A Friendly Guide to Your First 90 Days
Welcome aboard! If you’ve just become a Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) in Washington State—or you’re thinking about it—this post will walk you through what the role is, how to get started fast, and the tools and habits that make the biggest difference for your neighbors and for our party.
A PCO is the Democratic Party’s neighborhood lead. You’re the person who:
Knocks doors or makes calls to meet Democratic (and Democratic-leaning) voters
Helps folks register and return their ballots
Shares local endorsements and election info
Brings what you’re hearing back to your LD or County Party
Votes in party business (endorsements, bylaws, leadership, and—when vacancies happen—nominations)
PCOs are the backbone of grassroots power: one precinct, one conversation, one ballot at a time.
Elected PCO (gold standard).
File during candidate filing week (May of even-numbered years). If uncontested, you’re elected automatically; if contested, you’re on the primary ballot. Terms run Dec 1 → Nov 30 two years later. Elected and Appointed PCOs vote in reorgs and vacancies.
Appointed PCO.
If your home precinct is vacant, your County (or LD → County, in King County) can appoint you to fill it.
Acting PCO.
You can temporarily help organize a precinct you don’t live in (and recruit a resident to take it over). It’s a great on-ramp if your own precinct already has a PCO.
Week 1 – Plug in
Introduce yourself to your LD or LD Chair and/or Vice Chair
Get the meeting schedule + slack/discord/email lists
Ask for VoteBuilder (VAN) access and a short walkthrough
Week 2 – Learn your turf
Get your precinct map + walking (or calling) list
Note apartments, language needs, big employers, schools, churches
Shadow a seasoned PCO if you can
Week 3 – Say hello
30–45 minute micro-canvass blocks after work or on a weekend morning
Simple script: “Hi! I’m your Democratic PCO—what matters most to you locally this year?”
Listen more than you talk; jot brief notes
Week 4 – Log it + follow up
Record every contact in MiniVAN (doors) or OpenVPB (phones)
Flag volunteers and ballot-chase prospects
Share any patterns you’re hearing with your PCO Coordinator/Chair
Be human. Smile. Stand back a few feet from the door. Keep it short, positive, and respectful.
Don’t debate. If someone wants to argue, thank them and move on—you’ve got more doors!
Leave-behind do’s & don’ts. Door handle/under doormat = fine. Never in mailboxes (that’s illegal).
Safety + buddy system. Whenever possible, canvass with a partner.
VoteBuilder (VAN)
The party’s voter database—create lists, record notes, track support and volunteers.
MiniVAN
Mobile app for door-knocking; syncs your canvass back to VAN.
OpenVPB
Browser-based phonebanking; great for recruiting neighbors to help without creating new VAN accounts.
Training library: Ask your Chair for information if you are interested in learning more.
When ballots drop, your priorities tighten:
Share endorsements from your LD/County
Hit every Democrat in your precinct at least once (door, phone, or text)
Ballot chase: check who hasn’t returned and nudge them—kindly and persistently
Log everything so campaigns don’t duplicate contacts (and so we learn for next time)
You’re an officer of the party under WA law (RCW 29A.80).
Elected/Appointed PCOs vote in reorganization meetings and can vote on nominations to fill legislative vacancies (per the WA Constitution).
Within the party, PCOs help elect LD/County leaders, adopt bylaws/platform planks, and make endorsements. Show up—the decisions are real and local.
Join a committee (endorsements, by-laws, etc.)
Recruit new PCOs for open precincts (especially apartments/multilingual areas)
Be the bridge to local unions, neighborhood associations, and community events
Coordinate joint canvasses with candidates and your LD/County
Do I have to knock every door?
No. Start with likely Democrats. As you get comfortable, expand.
What if I’m not techy?
Pair up! You can use paper and have a teammate enter your notes into VAN.
How often should I canvass?
Aim for a precinct pass once a year, then a focused sprint during ballot season.
Who do I contact with questions?
Your PCO Coordinator and LD/County Chair. For data tools, email data@wa-democrats.org
Find your County and Legislative District party
PCO Hub and resources
VoteBuilder, MiniVAN, OpenVPB access via your LD/County
State training library
Door Day Kit
Charged phone + MiniVAN login
Precinct map / list
Comfortable shoes, water, light jacket
Small stack of leave-behinds (endorsements, dropbox map, contact card)
After-Action (10 minutes)
Sync and close your MiniVAN list
Send quick notes to your Coordinator (weird issues, great leads, volunteer names)
Schedule your next micro-block while the momentum’s fresh