CALL TO CAUCUS TO REORGANIZE THE GILES COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE

The Giles County Democratic Committee, herein referred to as GCD, will hold an assembled caucus on January 5th, 2022, beginning at 6 PM at the Storefront, on Wenonah Ave., in Pearisburg, Va for the purpose of electing the new membership of GCD pursuant to the Democratic Party of Virginia Party Plan. 

I. Candidate Filing: 

Each person seeking to become a member of GCD shall complete and return the GCD Membership Filing Form to the Storefront by 7:00 pm on 1/05/22. Membership Filing Forms can be mailed to 208 Old Ferry Road, Pembroke, Va, and should be directed to Diane Weiss. All mail must be received before 12:00 PM on 1/05/22. Candidates may complete the Filing Form at 6 PM on 1/05/22 at the Storefront. Only those candidates who have timely and properly filed the Pre-Filing form will have their names placed in contention.

There shall be no filing fee for any membership candidates.

II. Qualification of Candidates:

The Membership Pre-Filing Form, which all candidates for membership must sign, will include the following written declaration:

I declare myself to be a candidate for membership on the Giles Democratic Committee. I also declare that I believe in the principles of the Democratic Party and that I will not support any candidate opposed to any Democratic nominee as long as I am a member of the Committee.

III. Notice: 

 Diane Weiss shall provide notice of this caucus by placement of a general notice of the filing deadline and the caucus, including noticing the caucus date, time, and location, along with the Call to Caucus, on the Democratic Party of Virginia, the Giles Democratic Committee website and social media platforms; by email notification to Democrats who reside in Giles; and through other reasonable means that will disseminate information about the caucus to registered voters in Giles County. In addition, reasonable actions shall be taken to promote participation in the caucus in accordance with the Affirmative Action provisions of the Party Plan of the DPVA.

V. Membership Allocation

 Giles County does not have a specified allocation.

VI. Participation

Every Democrat who is a registered voter in Giles County is urged to attend and participate. If an individual does not appear on the Registered Voter List, they will not be allowed to participate. Participants will also be required to sign a Caucus Participation Form stating that they:

A.              Are a Democrat;

B.              Are a registered voter within Giles County.

C.              Believe in the principles of the Democratic Party; and

D.              Does not intend to support any candidates opposed to a Democratic nominee in the next ensuing election.

VII. Conduct of the Caucus

The doors to the caucus will open at 6 PM and close at 7 PM (one hour). Upon the closing of the doors, only those participants who have registered or are in line to register at Storefront will be permitted to participate. 

VIII. Determination of Winners

In the event that only one person files for a position, that person shall be declared the winner and the election for that specific position shall be cancelled. 

If more individuals file than there are positions available, the candidates will be listed alphabetically on the ballot and will be elected by a plurality of the votes at the assembled caucus.

Vacancies may be filled by the new committee at the first meeting following the election of Officers. 

VIII. Affirmative Action 

It shall be the duty and goal of all members of the Giles County Democratic Committee to seek out and encourage the broadest possible participation within the committee, and in its membership, of all duly qualified citizens without regard to race, sex, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic identity, disability, or economic status.

IX. Officer Elections

Immediately following the adjournment of the assembled caucus, the newly formed GDC will meet for the sole purpose of electing the officers of the committee.