The

44th Legislative District Democrats

of Washington State

Serving all or part of Everett, Mill Creek, Snohomish, Lake Stevens, and unincorporated Snohomish County.

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Standing Rules

44th Legislative District Democrats
of the State of Washington

Standing Rules

Rule I. Budgeting and Disbursement of Money
Rule II. Resolutions
Rule III. Debate on Motions
Rule IV. Travel
Rule V. Contribution Limits
Rule VI. Committee Manuals
Rule VII. Written Annual Reports
Rule VIII. The Endorsement of Candidates for Elected Office for Snohomish County
Rule IX. Legislative and Executive Branch Candidate Endorsements
Rule X. Judicial Branch and Other Non-Partisan Candidate Endorsements
Rule XI. Endorsements for Ballot Measures

Rule I. Budgeting and Disbursement of Money

Section 1. Disbursement

  • Funds shall be disbursed by the treasurer.
  • All funds must be disbursed by check, except for petty cash items, which may be paid for either in cash or by check.
  • A disbursement check shall be written only for those expenditures that have been approved by the Executive Board. (This rule does not include petty-cash items.)
  • All checks must be signed by the treasurer.
  • A check register must be kept accurately to facilitate the tracking of funds.

Section 2. Petty Cash

The treasurer may establish and maintain a petty cash fund in an amount of up to one hundred (100) dollars, for the purpose of incidental disbursements.

Section 3. Bonding

The treasurer shall be bonded in an amount to be set by the Executive Board. The 44th Legislative District Democrat's treasury shall pay for the bond.

Section 4. Motions or Resolutions from the Members for Expenditures

Any motion or resolution to spend money made by any member of the 44thLD Democrats at any general meeting must be referred to the Executive Board for consideration. Upon consideration of the motion or resolution, should the Executive Board recommend the expenditure, the motion or resolution shall be referred back to the members at the subsequent general meeting for a vote. If the expenditure is not recommended, this shall be reported back to the membership at the subsequent general meeting. At that time, proper parliamentary procedure shall be followed, and the motion or resolution may either be killed, or amended and re-referred to the Executive Board, or the members may override the recommendation of the Executive Board.

Section 5. Finance Committee

Any committee engaged in fundraising must submit a proposed budget of revenues and expenses in writing to the treasurer, who chairs the finance committee, and to the Executive Board. The treasurer and the finance committee must review all proposed budgets. If a proposed budget is found to be sound, it shall be recommended by the finance committee to the Executive Board. If the proposed budget is found not to be sound, the finance committee shall work with the committee proposing the budget to produce a revised, sound budget, which may then be presented to the Executive Board for approval.

Section 6. Budget

Subsection 1. Committee Budgets Any committee requiring the expenditure of 44th LD Democrat's funds operates with an approved budget as follows:
  • Standing committee budgets are part of the annual budget. The Executive Board may make additional appropriations to that budget.
  • Special committee budgets are approved by the Executive Board at the time of the creation of special committees.
Subsection 2. Amending Committee Budgets The Executive Board may amend any committee budget for fiscal but not for punitive reasons.

Subsection 3. Staying within Budget No committee may exceed its budget. No committee may commit to expenditures exceeding its budget without the prior approval of the Executive Board.

Subsection 4. Committee Reports After any event requiring the expenditure of funds, the committee chair shall submit a final, written report, within sixty (60) days, to the treasurer and to the chair, of all expenditures and income. The report shall also include a brief narrative evaluation of the event, with recommendations, including budgetary recommendations, for holding a similar event in the future.

Rule II. Resolutions

Section 1. Format and Submission for Consideration

A resolution is required to be submitted in writing (typed), in the proper format (as per Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised), to the Executive Board for approval prior to its introduction at a general meeting. A resolution may be submitted in writing to the any member of the Executive Board of the 44th. The Executive Board must consider any properly framed resolution from any member of the 44th at its next scheduled meeting. Any resolution submitted in writing during an Executive Board meeting must be considered by the Board at that meeting. The only permissible delay in consideration of a resolution shall occur in the event that the member presenting the resolution voluntarily requests either a later consideration of the resolution or a withdrawal of the resolution prior to a vote by the Executive Board. Should the Executive Board vote to recommend the presentation of the resolution to the members, the resolution shall be included on the agenda for the next general meeting, and the text of the resolution shall be posted on the website of the 44th Legislative Democrats, with a notice of its upcoming presentation to the members.

Section 2. Amendments to Resolutions

The Executive Board may recommend, but may not compel, amendments before the presentation of any resolution to the members. Once a resolution has been presented to the members at a general meeting, any member may move to amend a resolution.

Rule III. Debate on Motions

Section 1. Length of Speeches on Motions

The length of time that each member may speak for or against a motion is limited to two (2) minutes. Questions posed to a speaker by other members shall not be included in the two minute limit; however, the question period shall be limited to two (2) minutes. Each member may speak only once on a motion that is on the floor until everyone who wishes to speak has spoken. Then a speaker may be recognized by the chair to speak a second time on that same motion; however, a second speech, which may include questions, is limited to one (1) minute.

Section 2. Time-keeper

The parliamentarian shall function as time-keeper. In the event of the absence of the parliamentarian, the sergeant-at-arms shall function as time-keeper. In the event of the absence of both of these officers, the chair may appoint a time-keeper.

Rule IV. Travel

Only the Executive Board may authorize the following:
  1. official travel for any member on behalf of the 44th LD Democrats
  2. reimbursement for official travel

Rule V. Contribution Limits

Membership dues are discussed in the By-laws (Article II, Section 5); however, any member who wishes to make a larger contribution to the 44th Legislative Democrats may do so. In accordance with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (WAC 390-05-400, effective 1/1/04), there is no maximum contribution limit per year for an individual. Organizations that wish to contribute to the 44th LD Democrats should consult the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission for the regulations about and limits to contributions.

Rule VI. Committee Manuals

Each standing committee chair is required to create a committee manual, or if one already exists, to add to and/or revise that manual. Each committee's manual shall be the procedures and policies manual by which that committee functions. No committee rule shall violate the By-laws, the Standing Rules or the Policies and Procedures of the 44th Legislative District Democrats. Committee chairs shall present their manuals to the Executive Board for approval no later than the Executive Board meeting in March of each year. The only exception to this deadline shall be in the first year of implementation of this rule (2005), when the Board may set individual deadlines for the production of each committee's manual.

Rule VII. Written Annual Reports

Every officer and committee chair is required to submit an annual written report of activities and issues dealt with during that year by that officer and/or committee chair and/or committee, which will become part of the permanent archival record of the 44th Legislative District Democrats. Reports are due at the Executive Board meeting preceding the annual re-organization meeting. These reports or a synopsis thereof shall be presented to the members at the annual re-organization meeting.

Rule VIII. The Endorsement of Candidates for Elected Office for Snohomish County

Democrats and for the State of Washington Democratic Party

Section 1. Applicability

This rule pertains to the endorsement process for candidates in Snohomish County and Washington State Democratic Party races.

Section 2. Definition

The term 'endorsement' by the 44th Legislative District Democrats of a candidate for a legislative or executive office means that the candidate is given explicit approval by the members of the 44th LD Democrats to use the name of that organization in any public or private list or publication of organizations who have chosen to endorse that candidate.

The use of any term other than the word 'endorsement' signifies that the candidate has not met the criteria for 'endorsement' outlined in this standing rule.

Section 3. How to Request an Endorsement

Candidates for elected offices in the Democratic Party at the county and state levels may request the endorsement of the membership of the 44th Legislative District Democrats. The request for endorsement shall be made by the candidate in one or more of the following ways:
  • in writing to the Executive Board and/or to the members of the 44th.
  • in person to the Executive Board and/or to the members of the 44th.
  • via a surrogate, designated by the candidate, who appears on the candidate's behalf at the Executive Board and/or at a general meeting.

Section 4. Requests to the Executive Board

If the request for endorsement is made to the Executive Board of the 44th, it shall be the responsibility of the chair to inform the members at the next general meeting of the request for endorsement.

Section 5. Candidates Recommended for Endorsement

After the receipt of a request or requests for endorsement, the Executive Board may, if it chooses, through a majority vote, suggest or recommend an endorsement for one or more candidates for any Democratic Party county or state elected office. The Executive Board is prohibited from endorsing any candidate for any Democratic Party office at the county or state level. Such endorsement power is reserved to the general membership.

Section 6. How the Members May Endorse Candidates

The members of the 44th LD Democrats shall choose to endorse candidates for Democratic Party elected offices at the county and state levels in the following way:
  • the members shall, at a general meeting, by a 2/3 majority vote, determine whether or not the 44th should commit to an endorsement for a particular office. This vote shall be determined by a counted division of the assembly.
  • If, by a 2/3 majority, the members choose to vote to endorse for a particular office, a written ballot shall be used. All members in good standing shall be eligible to vote.
  • If there are only two (2) candidates seeking endorsement, the endorsement shall be given to the candidate who receives a simple majority of the votes cast.
  • If there are three (3) or more candidates seeking endorsement, the endorsement shall be given to the candidate who receives a plurality of the votes cast.

Section 7. Duties of the Chair

The chair of the 44th shall be responsible to inform any candidate who receives an endorsement from the membership of the 44th of that endorsement, in writing, within seven (7) days of the vote of endorsement. He or she shall also be responsible to inform any candidate who has sought the endorsement of the 44th, and who has failed to receive that endorsement, of that fact, in writing, within seven (7) days of the vote of the membership.

Rule IX. Legislative and Executive Branch Candidate Endorsements

Section 1. Applicability

This rule pertains to the endorsement process for Democratic candidates in partisan races, for local, Snohomish County, Washington State and/or U.S. national legislative and executive branch offices.

Section 2. Definition

The term 'endorsement' by the 44th Legislative District Democrats of a candidate for a legislative or executive office means that the candidate is given explicit approval by the members of the 44th LD Democrats to use the name of that organization in any public or private list or publication of organizations who have chosen to endorse that candidate.

The use of any term other than the word 'endorsement' signifies that the candidate has not met the criteria for 'endorsement' outlined in this standing rule.

Section 3. Criteria for Application for Endorsement

The candidate for office who is seeking endorsement must:
  • be a member of the Democratic Party at the legislative district, county and state levels, and be able to offer proof of membership.
  • publicly support the Democratic Party platform at the level of the office sought (e.g. publicly support the county platform if seeking a county office and the state platform if seeking a state office).
  • live in the district, county or state appropriate to the office sought (e.g. be a resident of Snohomish County if running for a Snohomish County office; a resident of the state of Washington if running for a Washington State office).
  • be able to provide proof that he or she has the resources to conduct a campaign.
  • follow the 44th LD Democrats' procedures in applying for an endorsement.
  • have filed for the office sought.

Section 4. Procedures for Applying for Endorsement

Candidates who have met the criteria listed in Section 3. (above) may seek endorsement at any time from the 44th Legislative District Democrats by submitting a written application for endorsement that must include the following:
  • A signed letter from the candidate that contains:
  • the request for an endorsement
  • a statement of support of the values found in the platform for the Snohomish County Democrats and for the Washington State Democrats
  • a pledge to maintain their membership in the Democratic Party at the legislative district, county and state levels
  • a promise to support the Democratic Party winner of the primary election
  • Proof of membership in the Democratic Party at the legislative district, county and state levels. Membership must be appropriate to the office sought (e.g. if a candidate is running for a 44th LD office, he/she must be a member of the 44th LD Democrats, not a member of another LD Democrats. A candidate for a Washington State office should be a member of the Washington State Democratic Party, not of, for example, the New York Democratic Party.)
  • The following information:
  • a list of the candidate's campaign staff
  • a copy of the campaign budget and a list of money raised to date
  • a list of all endorsements received and/or sought
  • an explanation of the candidate's plan for how he/she will support other Democratic Party candidates running for office.
  • an explanation of how the candidate will help Democrats recruit new members, particularly at the local level
  • a promise that if the office for which he/she is running has the opportunity to make appointments, the candidate will require his/her appointees to maintain membership in their legislative district, county and state Democratic Party organizations.
  • a copy of the candidate's voting record, if he/she has previously held public office

    • Section 5. Endorsement Committee

    Subsection 1. Constitution of the Committee The endorsement committee, which is a special committee and not a standing committee, shall be composed of no fewer than 3 and no more than 7 members of the Executive Board. An odd number of committee members is recommended, but not mandatory. Members of the Executive Board may volunteer or be appointed by the chair for the endorsement committee. The membership of the committee shall be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

    Subsection 2. Multiple Endorsement Committees The Executive Board may, by a majority vote, constitute more than one endorsement committee at the same time. However, no candidate and/or issue may be considered by more than one endorsement committee. In the event of multiple committees, the Executive Board shall, by majority vote decide which candidates and/or issues shall be considered by each committee. The members of each endorsement committee shall elect their committee chair by a majority vote.

    Subsection 3. Committee Charter The endorsement committee shall be given a clearly defined, written charter as specified in Article VII, Section 2 of the By-laws. This charter shall include a list of candidates and/or issues to be considered by the committee, the beginning and ending dates of the life of the committee, deadlines for completion of committee deliberations, and the budget, if any, of the committee. The creation of the charter is the responsibility of the chair; however, the chair may delegate the responsibility for the creation of the charter to another, elected Executive Board member. All such charters must be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

    Section 6. Endorsement Committee Action

    The endorsement committee shall determine, to the best of its ability, whether the candidate meets the criteria for the application for endorsement (Section III) and has fulfilled the steps listed in the procedures for applying for endorsement (Section IV). Once the information that the committee has received in writing has been verified and considered, the committee shall interview the candidate, preferably in person. The committee shall then deliberate, and may take one of the following steps:
    • Recommend that the members endorse the candidate.
    • Recommend that the members not endorse the candidate.
    • Pass consideration on to the members without recommendation.
    • Choose to take no action on a candidate.
    The endorsement committee may reconsider its action without approving a vote to reconsider, upon the receipt of additional information about a candidate or issue.

    Section 7. Consideration of Endorsement by the Members

    Action by the endorsement committee shall be reported to the Executive Board members at the next Executive Board meeting, and to members at the next general meeting, providing that due notice of the committee's action is posted on the website at least seven (7) days prior to the date of the general meeting, and that action on the endorsement is included as an item on the general meeting's agenda.

    Subsection 1. If the Endorsement Committee Recommends Endorsement This is reported to the members, and as the result of a motion to endorse, a vote shall be taken. An endorsement shall be awarded if a majority of the members present vote to endorse.

    Subsection 2. If the Endorsement Committee Recommends Against Endorsement This is reported to the members, along with a summary of the reasons against endorsement. A member must make a motion not to endorse or to endorse for further discussion to take place.

    Subsection 3. If the Endorsement Committee Passes Consideration on to the Members with no Recommendation This is reported to the members without comment. A member must make a motion to endorse or not to endorse for further discussion to take place.

    Subsection 4. To Reconsider or Rescind an Endorsement If the Endorsement Committee changes its recommendation regarding a candidate's endorsement after the members have taken action, the members may reconsider the matter at the next general meeting without approving a vote to reconsider the previous action.

    At a general meeting following an endorsement, any member who has previously voted with the majority may move to reconsider the issue of the endorsement. The motion whether or not to reconsider the motion to endorse may be debated, and then must pass by a majority vote of the members present in order to consider a new motion on the issue of the endorsement.

    Section 8. Duties of the Chair

    The chair of the 44th Legislative District Democrats shall be responsible to inform any candidate who receives an endorsement from the membership of the 44th LD Democrats of that endorsement, in writing, within seven (7) days of the vote of endorsement. He or she shall also be responsible to inform any candidate who has sought the endorsement, and who has failed to receive that endorsement, of that fact, in writing, within seven (7) days of the vote of the membership.

    Rule X. Judicial Branch and Other Non-Partisan Candidate Endorsements

    Section 1. Applicability

    This rule pertains to the endorsement process for candidates who are running for local, Snohomish County, and Washington State judicial and other non-partisan offices.

    Section 2. Definition

    The term 'endorsement' by the 44th Legislative District Democrats of a candidate for a judicial or other non-partisan office means that the candidate is given explicit approval by the members of the 44th LD Democrats to use the name of that organization in any public or private list or publication of organizations who have chosen to endorse that candidate.

    The use of any term other than the word 'endorsement' signifies that the candidate has not met the criteria for 'endorsement' outlined in this standing rule.

    Section 3. Criteria for Application for Endorsement

    The candidate for office who is seeking endorsement must:
    • publicly support the values inherent in the Snohomish County Democrats and the Washington State Democrats party platforms.
    • live in the district, county or state appropriate to the office sought (e.g. be a resident of Snohomish County if running for a Snohomish County office; a resident of the state of Washington if running for a Washington State office).
    • be able to provide proof that he or she has the resources to conduct a campaign.
    • follow the 44th LD Democrats' procedures in applying for an endorsement.
    • have filed for the office sought.

    Section 4. Procedures for Applying for Endorsement

    Candidates who have met the criteria listed in Section 3. (above) may seek endorsement at any time from the 44th Legislative District Democrats by submitting a written application for endorsement that must include the following:
    • A signed letter from the candidate that contains:
    • the request for an endorsement
    • a statement of support of the values inherent in the Snohomish County Democrats and the Washington State Democrats party platforms.
    • The following information:
    • a list of the candidate's campaign staff
    • a copy of the campaign budget and a list of money raised to date
    • a list of all endorsements received and/or sought
    • a copy of the candidate's voting record, if he/she has previously held public office

    Section 5. Endorsement Committee

    See Rule IX, Section 5.

    Section 6. Endorsement Committee Action

    See Rule IX, Section 6.

    Section 7. Consideration of Endorsement by the Members

    See Rule IX, Section 7

    Section 8. Duties of the Chair

    See Rule IX, Section 8

    Rule XI. Endorsements for Ballot Measures

    Section 1. Applicability

    This rule pertains to the endorsement process for local, Snohomish County, and Washington State ballot measures.

    Section 2. Definition

    The term 'endorsement' by the 44th Legislative District Democrats of a ballot measure means that the organization sponsoring the ballot measure is given explicit approval by the members of the 44th LD Democrats to use the name of their organization in any public or private list or publication of organizations who have chosen to endorse that ballot measure.

    The use of any term other than the word 'endorsement' signifies that the ballot measure has not met the criteria for 'endorsement' outlined in this standing rule.

    Section 3. Criteria for Application for Endorsement

    The sponsoring organization that is seeking endorsement for their ballot measure must:
    • be able to provide proof that their organization has the resources to conduct a campaign.
    • follow the 44th LD Democrat's procedures in applying for an endorsement.
    • have filed for their ballot measure to be on the ballot.

    Section 4. Procedures for Applying for Endorsement

    The sponsoring organization of a ballot measure that has met the criteria listed in Section 3. (above) may seek endorsement at any time from the 44th Legislative District Democrats by submitting a written application for endorsement that must include the following:
    • A signed letter from the sponsoring organization or its legally designated representative that contains:
    • the request for an endorsement
    • a statement of explanation support of the values inherent in the Snohomish County Democrats and the Washington State Democrats party platforms.
  • The following information:
  • a list of the candidate's campaign staff
  • a copy of the campaign budget and a list of money raised to date
  • a list of all endorsements received and/or sought
  • a copy of the candidate's voting record, if he/she has previously held public office

    • Section 5. Endorsement Committee

    See Rule IX, Section 5.

    Section 6. Endorsement Committee Action

    The endorsement committee shall determine, to the best of its ability, whether the ballot issue meets the criteria for the application for endorsement (Section III) and whether the sponsoring organization has fulfilled the steps listed in the procedures for applying for endorsement (Section IV). Once the information that the committee has received in writing has been verified and considered, the committee may interview a representative from the ballot measure's sponsoring organization, preferably in person. The committee must carefully consider if, and if so how, the ballot measure and its campaign supports the general principles and values inherent in the Snohomish County Democrats and the Washington State Democrats party platforms. The committee shall then deliberate, and may take one of the following steps:
    • Recommend that the members endorse the ballot measure.
    • Recommend that the members not endorse the ballot measure.
    • Pass consideration on to the members without recommendation.
    • Choose to take no action on a ballot measure.
    The endorsement committee may reconsider its action without approving a vote to reconsider, upon the receipt of additional information about a ballot measure.

    Section 7. Consideration of Endorsement by the Members

    Action by the endorsement committee shall be reported to the Executive Board members at the next Executive Board meeting, and to members at the next general meeting, providing that due notice of the committee's action is posted on the website at least seven (7) days prior to the date of the general meeting, and that action on the endorsement is included as an item on the general meeting's agenda.

    Subsection 1. If the Endorsement Committee Recommends Endorsement This is reported to the members, and as the result of a motion to endorse, a vote shall be taken. An endorsement shall be awarded if a majority of the members present vote to endorse.

    Subsection 2. If the Endorsement Committee Recommends Against Endorsement This is reported to the members, along with a summary of the reasons against endorsement. A member must make a motion not to endorse or to endorse for further discussion to take place.

    Subsection 3. If the Endorsement Committee Passes Consideration on to the Members with no Recommendation This is reported to the members without comment. A member must make a motion to endorse or not to endorse for further discussion to take place.

    Subsection 4. To Reconsider or Rescind an Endorsement If the Endorsement Committee changes its recommendation regarding a ballot measure's endorsement after the members have taken action, the members may reconsider the matter at the next general meeting without approving a vote to reconsider the previous action.

    At a general meeting following an endorsement, any member who has previously voted with the majority may move to reconsider the issue of the endorsement. The motion whether or not to reconsider the motion to endorse may be debated, and then must pass by a majority vote of the members present in order to consider a new motion on the issue of the endorsement.

    Section 8. Duties of the Chair

    The chair of the 44th Legislative District Democrats shall be responsible to inform any ballot measure sponsoring organization that receives an endorsement from the membership of the 44th LD Democrats of that endorsement, in writing, within seven (7) days of the vote of endorsement. He or she shall also be responsible to inform any ballot measure sponsoring organization that has sought the endorsement, and that has failed to receive an endorsement, of that fact, in writing, within seven (7) days of the vote of the membership.