The PCO – Lifeblood of the 34th

Worried about the challenges to our Democracy and how you can make a difference?

Become a 34th Dems Precinct Committee Officer (PCO)!

As a PCO, you are on the front lines of winning elections up and down the ballot. Here’s what PCOs do:

Precinct Committee Officers (or PCOs) are official elected or appointed Democratic Party officials for an electoral precinct under state law. Their primary responsibility is to knock on their neighbors’ doors prior to each election to remind Democratic voters to vote, provide materials on endorsed candidates, and assist eligible voters with voter registration. They serve as conduits between their precincts and the Democratic Party. 

Complete the PCO application online today! We need your support to GET OUT THE VOTE!

Elected PCOs

Elected PCOs serve a two-year term beginning December 1st of the year they are elected. PCOs elected in August 2023 will serve from 12/1/2023 – 11/30/2025. Term ends for current PCOs 11/30/2025. During the May filing period for the Primary Election of every even-numbered year, a candidate files with King County Elections to be elected or reelected as PCO for the precinct in which they are registered to vote. If only one person files, they are automatically elected. If more than one person files in a precinct, those names will be placed on the ballot for the August Primary and Democratic voters in that precinct will choose whom to elect. 

Elected PCOS Voting Rights

Reorganization Meetings: Elected PCOs play a special role at the biennial Reorganization meetings of the King County Democrats and 34th District Democrats. Only Elected PCOs may vote for the Chair of these organizations, some other officers, and on bylaws amendments of each. The King County Democrats reorganization meeting occurs in December of an even-number year, and the 34th District Democrats reorganization meeting occurs the following January.

Appointed PCOs

An Appointed PCO is appointed by the other 34th LD PCOs to the precinct in which they are registered to vote where there is no Elected PCO. They serve from the date of their appointment until the end of the two-year PCO term (November 30th of each even-numbered year.)  

Elected and Appointed PCO Special Voting Rights

Under state law and party rules, Elected and Appointed PCOs have special voting rights in some areas (See 34th Bylaws for details):

• Legislative Vacancies In the event of a vacancy in one of the three legislative seats in the middle of a term, the Chair of the King County Democrats will call a special meeting where Elected and Appointed PCOs will nominate three individuals to fill the vacancy. The King County Council will then appoint one of these three individuals to complete the rest of the legislative term.
• Elected and Appointed PCOs are members of the King County Democratic Central Committee (KCDCC), and participate in electing the leadership of the 34th District Democrats, including the chair, vice chairs, and other officers. 

Precinct Coordinator (PC or Acting PCO)

A registered voter whose precinct already has a PCO may be appointed as a Precinct Coordinator to a precinct in which they are not registered to vote. They serve their adopted precinct until the end of the two-year PCO term, or until an Appointed PCO is found for their adopted precinct, providing  the important link between the Democratic Party and the precinct they represent.

PCO Handbook

For more information about the role of a PCO, please check out the PCO Handbook, available in English or Spanish, from the Washington State Democrats.

Contact the PCO Committee – specifically Nick Bonazza, PCO Quartermaster, with any questions.

Find your precinct and confirm it is open and/or begin the application to be appointed directly online.