Filing Week is May 11-15, 2020
We love our PCOs
…and we want you to be an ELECTED PCO.
Should I File?
- Yes! If you are a Democrat who wants to help get Democrats elected and be involved with the grassroots of the Democratic Party you should file for PCO in your precinct.
- Yes! If you are the ELECTED or APPOINTED Democrat PCO in the precinct in which you live. you need to file in your precinct to continue being the ELECTED PCO.
- Yes! If you live in a precinct that currently does not have an elected Democrat PCO.
- Maybe! If you live in a precinct whose current elected Democrat PCO is inactive, you should consider filing for PCO to be the one to get involved and make a difference (even if the current Democrat PCO files too) .
- Probably Not! If you live in a precinct in which y the current Democrat PCO is active, involved and engaged you probably don’t want to run against that person.
How do I File?
- Go here to file online. It’s free of cost for PCOs
Kitsap County Filing Information
Pierce County Filing Information
Resources:
- Look up your precinct number and voter information here.
Look Up Your Precinct Number & Voter Info
- See a list of current PCOs.
Kitsap County Elected and Appointed PCOs
Pierce County Elected and Appointed PCOs
The PCO Blue Team Challenge:
YES! I Want to Be the Best PCO That I Can Be!
- Yes! I will support and volunteer to help our candidates get elected.
- Yes! I’ll make phone calls, knock doors (when it is safe), and build relationships to reach the voters in my precinct.
- Yes! I’ll build a precinct (committee) team to help me.
- Yes! I’ll update voter data by identifying the Democrats and Republicans in my precinct through MiniVAN when I’m canvassing.
- Yes! I’ll participate in democratic meetings and events.
- Yes! I’ll relay voters’ concerns back to the Democratic organization.
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FAQ – Precinct Committee Officer (PCO)
What’s a PCO?
PCOs are Precinct Committee Officers. They connect the Democratic Party to the voters. As the eyes and ears of the Party, they recruit strong democrats (forming precinct committees), communicate with voters (phone-calling and canvassing), and get them out to vote (GOTV).
What are Precincts?
The 26th District comprises portions of both Kitsap and Pierce counties and is divided into 100+ neighborhoods called precincts. Some may be only a few blocks in size, while other rural precincts may cover several square miles.
PCO Categories – What’s the Difference?
ELECTED PCOs (Resident) – Must live in the precinct • Must file as a PCO candidate with the county auditor • Voted into office during the August primary in even-numbered election years to serve two-year terms • Can vote on LD important matters. NOTE: If you are the only candidate filing for Democrat PCO in your precinct, your name will not appear on the Primary or General election ballots and you are automatically “voted” into the Democrat PCO position for your precinct by default.
APPOINTED PCOs (Resident) – Must live in the precinct • Appointed by LD or county chair in between election years • Required to submit an application • Can vote on LD important matters • Must file in the next even-numbered election year.
ACTING PCOs (Non-Resident) – Does not live in the precinct • Assigned to a vacant or inactive precinct • Required to submit an application to the LD • Cannot vote on LD matters restricted to only resident PCOs.
How & When Can I Become an Elected PCO?
PCOs are elected every two years in the primary election. To become an Elected PCO you need to apply during May filing week (May 11 – 15) with your county auditor. Terms are for 2 years starting in January. Elections for PCOs only happen on even years. You must be a registered voter in the Precinct that you are filing for. If two or more people file for the same PCO position, they will appear on the Primary ballot.
There is Already a PCO in My Precinct – Should I file?
That is completely up to you. Here are a few questions to ask yourself: Is the PCO in my precinct actively working to get Democrats elected? Have I ever seen them at a Precinct or County meeting? Have they reached out to me? Do I know for sure that the active, engaged PCO in my precinct is going to even file? Am I willing to do the work of being an effective and active PCO?
File to Be an ELECTED PCO
I Missed the Filing Date – Can I Still Be a PCO?
Yes. It is the goal of the 26th Legislative District to have an active and engaged Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) in each precinct. The Legislative Chair can assign you to a precinct as an APPOINTED PCO or ACTING PCO between elections. An application is required. You can also help other PCOs by serving on a Precinct Committee Team. This is especially needed in some of the larger precincts.
Be an APPOINTED
or ACTING PCOAt any time you can apply to be an Appointed PCO in your precinct or Acting PCO in another precinct if that position is open. Click the links below to download the application.
PCOs – The Information You Need
YES! I Want to Be the Best PCO That I Can Be!
_ Yes! I will support and volunteer to help our candidates get elected.
_ Yes! I’ll make phone calls, knock doors, and build relationships to reach the voters in my precinct.
_ Yes! I’ll build a precinct (committee) team to help me.
_ Yes! I’ll update voter data by identifying the Democrats and Republicans in my precinct through MiniVAN when I’m canvassing.
_ Yes! I’ll participate in democratic meetings and events.
_ Yes! I’ll relay voters’ concerns back to the Democratic organization.
PCOs – The Grassroots of the Party
Your Job is All About Talking to Your Neighbors.
Your conversations help you KNOW YOUR PRECINCT and REPRESENT YOUR VOTERS at local party meetings. Talking to your neighbors provides the party with identifying information about your voters so they can be reached during campaigns. Becoming active with your local Democratic organization will make you a more effective PCO. The candidates and the Party use the issues you have recorded for each voter to plan their campaign strategies and Party platform.
What is The PCO’s Job?
- Identify Voters’ Top Issues
- Improve Our Voter Data
- Get Democrats Elected by Supporting Campaigns
- Vote on Important Legislative District and County Central Committee matters.
How Do PCOs Do Their Job?
- Build a Precinct Team
- Talk to Neighbors & Build Relationships
- Attend and Participate at Democratic Events and Meetings
Election Years vs Non-Election Years
- During an election year, it’s important to be in constant contact with the 26th Legislative Democrats to find opportunities to be involved on a weekly basis.
- During non-election years you will focus on building your precinct team and getting to know the voters in your own precinct.
The Party Accesses Voters at Every Level
The chart below shows that reaching democratic voters is the Party goal. The Democratic National Committee connects up to the voter through State, County, and Legislative District Committees, and ultimately at the Precinct level through PCOs.
Automatic Membership in Two Organizations
As an elected, appointed or acting PCO, you automatically become a member of the 26th Legislative District Democrats and either the Kitsap County Democratic Central Committee or the Pierce County Democratic Central Committee. As PCOs you are not required to pay dues, though the LD or County organizations appreciate it when you do.