What are Precinct Committee People?

Precinct Committee Persons (PCP) are the most grassroots-level building block of the Democratic Party of Oregon.  They are an important driving force behind registering voters, getting out the word on candidates, and helping Democrats understand the party’s structure, process, and platform.  They are the people who go out, walk neighborhoods, and connect with and activate progressive Oregonians, talking to independent, unaffiliated, and Democratic voters alike.

A Precinct Committeeperson is a representative of the Party in the precinct in which he or she resides. For every 500 registered voters in a precinct, there should be one precinct person of each gender. Each Precinct Committee Person is a member of the County Central Committee of the county party

What are the PCP’s powers and responsibilities?

The precinct is the smallest political unit in the country. A precinct can not be divided by legislative, congressional or supervisor district. Most importantly, it is your neighborhood. You know the people, the schools and the community centers. You have your hand on the pulse of the precinct; you understand the problems and potentials and have a desire to improve your neighborhood.

In addition, PCP’s attend State Central Committee Meetings, vote on official party business, elect county party leadership and Platform Convention delegates and, occasionally – even nominate replacement state legislators or state senators when they retire, or replacement Democratic nominees who withdraw after the primary!

‪How do I become a PCP?

PCP’s can either be elected or appointed.

Starting in early March of an even-numbered election year, Oregon voters registered as Democrats for at least 180 days may file to be elected to fill PCP slots in the May primary election.

After the May primary elections, most Democratic county parties appoint registered Democrats to vacant PCP slots in their precinct or an adjacent precinct through mid-June of the next even-numbered election year.  Each county party has its own PCP appointment process, so find your county’s party chair  here to learn about your county’s appointment process.

What is the PCP term of office?

The PCP term of office is approximately two years, running from the date that the Oregon elections office has certified the May primary election results in one even-numbered election year (usually in June) until it has certified the same primary election results of the next even-numbered election year.