The County Chair

The head of the county party is the county chair. The county chair oversees all of the Democratic Party activities within the county. The role should not be taken lightly nor should the person who assumes this role underestimates its importance. The county chair is the most “contacted” person in the Democratic Party. Most party information is channeled and obtained through the county chair.

The principle duties and responsibilities of the county chair are:

• To call and preside over county central committee meetings
• To take legal responsibility for county party financial reporting
• To organize the precinct caucuses and the county convention*
• To see the voter identification and registration programs are implemented and maintained*
• To help recruit candidates at the county and legislative levels*
• To provide fundraising assistance and leadership for the county organization and the state party

* In Linn County these duties are performed by other Officers or committees.

The Vice-Chair

The county vice-chair assists the chair in the administration of county party activities. Of course, the primary requirement for a vice-chair is to be ready, willing and able to assume the leadership of the county party if the chair is unable to execute his or her suties or complete his or her term of office. The vice-chair shares some elective powers with the chair. In the case a member of the state central committee resigns, county chairs and vice chairs are charged by the Iowa Democratic Party Constitution to elect that person’s replacement. The vice-chair in day to day activities should assist the chair in the duties listed above.

In Linn County, the vice-chair has responsibility to set up the precinct caucuses.

The Second Vice-Chair

The county second vice-chair has the responsibility for the GOTV and voter registration programs. The officer is also responsible for other duties as may be required.

The Secretary

The secretary of the county party handles much of the administrative work of the committee. This includes keeping complete minutes of all meetings, preparing meeting agendas, mailing meeting notice, maintaining the list of the county central committee and executive officers, keeping copies of important documents and resources for the county party, and assisting the chair with other important duties.

The Treasurer

As in other organization, the treasurer of the county party is responsible for maintaining the organization’s financial records and reporting to the county central committee on the financial position of the county party. The treasurer also has the important responsibility of preparing the Finance Disclosure Commission reports that must be files each quarter. The Executive Director of the Iowa Campaign Finance Disclosure Commission is available to answer questions on financial disclosure rules and regulations during regular business hours.

Finance Chair

The county finance chair is responsible for the party’s fundraising activities.

Other Officers

County central committees may elect other officers deemed necessary by the committee. Some county parties elect a press or news chair to handle press releases, conferences and letters-to-the-editor projectors. Other positions to consider include Volunteer Recruitment Chair, Publicity Chair, Entertainment Chair etc.