INDEX
Article I. Name
Article II. Governing Authority, Structure and Duties
Article III. Membership, Committee Districts, and Election of Postholders Article IV. Election of Officers of the CCDC
Article V. Election of State Committee Members
Article VI. Filling Vacancies of Postholders, Officers, and State Committee Members During Term
Article VII. Removal of Postholders, Officers, and State Committee Members
Article VIII. Executive Committee Functions, Records, and Certification
Article IX. Meetings and Voting
Article X. Committees
Article XI. General Provisions
Article XII. Amendments
Article XIII. Compliance with State and National Charters and Bylaws
Adopted by Committee on _________________________, 2023
CHEROKEE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
Name
1.1 The name of this organization is the Cherokee County Democratic Committee (CCDC). As a
member of the Democratic Party of Georgia, the CCDC corresponds in structure to the State of Georgia
Democratic Committee and is the official, legal representative body of the Democratic Party in
Cherokee County, Georgia.
1.2 All residents of Cherokee County who identify with the Democratic Party may join CCDC. All
Democrats in Cherokee County are encouraged to attend the meetings of the CCDC.
ARTICLE II
Governing Authority, Structure, and Duties
2.1 The CCDC shall be the governing authority of the Democratic Party in Cherokee County.
2.2 Duties of the CCDC shall be:
• To promote development of the Democratic Party organizations and activities,
• To seek and encourage qualified candidates to run for public office,
• To support Democratic candidates running for public office,
• To perform such primary and election functions as required by law,
• To maintain appropriate records,
• To promote and add logistical support to the State Affirmative Action Program,
• To perform such other duties as may be required by the State Committee,
• To elect State Committee members,
• To determine Party Districts and Apportionment and file updated records with the Cherokee County Election Board,
• To perform such other duties as may be deemed prudent and consistent with provisions herein, and
• To raise funds for the purposes listed herein.
2.3 Structure
The Cherokee County Democratic Party is comprised of:
• Membership as defined in Article III
• Cherokee County Democratic Committee (CCDC), aka Postholders, as defined in Article III
• Executive Board as defined in Article IV
Adopted by Committee on _________________________, 2023
The CCDC shall comply with provisions set forth in the Democratic Party of Georgia Charters and Bylaws, including but not limited to Bylaws Article VII: County Committees, and each section and subsection listed therein.
ARTICLE III
Membership, Committee Districts, and Election of Postholders
3.1 Membership
3.1.1 Any person of at least 18 years of age who resides in and is registered to vote in Cherokee County and who shall declare to be a member of the Democratic Party shall be entitled to membership in the Cherokee County Democratic Party. Dues shall be $25 per year; no member will be denied participation for failure to pay.
3.1.2 By attending, all members of the Cherokee County Democratic Party may participate in the meetings by voicing their questions, comments, and suggestions which the Executive Board and the Cherokee County Democratic Committee (CCDC) will consider in its deliberations and decisions.
3.2 Committee Districts
3.2.1 The CCDC shall have four (4) Postholder districts coinciding with County Commission districts, and a fifth district, designated “At-Large.” Each district shall be represented on the Committee by up to eight (8) Postholders elected from that district.
3.3 Election of Committee Postholders
3.3.1 All Committee Postholders shall be elected by Party Caucus. The caucus shall be held in odd numbered years preceding the election in which their Committee Post terms expire, and within 45 days following the General Primary.
3.3.2 One-half of the District Postholders and one-half of the At-Large Postholders shall be elected in gubernatorial election years, and one-half shall be elected in presidential election years. Newly elected Committee Postholders shall take office on the first day of the first month after their election, and shall serve for four (4) years, unless affected by reapportionment.
3.3.3 Cherokee County Democratic Party members who reside in a particular County Committee District shall be eligible to caucus and vote for Committee Postholder candidates from that District. At Large County Committee Postholders shall be elected by the entire party caucus.
3.3.4 Any member of the Cherokee County Democratic Party is eligible to be elected to the Committee
as a Postholder.
3.3.5 Any person who wishes to be elected as a Committee Postholder is required to sign and submit to the Executive Committee the following written statement:
“I declare that I am at least 18 years of age, that I reside in and am registered to vote in Cherokee County, and that I am a Democrat.”
Adopted by Committee on _________________________, 2023
3.3.6 The candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected. In the case of a tie vote, the Committee shall hold a run-off election.
3.3.7 The county’s supervisor of elections shall be given the list of Postholders, which district each represents, and when their terms expire.
3.3.8 Public notice of the Postholder election shall be given by reasonable means, a minimum of 14 days prior to the election.
3.3.9 Only elected Postholders may make motions and vote on motions. Elected Postholders are the official representatives of the CCDC.
ARTICLE IV
Executive Board Elections
4.1 The Postholders shall elect from its membership a Chair, two or more Vice-Chairs, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. When feasible, at least one of the Vice-Chairs shall be of the opposite gender of the Chair. The person receiving the majority of votes for election to an office shall be declared elected. The Postholders shall elect the officers no later than December 31st of even-numbered years.
4.2 Officers will take office immediately following the election. Immediately upon taking office, the new Chair shall notify the State Committee Chair, the appropriate Congressional District Chair, and the County Supervisor of Elections, of the names of the new Officers.
4.3 Officers shall serve two-year terms.
4.4 The Executive Board shall consist of the officers and it shall act on behalf of the CCDC between Committee meetings.
4.5 All County Committee reports, records, and files must be promptly turned over to newly elected officers.
ARTICLE V
Election Of State Committee Members
5.1 The Postholders shall elect State Committee Members from the Cherokee County Democratic Party Membership, who represent the Cherokee County Democratic Party at meetings of the State Democratic Party. State guidelines mandate that the party work in good faith to elect a diverse group based on gender and race. Regular State Committee members shall be elected by the members of the County Committee according to the population-based formula designated in Article II of the DPG By Laws.
5.2 State Democratic Party meetings are held several times a year and require non-reimbursable travel. State Committee Members vote for officers of the State Democratic Party, state by-law changes, state district chair-people, and may be asked to work on state sub-committees.
Adopted by Committee on _________________________, 2023
5.3 State Committee members shall serve four-year terms.
5.4 All persons desiring to be candidates for the State Committee must sign the affidavit attached to these By-Laws as Exhibit A.
5.5 Election of State Committee members shall be set by the State Chair for a date subsequent to regular gubernatorial election.
5.6 Immediately upon taking office, the CCDC county chair shall notify the state committee chair, the appropriate congressional district chair, and the County Supervisor of Elections of the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the new state committee member(s).
5.7 A person does not have to be a County Committee member (Postholder) to be elected to the State Committee.
5.8 Elections of the State Committee members may be conducted at either a regular meeting of the County Committee or a meeting called for this purpose.
5.9 The County Committee may allow one short (one minute) speech on behalf of those seeking to be elected to the State Committee.
5.10 Each member of the County Committee (Postholders) should vote for the number of State Committee members allotted to Cherokee County. When feasible and under appropriate circumstances, Postholders must endeavor in good faith to ensure that there is racial and gender diversity among the Committee members elected.
5.11 All votes shall be by signed paper ballot open electronic method, or by acclamation.
5.12 The candidate receiving the most votes shall be seated first. When feasible and under appropriate circumstances, the candidate of the opposite gender receiving the most votes shall be seated second. This shall continue until all allotted State Committee positions are filled. If there is not a candidate of appropriate gender, or if it is not feasible and under appropriate circumstances to alternate genders, the pertinent positions shall be filled by the candidate with the next highest number of votes.
5.13 Following the election, the County Chair shall certify to the State Chair the names, addresses, and phone numbers of those persons elected as members of the State Committee and shall file their candidacy affidavits with the Congressional District Chair.
Article VI
Filling Vacancies of Postholders, Officers, and State Committee Members During Term
6.1 All vacancies of Postholders or Officers of the Executive Board shall be filled by election by the
Adopted by Committee on _________________________, 2023
remaining Postholders voting at-large, provided at least three such members remain. Those elected will each fill the unexpired term of the position being filled.
6.2 The County Chair shall call a special election to fill any vacancy of a State Committee member in accordance with Article II, Section 7 of the DPG Bylaws. No vacancy for State Committee member may be filled by appointment. State Committee members may be removed for cause by a 2⁄3 vote of the State Committee, provided there is a fifty percent quorum, or in accordance with Article II, Section 8 of the DPG Bylaws.
ARTICLE VII
Removal of Postholders, Officers, and State Committee Members
7.1 County Postholders and Officers may be removed by the CCDC for cause(s), with reasonable notice, and with the opportunity to be heard, by a 2/3 vote of the Postholders present, provided a 40% quorum is met. Any person subject to removal shall receive written notice of the alleged reasons for removal.
7.2 Causes for removal of Postholders shall include failure to meet eligibility requirements, failure to perform the designated duties of office, violation of the oath of office, or public disclaimer of affiliation with the Democratic Party.
7.3 Causes for removal of Officers shall include failure to perform the designated duties of office, violation of the oath of office, intentional misrepresentation of the policies of the Party, or public disclaimer of affiliation with the Party.
7.4 Causes for removal of State Committee Members shall include failure to meet eligibility requirements, failure to perform the designated duties of office, violation of the oath of office, or public disclaimer of affiliation with the Democratic Party.
7.5 The removal procedure shall be conducted by a subcommittee appointed by the Executive Board Chair. Where the Chair is the subject of the removal procedure, the subcommittee shall be appointed by a majority of the other Executive Board Officers.
7.6 The person subject to removal shall have the right to be informed of all persons who will be witnesses against them and who will testify in support of the charges against them, at least ten days before a hearing on said charges before the full CCDC.
7.7 The person subject to removal shall have the right to counsel and to present all witnesses, documents and arguments in support of their position. The subcommittee which has tendered the charges may likewise have counsel and present witnesses, documents, and arguments in support of its position.
7.8 The vitality and effectiveness of the Cherokee County Democratic Committee depends on the active participation of its members. Since the Postholders are elected to represent the entire county party, that is, to be the official/legal representatives of the Democratic Party in the county, it is essential that Postholders be active participants. From time-to-time the CCDC may ask inactive Postholders to resign
Adopted by Committee on _________________________, 2023
because of inadequate participation: specifically, for failure to attend a minimum of four monthly membership meetings in a year. Postholders who are routinely absent because of conflicting obligations cannot represent their constituents adequately.
ARTICLE VIII
Executive Committee Functions, Records, and Certification
8.1 The Executive Board shall maintain records of all financial transactions and a list of unpaid obligations, kept on a calendar-year basis. Financial records shall be audited for each year by an Audit Committee appointed by the Executive Board. The Audit Committee shall be comprised of three or more members, at least one of whom is not an officer. The audit will be completed with a report provided to the Executive Board no later than the March meeting in the following calendar year.
8.2 The Executive Board shall make regular reports to the CCDC at all business meetings. The Executive Board shall also submit an Annual Report to the State Party.
8.3 The County Committee shall maintain records of information to be filed with the State Party Chair.
8.4 In meeting filing requirements, the County Committee shall report directly to the State Chair. The County Committee shall file with the State Chair a list of membership, all rules, regulations, bylaws, and charters of affiliates, an annual report of activities or minutes, the location and signatories of Committee bank accounts, and certification by the County Committee Chair that the Committee, duly constituted and organized, is following sound financial operating procedures.
ARTICLE IX
Meetings and Voting
9.1 The CCDC shall meet regularly at least once each quarter. The Executive Board Chair may call special meetings. When meetings are not held at a previously designated time and place, all members shall be provided 10 days advance notice.
9.2 Emergency Meetings may be called by the Executive Board upon 5 days’ notice.
9.3 A quorum for conduct of CCDC business shall be a minimum of 30% of Postholders.
9.4 At official CCDC meetings only Postholders are entitled to vote. No person shall be entitled to more than one vote. Permanent (long-term) proxy voting is not allowed. Proxy voting is only permitted where specifically authorized within these bylaws.
9.5 All meetings of each body of the CCDC shall be open to the public unless the Executive Board votes to go into Executive Session.
Adopted by Committee on _________________________, 2023
9.6 Unless otherwise provided for, Robert’s Rules of Order, most recently revised, shall govern the conduct of all meetings.
ARTICLE X
Committees
10.1 The Chair of the CCDC may establish any committee deemed necessary, with the approval of the Executive Committee.
10.2 The County Committee shall provide for an Affirmative Action (i.e., Diversity and Inclusion) Subcommittee.
10.3 Each Committee may provide for the election or appointment of such sub-committees as they deem necessary. All members of any subcommittees, elected or appointed at any time, shall serve at the pleasure of the Committee. The Chairman or designee shall serve as an ex officio member of all committees with voice, but no vote.
10.4 Members of subcommittees need not be members of the County Committee.
ARTICLE XI
General Provisions
11.1 There shall be no discrimination in the conduct of CCDC affairs on the basis of age, disability, equal pay/compensation, genetic information, national origin, pregnancy, race/color, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, nor sexual orientation.
11.2 No CCDC member shall use their office to support (1) any Democratic candidate in a contested Democratic primary election or (2) any candidate who has Democratic opposition in a special election.
11.3 No CCDC member shall publicly support another candidate other than the Democratic nominee in a General Election.
11.4 The endorsement of, support of, or contribution to a candidate of another party or to an opponent of the Democratic nominee in the general election may result in the expulsion of such person from the CCDC.
11.5 Any CCDC contributions to a candidate for public office shall be accompanied by a cover letter which shall state in substance, “This contribution is made on the express condition that, after election, you remain a member of the Democratic Party. Your acceptance and/or use of this contribution are your acknowledgment and contract that, should you win election, if at any time prior to the end of your term you change parties or leave the Democratic Party, you will reimburse these amounts.”
Adopted by Committee on _________________________, 2023
11.6 The CCDC shall seek reimbursement of any contribution, whether real or in-kind, made to a candidate who qualifies for office as a Democrat and, after qualification, switches to another party.
11.7 The CCDC may recognize and allow affiliation of such county organizations as it deems. appropriate.
ARTICLE XII
Amendments
These Bylaws may be amended at any CCDC membership meeting where quorum is met, by a 2/3 vote of those Postholders present, provided at least 10 days written notice of said amendments has been provided to all Postholders.
ARTICLE XIII
Compliance with State and National Charters and Bylaws
These Bylaws are intended to comply with the Charters and Bylaws of the National Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of Georgia. Wherever a conflict may arise, provisions of the National and State bylaws will govern, in that order.
Addendum
Exhibit A
5.4 All persons desiring to be candidates for the State Committee must sign the affidavit attached to these Bylaws as Exhibit A.
“I am a resident and registered voter in Cherokee County, GA. I hereby make application to be an elected member of the Democratic Party of Georgia State Committee. I believe in the goals of the Democratic Party of Georgia, am not a member of any other political party or body (as defined in the Georgia Election Code), and am not affiliated with any political group whose ideals, goals, and methods are incompatible with that of the Democratic Party of Georgia (as identified by the Executive Committee of the Democratic Party of Georgia).
Applicant _______________________________________
Address ________________________________________
Telephone _______________________________________
Email ___________________________________________
Adopted by Committee on _________________________, 2023
