate Recruitment, Development and Speakers: The Candidate Recruitment, Development and Speakers subcommittee will identify qualified persons to run for public office on the Democratic ticket. The subcommittee will hold candidate seminars to discuss campaign techniques, work with candidates in the area of issue development, and line up speaking engagements to improve candidates’ recognition in their respective areas.

     9.3.5    Communications: The Communications subcommittee will cultivate media, manage the DCDC’s website, produce and disseminate news releases, plan community forums, prepare and disseminate newsletters, assist with email communication and prepare other similar tasks to facilitate the DCDC’s mission. The subcommittee will coordinate the release to the news media promptly after each County Committee meeting a statement of actions taken. The chair of this subcommittee will also be responsible for newsletter preparation and distribution, press and media relations, and promotion of special events.

     9.3.6    County Policy and Legislative (ad hoc): The County Policy and Legislative subcommittee will recommend and develop the overall public policy of the DCDC. These positions must be submitted to the Executive Committee and then presented to the full County Committee for consideration and approval. Following adoption of policy positions by the DCDC, members of the Policy and Legislative subcommittee may serve as the “action arm” of the DCDC to promote adoption of these positions by appropriate governmental bodies. An additional function will inkling aiding — when and where possible — elected Douglas County Democratic officials when they request assistance.

     9.3.7    Voter Education: The Voter Education subcommittee will encourage all Democrats in Douglas County to register and vote. The subcommittee will address and advocate election participation, identify and work to rectify obstacles to voter participation, and procure resources to promote an informed electorate.

     9.3.8    Special Events and Awards: This subcommittee will organize and execute such fundraising events as are scheduled and will head arranging town hall meetings and other issue-oriented events. The subcommittee will to select those persons to be recognized by the DCDC at an event to be held at least biennially, or at any other time deemed appropriate by this subcommittee. The criteria and process of selection for the awards shall be subject to final approval by the DCDC.

9.4    The DCDC may create standing or ad hoc committees and delegate duties for certain tasks to the committee chairs and their members.

ARTICLE X

General Provisions

 10.1    There will be no discrimination in the conduct of DCDC affairs because of gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, color, physical impairment, national origin or age.

10.2     The DCDC will abide State Party bylaws in the endorsement or opposition of Democratic candidates in non-state, non-federal elections, which requires:

  • A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote by the DCDC Executive Committee; and
  • A two-thirds (2/3) majority approval of the State Executive Committee, which is responsible for providing the procedure for obtaining permission to endorse or oppose a candidate in local, non-state, non-federal races..

10.3  No DCDC member may use this office to support (1) any Democratic candidate in a contested Democratic primary election; or (2) any candidate who has Democratic opposition in a special election. No DCDC member will publicly support another candidate other than the Democratic nominee in a general election or a Democratic candidate in a special election in which there are no other Democratic candidates on the ballot. Nothing herein prevents any County or State Committee member as an individual from endorsing a candidate in a Democratic primary, a nonpartisan election or a special election in which more than one Democratic candidate is on the ballot. No State or County Committee member who makes an endorsement as an individual in a Democratic primary, a nonpartisan election or a special election in which more than one Democratic candidate is on the ballot may reference or incorporate their position or formal involvement with the DCDC or State Committee, nor may they use any of the resources of the DCDC or State Committee in connection with any such endorsement; on behalf of any such endorsed candidate; or in opposition to any such endorsed candidate’s opponents.

10.4      In the case of a nonpartisan election, the DCDC may endorse a reasonably vetted candidate who cannot declare a party at the time of their qualification based. The endorsement may be based on the candidate’s publicly available primary voting history and DCDC participation, and in accordance with State Party bylaws, to include two-thirds (2/3) approval of the DCDC Executive Committee and two-thirds (2/3) approval from the Democratic Party of Georgia’s Executive Committee.

10.5     No DCDC member may publicly support another candidate other than the Democratic nominee in a general election.

10.6      The endorsement of, support of, or contribution to a candidate of another party or to an opponent of a Democratic nominee may result in the expulsion from the DCDC.

10.7      Any contributions by the County Committee to a candidate for public office must be accompanied by a cover letter, which will state in substance, “This contribution is made on the express condition that, after election, you remain a member of the Democratic Party. Your acceptance and/or use of this contribution acknowledges and contractually binds you that, should you win election and while in office at any time prior to the end of your term change parties or leave the Democratic Party, you will repay these amounts.”

10.8    The Committee may recognize and allow affiliation of such county organizations, as it deems appropriate.

ARTICLE XI

Amendments

 11.1.    These Bylaws may be amended at any Committee meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present, provided a quorum is met and at least thirty (30) days written notice of said amendments has been provided to all Members.

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