ARTICLE I CREATION, PURPOSE and DUTIES
Section A. Creation and Purpose
An organization known as the Grady County Democratic Committee, hereafter referred to as “the Committee”, is hereby established. The Committee shall have responsibility for and jurisdiction over Party affairs in Grady County.
Section B. Duties
The duty of the Committee is to work with Democratic officials at all levels to achieve the objectives of the Democratic Party. Specifically, the Committee shall:
ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP
Section A. Party Districts and Committee Posts
1.Regular Membership
The Committee shall be apportioned and elected according to guidelines set forth in the State Charter and By-Laws. The Committee shall be elected from five (5) Party Election Districts. Each such district shall contain two (2) Committee Posts for a total of ten (10) posts. Apportionment of Committee Posts among Party Districts shall be based on population. The Districts are comprised of voting precincts within the district. The name and description (additional descriptions are attached) of each District is as follow:
District One: (Blowing Cave, Lime Sink, Spring Hill and Whigham)
District Two: (Pine Park, Spence, and Woodland)
District Three: (Duncanville, Higdon, Midway and Ragan)
District Four: (Cairo #4)
District Five: (Cairo #5)
2.At Large Membership
There is allowance for At Large members to the Grady County Committee. These at large members can be elected to the Committee when there is a concentration of Committee members in one district and a scarcity of members in another district. This allows for elected officials to be members of the Committee without taking the Committee Post away from other individuals who desire to be members of the Committee. Grady County allows for ten (10) at-large members.
Section B. Terms of Office and Election of Committee Members
1.Terms of Office
a)Designation of Terms
One half of the members of the Committee shall be elected in Gubernatorial Election years and one half shall be elected in Presidential Election years. Designated posts and corresponding terms are as follows:
District 1: Post 1 December 2022 (G)
Post 2 December 2020 (P)
District 2: Post 1 December 2022 (G)
Post 2 December 2020 (P)
District 3: Post 1 December 2022 (G)
Post 2 December 2020 (P)
District 4: Post 1 December 2022 (G)
Post 2 December 2020 (P)
District 5: Post 1 December 2022 (G)
Post 2 December 2020 (P)
At Large: Post (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) December 2022 (G)
Post (2, 4, 6, 8, 10) December 2020 (P)
b)Length of Term
Committee members shall serve four year terms, except that all Committee members shall be subject to termination at the time of general reapportionment. Also, following general reapportionment, Committee members elected to posts which are scheduled to stand for re-election in the general primary shall serve two years.
c)Beginning of Terms
Persons elected in regular committee elections shall take office immediately following the general election.
2.Election of Committee Members
a)Method of Election
The method of election of Committee members shall be caucus.
b)Time of Election
Regular election of Committee members shall occur on the 1st Thursday in December. If Committee members are to be elected by caucus, such caucus shall be held within 45 days following the General Election.
Section C. Description of Party District and Designation of Committee Posts
On attached sheet, please provide the names and a brief description of each Party District, post number and term of office.
Section D. Election of Committee Officers
1.Time of Election
Within four weeks after newly elected members take office, the Committee shall meet at a time and place to be set by the outgoing Chair and shall organize by electing officers.
2.When No Meeting is Held
Where the Committee does not meet within four weeks of the time when newly elected members take office, the Congressional District Chair shall call an organizational meeting. In the event the Congressional Chair does not so act within the additional two weeks, newly elected members shall meet to organize in the County Courthouse upon call of one or more members.
3.Elections
The Committee shall elect from its membership: a Chair, two (2) Vice Chairs, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. When available, a woman shall be elected wither as a Chair or Vice Chair. In addition, the Committee may elect such officers as deemed necessary. A person receiving a majority of votes for election to an office shall be declared elected.
4.Terms of Office
The officers shall serve a two (2) year term, beginning with the close of the organizational meeting at which they are elected.
Section E. Removal from Committee or Committee Office
1.Cause for Removal from Committee
Any of the following are causes for removal from the Committee:
a) Failure to perform the designated duties of office;
b) Malfeasance in office, or willful and intentional misconduct in the performance of designated duties of office;
c) Misfeasance in office or performance of lawful Committee duties in an illegal or improper manner which does not necessarily involve the intentional or willful misconduct;
d) A member’s public disclaimer of State Party affiliation;
e) Violation or failure to comply with the duty adopted provisions of the State Charter and By-Laws or with this Committee’s By-Laws and rules and regulations.
2.Causes for Removal from Committee Office
Committee officers may be removed from such office for intentional misrepresentation of positions and policies of the State or County Committee.
3.Removal Procedure
a) The Committee Chair or where the Chair is subject of removal action, a majority of the other Committee officers, shall appoint a three member subcommittee whose responsibility is to conduct the removal proceeding.
b) The subcommittee shall give written notice to the subject of allege reasons for charges for which removal is being sought, and shall offer the subject an opportunity for a hearing.
c) If the subject does not respond within a reasonable time, the subcommittee may present available evidence to the Committee and the Committee may act on the matter.
d) If a hearing is requested or warranted, such hearing may be called by the subcommittee for any time greater than thirty days of receipt of charges by the subject.
e) Ten days prior to a hearing on the charges before the full Committee, the subcommittee shall inform the subject of all persons who will bear witness and testify against him or her.
f) The subject shall have right to counsel and to present witnesses, documents and arguments in support of his or her position. The subcommittee shall have the same rights.
g) Members of the subcommittee conducting the removal proceedings may not vote on such removal.
h) A quorum for the purposes of a vote on removal is forty (40) percent of the Committee membership present and voting. A two-thirds vote is required for removal.
4.Pledge of Commitment to the Democratic Party
As an option County Committee officers and members may create a Pledge of Commitment to the Democratic Party designed by the Committee to ensure commitment and dedication to the above mentioned duties of the Committee (Article I, Section B).
5.Ex-Officio Members
All currently serving elected Democratic officials who represent all or part of Grady County are Ex-Officio Members of the Grady County Democratic Committee. All members of the State Committee who reside in Grady County are also Ex-Officio Members of the Grady County Democratic Committee. Ex-Officio Members have the same rights as Elected Members, but will not be counted in determining a quorum. Ex-Officio Members are not subject to the Attendance Policy.
6.Dues
Dues shall be $20 per year for individuals, $40 for families, and $15 for seniors, students, and military. No member will be denied participation for failure to pay.
Section F. Vacancies
Where the Committee consists of three or more qualified members, the Committee may elect others to fill Post vacancies. A Post so filled shall stand for election in the next regular Committee election. Committee posts which are vacant at the time of the regular Committee election shall stand for election at that time.
ARTICLE III COMMITTEE OPERATION
Section A. Meeting Requirements and Election of Officers
1.Meeting Requirements
The Committee shall meet regularly at least once each quarter. Regular meetings shall be held on the first Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm. Special meetings shall be called by the Chair. Where such meetings are not held at a previously designated time and place, all members shall be given at least ten (10) days of notice. Emergency meetings may be called with five (5) days of notice upon approval of all Committee officers.
2.Quorum
Quorum for a meeting of the County Committee shall be 25% (5) of the regular membership except as otherwise provided in the State Charter and By-Laws.
3.Attendance
Committee members are expected to attend all Committee meetings. Any member who anticipates missing a meeting shall notify the Chair beforehand. The Chair shall decide whether to accept the absence as an excused absence. The Secretary shall notify in writing any member with two unexcused absences. Upon the third unexcused absence, the Committee shall vote by majority vote to remove the Committee member and declare the Committee Post vacant.
Section B. Subcommittees
The Committee shall provide for an Affirmative Action Subcommittee and such other subcommittees as the Committee may deem necessary. Other subcommittees of a permanent nature shall be provided for in these By-Laws.
Section C. Affiliate Organizations
The Committee may recognize and allow affiliation with such county organization(s) that the Committee deems appropriate, as provided for in the State Party Charter and By-Laws. County affiliates may be chartered by a majority vote of the Committee. Charters of such organizations may be revoked, following a hearing, by a two-thirds vote of the Committee membership.
Section D. Prohibitions
1.Remuneration
No member of the Committee shall receive compensation for or be reimbursed for expenses incurred attending a meeting of the County Committee. The Committee may vote on reimbursement of expenses incurred when attending Committee and/or DPG functions.
2.Misdirection of Candidate Support
In a general election no member of the Committee or its affiliates may publicly support candidates other than the Democratic nominees.
No Committee, Committee member or affiliate shall use 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.
No Committee member shall publicly support another candidate other than the Democratic nominee in a General Election.
The endorsement of, support of, or contribution to a candidate of another party or to an opponent of the Democratic nominee may result in the expulsion of such person from the Committee.
Any contributions to a candidate for public office shall be accompanied by a cover letter, which shall state “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 is your acknowledgement and contract that should you win election yet at any time prior to the end of your term change parties or leave the Democratic Party, you will repay these amounts.”
The Committee 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.
Section E. Certification, Records and Reporting
1.Maintenance of Records
The Committee shall maintain at least the following records:
a) Financial records to include:
2.Filing Requirements
In meeting filing requirements set forth in the State Charter and By-Laws and the State Election Code, the Committee shall report directly to the State Chair and the Elections Superintendent. The Committee shall file the following documents in a timely fashion:
ARTICLE IV RULES
Section A. Robert’s Rules
Unless otherwise provided for in the Charter, By-Laws or written rules of the State Party of County Committees, Robert’s Rules of Order as most recently revised shall govern the conduct of all meetings of this Committee.
Section B. Adoption of Rules
The Committee shall adopt rules and regulations not in conflict with the provisions of the State Party Charter and By-Laws and the State Election Code. Such rules and regulations shall become effective only when copies, certified by the Chair of this County Committee, have been files with the Election Superintendent and the State Party Chair.
ARTICLE V AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
Section A. Amendment Process
These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Committee, provided that a quorum of seven (7) is present. A 30 day notice must be given to Committee members prior to voting on ratification and amendment. The vote will be by caucus when a quorum is present.
(Revised 2007) (Revised 2015) (Revised 2019)
Section A. Creation and Purpose
An organization known as the Grady County Democratic Committee, hereafter referred to as “the Committee”, is hereby established. The Committee shall have responsibility for and jurisdiction over Party affairs in Grady County.
Section B. Duties
The duty of the Committee is to work with Democratic officials at all levels to achieve the objectives of the Democratic Party. Specifically, the Committee shall:
- Foster development of local Democratic activities and affiliated organizations;
- Seek and encourage qualified candidates for public office;
- Support Democratic nominees for office;
- Perform such primary and election functions as are required by law;
- Maintain financial and other Party records as are required by law;
- Promote and add logistical support to the State Affirmative Action program;
- Raise funds for Democratic nominees and activities;
- Perform such other duties as may be specified in the County and State By-laws.
ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP
Section A. Party Districts and Committee Posts
1.Regular Membership
The Committee shall be apportioned and elected according to guidelines set forth in the State Charter and By-Laws. The Committee shall be elected from five (5) Party Election Districts. Each such district shall contain two (2) Committee Posts for a total of ten (10) posts. Apportionment of Committee Posts among Party Districts shall be based on population. The Districts are comprised of voting precincts within the district. The name and description (additional descriptions are attached) of each District is as follow:
District One: (Blowing Cave, Lime Sink, Spring Hill and Whigham)
District Two: (Pine Park, Spence, and Woodland)
District Three: (Duncanville, Higdon, Midway and Ragan)
District Four: (Cairo #4)
District Five: (Cairo #5)
2.At Large Membership
There is allowance for At Large members to the Grady County Committee. These at large members can be elected to the Committee when there is a concentration of Committee members in one district and a scarcity of members in another district. This allows for elected officials to be members of the Committee without taking the Committee Post away from other individuals who desire to be members of the Committee. Grady County allows for ten (10) at-large members.
Section B. Terms of Office and Election of Committee Members
1.Terms of Office
a)Designation of Terms
One half of the members of the Committee shall be elected in Gubernatorial Election years and one half shall be elected in Presidential Election years. Designated posts and corresponding terms are as follows:
District 1: Post 1 December 2022 (G)
Post 2 December 2020 (P)
District 2: Post 1 December 2022 (G)
Post 2 December 2020 (P)
District 3: Post 1 December 2022 (G)
Post 2 December 2020 (P)
District 4: Post 1 December 2022 (G)
Post 2 December 2020 (P)
District 5: Post 1 December 2022 (G)
Post 2 December 2020 (P)
At Large: Post (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) December 2022 (G)
Post (2, 4, 6, 8, 10) December 2020 (P)
b)Length of Term
Committee members shall serve four year terms, except that all Committee members shall be subject to termination at the time of general reapportionment. Also, following general reapportionment, Committee members elected to posts which are scheduled to stand for re-election in the general primary shall serve two years.
c)Beginning of Terms
Persons elected in regular committee elections shall take office immediately following the general election.
2.Election of Committee Members
a)Method of Election
The method of election of Committee members shall be caucus.
b)Time of Election
Regular election of Committee members shall occur on the 1st Thursday in December. If Committee members are to be elected by caucus, such caucus shall be held within 45 days following the General Election.
Section C. Description of Party District and Designation of Committee Posts
On attached sheet, please provide the names and a brief description of each Party District, post number and term of office.
Section D. Election of Committee Officers
1.Time of Election
Within four weeks after newly elected members take office, the Committee shall meet at a time and place to be set by the outgoing Chair and shall organize by electing officers.
2.When No Meeting is Held
Where the Committee does not meet within four weeks of the time when newly elected members take office, the Congressional District Chair shall call an organizational meeting. In the event the Congressional Chair does not so act within the additional two weeks, newly elected members shall meet to organize in the County Courthouse upon call of one or more members.
3.Elections
The Committee shall elect from its membership: a Chair, two (2) Vice Chairs, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. When available, a woman shall be elected wither as a Chair or Vice Chair. In addition, the Committee may elect such officers as deemed necessary. A person receiving a majority of votes for election to an office shall be declared elected.
4.Terms of Office
The officers shall serve a two (2) year term, beginning with the close of the organizational meeting at which they are elected.
Section E. Removal from Committee or Committee Office
1.Cause for Removal from Committee
Any of the following are causes for removal from the Committee:
a) Failure to perform the designated duties of office;
b) Malfeasance in office, or willful and intentional misconduct in the performance of designated duties of office;
c) Misfeasance in office or performance of lawful Committee duties in an illegal or improper manner which does not necessarily involve the intentional or willful misconduct;
d) A member’s public disclaimer of State Party affiliation;
e) Violation or failure to comply with the duty adopted provisions of the State Charter and By-Laws or with this Committee’s By-Laws and rules and regulations.
2.Causes for Removal from Committee Office
Committee officers may be removed from such office for intentional misrepresentation of positions and policies of the State or County Committee.
3.Removal Procedure
a) The Committee Chair or where the Chair is subject of removal action, a majority of the other Committee officers, shall appoint a three member subcommittee whose responsibility is to conduct the removal proceeding.
b) The subcommittee shall give written notice to the subject of allege reasons for charges for which removal is being sought, and shall offer the subject an opportunity for a hearing.
c) If the subject does not respond within a reasonable time, the subcommittee may present available evidence to the Committee and the Committee may act on the matter.
d) If a hearing is requested or warranted, such hearing may be called by the subcommittee for any time greater than thirty days of receipt of charges by the subject.
e) Ten days prior to a hearing on the charges before the full Committee, the subcommittee shall inform the subject of all persons who will bear witness and testify against him or her.
f) The subject shall have right to counsel and to present witnesses, documents and arguments in support of his or her position. The subcommittee shall have the same rights.
g) Members of the subcommittee conducting the removal proceedings may not vote on such removal.
h) A quorum for the purposes of a vote on removal is forty (40) percent of the Committee membership present and voting. A two-thirds vote is required for removal.
4.Pledge of Commitment to the Democratic Party
As an option County Committee officers and members may create a Pledge of Commitment to the Democratic Party designed by the Committee to ensure commitment and dedication to the above mentioned duties of the Committee (Article I, Section B).
5.Ex-Officio Members
All currently serving elected Democratic officials who represent all or part of Grady County are Ex-Officio Members of the Grady County Democratic Committee. All members of the State Committee who reside in Grady County are also Ex-Officio Members of the Grady County Democratic Committee. Ex-Officio Members have the same rights as Elected Members, but will not be counted in determining a quorum. Ex-Officio Members are not subject to the Attendance Policy.
6.Dues
Dues shall be $20 per year for individuals, $40 for families, and $15 for seniors, students, and military. No member will be denied participation for failure to pay.
Section F. Vacancies
Where the Committee consists of three or more qualified members, the Committee may elect others to fill Post vacancies. A Post so filled shall stand for election in the next regular Committee election. Committee posts which are vacant at the time of the regular Committee election shall stand for election at that time.
ARTICLE III COMMITTEE OPERATION
Section A. Meeting Requirements and Election of Officers
1.Meeting Requirements
The Committee shall meet regularly at least once each quarter. Regular meetings shall be held on the first Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm. Special meetings shall be called by the Chair. Where such meetings are not held at a previously designated time and place, all members shall be given at least ten (10) days of notice. Emergency meetings may be called with five (5) days of notice upon approval of all Committee officers.
2.Quorum
Quorum for a meeting of the County Committee shall be 25% (5) of the regular membership except as otherwise provided in the State Charter and By-Laws.
3.Attendance
Committee members are expected to attend all Committee meetings. Any member who anticipates missing a meeting shall notify the Chair beforehand. The Chair shall decide whether to accept the absence as an excused absence. The Secretary shall notify in writing any member with two unexcused absences. Upon the third unexcused absence, the Committee shall vote by majority vote to remove the Committee member and declare the Committee Post vacant.
Section B. Subcommittees
The Committee shall provide for an Affirmative Action Subcommittee and such other subcommittees as the Committee may deem necessary. Other subcommittees of a permanent nature shall be provided for in these By-Laws.
Section C. Affiliate Organizations
The Committee may recognize and allow affiliation with such county organization(s) that the Committee deems appropriate, as provided for in the State Party Charter and By-Laws. County affiliates may be chartered by a majority vote of the Committee. Charters of such organizations may be revoked, following a hearing, by a two-thirds vote of the Committee membership.
Section D. Prohibitions
1.Remuneration
No member of the Committee shall receive compensation for or be reimbursed for expenses incurred attending a meeting of the County Committee. The Committee may vote on reimbursement of expenses incurred when attending Committee and/or DPG functions.
2.Misdirection of Candidate Support
In a general election no member of the Committee or its affiliates may publicly support candidates other than the Democratic nominees.
No Committee, Committee member or affiliate shall use 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.
No Committee member shall publicly support another candidate other than the Democratic nominee in a General Election.
The endorsement of, support of, or contribution to a candidate of another party or to an opponent of the Democratic nominee may result in the expulsion of such person from the Committee.
Any contributions to a candidate for public office shall be accompanied by a cover letter, which shall state “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 is your acknowledgement and contract that should you win election yet at any time prior to the end of your term change parties or leave the Democratic Party, you will repay these amounts.”
The Committee 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.
Section E. Certification, Records and Reporting
1.Maintenance of Records
The Committee shall maintain at least the following records:
a) Financial records to include:
- Contributions, annual dues;
- Expenditures;
- Un-paid obligations.
- A list of all Committee members, including addresses and telephone numbers;
- A list of activities sponsored by the Committee during the calendar year;
- A description of duties and composition of any subcommittee or new rules which the Committee has created and agreed upon.
2.Filing Requirements
In meeting filing requirements set forth in the State Charter and By-Laws and the State Election Code, the Committee shall report directly to the State Chair and the Elections Superintendent. The Committee shall file the following documents in a timely fashion:
- A list of Committee members;
- All charters, by-laws and regulations of the Committee and affiliate organizations;
- A certification by the Chair that the Committee is duly constitutes and organized and is following sound financial operating procedure.
ARTICLE IV RULES
Section A. Robert’s Rules
Unless otherwise provided for in the Charter, By-Laws or written rules of the State Party of County Committees, Robert’s Rules of Order as most recently revised shall govern the conduct of all meetings of this Committee.
Section B. Adoption of Rules
The Committee shall adopt rules and regulations not in conflict with the provisions of the State Party Charter and By-Laws and the State Election Code. Such rules and regulations shall become effective only when copies, certified by the Chair of this County Committee, have been files with the Election Superintendent and the State Party Chair.
ARTICLE V AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
Section A. Amendment Process
These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Committee, provided that a quorum of seven (7) is present. A 30 day notice must be given to Committee members prior to voting on ratification and amendment. The vote will be by caucus when a quorum is present.
(Revised 2007) (Revised 2015) (Revised 2019)
