Become a Committee Member
What is a Committee Member?
A Committee Member (CM) is the representative of the Democratic Party in your district or precinct. A CM is a volunteer who works to support Democratic candidates and elections. A CM is at the core of grass-roots local politics. Elections can be decided by a handful of votes in a single precinct and your enthusiasm and effort makes a difference in whether we win or lose.
What does a Committee Member do?
There are many different things that a Committee Member may do over the course of a year.
Support Elections & Local Democratic Voters
Get to know the Democrats in your precinct.
Inform voters in your precinct about upcoming election timetables and upcoming election information
Help increase voter registration (new neighbors, children turning 18, unregistered neighbors) in your precinct
Promote mail-in ballot applications
Help find volunteers to work outside your precinct’s polling place on Election Days
Educate voters in your precinct about candidates endorsed by the Thornbury Dems or the Delaware County Democrats
Work outside the polls on Election Day as a poll greeter, handing out sample ballots and answering questions
Support the Thornbury Democratic Committee
Participate in monthly Thornbury Dems meetings
Participate in fundraising activities
Help recruit new Committee Members
Vote to endorse candidates at nominating conventions
Assist in Finding and Electing Local Democratic Candidates
Keep an eye out for potential candidates for local office
Circulate nominating petitions for candidates
Help organize and distribute candidate signs
Volunteer for candidates by canvassing and/or phone banking
The Committee Person Handbook, written by the PA Dems, is an important guide to understanding the function of a Committee Person.
The Delaware County Democrats also wrote a shorter Committee Member Guide for our County.
What are the Types of Committee Members and how does someone become a Committee Member?
Elected
The voters in each precinct elect two CMs every four years, at the spring primary. The last election was held on May 17, 2022 for a term that started in June, 2022. Each CM serves a four-year term, and there are no term limits.
To run for Committee, you must be a registered Democrat in the district or precinct you want to represent.
In order to be on the ballot, you must file a petition with the County, like any other candidate for office. The Thornbury Dems provide training and assistance with this.
Elected Committee Members have all the rights of a Committee Member as defined in the bylaws.
Appointed
After the May 2022 election, if a district or precinct has fewer than two elected CMs, the open CM position(s) may be filled by appointment with the approval of the Chair of the Delaware County Democratic Committee, upon the recommendation of the Chair of the Thornbury Dems.
Appointed Committee Members have all the rights and responsibilities of an Elected Committee Member.
At-Large
Each municipality is allowed a certain number of additional At-Large Committee Members. A municipality is allocated 2 At-Large positions for every voting precinct in the municipality. At-Large Committee Members are appointed by the Chair of the Thornbury Dems after they are approved by a committee vote.
At-Large Committee Members have all the rights and responsibilities of an Elected Committee Member except they may not vote for the Chair of the Delaware County Democratic Committee or the Chair of the Thornbury Democratic Committee.
If you are interested in becoming a Committee Member, contact our Chair, Bonnie Friedman at chair@thornburydems.com.