Standing Rules

32nd Legislative District Democratic Organization
Amended March 11, 2015
Formatted 2019

Standing Rule 1: Election Procedures

Section 1.1. Election of District Chair

1.1.A.

Each candidate for District Chair will control a total of five (5) minutes for the purpose of nominating, seconding, and nominee speeches.

1.1.B.

A question-and-answer (Q&A) period of ten (10) minutes will then follow; the length of this Q&A period may be extended by majority vote of the PCOs present and voting. Questions may not exceed twenty (20) seconds; each nominee's answer may not exceed one (1) minute.

1.1.C.

A closing statement by or for each nominee, in the order of nomination may then be made, not to exceed two (2) minutes.

1.1.D.

As per the Bylaws, voting shall be by signed, written ballot of the PCOs eligible and present to vote, unless a majority of voting members present vote to elect by acclamation.

Section 1.2. Election of Other Officers

1.2.A.

Each candidate for office will control a total of three (3) minutes for the purpose of nominating, seconding, and nominee speeches.

1.2.B.

A question-and-answer (Q&A) period of five (5) minutes will then follow; the length of the Q&A period may be extended by a majority vote of those present who are eligible to vote on the office. Questions should not exceed twenty (20) seconds; each nominee's answer should not exceed one (1) minute.

1.2.C.

A closing statement by or for each nominee, in the order of nomination may then be made, not to exceed one (1) minute.

1.2.D.

For those offices listed in Article 4 § 1 of the bylaws, voting shall be by signed, written ballot of the PCOs eligible and present to vote, except in instances where a majority of voting members present vote to elect by acclamation. All other offices shall be by raised credential vote, unless by acclamation, or a signed, written ballot is requested.

Section 1.3. Ratification of Appointed Officers

1.3.A.

The District Chair will announce the name of the candidate for the appointed office and request a motion for ratification.

1.3.B.

If present, the nominee may have two (2) minutes to introduce her/himself, followed by a question-and-answer (Q&A) period not to exceed three (3) minutes. Questions should not exceed twenty (20) seconds.

1.3.C.

Debate on the motion may follow.

1.3.D.

A raised-credential vote will be taken, unless a member requests a signed, written ballot.

1.3.E.

When making an appointment at any meeting except the reorganization meeting, the District Chair shall place an announcement of the appointment in the District Newsletter or via email at least 10 days in advance of the meeting where the appointment would be ratified.

Standing Rule 2: Endorsement Policy and Procedures

Section 2.1.

Candidates may be endorsed for elective office, and positions may be taken on ballot issues, at any regular meeting in which written notice has been given as an agenda item on the District organization's Newsletter, whether mailed or e-mailed a minimum of ten (10) days prior to the meeting.

Section 2.2.

2.2.A.

Only self-identified Democratic candidates may be endorsed by the District organization.

2.2.B.

Judicial candidates, who are not allowed to make such identifications, are the only exception to this requirement.

Section 2.3.

Only candidates, or ballot issues, that will appear on a ballot in the 32nd Legislative District can be endorsed or a position taken.

Section 2.4.

In races in which no self-identified Democratic candidate will be on the ballot, a preference for one of the candidates on the ballot may be decided using the same procedures as used for endorsements.

Section 2.5.

The Executive Board shall establish an Endorsement Committee by March of each year and the Board may make recommendations to the membership regarding endorsement, of candidates and incumbents and issues.

Section 2.6. Voting procedures shall be as follows:

2.6.A.

Endorsements shall require a sixty-percent (60%) vote of the members present and voting.

2.6.B.

More than one candidate may be endorsed for the same office.

2.6.C.

Voting will be by raised credential. Written ballots may be requested by fifteen percent (15%) of the eligible voters present and voting.

Section 2.7. Early Endorsement

2.7.A.

No endorsement of a candidate shall occur before the close of candidate filing except when notice is provided in the District Newsletter before the General-membership meeting or by first-class mail or e-mail postmarked at least ten (10) days before the meeting when such an endorsement is proposed.

2.7.B.

If the meeting is to be held before the close of filing, a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting (excluding abstentions) shall be required for endorsement.

Section 2.8.

All motions to endorse shall require a second except motions from the Executive Board.

2.8.A.

After all motions to endorse individuals for a given race have been made there will be a question-and-answer (Q&A) period for a panel composed of all potential endorsees in the race, (including substitute spokespeople authorized as such in writing), each of whom will have an opportunity to respond to each question. The maximum Q&A time will be three (3) minutes times the number of potential endorsees for that race. Each question may last up to fifteen (15) seconds, and each answer may last up to thirty (30) seconds.

2.8.B.

The motions will then be debated and voted upon in the order in which they were made, starting with the Executive Board motion(s). Up to four (4) speakers, alternating pro (two) and con (two), will be allowed. Each speaker may take up to thirty (30) seconds. If no one requests recognition to speak against the motion after the first pro speaker has spoken, then debate will be closed, and the vote taken. This sequence of “debate and vote” will be followed for each of the motions, in turn.

2.8.C.

If more than one individual receives a three-fifths (3/5) vote, the result is a multiple endorsement. If only one individual is endorsed, it is a sole endorsement. If no individual is endorsed, motions for multiple endorsements will then be in order, and the same procedures for “debate and vote” (Sec. 6B above) will be followed.

Section 2.9.

Only the Executive Board or a member of the 32nd Legislative District Democratic Organization may make a motion for endorsement or a motion for a position on a ballot issue.

Section 2.10.

Members may debate a motion for positions on ballot measures, alternating pro and con. Questions and answers shall be allowed. Debate may be closed by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting.

Section 2.11.

Sections 1 through 8 of this Standing Rule also apply to motions for “revocation of endorsement“ and “rejection of endorsement,” substituting “revocation of endorsement” as “rejection of endorsement” as applicable.

Section 2.12.

The organization shall support and publicize its endorsements and positions in ways that it deems appropriate. The District organization's literature-distribution system will be available only for endorsed candidates and endorsed ballot issues.

Standing Rule 3: Endorsement Committee

Section 3.1. Establishment and Composition

The Executive Board shall appoint an Endorsement Committee from among volunteers from the general membership. Executive Board members may serve as Endorsement Committee members, but no more than one-half of the committee members can also be Executive Board members. Appointees must be ratified by majority vote at the next regularly scheduled General Membership meeting following their appointment. The Endorsement Committee shall consist of a minimum of five (5) members but a larger number is preferred.

Section 3.2. Invitation to Candidates

3.2.A.

The Endorsement Committee shall send a letter to Democratic candidates and candidates for nonpartisan office who will appear on the ballot in the 32nd Legislative District for a given election.

3.2.B.

The letter shall ask if the candidate is interested in seeking our endorsement and shall include the provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of this Rule, and any other information the Committee wishes to furnish.

3.2.C.

The Committee shall keep a record of letters sent and responses received and shall 140 begin to schedule interview meetings as soon as possible.

Section 3.3. Endorsement Committee Interviews and Questionnaires

3.3.A.

Except as provided in Section 7 of Standing Rule 2, every candidate who seeks the endorsement of the 32nd Legislative District Democratic Organization, during the year in which endorsement is sought, must complete a questionnaire provided by the Endorsement Committee.

3.3.B.

Every congressional, legislative, and local candidate who wants the recommendation of the 32nd Legislative District Executive Board must, during the year in which endorsement is sought, appear in person or through an authorized representative at an interview meeting of the Endorsement Committee.

3.3.C.

Prior to the interview meetings, the Executive Board, or the general membership, by majority vote (present and voting), may waive the interview or questionnaire requirement.

3.3.D.

If a candidate does not interview with the Endorsement Committee, or obtain a waiver as described in this Section, neither the Endorsement Committee nor the Executive Board may recommend to the membership that the candidate be endorsed.

Section 3.4. Interview Meetings

3.4.A.

At Endorsement Committee interview meetings, Democratic candidates will be given time to present reasons for endorsement, to be followed by time for questions from the floor, with time for response by the candidates. The amount of time to be allotted for each will be set by the committee depending upon the time available.

3.4.B.

All deliberations and votes shall be conducted in Executive Session. A written record shall be kept of the number of votes cast for or against each candidate.

Section 3.5. Number of Interview Meetings

The Endorsement Committee shall hold at least one interview meeting with Democratic candidates seeking the endorsement of the 32nd Legislative District Democratic Organization, and as many more meetings as it deems necessary to accommodate all the candidates requesting endorsement, prior to the Endorsement Meeting of each year. All meetings of the Endorsement Committee shall be open to the membership. In addition, the Endorsement Committee will make every effort to schedule a candidate forum, open to the public, for candidates running for open seats.

Section 3.6. Endorsement Committee Files and Questionnaires

3.6.A.

The Endorsement Committee shall develop a list of questions appropriate to each office to be asked of candidates during interviews, and may ask candidates to submit copies of questionnaires they have filled out for other organizations. It shall keep a file on each candidate who appears during the year, their positions on issues, their responses to questions, and any other pertinent information they can gather.

3.6.B.

General members will be asked to contribute to the files throughout the year; all of the information shall be available to the membership prior to endorsements. Individual files shall be saved from year to year to the extent practicable and useful.

Section 3.7. Review by the Executive Board

The Executive Board, by a 2/3 vote of members present and voting, may overrule any recommendation of the Endorsement Committee.

Standing Rule 4: Policy for Reduction of Dues for Those with Limited Income

Section 4.1.

Any reduction in dues, installment-payment arrangements, and volunteer time or in-kind contributions in lieu of dues shall be at the discretion of the Chair or a Vice-Chair.

Section 4.2.

The Chair shall be responsible for making the proper notification to the Treasurer and Membership Officer for members covered under this Standing Rule.

Standing Rule 5: Policy and Procedures Regarding Membership Lists

Section 5.1.

All membership lists/rosters containing the names, precinct, addresses and phone numbers of dues-paying members shall be confidential and for sale only to members of the 32nd Legislative District Democratic Organization. Upon request, lists in the form of one-time204 use labels, containing only the names and addresses, shall be for sale to Candidate and Ballot Issue Campaigns that have been endorsed by the membership. Membership lists for members are solely for the private use of the members of the 32nd Legislative District Democratic Organization. Members of the Executive Board may have access to membership information, without any charge, for carrying out the duties of their office.

Section 5.2.

The Executive Board shall set the sale price for any membership lists. The price to members shall be nominal, essentially the cost of producing the list. The price to Candidate and Ballot Campaigns shall reflect the political value.

Section 5.3.

5.3.A.

Members may obtain a copy of the list by contacting the Membership Officer in advance and requesting that a copy of the list be available for sale at the next District Meeting. Members may also request a copy of the membership list by mail by sending a request along with the fee to the Membership Officer, who will verify membership before mailing the list.

5.3.B.

All membership lists will include the following statement: “This membership list is published by the 32nd Legislative District Democratic Organization, State of Washington. It is solely for the private use of members of the 32nd Legislative District Democratic Organization. It is not to be reproduced, nor is it intended for publication or commercial solicitation by any means, public or private.”

5.3.C.

Campaign requests for labels must be approved by the Executive Board. When approved and upon confirmation of the receipt of the required fee, the Membership Officer will provide the labels.

Section 5.4.

Opportunity shall be given to non-PCO members to omit their address, email address or telephone number from said lists/rosters by marking the appropriate box on the membership form or providing a written request to the Membership Officer, at any time, to have their address, email address or phone number omitted from the membership list/roster.

Section 5.5.

The email addresses or email aliases of all PCOs shall be published on the District’s website.

Standing Rule 6: Policy and Procedures Regarding Meeting Programs

Section 6.1.

All programs scheduled for any meeting of the District organization will begin no later than 7:30 p.m., thirty (30) minutes after the meeting is called to order.

Standing Rule 7: Policy regarding Debate Procedures

Section 7.1.

When a motion is properly before the body, the debate may be started with either a statement in favor of or against the motion. If there is only a favorable or negative statement, that member may be allowed to speak.

Standing Rule 8: Policy and Procedures for the Website

Section 8.1.

A website shall be established to disseminate information to the membership, to publish the views and to support endorsed candidates and elected 32nd Legislative District Democratic officials.

Section 8.2.

The goal for website content includes a copy of the Bylaws, Standing Rules, Platform and Resolutions, contact information for officers and for elected Democratic Officials, notices and agendas for upcoming 32nd LDDO meetings and other events, meeting minutes, archived newsletters, links to web pages of elected Democratic Officials and endorsed candidates, initiatives and propositions and PCO-contact information..

Section 8.3.

The draft meeting minutes and proposed agendas will be published as soon as feasible. Every effort will be made to publish meeting minutes and resolutions in some form that cannot be readily edited and for which the software to access the document is readily and freely available.

Section 8.4.

At least three (3) officers of the District shall have the password to the District website.

Section 8.5.

A majority of the Executive Board, or of the membership, may override changes to the District website.

Standing Rule 9: Resolutions

Section 9.1. Timing

9.1.A.

Resolutions may be submitted to the body at any time, but they shall require ten (10) days written notice to the members before a vote on final passage. This requirement may be waived by two-thirds (2/3) vote of those members present and voting.

9.1.B.

Resolutions presented with proper notice by committees or other subgroups of this organization shall require neither a motion nor a second prior to debate and vote.

9.1.C.

Every effort will be made to post pending resolutions on the District’s website.

Section 9.2. Expectation that Resolutions should be typed

9.2.A.

Resolutions should be typed and electronically submitted to the Secretary and Chair of the District fourteen (14) days in advance of a meeting.

Section 9.3. Correspondence Committee Responsibilities

9.3.A.

The Correspondence Committee shall reformat resolutions adopted by the organization to meet the specifications and requirements of the Washington State Democratic Central Committee or the Washington State Democratic Convention.

9.3.B.

All resolutions shall be sent within ten (10) days of adoption.

Standing Rule 10: Public Communications

Section 10.1. Newsletter

10.1.A. Publication Schedule and Review

10.1.A.a.

The District should distribute a regular newsletter a minimum of twice a month, through electronic means or through the United States Postal Service. One newsletter shall be distributed a minimum of 10 days before a scheduled meeting of the District. The other newsletter should be distributed a minimum of 10 days after a general meeting of the District.

10.1.A.b.

The newsletter published before a scheduled meeting of the District should contain an agenda, program information, officer reports, links to any proposed resolutions, and other information as determined by the Executive Board.

10.1.A.c.

The newsletter published after a general meeting of the District should contain highlights from the business portion of the meeting, a link to the complete minutes of the general meeting, and other information as determined by the Executive Board.

10.1.A.d.

The Chair shall review the regular newsletter before publication.

10.1.A.e.

The District may distribute additional newsletters throughout each month, and may distribute special newsletters relating to campaigns and elections, or to specific subpopulations (i.e. city-specific newsletter, or Young Democrats newsletter, etc.).

10.1.B. Newsletter and Website Content

10.1.B.a.

The District may use its website and/or newsletter to distribute information from any elected official about public affairs, subscriptions to official newsletter and websites, and public meetings.

10.1.B.b.

An endorsed candidate may have any campaign event publicized by the 32nd LDDO on the District's website and in the newsletter. The LDDO may provide links to campaign websites, newsletters maintained by an endorsed candidate, and may otherwise promote an endorsed candidate on the website or in the newsletter. Campaign events sponsored by an endorsed candidate shall be highlighted or otherwise distinguished from events sponsored by other Democratic candidates.

10.1.B.c.

Any independent organization, whose mission and goals are compatible with those of the District, may have events publicized by the District in its regular newsletter and on the District's website. In order for an independent organization to have events publicized by the District, a majority of the Executive Board must vote to recognize the organization. A list of these recognized organizations shall be maintained.

10.1.B.i.

This section does not apply to other organizations recognized in the Washington State Democratic Party Charter or by the Washington State Democratic Central Committee. Events and information distributed by another Democratic Party organization may be included in the newsletter and on the website.

Section 10.2. Blogs and Social Media

10.2.A.

The District may maintain a public Facebook, blog, or other social media pages. At least three (3) officers of the District shall have administrative privileges to delete 1) spam and other offensive posts 2) anonymous comments and 3) other types of messages as approved by 2/3rds of the Executive Board.