Precinct Committee People (PCs) are the lifeblood of the Democratic Party. Every election is won at the grass roots level. PCs are the first line of contact between the voters in a precinct and the Democratic Party. The only qualification you need is to be willing to talk to your neighbors and to give them information about our Democratic candidates!
What is a Precinct Committeeperson (PC)?
A precinct committeeman (also called precinct captain) is a grassroots-level official within a political party. They serve as a crucial link between the party and the voters in their specific precinct, which is the smallest political subdivision for voting.
Think of them as the "foot soldiers" of the political parties at the neighborhood level.
Key Responsibilities and Duties:
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Voter Registration: They actively work to register eligible voters within their precinct, often going door-to-door or setting up registration drives.
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Get-Out-the-Vote (GOTV) Efforts: During elections, they play a vital role in encouraging and mobilizing party members and supporters to vote. This can involve knocking on doors, distributing literature, phone banking, and reminding people to head to the polls. The PC recommends voters the candidates who are aligned with Democratic values.
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Communication and Information: They serve as a point of contact for party information, distributing campaign materials, and answering voters' questions about candidates and party platforms.
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Building Relationships: They aim to build relationships with voters in their precinct, understanding their concerns and acting as a liaison between the community and the party.
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Representing the Precinct: In Illinois, precinct committeemen often represent their precinct at the county central committee, where they participate in party decisions, including the election of party leadership. Their vote at these conventions is often weighted based on the number of votes cast for their party in the precinct during the last primary election.
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Appointing Election Judges: In Illinois, precinct committeemen often have the statutory authority to appoint election judges of their political party for the polling place in their precinct.
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Circulating Petitions: They often help collect signatures for party candidates to get their names on the ballot.
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Fundraising: They may assist with local fundraising efforts for the party and its candidates.
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Attending Meetings: They are typically expected to attend local party meetings, such as township or county central committee meetings.
Identifying Potential Candidates and Volunteers: They can help identify individuals within their precinct who might be good candidates for local office or willing volunteers for party activities.
How are Precinct Committeemen Selected?
In Illinois, precinct committeemen are elected in the even-year primary elections to a two-year term. The next election for committeepersons in DuPage County will take place in March 2026, during the primary elections. To run for the position, a person must be a registered voter and a member of the party in the precinct they wish to represent. They typically need to collect a certain number of signatures from registered voters of their party within the precinct to get on the ballot.
Vacancies can also be filled by appointment by the county party chairman or the township organization, depending on the party rules.
If you're interested in getting more involved with the Democratic Party of DuPage County, becoming a precinct committeeman is an excellent way to make a direct impact in your community.
Become a Precinct Committee Person
