Article 1. Name

The name shall be the Smyth County Democratic Party, referred to as "the Party".

Article 2. Mission

The Mission of the Party is to elect Democratic candidates to public office and to promote the

core values of the Democratic Party. Among the core values of the party are that all people are

created equal and entitled to the rights of a free society. The Party believes that the

government is a vehicle for improving the lives of its citizens of Smyth County, protecting their

rights, and extending employment, education and living opportunities for all. We are committed

to addressing the challenges facing Smyth County, working to create a spirit of unity, progress,

and social justice through proactive engagement, informed advocacy, and collaborative

initiatives.

Article 3. Organizational Authority and Purpose

Section 1. 

The Party is organized under the authority of and in accordance with the Code of

the State of Virginia and the Party Plan of the Democratic Party of Virginia currently in effect

and the Nineth District Democratic Committee. These Bylaws provide for the organization and

operations of the Party and shall remain in effect subject to amendment by the methods

provided. Should any conflict occur between these bylaws and the Code of Virginia and/or the

Party Plan, then the code or the Party Plan shall have precedence.

Section 2. 

All activities of the Party shall be conducted in accordance with the relevant

provisions of the Code of Virginia and of the Party Plan.

Section 3. 

The Party shall have entire charge and control of all matters relating to elections

within Smyth County. It shall be the duty of the Party to improve the Democratic organization

within Smyth County to accomplish its Mission.

Section 4. 

Whenever a caucus and/or convention is held by or within the County, it shall be the

responsibility of the Officers of the Party, Steering Committee or a committee appointed by the

Chairperson to see that each caucus and convention is held in accordance with the

requirements of the Party Plan.

Section 5. 

To accomplish the Mission, the Smyth County Democratic Party shall include

General Membership and a Steering Committee.

Article 4. General Party Membership

Section 1. 

General Membership shall include all voting eligible citizens who live in Smyth

County who want to assist in accomplishing the Mission of the Smyth County Democratic Party

may meet monthly and may include Smyth County youth who are not of voting age but are

interested in assisting in the activities of the Smyth County Committee.

Section 2. 

Party Membership shall also consist of the elected Officers, and any County

Officials and elected Constitutional Officers who announced, campaigned, and were elected

as members of the Democratic Party. 

Section 3. 

Ex Officio Members include Ninth (9th) District Committee Officers and any

Democrat holding office that resides in Smyth County.

Section 4. 

Dues assessments for membership are set and requested by the Steering

Committee of the Smyth County Democratic Party but cannot be required. Voluntary

donations are accepted by Party Members.

Article 5. Election of Party Officers 

Section 1. 

Officers of the Party shall be elected by an Assembled Caucus between the 1 st of

December of every odd-numbered year and the 15 th of January of every even-numbered year.

This meeting shall be open to any person who is registered to vote in Smyth County,

Virginia. At the organizational meeting, Officers of the Smyth County Democratic Party will be

elected. The permanent Chair of the Party will take nominations from the floor and all people

who are members of the Party will vote for the following: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and

Treasurer. Those eligible to vote must be registered voters in Smyth County.

Section 2. 

Persons elected as Officers of the Party shall serve a term of two years from the

organizational meeting date or until a proper subsequent election is conducted, whichever

occurs later. equally divided between men and women where in accordance with the State

Party Plan, the vote is by written ballot.

Section 3. 

Any such person attending the Assembled Caucus may be elected, or if unable to

be present at said meeting, may be considered for membership of the Committee for the

succeeding two-year term. Individuals will be nominated by current members of the

Committee except for the initial membership which will be chosen by a simple majority of

those eligible to vote and present at the Committee’s first meeting. 

Section 4. 

The Executive Committee of the Party shall consist of the Officers.

Section 5. 

Vacancies of any Officer will be filled by rules of election of this Article. The open

Office may be filled on a temporary basis by appointment of the Chair or the Acting Chair until

a meeting of the Committee can be convened for such purpose.

Article 6. Duties Of Party Officers 

Chairperson: 

The Chairperson shall preside over Party meetings, ascertain that a quorum is

present before calling any meeting to order for the conduct of business and be the primary

point of contact for the organization. The Chair also has the authority to create working

committees within the organization to handle specific tasks, organizational goals, advocacy

and standing issues. Working committees may be dissolved by a majority vote of the Party.

The Chairperson shall be the main contact with the Ninth District Chair and the State Party or

when necessary, appoint a member of the Smyth County Democratic Party to be a

representative.

Vice Chairperson: 

Perform such duties as may be assigned by the Chair to perform his or her

duties, assume the duties of the Chair in the event of absence, and assume the duties of the

Chair in the event of resignation or inability of the Chair to perform his or her duties until the

election of a new Chair at the next regular meeting.

Treasurer: 

The Treasurer shall be responsible for all monies of the Party, and act on behalf of

the Committee to collect all monies and pay all proper bills which must be approved by the

Committee and itemized receipts presented before such payment. No two (2) party checks

may be written to cash. The Treasurer shall submit a written financial report at each meeting

and assist with fundraising efforts and initiatives. The Treasurer, Chairperson and one Steering

Committee member shall audit the books and all records of the Party annually.

Secretary: 

The Secretary shall keep the minutes of every meeting of the Party, maintain

attendance records, keep all records organized in an orderly fashion and have minutes of all

previous meetings at each regular meeting. The Secretary shall also serve as the

organizational media manager unless delegated to another officer or individual Committee

which constitutes sending mass emails, managing official social media accounts, publishing

notices in print media, and any other forms as delegated by the committee.

Vice Chairperson 2: 

This position may be used as necessary to share responsibility of duties

with the Chairperson.

Article 7. Steering Committee 

Section 1. 

The purpose of the Steering Committee is to plan, organize, mobilize, fund raising

activities and assist the Party in carrying out the Party Mission.

Section 2. 

The Party Chairperson shall appoint, the Chairperson of the Steering Committee or

the Steering Committee may elect a Chairperson for the Steering Committee. The Steering

Committee shall elect among themselves a Vice-Chair and Secretary.

Section 3. 

The Steering Committee is composed of Members of the Smyth County Democratic

Party and may have up to 20 members. The distribution of the Steering Committee

membership is preferably represented by individuals from the 12 Smyth County Precincts from

the seven magisterial districts in Smyth County which are the Districts of Park, Rye Valley,

Saltville, North Fork, Chilhowie, Atkins, and Royal Oak.

Section 4. 

The Steering Committee may permit one or more members under the age of 18 to

be a member of the Steering Committee to provide advice to the Committee but they do not

have a vote.

Section 5. 

The Steering Committee Chairperson shall have the authority to appoint

subcommittees to accomplish the Mission of the Party.

Section 6. The Steering Committee activities shall be reported monthly to the Party

Membership.

Article 8. Meetings 

Section 1. 

The Party Membership shall meet at least four (4) times each year unless

otherwise altered at the discretion of the Steering Committee or Party Membership.

Dates of the meeting shall be set by the Steering Committee and/or Party

Membership.

Section 2. 

The Steering Committee shall meet whenever necessary to execute or plan party

business. 

Section 3. 

Thirty percent of the members present at the Mass Meeting, or the Steering

Committee shall constitute a quorum at meetings. 

Section 4. 

A minimum of a ten (10) day notice shall be provided by the Party or Steering

Committee Chair which may use email, phone, website or any electronic means to interested

persons.

Section 5. 

A simple majority of those present and voting shall be necessary for the passage of

any motion or resolution at the Party Meeting or Steering Committee Meeting unless

otherwise noted.

Section 6. 

When necessary, voting may be conducted by email or electronic means.

Section 7. 

“Robert’s Rules of Order” shall govern all Democratic Party Meeting, Steering

Committee, Executive Committee, or Special Committee meetings.  

Article 9. Removal 

Section 1. Removal Criteria

An Officer and/or elected Member may be removed from Steering Committee or Party

Membership for (a) Failure to attend three (3) consecutive meetings without proper excuse and

notice, (b) For malfeasance, (c) For supporting any candidate in opposition to the Democratic

nominee running from the Ninth Congressional District, and (d) For ceasing to be a registered

voter in the Ninth Congressional District.

Section 2. Removal Process and Appeal

Before making a recommendation regarding the removal of a Member or Officer, the

Committee shall provide the Member or Officer with ten (10) days written notice of the charge

to remove and an opportunity for a hearing before the Committee or Party. The removed

Member or Officer may appeal the Committee decision to the Ninth District Committee.

Article 10. Vacancies 

Vacancies of Party Officers shall be filled at any regular meeting of the Party Membership.

Nominations will be accepted from the floor and voted on by a majority of members

present. 

Article 11. Amending Bylaws 

These Bylaws may be amended by two-thirds of the Smyth County Democratic Party

members present and eligible to vote after presentation at a meeting, of which members

were given advance notice by at least ten (10) days. Bylaws must be re-examined and

reapproved every two years after reorganization.

Article 12. Precedence Of Laws 

If any provision of the Bylaws conflicts with the Democratic Party of Virginia Party Plan,

Federal or State laws, said plan and/or laws shall supersede.

Article 13. Smyth County Party Endorsements

The Smyth County Committee may not formally endorse contested candidates for office prior

to their nominations. The groups also may not endorse during the reorganization process or

officer elections at any level of the Democratic Party of Virginia.

Article 14.

All officers, steering committee and sub-committee, at the expiration of their term of office,

when removed under Article 9, Section 1. or when their offices are declared vacant, shall

deliver to their successors or the Party chair all books, papers, moneys and other property in

their possession belonging to the Smyth County Democrat Party. Delivery should be soon as

possible but no later than (10) ten days.