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SUMTER COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY MISSION AND BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Sumter County Democratic Party, hereinafter referred to as the “County Party.”
The County Party shall be affiliated with the South Carolina Democratic Party (SCDP), the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and all duly recognized Democratic organizations.
ARTICLE II – RELATIONSHIP TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC PARTY
The County Party, including but not limited to the County Executive Committee, County Convention, Precinct Organizations, Officers, and Committees, shall be governed by the Rules of the South Carolina Democratic Party.
The Rules of the South Carolina Democratic Party are incorporated herein by reference.
In the event of any conflict between these Bylaws and the Rules of the South Carolina Democratic Party, the Rules of the South Carolina Democratic Party shall prevail.
The county party shall publicize the South Carolina Democratic party by-laws and rules on its website.
ARTICLE III – MISSION
The mission of the Sumter County Democratic Party is to elect Democratic candidates and encourage broad participation in the democratic process.
To accomplish this mission, the County Party shall:
Register and educate voters.
Recruit and support Democratic candidates.
Organize voter turnout efforts.
Educate about the value of precinct organization.
Encourage participation by Democrats of all backgrounds.
Promote Democratic values and policies.
Develop future Democratic leaders.
Foster inclusion, accessibility, and transparency in all Party activities.
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Eligibility
Participation in the County Party shall be open to all Democrats residing in Sumter County as defined by the Rules of the South Carolina Democratic Party.
Section 2. Inclusion and Non-Discrimination
The County Party shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, economic status, educational attainment, marital status, or any other status unrelated to participation in the Democratic Party.
The County Party shall actively encourage participation by individuals reflecting the diversity of Sumter County.
Section 3. Membership Privacy
Membership records, contact information, email lists, and personal information collected by the County Party shall be maintained solely for Party purposes and shall not be sold, shared, or distributed except as authorized by the Executive Committee.
Section 4. Dues
No dues shall be required for participation in the County Party.
Voluntary contributions are encouraged.
Section 5. Voting
Proxy voting shall not be permitted at any level of the County Party.
Secret ballots may be used only when required by Party Rules or approved by a majority vote of those present.
ARTICLE V – COUNTY OFFICERS
Section 1. Elected Officers
The County Convention shall elect:
County Chair
First Vice Chair
Second Vice Chair
Third Vice Chair
Two State Executive Committee Members
Two Alternate State Executive Committee Members
Section 2. Diversity Requirements
The First Vice Chair shall be of a gender different from the Chair.
The Second Vice Chair shall be of a race different from the Chair.
The Third Vice Chair shall be at least eighteen (18) years old and under thirty-six (36) years of age at the time of election.
Section 3. Additional Officers
Within thirty (30) days following the County Convention, the Executive Committee shall elect:
Secretary
Treasurer
The Executive Committee may also elect a Finance Director
Section 4. Eligibility
All officers shall:
Reside in Sumter County.
Be eligible under South Carolina Democratic Party Rules.
Remain in good standing throughout their term.
No individual may hold, as defined by the South Carolina Democratic Party rules, more than one County Party office simultaneously.
ARTICLE VI – DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Chair
The Chair shall:
Preside at meetings.
Serve as spokesperson for the County Party.
Ensure compliance with Party Rules and applicable law.
Give the Clerk of court and the Secretary of State the names of County party officers before the state convention
Coordinate Party activities.
Develop annual goals and strategic priorities.
Appoint committee chairs and members.
Prepare an annual report to the Executive Committee.
Designate member and alternate delegate to the state committees on 1)Credentials and Rules and 2)Resolutions.
First Vice Chair
The First Vice Chair shall:
Assist the Chair.
Coordinate precinct organization and development.
Lead voter registration and turnout efforts.
Serve in the Chair’s absence.
Second Vice Chair
The Second Vice Chair shall:
Coordinate communications and public relations.
Assist with outreach and community engagement.
Manage external communications when requested by the Chair.
Third Vice Chair
The Third Vice Chair shall:
Coordinate youth outreach.
Recruit and engage young Democrats.
Promote leadership development opportunities.
Secretary
The Secretary shall:
Record and maintain meeting minutes of the next Executive Committee Meeting.
Maintain official records.
Maintain officer rosters.
Distribute notices and correspondence.
Treasurer
The Treasurer shall:
Maintain financial records.
File all required ethics reports.
Present financial reports at Executive Committee meetings.
Assist with annual budget preparation.
Finance Director
If elected, the Finance Director shall:
Assist with fundraising.
Coordinate donor development activities.
Assist with budget planning.
ARTICLE VII – COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. Composition
The Executive Committee shall consist of:
County Officers
State Executive Committee Members
One person from each represented precinct
Elected alternate representatives
Section 2. Powers
The Executive Committee shall:
Govern the affairs of the County Party between County Conventions to include:
Approve budgets.
Fill vacancies until the next county convention if an alternate has not been elected.
Adopt policies.
Establish committees.
Remove officers for violation of the South Carolina Democratic Party rules.
Section 3. Meetings
The Executive Committee shall meet at least four times each calendar year.
Special meetings may be called by:
the Chair, or
twenty percent (20%) of Executive Committee members.
Ten (10) days notice shall be provided.
Meetings may be conducted in-person, virtually, or in hybrid format.
ARTICLE VIII – QUORUM
A quorum shall consist of thirty-five percent (35%) of the elected Executive Committee membership or their elected alternates.
Unless otherwise provided, a majority vote of those present and voting shall be required.
ARTICLE IX – FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Section 1. Annual Budget
The Chair, Treasurer, and Finance Director (if one is elected) shall prepare an annual budget for Executive Committee approval.
The budget shall include details of projected:
Operating expenses
Election-related expenditures
Fundraising goals
Projected revenues
Section 2. Expenditures
No unbudgeted expenditure exceeding $250.00 shall be made without Executive Committee approval.
Section 3. Debt
No officer, member, or committee may incur debt on behalf of the County Party without Executive Committee approval.
Section 4. Financial Reports
The Treasurer shall present financial reports at every Executive Committee meeting including detailed:
Current balances
Revenues
Expenditures
Budget status
Section 5. Annual Review
The Executive Committee shall conduct an annual review of financial records.
ARTICLE X – NOMINATION AND ELECTION PROCESS FOR COUNTY OFFICERS
Section 1. Nominating Committee
The County Chair shall appoint a Nominating Committee of five (5) members.
Section 2. Nominations
Nominations may be made by the Nominating Committee or from the floor.
Section 3. Election
Election shall be by majority vote of credentialed delegates and alternates serving in their place.
Section 4. Eligibility and Filing
Candidate eligibility, filing procedures, and election procedures shall be governed by these Bylaws and the Rules of the South Carolina Democratic Party.
ARTICLE XI – PRECINCT ORGANIZATION
The county executive committee is not required to organize precincts or hold precinct meetings, by state party rules.
Any Democrat or group of Democrats may organize their precinct(s).
If precincts are organized they should:
Register voters.
Recruit volunteers.
Promote Democratic candidates.
Conduct voter outreach.
Participate in turnout efforts.
One member from each precinct shall be a member of the county executive committee and shall be elected by the county convention.
The First Vice Chair shall coordinate precinct development activities, if one is organized.
ARTICLE XII – COUNTY CONVENTION
County Conventions shall be conducted in accordance with South Carolina Democratic Party Rules.
The Convention shall:
Elect County Officers in odd years for two-year terms
Elect State Executive Committee Members and Alternates in odd years.
Elect Delegates and Alternates to State Convention.
Revise by-laws in even years or as needed.
Consider resolutions and other business.
Candidate filing periods and deadlines shall comply with current South Carolina Democratic Party Rules.
ARTICLE XIII – STANDING COMMITTEES
The following standing committees are established:
Standing Committees
The following standing committees are established:
Finance and Fundraising Committee
Responsible for fundraising strategy and donor development.
Precinct Organization Committee
Responsible for precinct support and development.
Candidate Recruitment Committee
Responsible for identifying and recruiting Democratic candidates.
Communications Committee
Responsible for public information and outreach.
Bylaws and Rules Committee
Responsible for reviewing bylaws and recommending amendments.
The Chair may appoint additional committees as necessary.
ARTICLE XIV – CANDIDATE SUPPORT
The County Party shall remain neutral in contested Democratic primaries.
County Party resources shall not be used to support one Democratic primary candidate over another.
Officers may support Democratic candidates in their personal capacities provided such support is not represented as an official endorsement of the County Party.
ARTICLE XV – VACANCIES, REMOVAL, AND RECALL
Vacancies shall be filled in accordance with South Carolina Democratic Party Rules.
Any officer who publicly supports a candidate opposing the Democratic nominee may be subject to removal as provided by Party Rules.
County Officers shall be subject to recall by petition signed by at least thirty percent (30%) of delegates to the most recent County Convention.
Recall procedures shall follow South Carolina Democratic Party Rules.
ARTICLE XVI – TRANSPARENCY
These Bylaws and any approved amendments shall be publicly available.
The State Party by-laws shall also be available as comparison.
Meeting notices shall be publicized sufficiently to encourage participation by interested Democrats.
Official Party records shall be maintained and preserved by the Secretary.
ARTICLE XVII – AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the Executive Committee at a properly noticed meeting.
Proposed amendments shall be distributed at least ten (10) days before consideration.
ARTICLE XVIII – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern all matters not specifically addressed by these Bylaws or the Rules of the South Carolina Democratic Party.
ARTICLE XIX– RATIFICATION
These Bylaws shall become effective immediately upon approval by the Sumter County Democratic Party Executive Committee and shall remain in effect until amended or repealed.
Adopted this ______ day of June, 2026.
Barbara Bowman, County Chair
Kesha N. B. Coleman, Secretary