Washoe County Democratic Party Central Committee Structure

In Nevada, each of the seventeen counties has its own Democratic Central Committee as authorized by Nevada law. The Central Committee is comprised of registered Democrats who have gone through the process of nomination and voter approval. To become a Central Committee voter, a Democrat must attend one of the four business meetings, be nominated (either self nomination or through a friend), be approved by the Central Committee voters, and then attend the business meetings regularly.  There can be about 1700 Central Committee members.

All registered Democrats belong to the Democratic Party, but only Central Committee Voters can vote on policy. Democrats can become members [are those registered Democrats who] of the Washoe County Democratic Party by making an annual contribution to sustain the Party operations.

One key responsibility for Central Committee Voters is to elect representation to be on the Executive Board. The Executive Board consists of the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Member At-Large, as defined in the By-Laws. Executive Board Members serve a two year term. The By-laws govern the Executive Board and the Central Committee; the By-Laws should be reviewed every three years and approved by the Central Committee. Central Committee also votes on the platform and both state Party and national Party delegates at its biennial County Convention.

The Executive Board created Standing Committees to channel volunteer energy into meaningful activities to further the purpose of Washoe Dems: to encourage and facilitate the participation of Democrats in Party activities; to recruit and assist Party members to seek public office; to support Democrats serving in elected public office; and, to advance the principles and positions of the Democratic Party. Each appointed standing committee Chair serves on the Washoe Dems Steering Committee, attending Executive Board meetings and participating in discussion, but not voting on policy. Committees are: Candidate Development, Democrats in Action (field), Development (includes major gifts, affinity groups, the Democratic Store and events), Membership, Public Policy, Voter Registration. In addition, the Steering Committee includes the Chairs of the four charter affiliate groups: Democratic Women of Washoe County, Latino Coalition, Stonewall Democrats, and Truckee Meadows Democratic Alliance. The University of Nevada Young Democrats also send a representative to the Steering Committee.

County organizations play a pivotal role in organizing campaigns being run in their county. A county organization may hold fundraisers, canvasses, or provide volunteers to campaigns.

Each County Central Committee is also responsible for recruiting and supporting candidates for elected offices in their county.

In addition to the four Membership meetings each year, Washoe Dems hold[s??] monthly meetings in the other months to share information about district, county and state party matters as well as current issues and candidate recruitment. The monthly meetings are currently held on the first Tuesday evening of every month. The purpose of the Charter Affiliates is to help introduce Democratic Party politics to interest groups.

The Nevada State Democratic Party has a State Central Committee. Washoe County Democrats can participate in guiding the state policy. Washoe County participation is limited to one state central committee member per every one thousand registered Democrats in the County. This allows for participation across the State. Washoe Dems Central Committee members are not automatically members of the State Central Committee. The State Central Committee meets four times each year, at least once in Washoe County. To become a member, you need to be elected at a State Central Committee meeting to fill any vacancies from Washoe County.