When Teddy Keizer, the former Chair of the Multnomah County Democratic Party, stepped down in October, Party leadership prepared for a special election to be held on November 14. After the election was held, serious challenges regarding the legality of the balloting were brought to the attention of Party Officers. The Officers found that a large group of new precinct committeepersons (PCPs) approved for appointment that evening, although qualified to participate under our bylaws, were not eligible to vote under state law. Unfortunately, that means many ballots were cast that were not qualified, and since they were secret ballots, could not be separated from the qualified ballots for a recount.
The Officers notified the Party's Executive Committee of the nature of the problem on November 18. After receiving information from the Secretary of State's office on November 22, the Administration Committee met on Saturday, November 23 to chart a course to resolution. The minutes of that meeting address the problems found and the resolution planned. Notice was then given to the Executive Committee and the current PCPs. (See 11/24/2013 e-mail from Administrative Committee.) Notice was also given to the newly appointed PCPs, who as of November 26 are now properly recorded with County Elections.
A new election will be held at the Central Committee Meeting on December 12 at the Hollywood Senior Center, 1820 NE 40th Avenue in Portland. The agenda that evening will also include a bylaw amendment to eliminate the conflict with state law. In the meantime, the office of Chair remains vacant, and under our bylaws the 1st Vice Chair, Lorraine Van Hoe, is acting Chair.
Nominations are now open. Anyone may self-nominate for the position, or any PCP may nominate another person for the position with verification that the nominee wants to serve. Nominations should be sent to Stephanie Nystrom at ViceChair2@MultDems.org. If nominating another person, please copy the nominee on the email. If you are nominated by another, please verify your willingness to serve as Chair by contacting Stephanie as soon as possible.
One need not be a PCP to serve as Chair (but of course it helps); elected and appointed PCPs whose name is on the County's current list of precinct committeepersons are eligible to vote in filling this vacancy (ORS 248.035 (3)). Proxies are not allowed (ORS 248.045); you have to attend the meeting to vote.
Nominations for inclusion on printed ballots will close seven days before the meeting, that is, at 7:00 PM on December 5th. Nominees submitted before that deadline may also submit statements about their candidacies for posting on this website. Nominations may also be made from the floor at the meeting for write-in candidates.
Nominations received before the printed ballot deadline will be posted here as they come in, and e-mailed to PCPs before the election.
Contact Info@MultDems.org if you have any questions.