A Precinct Committee Officer (or PCO) is the official elected or appointed Democratic party official for a electoral precinct under state law. There may only be one Democratic PCO per precinct.
The primary responsibility of a PCO is knock on their neighbors’ doors prior to each election to remind them to vote and provide materials on endorsed candidates. PCOs form the backbone of the 36th’s Get Out The Vote effort, helping us win local and statewide races.
Becoming a PCO
1. Look up your precinct number.
2. Check the Current PCO List to see if your Precinct has a PCO. (Don’t worry if there already is somebody.)
3. Fill out this PCO Interest Form to confirm an open precinct. Someone from our board will contact you to fill out the PCO appointment form.
4. We will vote to appoint you as a PCO at the next membership meeting!
Types of PCOs
There are three types of PCOs:
Elected PCO: During the Primary Election of every even-numbered year, an individual may file with King County Elections to be elected as PCO for the precinct in which they are registered to vote. If more than one person files in a precinct, those names will be placed on the ballot and the Democratic voters in that precinct will choose whom to elect. If only one person files, they are automatically elected. They serve a two-year term beginning December 1st of the year they are elected.
Appointed PCO: An Appointed PCO is appointed by other 36th PCOs to the precinct in which they are registered to vote if there is no Elected PCO. They serve from the date of their appointment until the end of the two-year PCO term (November 30th of each even-numbered year.)
Acting PCO: Someone whose precinct already has a PCO may be appointed as an Acting PCO to a precinct in which they are not registered to vote. They serve their adopted precinct until the end of the two-year PCO term, or until an Appointed PCO is found for their adopted precinct.
Special Voting Rights of Elected and Appointed PCOs
Under state law and Party rules, Elected and Appointed PCOs have special voting rights in some areas (See 36th Bylaws for details):
Reorganization Meetings: Elected PCOs play a special role at the biennial Reorganization meetings of the King County Democrats and 36th District Democrats. Only Elected PCOs may vote for the Chair of these organizations, some other officers, and on bylaws amendments of each. The King County Democrats reorganization meeting occurs in December of an even-number year, and the 36th District Democrats reorganization meeting occurs the following January.
Other Meetings: In other meetings of the 36th District Democrats besides Reorganization, certain votes are restricted to Elected and Appointed PCOs: (1) Amendments to the 36th Bylaws; (2) Filling vacancies for some 36th officer positions; and (3) Approving the appointments of other Appointed and Acting PCOs.
Legislative Vacancies: In the event of a vacancy in one of the three legislative seats in the middle of a term, a special meeting will be called by the Chair of the King County Democrats where Elected and Appointed PCOs will nominate three individuals to fill the vacancy. The King County Council will then appoint one of these three individuals to complete the rest of the legislative term.
Acting PCOs do not have any of the special voting privileges noted above. All PCOs of any type and all dues-paying member of the 36th District Democrats may vote on all other decisions, including endorsements, resolutions, and most officer positions.
Questions about PCO rules and voting rights? Contact Jeff Manson: [email protected].