TROUP COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE

Bylaws, adopted July 17, 2017

 ARTICLE I.

 Name

 The name of this organization shall be the Troup County Democratic Committee, hereinafter to be referred to as the “Committee” All members, officers and subdivisions of the committee are subject to these Bylaws and to the Charter and Bylaws of the State Committee of the Democratic Party of Georgia, hereinafter referred to as the “State Committee.”

 ARTICLE II.

 Governing Authority and Duties

 2.1The Committee shall be the governing authority of the Democratic Party in Troup County.

 2.2 Duties of the Committee shall be:

To promote a positive image of the Democratic Party in the local community

To promote the development of Party organizations and activities

To seek and encourage qualified candidates for public office

To support Democratic nominees

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 elect State Committee members

To determine Party districts and Apportionment

To raise funds for the above purposes

To perform such other duties as may be required by the State Committee  

ARTICLE III.

Membership, Committee Districts, and Election of Members

3.1Any person over the age of 18, who resides in and is registered to vote in Troup County, and who shall declare himself or herself to be a supporter of the Democratic Party, can be considered a member of the Democratic Party of Troup County.

3.2Any member of the Troup County Democratic Party is eligible to be elected to the Committee.

3.3The Committee shall have 5 districts coinciding with County Commission districts with 4 members per district. Each member shall be elected to a designated post (numbered 1-4).

3.4Election of Committee Members. 

3.4.1Odd numbered district committee posts shall be elected in Gubernatorial election years and even numbered committee post shall be elected in Presidential election years.

3.4.2Committee members are to elected by Party District Caucus.

3.4.3Such Caucus shall be held within 45 days following the General Primary. If the Committee does not officially set a time and place, the Congressional District Chair shall do so.

3.4.4The candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected without the necessity of a run-off.

3.4.5Public notice of the election shall be given by publishing the same in a newspaper of general circulation in the County at last two weeks preceding the election, by posting all information on the web, and by electronic communication to known Democrats in the County.

3.4.6Only Troup County Democratic Party members who reside in a particular County Commission District may vote for a Committee Members for the that District. All County Party members may vote for Committee Members for the At Large District.

3.4.7The County Committee Chair shall appoint chairs of Party District Caucuses.

3.5Members shall take office on the 1st day of the 1st month after their election, and shall serve for 4 years or fill the remaining time of an unexpired term, unless affected by reapportionment.

3.6Elected Troup County Democratic officials shall serve as ex-officio members of the Committee, entitled to voice, but no vote. 

ARTICLE IV.

Officers and Executive Committee

4.1The Committee shall elect officers no later than December 31 of even numbered years, to take office January 1 of the following year, or immediately following the election, whichever is earlier. The new Chair shall immediately upon taking office notify the State Committee Chair and appropriate Congressional District Chair of his/her election. 

4.2The Committee shall elect from its membership a Chair, at least two Vice-Chairs, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. When possible, at least one of the Vice-Chairs shall be of the opposite gender of the Chair. The Committee may from time to time expand the number of Vice-Chairs. The officer elections require a majority vote and are conducted by open ballot.

4.3Only County Committee members are eligible to vote for officers.

4.4Officers shall serve 2-year terms.

4.5The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers and shall act on behalf of the Committee between Committee meetings.

ARTICLE V.

Duties of Officers

5.1Chair: The Chair shall have over-all responsibility for the Troup County Party affairs and shall be the official spokesperson for the Party subject to the provisions of the State Charter and these Bylaws and to such directives as may be given from time to time by the Executive Committee. The Chair shall be the head of the County Committee and will preside at County Party and County Committee meetings. The Chair shall have the specific responsibility to formulate each year, with the Executive Committee, a Strategic Plan for that year and to present that plan for approval by the County Committee.

5.2Secretary: The secretary shall be responsible for taking minutes at all County Party, County Committee and Executive Committee meetings and for presenting those minutes at the succeeding meetings of those respective groups. 

5.3Treasurer: the treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining accurate up to date records of all expenditures and income to the party account and for depositing and disbursing funds. All funds received or dispersed must go through the Troup County Party bank account. The treasurer will provide a report of such at the regular Troup County Committee meetings. The treasurer shall maintain records for all income and receipts for all expenditures and provide open and transparent access to this information to Committee members. Reimbursement requests must be accompanied by a receipt.

5.4First Vice-Chair: The First Vice-Chair shall act as Chair in the absence of the Chair and shall have the authority, powers and duties of the Chair.

5.5Upon expiration of term, all officers will turn over all records and official documents to their successors. All funds will be audited prior to transfer of finances.

ARTICLE VI.

Vacancies and Removal

6.1All vacancies in Troup County Committee Posts or Officers shall be filled by election by the remaining Committee members, provided at least three such members remain.

6.2Troup County Committee members and officer may be removed by the Troup County Committee for cause with reasonable notice, and with the opportunity to be heard, by a 2/3 vote of the County Committee provided a 40% quorum is met. 

6.3Any person subject to removal shall receive written notice of the alleged reason for removal.

6.4The removal procedure shall be conducted by a subcommittee appointed by the County Committee Chair. Where the Chair is the subject of the removal procedure, subcommittee shall be appointed by a majority of the other County Committee Officers.

6.5The person to be removed shall have the right to be informed of all persons who will be witnesses against him/her and who will testify in support of the charges against him/hers, at least ten days before a hearing on said charges before the full County Committee.

6.6The person to be removed shall have the right to counsel and to present all witnesses, documents and arguments in support of his/her position. The subcommittee which has tendered the charges may likewise have counsel and present witnesses, documents, and arguments in support of its position. 

6.7Cause for removal may include: 

The endorsement of, support of, or contribution to a candidate of another party. 

Failure to perform the designated duties of office.

Conduct or circumstances which reflect discredit or disrepute upon the Party.

Public disclaimer of Party affiliation.

Intentional misrepresentation of positions or policies of the Party.

Conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude or which otherwise reflects discredit or disrepute upon the Party.

Any violation of these bylaws.

ARTICLE VII.

Committee Functions, Records, and Certification

7.1The committee shall maintain records of all financial transactions on a calendar year basis, and a list of unpaid obligations. Reports of financial status will be made at each regular County Committee meeting. Annually, by the date required, a financial report will be submitted to the State Democratic party and to, if required by the State Democratic Party, the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission, (new name)

7.2All receipts and disbursements will go through the County Committee account. All expenditures will bear the signature of the Treasurer and one other authorized Executive Committee member. Every expenditure shall be accompanied by a record of expense amount, check number, and purpose.

7.3Annually, by the date required, three copies of the current Bylaws (if changed since last filling) and officer’s names and contact information will be delivered to the Troup County Elections Superintendent for stamp. One copy will remain with the Superintendent, one with the Troup County party, and one will be filed with the State Party.

7.4Annually, by the date required, a copy of all the year’s meeting minutes and a written summary of the County Party’s activities will be submitted to the State Democratic Party.

ARTICLE VIII.

Meetings and Voting

8.1The Committee shall meet regularly at least once each quarter. The Committee Chair may call special meetings. Where meetings are not held in a previously designated time and place, all members shall be provided written notice at least 10 days in advance. 

8.2If the Chair fails to call regular meetings of the County Committee, the Congressional District Chair shall call a meeting in the County for the purpose of reconstituting the County Committee.

8.3The Chair may call special meetings at any time provided all members are given 10 days notice in advance. 

8.4Emergency meetings may be called by the Chair upon 5 days notice.

8.5A quorum for conducting Committee business shall be 25% of the members, unless otherwise required in these Bylaws.

8.6Secret ballot shall be permissible only when electing Committee members and State Convention Delegates.

8.7All meetings of each body of the Committee shall be open to the public unless the Committee votes to go into Executive Session.

8.8Unless otherwise provided for, Robert’s Rules of Order most recently revised shall govern the conduct of all meetings.

ARTICLE IX.

Committees

9.1 The Committee shall provide for an Affirmative Action Subcommittee.

9.2 The Chair or the Committee may establish any other committees either deems necessary.

ARTICLES X.

General Provisions

10.1 There shall be no discrimination in the conduct of Committee affairs on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, color, handicap, national origin, or age.

10.2 The Committee, and affiliates, are prohibited from supporting a Democratic candidate who has opposition during a primary or Democratic opposition during a special election.

10.3 No Committee member shall use his or her 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.

10.4 No Committee member shall publicly support another candidate other than the Democratic nominee in a General Election.

10.5 The endorsement of, support of, contribution to a candidate of another party or to an opponent of Democratic nominee may result in the expulsion of such person from the Committee.

10.6 Any contributions by the Committee 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 of this contribution is your contact that at any time prior to the end of your term you change parties or leave the Democratic Party, you will repay this amount.

10.7 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.

10.8 The Committee may recognize and allow affiliation of such county organizations as it deems appropriate.

10.9 The Committee shall request fees of $2.00 per month. No one shall be denied participation for failure to pay.

ARTICLES XL.

Amendments

11.1 These Bylaws may be amended at any Committee meeting by a 2/3 vote of those present, provided at least 30 days written notice of said amendments has been provided to all Members.