We're The Local Dems In Your Neighborhood
The Democratic Party is organized from the grassroots up, starting with neighborhood-based precincts. Neighborhood leaders and other local volunteers in the party gets a say in how the party is run, and your voice carries all the way to Washington, D.C.
Dem Party Voters
During primary elections in even numbered years, voters registered as Democrats elect neighborhood party leaders. Each neighborhood can elect multiple leaders, but most races are uncontested.
County Party Leadership
Neighborhood Leaders & other PCs elect Democratic Party leadership for the county-based Dem Party organization where they reside. This includes the county party chair, vice chairs, secretary, and treasurer.
Neighborhood Leaders
Neighborhood Leaders represent their closest Dem neighbors (their precinct) within the Dem Party, and they provide information and electoral support to their Dem neighbors. They are technically called Precinct Committeepersons (PCs).
State Party Representatives
Neighborhood Leaders & other PCs also elect delegates (state committee persons, SCPs) who represent our local district within the state Dem Party organization. The people elected to this role work together across the state to shape statewide party functions and platform.
State Party Leadership
State Committeepersons (who have been elected by Neighborhood Leaders & other PCs) elect state Dem Party leadership, including the chair, vice chairs, secretary, and treasurer.
National Party Representatives
Neighborhood Leaders & other PCs across the state come together in every other year to elect National Delegates to represent local Democrats within the national Democratic Party organization (the Democratic National Committee). National Delegates work together to shape national Dem Party functions and platform.
National Party Leadership
National Delegates (who have been elected by Neighborhood Leaders & other PCs) come together in even numbered years to elect the leadership of the national Dem Party (the Democratic National Committee), including the chair, vice chairs, secretary, and treasurer.
Community Leadership
Neighborhood Leaders & other PCs elect party leadership at the community (district) level, including the district chair, vice chairs, secretary, and treasurer. Our local community party organization is Arizona's Fifteenth Legislative District, which covers Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, and Southeast Mesa.
Community Volunteers
Volunteers who regularly participate in meaningful activities that help the Dem Party in their local community are also eligible to become party officers, just like Neighborhood Leaders. These ongoing volunteers are also technically called Precinct Committeepersons (PCs) even if their volunteer work is not based on their neighborhood or precinct. Some coordinate events or write postcards or host activities. Others lead a team or volunteer in a Dem Party office. There are many ways to help. All Precinct Committeepersons are given an equal voice and vote in the party and are given the same opportunities to vote on party leadership and party business.
Neighborhood Leaders
Neighborhood Leaders connect with their nearest Dem neighbors
Because there has never been an organized Democratic Party in our community, many Democrats feel alone here, like they don't belong. However, our demographics are rapidly shifting due to the incredible growth rate.
Together, we are reaching out to our neighbors, and they consistently tell us how glad they are to hear from us.
Neighborhood Leaders represent their Dem neighbors & the Dem Party
Neighborhood Leaders represent the Democratic Party within their neighborhoods—bringing information about the party, candidates, voting, and elections to their neighbors.
Neighborhood Leaders also represent their Dem neighbors within the Democratic Party—bringing their neighbors' concerns and voices into the party's strategy and agenda.
Neighborhood Leaders can become Neighborhood Teams
When several Neighborhood Leaders work together, the Neighborhood Team becomes stronger, more effective, and definitely more fun. We aim to recruit at least 2 Neighborhood Leaders for every corner of our district.
Neighborhood Teams can become Neighborhood Clubs
Several of the larger neighborhoods in the Southeast Valley have unofficial Dem clubs. Some have regular meetings, activities, and even special guest speakers. Others just have a Facebook page. Some plan fantastic outings and even road trips.
We believe that the strongest communities are built on the cohesion and bonds between neighbors. Our job is to support these groups and clubs in whatever way works best for each of them. Whether you want help building your club or just need resources, we're here for you.
Precinct Committeemen
We all have our own interests and passions. While many of our volunteers want to focus their efforts close to home and connect their neighbors, others have interests in specific areas of action.
Some people love to handwrite postcards or knock on doors or coordinate events. Some like to analyze and manage data. We even have volunteers who write, edit, or handle administrative tasks. Our Neighborhod Leaders depend on these functional teams, and these teams depend on our Neighborhood Leaders.
Some volunteers have specific issue-based interests. Others act as liaisons between our local Dem organization and local issue-based advocacy organizations or other organizations that share our values.
All of these people are critical to our local political ecosphere. We rely on each of you to help us win elections that shape a better community for every body.
We believe that everyone who contributes over time in a meaningful way to the Democratic Party should have a voice and a vote in the Democratic Party.
The technical term for a volunteer who has a voice and a vote is "Precinct Committeeman."
Yes, we know, it should be 'person' not man, and we'll take care of that when we flip the Arizona legislature from red to blue. You see, it has this fancy (and anachronistic) name because it's a public office.
Do I have to be a Neighborhood Leader to be a Precinct Committeeman?
No, as stated above, Precinct Committeemen can choose from an infinite number of ways to contribute to the party in a meaningful way.
No one should be choosing your role for you. As a volunteer, you should choose a volunteer role that feels most meaningful and rewarding for you because when volunteers do the work that they want to do, they will do more of it, and they will do it more enthusiastically, effectively, and for a longer period of time.
If you aren't sure what role you want to play, let one of our action coaches help you find a volunteer task or role that's right for you.
How do I become a Precinct Committeeman (PC)?
Well, that depends. Precinct Committeemen (PCs) can be elected or appointed.
Traditionally, Precinct Committeemen are elected every other year in the Primary Election.
In between those elections, the Democratic Party Chair of your state legislative district or the Democratic Party Chair of your county can appoint new PCs.
Most of the time, there is no differentiation between elected and appointed PCs. Sometimes, elected PCs are able to vote for certain things that appointed PCs cannot. For example, we recently elected Democrats from Arizona to represent the Arizona Democratic Party within the Democratic National Committee, and only elected PCs were able to vote in that election.
In general, elected and appointed PCs have mostly the same rights, privileges, and responsibilties.
What is a Precinct Committeeman (PC)?
When people are financially invested, they want a return. When people are emotionally invested, they want to contribute.
Simon Sinek, author
households in our district with no registered voters
>23,000
of new residents migrated from deep blue regions
58.8%
new blue-leaning residents not yet registered to vote
~12,992
voters decided the closest statewide AZ race in 2022
280
