Political Parties

Questions

• What is a political party?
• What is a party platform?
• What is a national committee?
• What is a state executive committee?
• What is a county executive committee?
• What is a state chair?
• What is a county chair?
• What is a precinct chair?
• Is a precinct chair the same as a presiding judge?
• What are a precinct chair’s duties?
• How do I become a precinct chair?
• Do I have to wait until the primary election to be a precinct chair?

Answers

What is a political party?

A political party is an organization that seeks to influence government by nominating candidates and helping them get elected.

What is a party platform?

A party platform is a document that expresses a party’s official positions on various issues.

What is a national committee?

A national committee conducts party business at the national level.  It consists of each state chair, and two committee members from each state.

What is a state executive committee?

A state executive committee conducts party business at the state level.  It consists of a state chair and vice chair, and two committee members – one man and one woman – from each senatorial district.

What is a county executive committee?

A county executive committee conducts party business at the county level.  It consists of the county chair and all precinct chairs.

What is a state chair?

A state chair is the leader of a state party, and serves on the national committee and state executive committee.

What is a county chair?

A county chair is the presiding officer of a county executive committee.

What is a precinct chair?

A precinct chair is an officer that represents their election precinct on the county executive committee.

Is a precinct chair the same as a presiding judge?

No.  Precinct chair and presiding judge are two separate offices.  However, it is not uncommon for a precinct chair to also serve as a presiding judge.

What are a precinct chair’s duties?

A precinct chair is responsible for organizing and mobilizing voters, and representing their election precinct on the county executive committee.  Also, they typically serve as temporary chair during precinct conventions.

How do I become a precinct chair?

Precinct chairs are elected in the primary election.  To start the process, simply submit an application for a place on the ballot.  You can get an application from your local party or the Secretary of State.

Do I have to wait until the primary election to be a precinct chair?

It depends.  If there is already a precinct chair in your election precinct, then you will have to wait.  If there isn’t one, contact your local party and let them know that you’re interested in serving.

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