DNC Leadership Elections 2017

by **Brian** Wed Feb 22, 2017 12:19 pm

We Have a Role In Choosing the Leadership of the DNC

Februrary 25, 2017 marks the date that Democratic Party delegates vote for leadership positions of the DNC, which include the Chair, the five Vice Chairs (including the President of the Association of State Democratic Chairs, elected by that body), a Treasurer, a Secretary, and a National Finance Chair.

Why is this important? DNC Leadership has a lot to do with who we get to choose as candidates, how campaign dollars are spent and which races are considered important, and the issue of super-delegates. With the level of activism taking place and the number of grassroots organizations involved, it's very important that the DNC taps into and supports grassroots activism.
All of us can help make those choices by calling or emailing our choices to the appropriate members of the DNC. I emailed the Political Organizing Coordinator of our state Democratic Party to find out who will be voting in the DNCC elections.

DNC Chair 2017 Election

There will be one final debate by candidates for DNC Chair Wednesday, Feb 22 at 10pm ET (7pm on the Left Coast) on CNN Debate.

You can also watch the prior DNC Future Forums to hear what the candidates had to say.

More information on the DNC Chair candidates can be found at DNC Chair 2017 Election

Approximately 447 members serve on the National Committee. The membership is composed of the following general categories:

State-elected Members: Most DNC members are elected by a Democratic Party process held in each state and territory. Two hundred members are apportioned among the states (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) based on population and Democratic voting strength – with each state receiving at least two members. (The allocations range from two members in a number of states to 19 in California.) Additional members are apportioned to Democrats Abroad, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Democrats Abroad.
State Chairs and Vice Chairs: Each State Party’s Chair and Vice Chair (technically, the highest ranking officer of the opposite sex of the Chair) are automatically recognized as DNC members.
Representatives of Democratic Elected Officials and Affiliated Organizations: The National Committee includes representative Democratic officials from various levels of elected office including: U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives, Governors, Mayors, State Legislators, Municipal and County Officials, etc. In addition, Democratic organizations such as the College Democrats, Young Democrats, and National Federation of Democratic Women have representatives on the DNC.
At-Large Members: To help ensure Democratic constituencies have appropriate representation within the Party organization, the National Committee members elect an additional group of members (75) who serve in an “At-Large” capacity.

How are members of the Democratic National Committee selected?

Each state Democratic Party has its own rules for selecting its DNC members. Some members are elected on the ballot as part of the state’s Democratic primary, and in other states the members are elected by the State Democratic Committee or the State Convention.

How long is a DNC member’s term of office?

Democratic National Committee members from the states and territories are elected every four years during the presidential election year. They begin serving upon the adjournment of the National Convention, and serve until the adjournment of the next National Convention.

What is the role and responsibility of a DNC member?

DNC members are Party leaders and activists within their communities and at various levels of the Party. As such, they serve as an important liaison between the National Party, its constituencies, and state and local Democrats. Members attend and participate at DNC meetings and share their political expertise with the National organization and each other. Members also play an important role in recruiting and training other Democratic activists to work on behalf of Democratic candidates and Democratic legislative proposals.