Rules of the Texas Democratic Party

Party Rules serve as the foundation of Party activity, guiding all levels of the Party’s operation. The Rules are adopted biennially at the State Convention.

Download your copy of the TDP Rules.

On April 9, 2011, the SDEC voted to adopt the following changes, which will be updated in the downloadable pdf soon:

  1. Members of SDEC committees appointed by the chair with the advice and consent of the sdec
    1. i.      Will appoint one chair and one vice chair, gender balanced
    2. ii.      Members of each committee will elect second chair
      1. Amendment to stop language there.

2. Article 3 section E, subsection 2a

Question about how a county executive committee secretary named

a.      change: county executive committee may elect or appoint a secretary which would give them the option (to not be a member of the committee)

b. Further adding to the subsection (2a) regarding term of  office of secretary

i.      If one is elected or appointed, should run concurrent with the term of the office of the county executive committee

3. Rule change:  Article 3 section E subsection 3a:

a) CHANGE: They are qualified voters and voted in the current democratic party primary, not including runoffs or signing oath of affiliation

4. Article 3 section E subsection 4d

Wording to be added:

i.      Proposed  change: application shall state candidates occupation, county of residence, post office address, date of birth, office saw petition that shall include precinct chair signature, post office address, and precinct number AND “A precinct chair may not sign petition of more than one candidate for the same office in the same election (TX Election code 41-066). By signing the petition, precinct chair is supporting the county chair candidate’s appearance on the ballot and not the actual candidate.” Clarifies that pc’s in high-populated counties can only sign a single application for the office of county chair.

5.  Article 3 section e sub 6c

County executive committees + subcommittees

i.      Change: CEC may create as many subcommittees as it deems appropriate to carry out its non-statutory duties and may elect or appoint committee members who are not members of the CEC – the chair of such committees may be elected or appointed by the CEC. Term of office of chair shall run concurrent with the term of office of the CEC.

Clarifies how the chairs of committees are created

6. Article 3 section E sub 10

    1. Middle of sub 10 (meetings of CEC) –
      1. i.      Proposed change: CEC meetings shall not be scheduled during the week of the biennial state conventions and county senate district conventions except to fill a ballot vacancy, endorse a candidate in a special election, or if the nature of the business is such that it cannot wait until the adjournment of that convention.

7. (39:44) TEXAS DELEGATE SELECTION PLAN

    1. Rules committee recommended that Texas seek a waiver to select all alternates at-large
      1. i.      Ask approval for all alternates to be selected at-large

8. Motion to increase delegate goals

    1. Hispanic delegate goals from 29.2% to 31%
      1. i.      Increase from 78 to 83 delegates
    2. African American from 27.7% to 29.2%
      1. i.      From 74 to 78 delegates
    3. Asian from 13 to 14 delegates

9. (44:16) Moved adoption of report in total with proviso with giving TDP Chair ability and authority to make any technical corrections that should be required in report by DNC rules and bylaws committee to complete the plan and report as it relates to districts when we have district lines, and to make any other corrections that might be required by DNCE

    1. SAVE AND EXCEPT: Should DNC reject Texas plan or require alteration in TX plan related to two-stage  delegate allocation process, committee would like to be informed and heard from on that issue
      1. i.      Moved to adopt entire report