PORT ANGELES — Democrats in Clallam County can now join a new, unified party organization to participate in local politics.
The Clallam County Democratic Central Committee recently merged with the former Clallam County Democratic Club to form a single organization headquartered at 124 First St., Port Angeles.
County Democratic Chairwoman Pat Johansen announced the merger after a meeting in which the Central Committee voted to merge with the club and adopted new bylaws that provide a category of general membership.
The new organization will be called “Clallam County Democrats” in most references, according to Johansen, but is officially the “Clallam County Democrats and Central Committee.”
She said the Central Committee is a statutory entity whereas membership in the Clallam County Democrats is open to any citizen who endorses the party’s platform.
Central Committee membership is limited to elected and appointed precinct committee officers, or PCOs, and the members of a county executive board elected by the PCOs. Johansen said the key difference in participation between the PCOs and general members is that only PCOs can elect the chair and other members of the executive board.
All members are eligible to vote on other matters or issues.
In creating the new organization, Johansen said the Central Committee established dues of $15 a year for general members.
She plans to hold monthly organization meetings, including both afternoon and evening hours.
The meeting schedule is pending, but meetings will be posted on the party’s website, currently undergoing an overhaul.
The merger was effected with the blessings of Clallam County Democratic Club President Earl Archer, who is the party’s PCO in Sequim’s Coyote Precinct.
Central Committee Vice Chair Roger Fight, also an outgoing officer of the club, chaired the committee that proposed the new bylaws for the unified organization.
Central Committee members also adopted a unanimous resolution urging state Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, to co-sponsor resolutions in the U.S. House of Representatives calling for constitutional action to overturn the effects of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision.