The Role of a District Leader in Greenburgh
What are District Leaders?
“District Leaders” (the official title is “Westchester County Committeemen/women”) are members of the Democratic Party who are elected or appointed to this party office. Two District Leaders are elected to each Election District. A registered Democratic can be a district leader in any election district within their Assembly District. All District Leaders who represent Districts within the Town of Greenburgh are also automatically members of the Town of Greenburgh Democratic Committee.
How Are District Leaders Selected?
A District Leader must stand for re-election every two years. Each time, a District Leader candidate must file a nominating petition containing sufficient, valid signatures of registered Democrats living in the District in which that candidate hopes to serve. The petition will place the candidate on the ballot. Any registered Democrat can challenge a District Leader by also collecting sufficient valid signatures on a petition in the same District. If more than two people file enough signatures within the same District, a primary for the District Leader position will be held in June, during the same period as all other local primary elections in New York State.
If a District Leader resigns from office during his/her/their term, replacement is governed by local Committee rules. Vacancies in the Town Committee occurring for any reason shall be filled by the selection of registered Democratic by a majority vote of the then in office members of the Town Committee for the Area or Village wherein such vacancy occurs.
What Are District Leaders Supposed to Do?
1. District Leaders are responsible for introducing candidates to voters and assisting in “getting out the vote.” Before every primary, special, and general election, using publicly available voting records, District Leaders engage in various activities to reach the voters in their districts. They bring literature door to door, make telephone calls, send out mailings and emails, put up posters and signs, write and place ads in local newspapers, write letters to the editor to remind people to vote and tell them about candidates or issues, etc. District Leaders now also use social media to communicate with potential supporters.
2. District Leaders are also responsible for interviewing and nominating candidates for local office. The Executive Committee interviews candidates and may make recommendations to the full Greenburgh Democratic Town Committee. The annual Convention, open to all District Leaders, hears the report of the Executive Committee and then decides among competing candidates.
3. All District Leaders are welcome to participate in the monthly meeting of the Greenburgh Democratic Committee Executive Committee, of which the Chair of each Village and Area Democratic Committee are voting members. District Leaders vote at the conventions held by the Greenburgh Democratic Town Committee and Westchester County Democratic Committee. At these conventions, District Leaders endorse candidates for state-wide, county-wide, town, federal, and judicial offices. Our votes are public and part of the record of each committee. Before such endorsements, candidates or their representatives visit meetings, giving District Leaders an opportunity to inform them of their views and question them on their positions.
4. On Election Day, District Leaders are responsible for checking the voting machines and voters’ lists at each polling place at the beginning of the day (to make sure that they are “zero”) and at the end when the results are compiled. In Greenburgh this is something of a ritual, but unfortunately, in many places it is necessary and important to prevent election fraud.
5. District leaders also can assist with the operations and activities of the political party in many other ways, such as: fund-raising and managing the bank account; preparing materials for mailings to voters or flyers to give out at the train station or petitions; organizing a party presence at events; filing financial and other statements in compliance with the election law; and certifying District Leaders to the Town and County Committee chairs.
When Do I Contact My District Leaders?
You should never hesitate to contact any District Leader, not only with questions about where or when to register or vote, but with thoughts about topics that Democrats should include in our platform; questions about candidates’ qualifications and positions on issues; or for general information about community resources and needs. As citizens who hope to make a positive difference not only in the Democratic Party, but in all aspects of our life, it is important for District leaders to understand what Greenburgh residents think. We would not be doing this work if we were not interested in Democrat’s ideas and concerns. The most satisfying part of being a District Leader is the one-on-one contact with constituents and whenever possible, managing to help them out.