First of all, lets cover the basic questions:
What's my precinct?Does my precinct have a PCO?Precinct Committee Officers
If it is true that all politics is local, your participation in the Democratic Party begins in your neighborhood. The 5th District is divided into 174 neighborhoods called precincts, many are only a few blocks in size, some rural precincts may be several square miles in size.
It is our goal to a have a Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) who serves as the political representative for each neighborhood precinct.
PCOs walk their precinct before each election making sure their neighbors are registered voters handing out election materials and reminding people to vote.
PCOs attend as many meetings of the local district Democrats as possible. They help elect 5th District Democrat officers, participate in district conventions and caucuses; they vote to accept or reject resolutions and endorse candidates. PCOs represent the 5th District at the King County annual conventions. It is also the PCOs (elected and appointed only) who have the sole voice and vote in the nominating process for our legislative district candidates.
PCOs are elected every even numbered year in the August primary election. It is also possible to be Appointed a PCO between elections, or to be appointed as an Acting PCO for a precinct in which you do not reside.
All elected Democratic Precinct Committee Officers (PCO's) are automatically members of the 5th District Democratic Organization. A listing of all PCO's is also on this site.
PCO Application
If you would like to be appointed a PCO for your precinct, download the printer friendly application (below), fill it out and send to: 5th District Democrats
Attention District Chairperson
PO Box 1853
Issaquah, WA 98027-0076
Download the PCO Application (PDF, 97KB)
Important information about becoming a PCO
Location The 5th Legislative District (see this map) is a part of the 7th and 9th County Council Districts, the 8th Congressional District and King County. King County has maps on their website (www.metrokc.gov, and vote.wa.gov) that show other boundaries such as fire district, school district, etc. Find your specific precinct by using the polling place lookup.
Precincts tend to be no more than a few blocks in size, although some rural precincts may be several square miles. Each precinct is designed to contain approximately 150 households, although some may be larger or smaller.
Requirements The PCO position requires you to work in your neighborhood throughout the year. You will be a much more effective PCO if you are working with your neighbors regularly (through hosting monthly precinct coffees, walking, calling around, etc.).
The PCO is your precinct’s representative to the Democratic Party - you let us know what your neighbors are thinking about important issues and candidates. Attending meetings (1 a month, 3 hours) is preferable but not mandatory. Any other skills you want to use - let us know and we’ll find a way for you to contribute.
Main Commitments
- Walk precinct annually, talking to the voters in your area. We’ll help you with a list and provide materials and candidates. We can also help explain how door belling works.
- As possible, help walk neighboring areas as part of endorsed campaigns.
- Receive email from the District. Periodically respond, but at least know what’s going on.
- Be able to use online voter system (training is available).
- Be willing to vote at the monthly meeting on bylaws, endorsements, the budget, etc.
- Convene precinct caucus (training available) every two years.
- Help out with any unique skills you might have (ie computers, media, letter writing, event plans, etc.)
- If you’re really serious, learn Robert’s Rules of Order, make friends, and get yourself elected as a Delegate from the Fifth to the State and National conventions.
Training
If you would like more information on being a PCO, the 5th District will work to train you in all aspects of PCO work, including VoteBuilder. Our training is designed to complement that offered by the WSDCC and the King County Dems. The latest training materials from King County are available for downloading here:
http://wa-demchairs.org/kcdems/pco/pcotraining20081229.pd
.