00days 00h 00m 00s
until Primary polls open Sept 1st

Three important rule sets govern the PDTC:

• Our Massachusetts state election laws

• Our Massachusetts Democratic state party charter

• Our PDTC by-laws

​

Town committees are created under the joint auspices of state election laws and their respective state party charters or rules. Because elections and party structures are managed at the state and local levels rather than the national level, their creation and authority vary by state. State statutes provide the legal framework for local party committees, dictating their official recognition, how members are elected, and how vacancies are filled.

 

In Massachusetts, Town Committees operate under Chapter 52 of the Massachusetts General Laws (MGL).

Alongside state laws, town committees are established and governed by the constitutions and by-laws of the state political parties, which for the PDTC means the Massachusetts Democratic Party Charter. Operating under these dual auspices, town committees are the grassroots units of the political parties. Their primary responsibilities include:

​

• Recruiting and nominating local candidates.

• Organizing voter registration and enrollment drives.

• Running local campaigns and getting out the vote to win.

• Electing delegates to state party conventions.

 

The Massachusetts Democratic Party Charter outlines strict operational, structural, and diversity requirements for all local Town, Ward, and City Committees.

 

Size and Membership Rules per State Law:

• Size Limits: Town Committees must consist of no fewer than 3 and no more than 35 voting members.

• Expansion: Committees may vote to increase their membership up to the 35-member maximum at any time. They must notify the Secretary of the Commonwealth and the Democratic State Committee within 30 days of the vote. [The PDTC already has 35 elected members].

• Election: Official members are elected to four-year terms on the presidential primary ballot in conformity with State Election Laws.

• Associate Members: Committees can welcome an unlimited number of non-voting Associate Members.

 

All members can attend and speak at meetings, but only elected members can vote at committee meetings.

Committees must elect officers every two years, usually following presidential terms, with mandatory positions including a Chair (or co-chairs of different sexes), Treasurer, Secretary, and an Affirmative Action and Outreach Advisor.

​

Meeting and Attendance Mandates per State Law:

• Frequency: Committees must meet at least four times annually.

• Deadlines: Organizational meetings to elect officers are mandated by following specific timelines in presidential and non-presidential years.

• Special Meetings: A special meeting can be initiated by petition from 20% of the membership.

• Attendance: Members may be removed by a 2/3 vote for missing 50% or more of regularly scheduled meetings.

​

Inclusivity Principles per State Law:

• Affirmative Action: Committees are required to incorporate Affirmative Action and outreach principles into their membership recruitment and activity planning, adhering to Massachusetts Democratic Party guidelines.

​

To further understand organization and operation of the PDTC, take a look at our by-laws.