Amended August 24, 1991
Amended January 27, 1993
Amended August 25, 1993
Amended March 8, 2003
CONSTITUTION OF THE WEBER COUNTY
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
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PREAMBLE
In order to promote better government, a strong
multi-party system and in accordance with the laws of the state of
Utah, we, the Democrats of Weber County establish the following
constitution.
Article I
CONVENTIONS
COUNTY CONVENTION
Each year the Weber County Democratic Central Committee will call a
convention as required by law.
On even numbered years a primary convention will be held to select
candidates for elected county and legislative positions and to elect
state delegates.
On odd numbered years an organizing convention will be held to select
officers for the Democratic Party in Weber County and for each
legislative district and senatorial district in the county.
County officers to be elected at the organizing convention are – chair,
vice-chair, secretary and treasurer.
Any resident of Weber County who is eligible to vote and who declares
himself/herself a Democrat may file for one of the four county party
offices by submitting a written declaration of intent with the
organizing convention elections chairman no later than one week before
the convention. Nominations may be made from the floor with
nominee’s approval.
All declared candidates will be allowed an equal amount of time for
their presentation before the balloting.
Ballots will be issued to county delegates and the vote taken, tallied
and results announced before the senatorial and legislative district
meetings.
The officers in each legislative and senatorial district are: a chair
and vice-chair.
Senatorial district or legislative district officers must live in the
district they serve. Candidates may declare themselves or be
nominated. A vote by secret ballot will be taken if more than one
person declares as a candidate for office. Votes by acclamation
are allowed if only one person is nominated. Three judges will be
appointed by the District Chairperson for secret balloting.
The senatorial district meetings will be held before the legislative
district meetings and each meeting shall be conducted by the current
district Chairs or Vice-chairs.
B. CONVENTION OFFICERS
Each convention will have the following officers, appointed by the
Executive Committee and approved by the Central Committee.
A chairperson and Vice-chairperson who preside over the convention and
divide the responsibilities as they choose.
A secretary who will be responsible for:
a. recording the convention
b. providing a written report of the
proceedings for the Weber County Democratic Party records and
c. arranging for printing of the program and
committee reports.
C. CONVENTION COMMITTEES
The following committees, appointed by the Executive Committee and
approved by the Central Committee will handle those duties appropriate
to the committee including but not limited to:
Rules and order of business committee will:
a. Makes the rules governing each convention
b. Designate the agenda of the convention and
c. See that the various committees report in
the following order:
(1) Credentials;
(2) Rules and order of business;
(3) Elections and arrangements, and
(4) Resolutions.
d. Submit a committee report to the convention
secretary one week before the convention.
Arrangements Committee will:
e. Provide the physical arrangements for the
convention
(1) With approval of other convention
officers, select and schedule the site
(2) Arrange for suitable flags, seating, sound
systems, decorations and signs.
(3) Submit a committee report to the
convention secretary one week before the convention.
Elections Committee will:
f. be responsible for all aspects of the
election except – announcement of the results of the voting which will
be made by the convention chairs.
g. Provide for the printing of ballots and
arrangements for all elections. This includes party officer
elections and Senate and Legislative District elections and ballots,
arranging for ballot boxes and judges.
h. The chair of senatorial and legislative
districts will name judges in their respective districts and will
conduct their own elections.
i. Submit committee report to the convention
secretary one week before the convention.
Resolutions Committee will:
j. Present resolutions to the convention on any
pertinent topic.
k. Submit committee report to the convention
secretary one week before the convention.
Credentials Committee will:
l. Settle disputes regarding challenges to the
seating of delegates.
m. Register all delegates and certify them to the
convention subject to the following restrictions;
(1) No additions or proxies will be allowed;
(2) Only persons selected at the voting districts
precinct caucus’ will be certified. The exception to this rule
will occur if a person elected at the precinct caucus has resigned and
a replacement delegate chosen according to Article VI Section b item 5.
(3) Any person disputing a decision of the
credentials committee may present his/her claim to the convention chair
person if he/she has a petition signed by fifty (50) certified
delegates.
D. PARTICIPATION
Each county convention will be held at a time and place to ensure
maximum participation by all Weber County Democrats. No rule,
resolution or certification of delegates shall belittle or discriminate
against any person. Discrimination in membership, party business
or activities on the basis of status is prohibited.
Article II
Weber County Democratic Central Committee
The Weber County Democratic Central Committee is responsible for the
administration of the Weber County Democratic Party. The primary
purpose of the Central Committee is to see that candidates for public
office selected by the Weber County Democratic Party Convention or the
voters in the Primary elections are elected to public office.
To accomplish this primary purpose, the Central Committee will:
Provide a forum for the dissemination of information
Design programs to promote democratic candidates
Raise necessary campaign funds
Encourage all citizens of Weber County to participate in the Democratic
party.
Provide a system for Weber County citizens to become involved in their
county, state and federal government election process.
A. MEMBERSHIP AND TERM OF OFFICE
The Weber County democratic Central Committee shall
be composed of:
The duly elected chair and vice chair of every Weber County democratic
voting district.
The Weber County Democratic Executive Committee.
The term of office for the duly elected chairs and vice-chairs of
voting districts shall run from the precinct caucus meeting until the
next precinct caucus meeting two years later.
The term of office for the Executive Committee shall run from the
organizing convention held in each odd numbered year and continue until
the next organizing convention.
B. VOTING
There shall be one vote for each member of the
Central Committee on any questions. It will take a simple
majority vote of those members present to pass any non-procedural
motion. There shall be no proxy votes allowed on any Central
Committee vote.
C. MEETINGS
Any Central Committee meeting must be preceded by a
written announcement which shall be mailed at least ten (10) days prior
to any Central Committee meeting to all Central Committee
members. The written announcement must include the agenda of the
meeting. There shall be no fewer than one (1) Central Committee
meetings held in a general election year and no fewer than one (1) in
an off election year.
The Weber County Democratic Central Committee shall
be presided over by the duly elected or appointed chair. In the
absence of the Democratic Party chair, the vice-chair shall
preside. In the absence of the vice-chair, the meeting shall be
presided over by the treasurer. In the event of the absence of
the treasurer, the secretary shall conduct the meeting.
The presiding officer will not engage in debate on
any issue before the committee. In the event the presiding
officer wished to engage in debate, that officer must temporarily
relinquish the chair to the above stated alternate.
D. ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES AND VACANCIES
The Weber County Democratic Central Committee can relinquish any of its
administrative duties to the Weber County Democratic Party Officers or
Executive Committee. Any relinquished duties can be reclaimed at
the will of the Central Committee. The Central Committee can
require reports from any committee or individual acting in the name of
the Central Committee.
The Weber County Central Committee shall have the authority to fill any
vacancies occurring in the Central Committee or in the Executive
Committee or officers. To facilitate the replacement process, the
names of Democrats willing and able to fill vacated posts may be
selected by the Executive Committee and presented to the Central
Committee for their approval.
If an elected official leaves office before the term of that office
expires, the Weber County Central Committee shall have the authority to
hear all declared applicants for the appointment and then vote to
determine which three applicants’ names will be submitted for
consideration as a replacement for that office.
Article III
Weber County Democratic Executive Committee
MEMBERS
1. The chair and vice-chair of each senatorial and
legislative district
2. The county chair, vice-chair, secretary and
treasurer
3. A representative from the Weber County elected
officials. The elected officials select a representative who is a
voting member. All other elected officials are invited to attend
and participate but do not vote.
4. One minority delegate, assuming no minority
individuals are included in the above.
5. The past chairperson and vice-chairperson of the
Weber County Democratic Party.
PURPOSES AND DUTIES
6. Be the planning and implementing body of the
Central Committee.
7. Recommend policy to the Central Committee.
8. Carry out whatever powers and responsibilities are
granted to it by the County Central Committee.
9. Secure sites for precinct caucuses.
10. Offer to find assistance for campaigns of
nominees running in their districts.
11. Hold at least one orientation and planning
meeting per year for the voting district officers.
12. Attend all Executive Committee meetings unless
excused.
13. Certify delegates at county and state conventions.
14. Legislative chairs and vice-chairs distribute
precinct caucus material for the precinct caucus and assist with
training of precinct caucus hosts.
MEETINGS
The Executive Committee shall meet at least bi-monthly and written
notice shall be mailed to all members of the Committee at least ten
(10) days prior to any scheduled meeting. Only members of the
Committee personally in attendance at the meetings shall be entitled to
vote on any matter coming before the Committee.
Article IV
Weber County Democratic Party Elected Officers
The Weber County Democratic Party elected officers
shall consist of the positions outlined in Article I, item A. The
duties of the County officers consists of organizing and assisting
members of the County Democratic Party and Central Committee in
performing their function of electing Democratic candidates to public
office. The specific duties of the County Democratic Party
elected officers are as follows:
CHAIR
1. Coordinate the activities of the Democratic Party
2. Assist candidates in their election efforts
3. Preside over all meetings of the County Party,
Central Committee and Executive Committee.
4. Carry out additional assignments made to this
office by the Executive Committee.
5. Recruit candidates at all levels
6. Appoint such committees as are needed to meet the
needs of the party with the approval of the Executive Committee.
7. Organize and coordinate public relations
activities for the party.
8. Be responsible to see that the party treasurer
submits all reports and statements required by State and Federal law on
time.
VICE-CHAIR
9. Support and aid the chair in effective achievement
of the duties of the chair.
10. In the absence of the chair, preside over all
meetings and functions of the County Democratic Party and carry out any
other functions assigned by the Executive Committee.
11. Assume such specific duties as assigned by the
chair so the vice-chair has a working familiarity with operations and
demands of the organization.
The chair or vice-chair shall not take any arbitrary action that will
have any significant or lasting effect on the County Democratic Party
without approval of the Executive Committee, and ratification of the
Central Committee.
SECRETARY
12. Maintain and account for all party records
including minutes of all committee meetings.
13. Handle all Party correspondence
14. Carry out additional duties assigned by the
Executive Committee.
15. Maintain accurate lists (County and State
committee members, delegates, election judges, registrars and active
Democrats).
16. Issue calls to convention and notification of
committee meetings.
17. Submit lists of County delegates to the County
Clerk’s office for certification within seven days after the caucus
meetings.
18. Supply State delegate lists to State headquarters
immediately after the County convention.
19. Certify Central Committee members at Central
Committee meetings.
TREASURER
20. Keep all financial records of the County
Democratic Party. This includes but is not limited to maintaining
complete records of receipts and expenditures.
21. Issue checks and co-sign such checks with either
the party chair, vice-chair or secretary.
22. Keep records of all financial operations of the
party.
23. Prepare a yearly budget to present to the Central
Committee for review, revision and confirmation at the first of each
calendar year.
24. Submit a financial disclosure report to the Lt.
Governor as required by state statute (20-14-2) on the 10th day of
July, October, and December of the year in which the election is held
and on the 5th day preceding the date on which the election is
held. A copy to be mailed to each member of the Executive
Committee.
25. Work closely with fundraising committees.
26. Be responsible for all funds brought into the
party through contributions or other means.
Article V
Fundraising
PURPOSE
1. To gain sufficient funds to run the party affairs
and activities.
2. To aid party candidates in financing their
campaigns.
OBTAINING FUNDS
3. The Executive Committee shall establish a
fundraising committee to be in charge of fundraising activities of the
Weber County Democratic Party.
4. Funds may be raised in any manner not prevented by
state, local or federal laws.
UTILIZATION OF FUNDS
5. Available funds may be expended for any of the
purposes set forth in paragraph one of this Article.
6. The party officers have the authority to expend
party monies for any necessary function or activity of the County Party.
7. The party treasurer, with approval of the
Executive Committee, has the power to provide money to any individual
Democratic candidate for utilization in his/her campaign.
8. Money donated to the party for the use of a
designated candidate shall only be turned over to that candidate.
9. No undesignated money shall be given to any
candidate until that person becomes the party’s only candidate at the
State or County Convention or after the Primary election.
Article VI
Weber County Voting District Officers and Delegates
VOTING DISTRICT CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR
1. Are elected by secret ballot at the Party precinct
caucus held during the even numbered years.
2. Serve as members of the County Democratic Central
Committee for a two-year term. Central Committee members’ duties
are outlined in Article II of this document.
3. Serve as host for the next precinct caucus in two
years or assist with identifying alternative site.
DELEGATES TO THE COUNTY CONVENTION
4. Are elected by secret ballot at the precinct
caucus held during the even numbered years and serve for two years.
5. The total number of delegates per voting district
is determined by the County Central Committee based on the Democratic
votes cast in the four statewide races during the last general election
when a U.S. President was elected, provided that each voting district
is allowed at least one county delegate. A person desiring to be
a county delegate must attend the precinct caucus, live in the voting
district and be eligible to vote in the general election.
6. At the Nominating Convention, County delegates may
vote for candidates wishing to run for public office representing the
Democratic Party. At the organizing convention they may vote for
Party officers.
7. County delegates support party functions and
candidates.
8. Conditions and procedures for replacing a County
delegate.
a. If a duly elected County delegate moves from Weber
County or resigns the seat in writing, the seat may be declared open.
b. The position may be filled by a person who resides
within the same voting district, first preference being the person who
had the next highest number of votes during the election at the
precinct caucus. If no one within the voting district is found,
the seat will go unfilled. Replacement delegates may be presented
to the County Executive Committee for approval.
c. Any replacement must be made at least one week
prior to the next convention.
Article VII
State Voting Delegates
County delegates elect delegates to the State Convention during the
County Primary Convention.
The number of State delegates is determined by the Utah State
Democratic organization. The number of State delegates per
legislative district is determined using the same voting results as
used for selecting County delegate numbers.
Seven delegates at large will be appointed. They include the four
elected County officers and three convention officers.
A ballot will be prepared for each legislative district containing the
names of those persons elected as County delegates within the
boundaries of the legislative district. One ballot will be given
to each County delegate attending his/her legislative meeting.
At each legislative meeting a roll call will be conducted. Any
delegate not wishing to be considered for one of the State delegate
slots may request that his/her name be crossed off. (This does
not remove his/her name from the County delegate list.)
Persons other than those listed on the ballot may then request that
their names be added to said list provided they live within the
boundaries of that legislative district. The County delegates are
responsible for making these changes and additions on their own
official ballot as they occur.
The ballots are then marked, counted and the results posted.
No legislative district may elect more delegates than the number of
delegates originally assigned to the district.
If any of the legislative districts have elected less delegates than
their allotted number, the remaining seats may be declared open and may
be filled, by secret ballot if necessary, by persons from any
legislative district. State seats left open after the second
balloting and at the conclusion of the convention may be filled at the
discretion of the Executive Committee.
Conditions and procedures for replacing a State delegate:
1. If a duly elected State delegate moves from Weber
County, or resigns in writing that seat may be declared open.
2. The seat may be filled in the following order of
preference:
a. Persons living in the same legislative district
who received the next highest number of votes after the last delegate
was chosen during the nominating convention.
b. Next by a person living in the same legislative
district and
c. Finally by interested Democrats living in Weber
County.
3. The replacement will be named, using this
criteria, by the Executive Committee.
4. Any replacements should be completed and filed
with the State Democratic Party according to their stated deadline.
Article VIII
State Central Committee
PURPOSE
The State Central Committee is the policy making body of the Democratic
Party in the State of Utah.
MEMBERS
Each County has a specified number of members appointed to that body by
the State organization. The Executive Committee members who are
willing to serve and attend the meetings can be appointed. If the
number of seats available permits other willing, Weber County Democrats
may be asked to serve. The list of appointees is ratified by the
County Central Committee.
Article IX
Ratification and Amendments
This Constitution shall be the basic rule for the
Weber County Democratic party when it is adopted by a two-thirds vote
of the County Central Committee and approved by a two-thirds vote of
the delegates present and voting at a County convention.
This Constitution may be amended by the County
Central Committee by a vote of two-thirds of the members present and
voting. Any proposed amendments must be mailed to each member of
the Central Committee at least two weeks prior to a meeting at which
the amendments will be considered. Unless the amendment is
approved by a majority of the County’s Executive Committee, all mailing
and printing costs will be the obligation of the person proposing the
amendment.
Paid for by the Weber County
Democratic Party. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate
committee.
Weber County Democrats PO Box 624 Ogden Ut. 84402
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