The following leadership positions will be up for election at our reorganization meeting on January 22, 2025. Any Democrat who resides in Washington state’s 5th legislative district can run for any executive-board or committee-chair position. As we choose these leaders, we strive to include persons that represent the diversity of our district, including gender, race, age, religion, sexual orientation, economic status, and ethnic origin, as well as the district’s diverse geographical areas, cities, and towns.
Statutory/Delegate Roles These mandatory positions are elected by a majority of votes cast by elected precinct committee officers (PCOs) present at the reorganization meeting. Elected PCOs filed with King County Elections in May 2024 and were sworn-in effective Dec. 1, 2024.
District Chair: Serves as the executive officer of the organization. Presides at all meetings, forms committees, appoints committee chairs, and designates members to perform any duties deemed necessary. Votes as a member of the King County Democratic Central Committee (KCDCC) executive board and the Washington State Chairs organization in the state party.
First Vice-Chair: Serves in the absence of the district chair. Typically plans and runs a few general meetings each year and leads a committee. Serves as an alternate to the district chair and, as the third general alternate at the KCDCC executive board, is encouraged to attend and participate in meetings of that board. Represents the district to the Washington State Chairs organization but votes only if the district chair is not present and transfers voting power. Consistent with the diversity targets of the Washington State Democrats Central Committee (WSDCC) and the KCDCC, should identify as a different gender from the district chair, if possible.
WSDCC Delegate (two delegates, different genders): Represents the district to the WSDCC, which meets three weekends a year across the state, and reports on WSDCC activities to district membership. Typically serves on state caucuses and committees.
KCDCC Delegate or Alternate (two delegates, different genders; two alternates, different genders): Attends meetings of the executive board for the KCDCC (fourth Tuesday of each month in the evening, currently virtual), and reports back to district membership. Discusses and votes on resolutions and endorsements that affect King County, and conducts other business. Alternates typically attend meetings and discuss issues alongside primary delegates, but alternates vote only if a primary delegate is absent.
Young Democrats Delegate or Alternate: Represents the district to the King County Young Democrats (KCYD) and the Washington State Young Democrats, and reports back to district membership. KCYD meeting frequency varies – generally twice a month on weekends. Must be under 36 years old.
Additional roles determined by our by-laws These positions are elected by a majority of votes cast by members present at the reorganization meeting. Members include all PCOs (elected, appointed, and acting) and people who paid a membership fee in 2024. (Memberships paid in 2024 are valid through January 31, 2025.)
Second Vice-Chair: Serves in the absence of the district chair and the first vice-chair. Helps plan and run meetings, typically leads a committee, and performs other duties.
Secretary: Records minutes for all meetings of the general membership and the executive board, and prepares summaries for members. Works with the communications and technology chairs to share messages to members through the website, email, social media, and other organizational channels.
Treasurer: Manages the organization’s funds. Pays expenses and deposits income in a timely manner. Provides an annual budget for approval to the general membership within the first quarter of the year. Periodically reports on the status of the budget to the membership. Ensures that the organization adheres to all applicable requirements of the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC), which is the state agency that tracks campaign finances.
Standing-Committee Chairs These positions are nominated by the district chair and approved by a majority of votes cast by members. Specific committee roles can vary because they are not defined in the bylaws. Members are welcome to suggest additional standing-committee positions.
PCO: Coordinates and supports PCOs in our district, leads PCO recruitment and training, and maintains the list of PCOs in our district. Processes PCO appointments that come from the King County Democrats or directly from the community. Attends monthly meeting for PCO chairs across the county. Acts as liaison to campaigns of endorsed candidates. Assists with production of a mailer to get out the vote for the general election.
Membership: Coordinates member recruitment and engagement; validates membership for voting purposes, which typically involves maintaining and updating a membership spreadsheet and verifying voting credentials.
Communications: Shares timely and relevant information through communication channels including our website, email, Facebook, and other social media.
Technology: Manages the organization’s technological needs, which include enabling virtual meetings and electronic voting, as well as maintaining website and email addresses.
Endorsements: Coordinates the process of intaking requests and considering/recommending candidates and issues for potential endorsement by the membership. Builds a committee that represents the breadth and depth of our legislative district. Ensures that a representative will speak and vote on our organization’s behalf within the endorsement committee of the King County Democrats.
Rules & Bylaws: Maintains bylaws and standing rules, suggesting revisions for consideration by the district membership as needed.
Platform & Resolutions: Coordinates the process of intaking proposals and considering/recommending resolutions and platform positions for potential adoption by the district membership.
Legislative Action & Advocacy: Coordinates promotion and awareness of organizational positions and priorities with legislators and other elected representatives.
Environment: Monitors environmental issues, and coordinates promotion and awareness of organizational positions that relate to the environment with relevant elected and appointed officials.
Fundraising: Coordinates spring fundraiser, including venue, program, guests, and all aspects of a fun and successful fundraising event.
Festival Team (currently a team of co-chairs): Coordinates civic events such as parades and festivals. Manages volunteers, booth display, applications, and fees. Works with communications chair to promote event involvement. Maintains, stores and delivers festival-kit to events.
Diversity & Inclusion: Coordinates efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the organization, including recruiting, welcoming, and engaging diverse members that reflect and represent the breadth of our community.
Young Leaders: Coordinates efforts to increase membership and engagement of voters under age 36; recruits and supports younger candidates for elected office.
Please reach out if you have questions or need more information about any of these positions. You can also contact the current officeholders.