BECOME A PRECINCT COMMITTEE OFFICER

Want to get more involved with the Party?

Run to become a precinct committee officer (PCO), the Democratic representative for

 your precinct!

PCOs, or precinct committee officers, are the building block of the Democratic Party. 

They are the grassroots organizing base for all of our activities.

What does a PCO do?

PCOs play an important role in electing Democrats. It’s their job to get to know their 

neighbors, educate undecided or swing voters, and make sure Democrats are registered

 to vote. Before Election Day, they work to turn out voters.

All this hard work adds up to precinct-by-precinct victories and the election of Democratic 

candidates. This is what grassroots politics is all about!

Download our PCO Brochure.

PCOs are also a central part of their local Democratic organization. They elect Party

 leadership, help fill vacancies in elected office, and lead their precinct caucus every two 

years. Becoming active with your local Democratic organization will make you a more 

effective PCO.

How to become a PCO

There are two ways to become a PCO - election by the voters in your precinct, or 

appointment by your local Democratic Party organization.

Election

Democratic voters in each precinct will elect PCOs in August Primary. A candidate who 

runs unopposed will be automatically elected; contested elections will appear on the 

primary ballot.  PCOs elected in August will take office on December 1st. All candidates 

for PCO must file with their County Elections office between May 16 and May 20th.

Find your County Elections office.

Each county has slightly different rules for filing as a PCO. Some counties (King, Pierce) 

have produced county-specific instructions for filing. 

Appointment

Local Democratic Party organizations have the right to appoint PCOs to fill any seats left 

vacant - either because no one filed to run, or because the elected PCO has stepped 

down. If your precinct is vacant, the Chair of your local Democratic Party organization can 

appoint you to serve as an "appointed" PCO starting immediately! If your precinct already 

has a PCO, the Chair of your local Party organization can appoint you as an "acting" PCO 

for a precinct that you do not live in.

Contact your local Party organization to learn about becoming an appointed or acting PCO.

Attachments

 PCO Brochure.pdf