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CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL
COMMITTEE & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF MIAMI COUNTY, OHIO
ARTICLE 1-1: NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Democratic Central Committee of Miami County.
ARTICLE 2-1: PURPOSE
In accordance with the provisions of Section 3517 of the Ohio Revised Code (hereafter ORC), this organization shall be the “controlling committee” of the Democratic Party of Miami County. The
objectives of this organization shall be to advance the cause of the Democratic Party and its
programs and policies in national, state and local affairs. In the furtherance of this goal the Central
Committee reserves to itself the powers allocated to it by law, including the right to endorse such
candidates for public office or issues as it may deem appropriate.
ARTICLE 3-1: MEMBERSHIP
Membership in this organization shall include Democratic precinct committee persons elected by
direct vote at the primary election every four years (done the same year as the gubernatorial
election). Committee person election shall be in accordance with Section 3517.02 ORC. Vacancies
in the position of precinct committee person may be filled by appointment and a majority vote of
the Executive Committee. Such appointees shall be considered full members of this organization
and may attend the Central Committee meeting that follows the appointment by the Executive
Committee.
ARTICLE 3-2: QUORUM
A simple majority of the membership in attendance will be required for passage of items brought
forth for a vote by the Central Committee unless otherwise stated in this Constitution.
ARTICLE 4-1: ELECTED OFFICERS
The elected officers of the Central Committee shall be Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and
Treasurer.
ARTICLE 4-2: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Duties of the elected officers of the Central Committee shall be as follows:
A. Chairperson: shall preside at all meetings of the Central Committee and shall be responsible
for the progress and development of this organization.
B. Vice Chairperson: shall assume duties and responsibilities in the absence or incapacity (as
determined by the Central Committee) of this person and shall perform such other duties as
may be assigned by the Chairperson. The Vice Chair shall be of the opposite gender of the
Chairperson.
C. Secretary: shall keep minutes of all meetings of the Central Committee; maintain such minutes
so as to be open to review by members of the organization; maintain reports and records of
committees other than the Treasurer’s records; conduct the correspondence of the
organization as directed by the Chairperson; and perform such other duties as may be
assigned by Chairperson.
D. Treasurer: shall deposit all funds of this organization in the name of “Miami County Democratic
Executive Committee.” The Treasurer shall maintain these funds and disperse said funds as
directed by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall give timely reports on the state of
funds as directed by the Chairperson. Within two weeks of the Primary Election and prior to
the Reorganization meeting, the Treasurer shall submit all financial records to the Executive Committee, and, if directed by the Executive Committee, shall have such records independently audited.
ARTICLE 4-3: STIPENDS
When the Chairperson is not eligible to serve on the Board of Elections, as defined in State law or
chooses not to serve he/she shall receive a stipend for his/her service. The amount shall be
determined by the Executive Committee and shall be in effect until the time the Chairperson is
elected to the Board of Elections.
ARTICLE 4-4: MEETINGS
The Central Committee must hold:
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1 (one) reorganization meeting every 4 (four) years
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2 (two) regular meetings at least 3 (three) times per year
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3 (three) special meetings.
A. Reorganization meeting: in accordance with Section 3517.04 ORC, the members-elect of
the Central Committee are to meet at a suitable time and place as designated by the
retiring Chairman of the committee. The meeting shall not be earlier than six (6) days
following the declaration of results by the Board of Elections nor more than fifteen (15) days
as required by Section 3517.04. Only elected precinct committee members may participate
in the election of officers at reorganization meetings as mandated by Section 3517.04 ORC.
B. Regular meetings shall be called by the Chairperson at a suitable time and place for the
committee to meet.
C. Special meetings must be called by the Chairperson within fourteen (14) days upon the
receipt of a written request by 5 (five) Central Committee members or 25% of the Central
Committee membership, whichever is greater. Such a request shall be accompanied by an
agenda for that meeting and the agenda shall be mailed to members along with the
announcement of said meeting.
ARTICLE 5-1: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Central Committee shall establish the Executive Committee. The purpose of the Executive
Committee shall be to carry on the work of the organization in periods between Central Committee
meetings, as well as such additional power and authority as may be delegated by the Central
Committee.
5-1A: SIZE AND COMPOSITION
The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the four elected officers of the Central
Committee (Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer) and up to ten members
of the Central Committee elected at-large, plus the retiring Chairperson. If the retiring
Chairperson is not available to serve, the post will be filled by a member of the Central
Committee elected at-large.
5-1B: MEETINGS
The Executive Committee shall meet at the request of the Chairperson prior to Central
Committee meetings or at the written request of five (5) members of the Executive
Committee.
5-1C: ATTENDANCE
If any Executive Committee member misses three consecutive meetings without good cause,
the member may be removed from the Committee by a majority vote of the Executive
Committee.
5-1D: QUORUM
A quorum of the Executive Committee shall be five (5) members.
5-1E: VACANCIES
If the office of the Chairperson becomes vacant for any reason, the Vice Chairperson shall fill
the unexpired term. In the event that the Vice Chairperson does not wish to occupy the
Chairperson’s position until the end of the term, a special organizational meeting will be called
to elect a new Chairperson for the remainder of the out-going Chairperson’s term. If other
offices are vacant they may be temporarily filled by election of the Executive Committee. All
vacancies besides that of the Chairperson can only be permanently filled by election of the
Central Committee upon recommendation of the Executive Committee.
5-1F: BOARD OF ELECTIONS
The Executive Committee shall elect, by majority vote of all members in attendance, the
Democratic members of the Miami County Board of Elections.
ARTICLE 6-1: TREASURY
All funds of the Miami County Democratic Central Committee shall be deposited in a licensed and
insured banking institution of the State of Ohio. Additional accounts (i.e., judicial candidate
contribution, state candidate contribution, federal candidate contribution, building rental, etc.) may
be created to comply with the ORC and the Ohio Code of Judicial Conduct.
6-1A: EXPENDITURES
All expenditures shall be authorized by the Executive Committee or Central Committee before
such checks or payments are made from either account. If more than one check or payment
is necessary for the same purpose during a twelve-month period, a single authorization is
needed.
6-1B: EMERGENCY EXPENDITURES
The Executive Committee may authorize the Treasurer to make emergency expenditures of
not more than one-hundred dollars ($100.00).
6-1C: CONTRIBUTIONS
All funds controlled by the Miami County Democratic Central Committee may be contributed
only to the campaigns of candidates, entities and issues of the Democratic Party at the
national, state or county level, unless specifically authorized by the Central Committee.
6-1D: BONDING THE TREASURER
When the amount of funds on hand warrants such action in the opinion of the Central
Committee and by said vote, a bond for treasurer may be executed. The cost of such bond
will be borne by the party.
6-1E: LEGAL FINANCIAL FILING
The Treasurer shall prepare an annual statement of income, expenditures and final balance in
all party accounts to the Central Committee and Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall
also be responsible for special reports as mandated by the State of Ohio, Miami County
and/or the Ohio Board of Elections and file them in a timely manner.
ARTICLE 7-1: VOTING
All voting officers, Executive Committee members, Board of Election members and State Convention
delegates and alternates, shall be made by verbal or roll call vote. Such votes shall be taken when
there are more candidates than positions.
7-1A: PROXY VOTING
In compliance with the Rules of the Ohio Democratic Party, all meetings of the committee are
open to the public and no secret ballots will be used for any vote taken by the body.
7-1B: SLATES
In compliance with the Rules of the Ohio Democratic Party, no slates of candidates, delegates
or committee members shall be allowed during Central and Executive Committee
reorganization.
ARTICLE 8-1: OATH OF OFFICE
All officers of the Central and Executive Committee shall be required to take an oath of office to
support the Constitution of the United States, Constitution of the State of Ohio, promise to uphold the
Constitution and Bylaws of the Miami County Democratic Party.
ARTICLE 9-1: PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
Meetings of the Miami County Democratic Central and Executive Committee shall be conducted in
conformity with Robert’s Rules of Order unless otherwise mandated by the Constitution.
ARTICLE 10-1: AMENDMENTS
All proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws shall be submitted in writing to the Miami
County Central Committee at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting at which the vote is
to be taken. A quorum of one-third of the Central Committee membership must be present to
amend the Constitution and two-thirds vote of the membership present shall be required for passage.
ARTICLE 11-1: RATIFICATION OF THIS CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
The Constitution shall be ratified by the following procedure:
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After reviewing the Constitution and Bylaws, two-thirds of the Executive Committee recommends approval.
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All Central Committee members are to have received a copy of the Constitution and Bylaw at least ten (10) days prior to the ratification meeting.
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At a regular meeting of the Central Committee, the Constitution shall be ratified by a two thirds vote of members present.
ARTICLE 11-2: OHIO DEMOCRATIC PARTY APPROVAL
Following ratification of the Constitution and Bylaws, the Secretary will submit to the Ohio Democratic
Party a copy of the Constitution for ODP approval and record.
The Constitution and Bylaws of the Democratic Central Committee and Executive Committee of
Miami County were ratified by a two-thirds vote of members on November 14, 2013.