Section 2: Composition of State Central Committee Members

A. The Democratic State Central Committee shall be composed of two persons elected from each senatorial district. On the first ballot the delegates shall elect one member and on the second they shall elect a person not of the same gender. The elected persons from each senatorial district shall serve in the state for a term of two years in the manner prescribed by Article I, Section 3. Members of the State Central Committee shall hold office from the completion of the last and final session of the State Convention following their election, until the end of the next State Convention, or until they otherwise vacate their office. State Central Committee members must reside in the district from which they were elected for their entire term. If the State Central Committee member moves from the district during the elected term, that member’s seat will be declared vacant by the State Chair and shall be filled under Article I, Section 4.

B. In addition to the Members elected in the manner prescribed by Article 1, Section 3, the State Chair, in consultation with the Connecticut Young Democrats, shall nominate two representatives, not of the same gender, for election to the State Central Committee.

C. Additional nominations of Young Democrats may be made from the floor at the State Central Committee meeting at which such election takes place. The two Young Democrats representatives shall then be chosen by a majority of the State Central Committee members present and voting. Members chosen under this paragraph, shall be elected after the State Central Committee meeting to elect the State Chair and shall serve for a term to expire with the term of the State Chair. The Young Democrats representatives must be residents of the State of Connecticut. If such a representative moves from Connecticut or a vacancy occurs, the seat shall be filled by the process set forth in this paragraph and the newly elected member shall serve for the balance of the term. The Young Democrats representatives shall have full voting rights except for the election of the State Central Committee Officers, or to fill any vacancy for these offices or to fill any vacancy in the Democratic National Committee.

Section 3: Election of State Central Committee Members & State Convention Committees

A. The State Convention delegates from each senatorial district shall meet, upon due notice, at separate senatorial district meetings at least fifteen (15) days but not more than twenty-five (25) days prior to the first session of each State Convention, at a time and place to be designated by the State Central Committee members from the district. One of the State Central Committee members from the district shall act as the chair of their respective senatorial district meeting. At such meeting, these delegates to the State Convention shall elect two people, not of the same gender, to be members of the State Central Committee. That election shall be determined by a majority vote of those present and voting, and the persons so elected to become members of the State Central Committee may or may not be delegates to the State Convention.

B. These delegates to the State Convention, except for automatic delegates, shall also select from their members at the senatorial district meeting a secretary for their respective senatorial district meeting, and shall further select one member for each of the following convention Committees: 1. Committee on Credentials; 2. Committee on Permanent Organization; 3. Committee for Rules and Resolutions; 4. Platform Committee (when one is necessary in accordance with Article III, Section 11); and 5. Such other committees as shall have been determined by the State Central Committee.

C. Votes pursuant to this Section 3 shall not be taken by secret ballot at such elections. All elections shall be certified by the secretary of each such meeting to the Secretary of the State Central Committee within five (5) days subsequent to such meeting. but, in no event, later than the first session of the State Convention.

D. If any of said meetings have not been held in the period prescribed above, they shall be called by the Chair of the State Central Committee, to be held prior to the opening of the State Convention, at a place and time to be designated by the Chair of the State Central Committee.

Section 4: Vacancies in State Central Committee Membership

A. Vacancies, however arrived at, in the membership of the State Central Committee shall be filled by a majority vote of those present and voting at a special meeting of State Convention delegates from the preceding State Convention from the senatorial district in which the vacancy has occurred. This special meeting shall be held within sixty (60) days after a vacancy arises. The remaining representative on the State Central Committee from said senatorial district shall set a time and place for said meeting and written notice of said meeting shall be sent to each State Convention delegate, in good standing, from said senatorial district and the vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote of those present and voting at said meeting.

B. In order to be eligible to be a participant in the special meeting, the State Convention delegates must be in good standing, which is defined as being a valid Democratic elector, residing in the district at the time the special meeting occurs. A delegate in good standing may appoint an alternate for such special meeting. If a delegate is not in good standing, that delegate’s alternate to the prior State Convention, if in good standing and if appointed prior to the adjournment of the State Convention, shall participate in that delegate’s place. If neither the delegate nor the alternate is in good standing, no new appointment shall be made.

Section 5: Election and Composition of State Central Committee Officers

Not earlier than the tenth (10th) day, nor later than the twenty-fourth (24th) day of January, in every odd-numbered year, the State Central Committee shall meet and shall elect a Chair, and a First Vice Chair not of the same gender. The State Central Committee at the same meeting shall elect a Second Vice Chair, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and any other officers the Committee deems necessary. Beginning on the first day of February of the same year, officers shall commence their two-year term. Officers need not be members of the State Central Committee. Each officer shall have the duties usually incident to the office of that name, and such other duties as the Committee may prescribe from time to time. The State Chair shall become an automatic delegate to the State Convention at the conclusion of that State Chair’s term.

Section 6: Vacancies in State Central Committee Officer Positions

When a vacancy occurs in any of the aforementioned offices, the State Central Committee shall within sixty (60) days elect a successor to fill the unexpired term, by a majority vote of those present and voting at a meeting duly noticed and held for such purpose. If there is a vacancy in the position of State Chair, the First Vice Chair shall assume that office.

Section 7: Meetings

A. Meetings of the State Central Committee shall be held at least five (5) times yearly and may be held at any time upon call of the State Chair, or by vote of the Committee, or within ten (10) days of the receipt by the State Chair of a written request signed by not less than twenty (20) members of the Committee and stating the purpose for which such meeting is to be called. At the discretion of the Chair, any meeting of the State Central Committee may be held via telephonic, video, or other technological means that provide for a virtual presence for its members and other participants. Measures shall be in place to ensure that individuals who participate in the party process are identifiable and are able to participate fully in the process. Such virtual presence shall satisfy the requirement for members to be present for purposes of quorums and voting. The announcement of the meeting shall contain a statement of the business to come before such meeting and will be sent to all Town Chairs at the same time and in the same manner as it is sent to the members of the Committee. Minutes of all meetings of the Committee will be sent by email or regular mail to all members of the Committee and, upon request, to all Town Chairs.

B. For regular meetings, the Secretary shall give five (5) days prior written notice to all members stating the time, place and purpose or agenda of the meeting by mail, facsimile or electronic mail. For special meetings, the Secretary shall give forty-eight (48) hours prior written notice by mail, facsimile or electronic mail, or personal notice by hand delivery at least eight (8) hours before the time of such meeting, to all members stating the time, place and purpose or agenda of such meeting. Notice of regular and special meetings also will be: (a) sent to all town chairs at the same time and in the same manner as it is sent to the members and (b) posted on the State Central Committee’s website at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting.

Section 8: Quorum

Two-fifths (2/5) of the membership in good standing of the State Central Committee shall constitute a quorum at any meeting. A member shall be counted as present if the member is either in attendance or represented by a valid proxy.

Section 9: Proxies

Any Member of the State Central Committee who is unable to attend any meeting of the Committee may in writing select any enrolled Democratic elector of any gender within that member’s senatorial district to serve as a proxy. The selection of a proxy shall be filed with the secretary of the meeting. Such proxy document may be either (a) a signed original, or (b) a signed proxy scanned with the attachment sent by e-mail, or (c) an e-mail proxy with the proxy language in it. A proxy may be submitted via hand, mail, e-mail or fax to the Secretary up to one (1) hour before the time noticed for the start of a meeting. For validation purposes, a proxy submitted by e-mail must come from the Member’s e-mail address matching that on the member address list. The proxy shall be made available for inspection if questioned by any member. No member may be a proxy for another member (i.e., a member may not vote the proxy of another member). No person may possess more than one (1) proxy. The proxy may participate as a full member of the State Central Committee until the meeting is adjourned.

Section 10: Procedure of Meeting

Each meeting shall be convened and presided over by the State Chair, or, in their absence, by the Vice Chair. After general orders of business, acts and/or resolutions may be brought up. In order to bring an act or resolution to the floor at a State Central Committee meeting, it must first be brought to the State Chair, who may refer the act or resolution to the appropriate committee. If there is not an appropriate committee, the Chair has the power to convene a special committee to hear the act or resolution. In committee, it can be amended. If passed in committee by a majority of members present and voting, the State Chair must bring the act and/or resolution to the floor of the next State Central Committee meeting.

A matter shall be deemed approved at any meeting where it receives a majority vote of those present and voting at a meeting duly noticed and held for such purpose.

Section 11: Financial Report

The Treasurer of the State Central Committee shall send an annual financial report to all Members of the State Central Committee and all Town Chairs within sixty (60) days of the close of the fiscal year.

Section 12: Constituency Caucuses

The State Central Committee may, from time to time, establish and maintain various Constituency Caucuses, whose membership shall be open to any Connecticut Democratic elector, to help recruit and recognize groups of importance to the Party, including but not limited to African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders, women, youths, the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities. The Constituency Caucuses are subsumed by the Connecticut Democratic Party, and shall be governed by separate By-Laws, which shall be approved by the State Central Committee.

For statutory references, see Chapter 153, Nominations and Political Parties, Conn. Gen. Stat. Secs. 9- 372 through 9-462; see Sec. 9-374. Party rules to be filed. (with SOTS); Sec. 9-375. Amendment of party rules. (Local); Sec. 9-375b. Amendment of party rules following a census. (Local and state, due to redistricting). Statutes cited herein for this Article may not be the solely applicable statutes.

ARTICLE II DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE

Section 1: Selection of Members and Terms

There shall be elected to the Democratic National Committee, in the year of the election of President of the United States, such number of National Committee members as have been apportioned to the State of Connecticut pursuant to the Democratic National Committee. With exceptions noted elsewhere, each such member shall serve for a term of four (4) years or until a successor has been duly selected.

Section 2: Membership

Of the National Committee members to be elected, two (2) shall be the Chair and Vice Chair of the Democratic State Central Committee. The remaining members of the National Committee, who shall be registered Democrats in the State of Connecticut but need not be elected delegates to the National Convention, shall each be elected individually by a majority vote of the delegates to the Democratic State Convention to be held in the year of the Presidential election.

Section 3: Membership in the State Central Committee

Individuals elected to represent Connecticut on the Democratic National Committee, without the need for further action, shall automatically be delegates to the State Convention from the towns in which they reside, in addition to the regularly allocated number of delegates from that town.

Section 4: Change in Office

In the event that the Chair or Vice Chair of the State Central Committee is succeeded in office prior to the expiration of their National Committee term, their successor in office at the State Central Committee shall fill the remainder of such National Committee term.

Section 5: Vacancy in Membership

Except as provided in Section 3 of this Article, when a vacancy occurs in the office of National Committee member, the State Central Committee shall within sixty (60) days elect a successor to fill the unexpired term, by a majority vote of those present and voting at a meeting duly noticed and held for such purpose,

ARTICLE III CONVENTIONS

A convention is the meeting of delegates of the Democratic Party at the local, state, or national level to select candidates to run for office, and to decide party policy on important issues of the day — the party platform. The party convention is also the time and place where delegates can initiate efforts to help candidates win election campaigns in the months to follow.

Such conventions may be held remotely, at the discretion of the State Chair to ensure the health and well-being of all participants.

Section 1: Convention Calls
The State Central Committee, at a meeting called for such purpose, shall fix:

A. The date, time, and place of meeting of the State Convention. The State Convention is the meeting where the delegates endorse candidates for a primary, or for the general election, for the following offices: (1) United States Senate; and (2) statewide offices, including governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, treasurer and secretary of the state.

B. The date, time, and place of meeting of the congressional district conventions. These conventions are the meetings in the five United States congressional districts where the delegates endorse candidates for a primary, or for the general election, for the five Connecticut offices in the United States House of Representatives.

C. The date of the senatorial, assembly and probate district conventions in senatorial, assembly and probate districts that cross one or more town lines. These conventions are the meetings where delegates endorse candidates for a primary, or for the general election for the following offices: (1) the thirty-six offices in the State Senate; (2) the 151 offices in the assembly (the State House of Representatives); and (3) the fifty-four probate districts (which include six regional children’s probate courts). Only the State Central Committee members representing any part of such senatorial, assembly or probate district shall fix the time and place of conventions in such districts. Each such convention shall originate by call of the Chair of the State Central Committee or the Chair’s designee.

Section 2: Convention Dates

Each convention held to endorse candidates for congressional or state or district office to be voted upon at a state election shall be convened in the even numbered years, no later than the ninety-eighth day and closed not later than the seventy-seventh day preceding the day of the primary for such office. All congressional district conventions shall be held on the same day.
All multi-town state senatorial district conventions shall be held on the same day. All multi- town assembly district conventions shall be held on the same day. All multi-town probate district conventions shall be held on the same day. No congressional, senatorial, assembly, or probate district convention shall begin later than the twenty-first (21st) day following the close of the State Convention.

Section 3: Delegate Representation

A. At each congressional, senatorial, assembly, and probate district convention, each town or portion of the town to be represented at that convention shall be entitled to one (1) delegate for each five-hundred (500) or fraction thereof derived from the average of the following factors: (a) Democratic registration as shown on the last list published by the Office of the Secretary of the State, and (b) votes cast for the Democratic candidate for President in the last preceding presidential election.

B. At each State Convention, each town shall be entitled to the sum of the delegates representing each such town at the several state senatorial district conventions whereat each such town is represented, and each town’s delegation shall include a number of delegates residing in each of said state senatorial districts equal to the number of delegates representing said town at each of such state senatorial district conventions.

Section 4: Delegate List

It shall be the duty of the Chair of each town committee to send to the Secretary of the State Central Committee, on forms furnished by the State Central Committee, a list of the delegates to each convention duly chosen from that Chair’s town, properly attested by the Democratic Registrar of Voters or, in the event of the Registrar’s absence, by the Town Chair with the express approval of the State Chair. Such list shall be delivered, whether by paper or electronically, no later than the one hundred thirty-second (132nd) day proceeding the day of the primary for such state or district office.

Section 5: Convention Roll

The temporary roll of each convention shall be comprised of the duly chosen delegates to such convention as filed with the Secretary of the State Central Committee by the Town Chair.

Section 6: Temporary Chairs

The State Central Committee shall elect a Temporary Chair for each State Convention at least sixty (60) days prior to such convention. The Temporary Chairs of all congressional, senatorial, assembly, and probate district conventions shall be chosen by the State Central Committee members representing all or part of such a district, and shall be chosen at least thirty (30) days prior to such convention. The Temporary Chair shall assume the administrative duties to call and arrange for each district convention, but, in the event that the Temporary Chair fails timely to do so, such duties shall forthwith be assumed by the State Chair or the State Chair’s designee. The Temporary Chair need not be a delegate to the convention to serve as the Temporary Chair. A Temporary Chair while serving as such shall have the additional right to cast a vote dissolving a tie, but this provision shall not affect the Temporary Chair’s right to vote as a delegate in the first place. The Temporary Chair shall serve until the election by the convention of a Permanent Chair.

Section 7: Sessions

The times, length and agenda of the State Convention shall be determined by the State Chair, with the approval of the State Central Committee.

Section 8: Qualification of Delegates

Each delegate or alternate shall be an enrolled Democratic elector residing in the district which each delegate or alternate represents.

Section 9: Alternates

Except with respect to automatic delegates (such automatic delegates consisting of either State Central Committee members as provided for in Article I Section 1(f), or individuals elected to represent Connecticut on the Democratic National Committee as provided for in Article II Section 3), each delegate to a convention elected in conformity with law and with these rules may, if in good standing, designate in writing an alternate delegate to act in that delegate’s absence at any convention or other meeting of delegates held under these rules. Such appointment of an alternate shall cease to be effective upon adjournment of the respective convention or meeting, except as otherwise provided in Article I, Section 4. In the absence of such alternate delegate, the Town Chair shall have the right to fill vacancies in delegations to conventions during conventions and until the respective convention adjourns. This right to fill vacancies shall cease upon adjournment of the convention or other meeting.

Automatic delegates to the State Convention must appear and cast their ballot in person, and shall not be permitted to designate alternate delegates.

Section 10: Challenges to Delegates

A. Prior to the opening of the State Convention, five percent (5%) of the enrolled Democrats or five hundred (500) enrolled Democrats in any town (whichever is less) may challenge any delegate or delegates elected from their town.

B. The challenge shall be provided to the State Chair by registered or certified mail, and must be received at least seven (7) days before the opening of the State Convention. A copy of the challenge shall be sent to all delegates challenged and to the Town Chair from the municipality from which each challenged delegate was elected.

C. The State Chair shall notify the Committee on Credentials of the challenge and a meeting of said committee shall be called to order at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the first session of the Convention, and both sides shall be allowed equal time to present their case.

D. The Committee on Credentials shall issue a decision prior to the convening of the Convention. No challenged delegate may vote on the report of the committee involving their respective challenge, nor shall a challenged delegate participate as a committee member with respect to their respective challenge.

Section 11: Preliminary Platform Committee and Pre-Convention Rules Committee. 15

A. When, in accordance with these rules, a Platform Committee is to be formed, then the State Chair, not less than ten (10) weeks prior to the opening of the State Convention, shall appoint two (2) persons from each state senatorial district to a Preliminary Platform Committee which shall conduct public hearings throughout the state on the platform. Such public hearings may be held remotely, at the discretion of the State Chair, to ensure the health and well-being of all participants. The Preliminary Platform Committee shall prepare a draft of the platform and deliver it to the Platform Committee at least two (2) weeks prior to the opening of the State Convention.

B. Not less than ten (10) weeks prior to the opening of each State Convention, the State Chair shall appoint a Pre-Convention Rules Committee to recommend changes in the State Party Rules and to recommend convention rules to the Committee on Rules and Resolutions.

Section 12: State Convention Committees

The committees of the State Convention shall include a Committee on Credentials; a Committee on Permanent Organization, a Committee on Rules and Resolutions, and such other committees as shall be determined by the State Central Committee. There shall be a Platform Committee at each State Convention wherein a candidate for governor shall be nominated. The memberships of each committee shall be elected in accordance with Article I, Section 3. The committees shall fulfill the following functions along with any others designated by the State Central Committee:

A. Credentials – Report on all challenges to delegates in accordance with Article III, Section 10, above.

B. Permanent Organization – To nominate the Permanent Chair and Permanent Secretary of the State Convention and to appoint the Sergeants-at-Arms and the Pages of the State Convention.

C. Rules and Resolutions – To propose changes deemed necessary in these rules and to propose procedures for the State Convention and such resolutions as shall be deemed necessary or appropriate by the committee.

D. Platform – To present to the State Convention a platform and such resolutions deemed appropriate by the committee.

Twenty-Five percent (25%) or more of the members of any committee shall be allowed to make a minority report to the State Convention on any matter decided by the committee. The function and term of each committee shall end with adjournment of the State Convention.

Section 13: Endorsement of Candidates

A. The State Convention and the congressional district conventions shall endorse candidates for nomination to each of the statewide offices or congressional district offices, as the case may be.

Candidates so chosen shall run in the primary as party-endorsed candidates. Any candidate that receives fifteen percent (15%) on any announced, final or accepted roll call vote shall be eligible to primary. Such candidate shall be the nominee of the Democratic Party if:

1. no other person has received at least fifteen percent (15%) of the votes of the convention delegates present and voting on any roll call vote taken for endorsement or proposed endorsement of a candidate for such office; or

2. no other person receives at least two percent (2%) of the valid signatures of registered Democrats in the state or in a congressional district, as applicable; or

3. no valid opposing candidacy has been filed for nomination to such office by four o’clock (4:00) p.m. on the fourteenth (14th) day following the close of the convention.

B. The state senatorial, assembly and judge of probate district convention shall endorse a candidate for nomination to each of the state senate, assembly, or judge of probate offices, as the case may be. The only requirement to participate as a candidate in a convention shall be that the candidate is a registered Democrat in the applicable district. Candidates so chosen shall run in the primary as party-endorsed candidates. Any candidate that receives 15% on any announced, final or accepted roll call vote shall be eligible to primary. Such a candidate shall be the nominee of the Democratic Party if:

1. no other person has received at least fifteen percent (15%) of the votes of the convention delegates on any roll call vote taken for endorsement or proposed endorsement of a candidate for such office; or
2. no other person receives at least five percent (5%) of the valid signatures of registered Democrats in the district; or
3. no valid opposing candidacy has been filed for nomination to such office by four o’clock (4:00) p.m. on the fourteenth (14th) day following the close of the convention.

Section 14: Nomination and Selection of Party Endorsed Candidates

A. Candidates for nomination may be proposed from the floor of any convention by any delegate. Whenever two (2) or more candidates for nomination to any office are proposed, the vote as between them shall be taken by roll call.

B. The secretary of the convention shall call the roll and keep a true record, in writing, of the vote of each delegate entitled to vote and voting at the convention, and shall, at the conclusion of the roll call, announce the result of the vote. The secretary shall file such record at the headquarters of the State Central Committee where it shall be preserved for a period of six (6) months after the adjournment of the convention and such record shall be open to public inspection at all reasonable times.

17

C. To obtain the endorsement of a convention, a candidate must receive a majority of the votes of the convention delegates present and voting. In the event that a vote taken on the selection of a party endorsed candidate results in a tie, such tie shall be dissolved by the vote of the permanent chairperson of the convention, but this provision shall not affect the permanent chair’s right to vote as a delegate in the first place.

Section 15: Certification of List.

The secretary of each convention, shall prepare an accurate list, printed by hand or typewritten, of the candidates endorsed by the convention, and also of any candidates receiving at least fifteen percent (15%) of the votes of the convention delegates present and voting on any roll call vote taken on the endorsement or proposed endorsement of a candidate, whether or not the party endorsed candidate received a unanimous vote on the last ballot, with the names, street addresses and towns of the person so endorsed or receiving fifteen percent (15%) of the votes and the title of the office for which each person is a candidate. This list shall be certified by the permanent chairperson and the secretary of the convention and shall be delivered to the Secretary of the State by the chairperson of the convention not later than forty-eight (48) hours after the close of the convention. Together with such list, said chairperson shall also file with the Secretary of the State the names, street addresses and towns of persons selected as the nominees for Presidential Electors, pursuant to the provision of Section 17 below. Copies of such lists shall also be delivered to the Secretary of the State Central Committee.

Section 16: Plurality Vote Determinative of Nomination.

Whenever a primary for nomination to a state or district office is to be held under the provision of the State Primary Law, set forth in Title 9 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as the same may be amended from time to time, the nominee of the Democratic Party for such office shall be the person receiving a plurality of the votes cast.

Section 17: Presidential Electors.

In the year of a presidential election, Presidential Electors shall be nominated at the State Convention by a majority vote of the delegates present and voting.

Section 18: National Convention Delegates.

Delegates to National Conventions shall be elected in accordance with Democratic National Committee Charter. The delegate selection process should be completed early enough to enable delegates to participate fully in National Convention committees.

Section 19: Unit Rule.

The unit rule shall not be permitted at any convention. This means that a delegation from a town may not be required to vote as a unit.

For statutory references, see Conn. Gen. Stat. Secs. 9-383 through 9-393. Statutes cited herein for this Article may not be the solely applicable statutes.

ARTICLE IV VACANCIES

Section 1: Vacancy in Endorsement (Prior to the Primary)

A. If a person endorsed for nomination to an office or for election to the position of town committee member, prior to twenty-four hours before the opening of the polls at the primary, dies or, prior to ten days before the day of such primary, withdraws their name from nomination or for any reason becomes disqualified to hold the office or position for which they are a candidate, then the State Central Committee, the town committee or other authority of the party which endorsed such candidate may make an endorsement to fill such vacancy or provide for the making of such endorsement, in such manner as prescribed in Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 9-460, except as otherwise provided in these Rules, and certify to the registrar and municipal clerk or to the Secretary of the State, as the case may be, the name of the person so endorsed. If such certification is made at least twenty-four hours prior to the opening of the polls at the primary, in the case of such an endorsement to replace a candidate who has died, or at least seven days before the day of such primary, in the case of such an endorsement to replace a candidate who has withdrawn or become disqualified, such person so endorsed shall run in the primary as the party-endorsed candidate, except as provided in Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 9-416 and Sec. 9-417.

B. The State Chair shall have the right to cast a vote to dissolve a tie when a vacancy in an endorsement is to be filled by the State Central Committee.

Section 2: Vacancy in Nomination (After the Primary and Prior to the Election). A. When the Vacancy Occurs.

(a) More than Twenty-Four (24) Days before the Polls Open (except for death). If a nomination has been made for an office and the nominee thereafter but prior to twenty- four (24) days before the opening of the polls on the day of the election for which such nomination has been made, withdraws from nomination, or for any reason the nominee becomes disqualified to hold the office, then the vacancy shall be filled as prescribed in Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 9-460, except as otherwise provided herein.

(b) Death.

(i) If a nominee dies prior to twenty-four (24) hours before the opening of the polls on the day of the election for which such nomination has been made, then the vacancy shall be filled as prescribed by Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 9-460, except as otherwise provided herein.

(ii) If a nominee dies within twenty-four (24) hours before the opening of the polls on the day of the election for which such nomination has been made, and prior to the closing of the polls, then as prescribed in Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 9-460, except as otherwise provided herein.

B. How the Vacancy is Filled.

1. (a)  Statewide Candidate. In the case of an office for which all the electors of the state may vote, the vacancy shall be filled by the State Central Committee, meeting upon no less than five (5) days’ notice., by a majority vote of those present and voting.
2. (b)  Congressional Candidate. In the case of the office of congressperson, the vacancy shall be filled by the Members of the State Central Committee representing territory within the congressional district, meeting upon no less than five (5) days’ notice by a majority vote of those present and voting.
3. (c)  Single-Town District, Convention Delegate. In the case of the office of single-town judge of probate, state senator, state representative, convention delegate, or any other office not otherwise specifically provided for herein:

   (i) 60 Days or More before Polls Open (except for Death): Where the vacancy occurs sixty (60) days or more but prior to twenty-four (24) days before the opening of the polls on the day of the election for which such nomination has been made, then the vacancy shall be filled by reconvening the body which previously decided the party endorsement for the office, meeting upon no less than five (5) days’ notice, by a majority vote of those present and voting, except that where the previous endorsing body was a caucus then the town committee shall be convened to fill the vacancy. The provisions of this section shall also apply in the case of a town’s State Convention delegation not properly apportioned as required by Art. III, Section 3. In the event of such improper apportionment, the endorsing body shall fill any vacancies for under-represented senatorial districts and shall correspondingly reduce the number of delegates from over-represented senatorial districts.

   (ii) Less Than 60 Days before Polls Open (except for Death): Where the vacancy occurs less than sixty (60) days but prior to twenty-four (24) days before the opening of the polls on the day of the election for which such nomination has been made, then the vacancy shall be filled by the town committee of the town within which the vacancy has occurred meeting upon no less than three (3) days’ notice, by a majority vote of those present and voting, or as the local party rules may otherwise provide.

(iii) Death More than 24 Hours before Polls Open: Where the vacancy occurs due to the death of the nominee more than twenty-four (24) hours before the opening of the polls on the day of the election for which such nomination has been made, then the vacancy shall be filled, upon reasonable notice, by the town committee of the town within which the vacancy has occurred by a majority vote of those present and voting or as the local party rules may otherwise provide.

4. (d)  Multi-town District. In the case of the office for a multi-town state senatorial assembly or judge of probate:

   (i) 60 Days or More before Polls Open (except for Death): Where the vacancy occurs sixty (60) days or more but prior to twenty-four (24) days before the opening of the polls on the day of the election for which such nomination has been made, then the vacancy shall be filled by reconvening the body which previously decided the party endorsement for the office, meeting upon no less than five (5) days’ notice, by a majority vote of those present and voting.

   (ii) Less Than 60 Days before Polls Open (except for Death): Where the vacancy occurs less than sixty (60) days but prior to twenty-four (24) days before the opening of the polls on the day of the election for which such nomination has been made, then the vacancy shall be filled, upon no less than three (3) days’ notice, less by the State Central Committee members and Town Chairs for the district within which the vacancy has occurred, by a majority vote of those present and voting.

   (iii) Death More than 24 Hours before Polls Open: Where the vacancy occurs due to the death of the nominee more than twenty-four (24) hours before the opening of the polls on the day of the election for which such nomination has been made, then the vacancy shall be filled, upon no less than three (3) days’ notice,, by the State Central Committee members and Town Chairs for the district within which the vacancy has occurred, by a majority vote of those present and voting. If such vacancy shall occur less than eight (8) days prior to the opening of the polls, reasonable notice shall suffice.

5. (e)  Where a State Central Committee member or Town Chair who is called upon under subsection (d) of this section B to fill a vacancy does not reside within the district for which a vacancy is to be filled, the State Central Committee member or Town Chair shall appoint a proxy who is a voter in said district for the purpose of filling such vacancy.
6. (f)  No candidate shall be deemed to have withdrawn until a letter of withdrawal signed by such candidate is filed with the Secretary of the State in the case of a state or district office or the office of state senator or state representative from any district, or with the municipal clerk in the case of a municipal office other than state senator or state representative. A copy of such candidate’s letter of withdrawal to the municipal clerk shall also be filed with the Secretary of the State.

Section 3: Tie Vote in Filling Vacancy.

A. The State Chair shall have the right to cast a vote to dissolve a tie when a vacancy in a nomination is to be filled by the State Central Committee.

B. When a tie vote occurs among members of the State Central Committee and Town Committee Chairs in filling a vacancy under the provisions of this Article, the State Central Committee member who is senior in terms of cumulative service as a State Central Committee member representing the district within which the vacancy occurs, or a portion thereof, shall have the right to cast a vote to dissolve the tie.

C. If seniority of two or more State Central Committee members is identical for the purposes of dissolving a tie under this Article, the member who shall dissolve the tie shall be determined by random process.

Section 4: Certification of Filled Vacancy.

A. Whenever a vacancy in a nomination for a state or district office, is filled, pursuant to this Article, the action shall immediately be communicated to the State Chair, who shall certify the same as prescribed by statute, except as otherwise provided herein. In the absence of the Chair, such certification shall be made by the Secretary of the State Central Committee.

B. Whenever a vacancy in a nomination to an office for which only the electors of a single town may vote is filled, the Town Chair or Secretary of the town committee shall immediately certify the same as prescribed by statute, except otherwise provided herein. Certification of such nomination to fill a vacancy due to death or disqualification shall include a statement setting forth the reason for such vacancy.

Section 5: Vacancy, Presidential Elector, Delegate, Alternate Delegate to National Convention

Any vacancy in the position of delegate or alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention shall be filled in accordance with the Connecticut Delegate Selection Plan. A vacancy in the position of presidential elector which occurs prior to the election at which presidential electors are to be chosen, shall be filled by the State Central Committee, meeting upon no less than five (5) days’ notice, by a majority vote of those present and voting. A vacancy in the position of presidential elector which occurs on or after the election at which presidential electors are to be chosen, shall be filled pursuant to the provisions of Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 9- 176.

For statutory references, see Conn. Gen. Stat. Secs. 9-164 through 9-237, Sec. 9-428 and Sec. 9-460. Statutes cited herein for this Article may not be the solely applicable statutes.

ARTICLE V DISPUTE RESOLUTION COMMITTEE

A. Any elector enrolled in the Connecticut Democratic Party may file a complaint to address any dispute relating to the interpretation and effect of state or local party rules and procedures, including but not limited to endorsements. The complaint must be submitted in writing to the State Chair. No later than five (5) business days after receipt of the complaint, the Chair shall:

1. Notify the State Central Committee and members in the applicable district of the dispute, and
2. Appoint a Dispute Resolution Committee to hear the matter. The Dispute Resolution Committee shall be composed of no less than three (3) nor more than five (5) members of the State Central Committee, appointed by the Chair, none of whom shall represent the district or districts concerned.

B. The Dispute Resolution Procedure:

1. The Dispute Resolution Committee shall set a time and place for a hearing of said dispute within five (5) business days of its appointment.
2. The parties to the dispute shall receive notice at least seven (7) business days prior to the hearing, unless exigent circumstances warrant less notice. Such hearing may be conducted with all participants appearing in person or virtually, at the discretion of the Chair.
3. The Dispute Resolution Committee shall issue its decision within five (5) days of the close of the hearing, and a written copy of such decision shall be filed with the State Central Committee, and provided to each party to the dispute.
4. When exigent circumstances arise, the State Chair shall have the authority to modify the time requirements set forth in this Article.

C. In order to resolve any such disputes, State Central Members may seek the informal views from Counsel for the State Central Committee. The provision of such informal views by State Central Committee Counsel shall not prohibit said Counsel from advising the Dispute Resolution Committee.

D. The decision of the Dispute Resolution Committee shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all parties.

For statutory references, see Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 9-387. Statutes cited herein for this Article may not be the solely applicable statutes.

ARTICLE VI PRIMARY LAW

The nominations of the Democratic Party to all public offices and the election to a town committee and delegates to conventions shall be made in all respects in accordance with the State Party Rules, as may be amended from time to time, provided that no person may contest in a primary for any State or multi-town district office unless such person has received at least fifteen percent (15%) of the votes of the convention delegates present and voting in at least one roll call vote at a duly called and conducted convention for the endorsement of candidates for such offices, in accordance with the provisions of Article III of these rules, or such person has received the valid signatures of two percent (2%) of the registered Democrats in the State or congressional district, or the valid signatures of five percent (5%) of the registered Democrats in the State Senatorial, Assembly or Judge of Probate district.

ARTICLE VII RULES GOVERNING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN ALL TOWNS

The following rules shall govern the activities of the Democratic Party in each town of the state, whether or not the local party has adopted its own rules, notwithstanding any local party rule to the contrary.

Section 1: Election of Town Committees

A. Candidates for town committee members shall be selected by the enrolled members of such party in caucus or via a direct primary held in accordance with the Connecticut General Statutes. Any candidates who are endorsed at the caucus in the circumstances where there is no primary shall be deemed elected as of the primary date. A town committee may be endorsed and elected on a district basis as such town committee may prescribe.

B. Caucus. At caucus meetings, any eligible person may be nominated from the floor, notwithstanding any notice or pre-registration requirements in the local rules. Notice of the time, place and purpose of said caucus shall be given to all enrolled Democratic voters of the municipality at least five (5) days, but not more than fifteen (15) days, in advance of the caucus by publication of the same in a newspaper having general circulation in the municipality. At any caucus duly called for the endorsement of members of a town committee, nominations for such town committee members may be made by (1) presentation to the caucus of a slate composed of a number of persons equal to or less than the number of town committee members to be elected as prescribed by local party rules or (2) by nomination of individual candidates. Voting by slate is only permissible when the election is between two or more slates of equal number. In the endorsement of such candidates, voting shall be in accordance with the local party rules, but in no event shall a member of the caucus vote for a greater number of candidates than those to be elected. In the event no endorsement is made by the above stated method, then there shall be no endorsement, and election to such town committee shall be made by direct primary as provided by law.

C. The payment of dues shall not be a requirement for the endorsement or election of a candidate for any local party or town committee position.

D. No person shall be eligible to serve on the town committee unless they are a registered member of the Democratic Party.

Section 2: Primary Date

On the first Tuesday in March in each even-numbered year, each town committee, if needed, shall hold a primary for the election of town committee members.

Section 3: Terms of Members

Unless otherwise provided in this Article, members of the town committee shall serve for a term of two (2) years, commencing on the Wednesday after the first Tuesday in March in each even- numbered year and ending on the first Tuesday in March of the next even-numbered year.

Section 4: Election and Call of Organizational Meeting

A. Not more than thirty (30) days following the day fixed for the holding of a primary for the election of town committee members, the chair of the town committee in office at the time of said primary shall call a meeting of the newly elected town committee for the purpose of electing such officers of the town committee pursuant to the local party rules. If such Town Chair fails, for any reason, to call such meeting by the end of the prescribed thirty (30) day period, the Vice Chair in office at the time of the primary shall call the meeting within forty-eight (48) hours.

B. If, for any reason, the Vice Chair does not call the meeting within the prescribed forty-eight (48) hour period, the State Central Committee members in the district shall call the meeting within the next forty-eight (48) hours. When the meeting must be called by the Vice Chair or a State Central Committee member, the call of the meeting will be valid notwithstanding any otherwise applicable rule concerning time and notification of town committee meetings.

Section 5: Quorum and Notice

A. Two fifths (2/5) of the membership of the town committee shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.

B. For regular meetings, the secretary shall give five (5) days prior written notice to all Committee members stating the time, place and purpose or agenda of the meeting by mail, facsimile or electronic mail or courier. For special meetings, the Secretary shall give forty- eight (48) hours prior written notice by mail or electronic mail or courier, to all town committee members stating the time, place and purpose or agenda of such meeting. Notice of regular and special meetings also will be posted on the town committee’s website at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting.

Section 6: Slate Endorsement of Convention Delegates

A. At any caucus or town committee meeting duly called for the election of delegates to any convention, nominations for said delegates may be made (1) by presentation to the caucus or town committee of a slate composed of a number of persons not exceeding the number of such delegates to which the town is entitled under the state rules of the Democratic Party or (2) by nomination of individual candidates. Voting by slate is only permissible when the election is between two or more equal slates.

B. In the selection of such delegates, each member of the caucus or town committee member present and voting shall vote for a number of delegates not to exceed the number of a slate as defined above.

C. The voting for delegates to each convention shall be done by individual convention. Section 7: Increased Membership.

The town committee, at a meeting called for the purpose, may, by majority vote of those present and voting, increase its membership, provided that all new members shall begin in office the next day, following their election and shall continue in office only until the next date for election of town committee members.

For statutory references, see Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 9-393. Statutes cited herein for this Article may not be the solely applicable statutes.

Section 8: Town Committee Meetings

All meetings of the full Democratic town committees (excluding committees, subcommittees and other sub-groups of town committees) shall be open to the public for observation, and votes shall not be taken by secret ballot. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a town committee may enter executive session in appropriate circumstances which may include, but are not limited to, the following:

(A) Discussion concerning the performance, evaluation, health, dismissal or removal of (1) a public officer or employee, (2) a candidate or potential candidate for election or appointment to a public position, (3) an officer or member of the town committee or a person holding a position within the Democratic Party, or a candidate or potential candidate therefor;

(B) Discussion of strategy and negotiations with respect to pending or threatened claims or litigation;

(C) Discussion of strategy with respect to election campaigns;
(D) Discussion of financial matters including fund raising strategy; (E) Discussion of security strategy; and
(F) Discussion of matters deemed confidential by law.

To the extent reasonably feasible, full town committee meetings shall be held in places accessible to all Democratic Party members and shall be conducted pursuant to publicly available agendas. Notices of full Democratic town committee meetings and the applicable agenda shall be provided to the town committee members, posted electronically if feasible by such committee, not less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to said meetings. The meeting may be conducted in person or virtually or both, at the discretion of the Town Chair. If the meeting is to be held virtually, the town committee shall put in place measures to ensure that individuals who participate in the meeting are identifiable and are able to participate fully in the process.

Section 9: Limitation on Proxy Voting in Town Committee Meetings

Unless specifically provided for in local party rules, proxy voting shall not be allowed at any town committee meeting or for the endorsement of candidates or delegates.

Section 10: Filing of Local Rules and List of Officers and Members

Within one week after swearing in a new town committee and the election of Officers for any given term, the chair of the town committee shall file a copy of the town committee’s Local Rules, as well as a list of the names and addresses and other pertinent contact information of the officers and members of the town committee (in a format designated by the Democratic State Central Committee) with the Secretary of the Democratic State Central Committee.

Section 11: All Town Committees must adopt, no later than December 31, 2018, a procedure in their local rules to fill vacancies on their committees.

Section 12: Virtual Meeting Rules

A town committee may carry out its responsibilities through telephonic, video, or other technological means that provide for a virtual presence for its members and other participants.

A town committee shall put in place measures to ensure that individuals who participate in the party process are identifiable and are able to participate fully in the process. Such virtual presence shall satisfy the requirement in the State Party Rules, and town committee rules for members to be present for purposes of quorums and voting.

Section 12: Reconstitution of a Town Committee

A. A dispute concerning the constitution of a town committee shall adhere to the processes outlined in Article V, Section A. Should the dispute require the empaneling of a Dispute Resolution Committee, such committee shall be composed according to Article V, Section A.b. The Committee shall adhere to the time constraints provided by Article V, Section B.

B. Should the Dispute Resolution Committee determine that a town committee is not properly constituted, the Dispute Resolution Committee shall refer such matters to State Central Committee. The State Central Committee shall meet within fourteen (14) days of such referral. In order to reconstitute a town committee, an affirmative vote by a majority of the Members present and voting at a duly noticed meeting called is required.

C. If the State Central Committee orders the reconstitution of a town committee, the State Chair shall order a caucus of the enrolled members of the party be called for the purpose of electing members to the new town committee. Such meeting shall occur no more than seven (7) days after notice in a newspaper of general circulation in that town, on the State Party website and through social media channels. The State Chair shall appoint a State Central member from the district to serve as Temporary Chair at the caucus.

ARTICLE VIII. ADOPTION OF LOCAL RULES

A. Local party rules may be adopted by one of the three following methods:

1. By a caucus of the enrolled Democratic electors of the municipality called in the same manner as a caucus provided in Article VII Section 1.B of these rules.
2. By a convention of delegates chosen by the enrolled Democratic electors of the municipality in a manner prescribed in the local party rules of each municipality.
3. By the Democratic town committee at a meeting called in the same manner as a duly called town committee meeting for selecting party endorsed candidates as provided in local party rules.

B. In a municipality consisting of one voting district, the Town Chair, or, in the event of their failure to act, the Vice Chair, shall call a caucus within twenty (20) days upon the filing with the Registrar of Voters of such party in such municipality of a petition signed by at least five percent (5%), or at least five hundred (500) (whichever is less), of its enrolled party members, to take action on such petition.

C. In a municipality consisting of multiple voting districts, the Town Chair, or, in the event of the Town Chair’s failure to act, the Vice Chair, shall call a convention within twenty (20) days upon the filing with the Registrar of Voters of such party in such municipality of a petition signed by at least five percent (5%), or at least five hundred (500) (whichever is less), of its enrolled party members, to take action on such petition. Such convention shall consist of three (3) delegates from each voting district elected at a caucus of the enrolled party members of that district. It shall be the duty of the Town Chair, or, in the event of the Town Chair’s failure to act, the Vice Chair, to call such caucuses, which shall be held on the same day, designating the time, place and day by publishing said call in a newspaper having a circulation in such municipality, at least five (5) days before the day of such caucuses.

D. In the event the enrolled Democratic electors or the town committee in any town shall fail to adopt a method for adopting the local party rules, then the method of adopting said local party rules of said municipality shall be the same method used to select party endorsed candidates until such time as a method of adoption is lawfully adopted and filed by the proper authority.

ARTICLE IX. FILING OF LOCAL RULES

Within seven (7) days after party rules or any amendments to party rules are adopted by the Democratic Party in any town, a copy of the same shall be filed with the Secretary of the State Central Committee and the Secretary of the State and as otherwise required by law. Any amendments so filed shall set forth in full the section to be amended. Adopted party rules or amendments shall not be effective until sixty (60) days after the filing with the Secretary of the State. A copy of the local party rules is also to be filed with the town clerk of the municipality to which they relate.

In general, see Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 9-374, party rules to be filed. Statutes cited herein for this Article may not be the solely applicable statutes.

ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS TO LOCAL PARTY RULES

Local party rules may be amended by one of the three following methods:

1. By a caucus of the enrolled Democratic electors of the municipality called in the same manner as a caucus provided in Article VII Section 1.B of these rules.

2. By a convention of delegates chosen by the enrolled Democratic electors of the municipality in a manner prescribed in the local party rules of each municipality.

3. By the Democratic town committee at a meeting called in the same manner as a duly called town committee meeting for selecting party endorsed candidates as provided in local party rules.

The chair of the town committee, or, in the event of their failure to act, the Vice Chair, shall call a convention within twenty (20) days upon the filing with the Registrar of Voters of such party in such municipality of a petition signed by at least five percent (5%), or at least five hundred (500) (whichever is less), of its enrolled party members, to take action on such petition.

Such convention shall consist of three (3) delegates from each voting district elected at a caucus of the enrolled party members of that district. It shall be the duty of the Town Chair, or, in the event of their failure to act, the Vice Chair, to call such caucuses, which shall be held on the same day, designating the time, place and day by publishing said call in a newspaper having a circulation in such municipality, at least five (5) days before the day of such caucuses.

In the event the enrolled Democratic electors or the town committee in any town shall fail to adopt a method for amending the local party rules, then the method of amending said local party rules of said municipality shall be the same method used to select party endorsed candidates until such time as a method of amendment is lawfully adopted and filed by the proper authority.

For statutory references, see Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 9-375. Statutes cited herein for this Article may not be the solely applicable statutes.

ARTICLE XI COVERAGE

A copy of these rules shall be available on the State Party website and shall be deemed to cover the operations of the Democratic Party in each municipality until such time as the party within such municipality adopts a rule or amendment on the same subject matter, consistent with these rules and files the same with Secretary of the State Central Committee and the Secretary of the State and as otherwise required by law. See Articles IX and X, above.

ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS TO STATE PARTY RULES

1. These Rules may be amended by any State Convention. The State Central Committee, at a meeting duly called for such purpose, by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of its entire membership, may make such amendments and only such amendments, as may be made necessary by changes in the laws of the United States or the State of Connecticut or by the National Democratic Party Rules. Any changes or amendments made by the State Central Committee shall be in force only until the next succeeding State Convention, at which they must be submitted for ratification or rejection.
2. Nothing herein shall be construed to permit the State Central Committee to alter the basis of representation at conventions as provided in Section 3 of Article III of these rules unless such alteration be required by change in the laws of the United States or of the State of Connecticut or by the National Democratic Party Rules.

ARTICLE XIII ROBERT’S RULES GOVERNING

Robert’s Rules of Order (newly revised) shall be construed as applicable, controlling and conclusive on parliamentary issues, except as herein otherwise provided.

Amendments: Amended July, 1986 Amended July, 1994 Amended July, 1996 Amended July, 2000 Amended May, 2004 Amended May, 2008 Amended May, 2010 Amended May, 2012 Amended May, 2014 Amended May, 2016 Amended September, 2020

Appendix A

RULES GOVERNING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN TOWNS NOT HAVING LOCAL PARTY RULES

Towns without local party rules shall comply with the filing requirements in Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 9-374.

The following rules shall govern the activities of the Democratic Party in each town of the state in which no rules have been adopted by the local Democratic Party or have not been filed in accordance with Article VIII. The following rules also shall govern the activities of the Democratic Party in each town for circumstances where the local rules are silent or otherwise void. Where alternate sections bearing the same number are given, the applicable one, as indicated in the margin, shall govern.

Section 1: Town Committee Composition
A. For Towns Not Divided Into Voting Districts

The town committee shall consist of not less than ten (10) members, who shall be elected at large. Representation should be given to each section of the town.

B. For Towns Divided Into Voting Districts

The town committee shall consist of not less than three members from each of the voting districts of the town. The members of the town committee shall be elected to vote from their respective voting districts. In the vote in a primary for the election of town committee members from a voting district, only persons currently registered as members of the Democratic Party in such voting district shall be eligible to vote.

Section 2: Terms of Members

Members of the town committee shall serve for a term of two (2) years, commencing on the day following the day established for holding a primary for the election of said town committee members and ending with the day established for the holding of a primary for the election of the members of the succeeding town committee. The provisions of this section shall apply notwithstanding the lack of cause for a primary to elect said members.

Section 3: Vacancy

Any vacancy on the town committee, arising from any cause including failure to elect, may be filled by the town committee by a majority vote of those present and voting at a meeting called for that purpose.

Section 4: Election and Call of Organizational Meeting

Not more than thirty (30) days following the day fixed for the holding of a primary for the election of town committee members, the chair of the town committee in office on the day of said primary shall call a meeting of the newly elected town committee for the purpose of electing such officers of the town committee as are prescribed in local party rules. If such Town Chair fails, for any reason, to call such meeting by the end of the prescribed thirty (30) day period, the Vice Chair in office at the time of the primary shall call the meeting within forty-eight (48) hours. If, for any reason, the Vice Chair does not call the meeting within the prescribed forty- eight (48) hour period, the State Central Committee members in the district shall call the meeting within the next forty-eight (48) hours. When the meeting must be called by the Vice Chair or a State Central Committee member, the call of the meeting will be valid notwithstanding any otherwise applicable rule concerning time and notification of town committee meetings.

Section 5: Qualifications
The officers of the town committee need not be members of the town committee. Section 6: Term
Officers so elected shall hold office until their successors have been elected. Section 7: Duties

Each of such officers shall have the duties usually incident to their office and such other duties as the town committee may from time to time prescribe. In the event that a vote is taken that shall result in a tie, such tie vote shall be dissolved by the vote of the chair of the town committee, but this provision shall not affect their right to cast any vote, as a member of the town committee, to which they are otherwise entitled.

Section 8: Filing List of Officers and Members

Within one week after organization of the town committee, the Secretary shall file a list of the names and addresses of the officers and members of the town committee with the Secretary of the Democratic State Central Committee.

Section 9: Vacancy in Town Committee Office

If there shall be a vacancy in any office of the town committee, arising from any cause, the town committee may fill the same by a majority vote of those present and voting, at a meeting called for that purpose.

Section 10: Meetings, Minimum Meetings
The town committee shall meet at least four times a year. Section 11: Special Meetings

Special meetings of the town committee may be called upon written request, signed by twenty percent (20%) of the members of the committee, presented to the Chair. Upon receipt of such request, the Chair shall instruct the Secretary to give reasonable notice of the time and place and purpose of such meeting to all members of the committee.

Section 12: Selection of Party Endorsed Candidates
A. For Towns of Five Thousand (5,000) or More Population Under the Last Federal Census

The enrolled members of the Democratic Party in the municipality, at a caucus called for the purpose, shall, by majority vote of those present and voting, select party endorsed candidates for the town committee. The town committee, at a meeting called for the purpose, shall, by a majority vote of those present and voting, elect delegates to conventions and select party endorsed candidates for all other offices. In the endorsement of any person for an office, or election of a delegate, for whom only the electors of a political subdivision of the municipality may vote, only the members of the town committee elected from said political subdivision may participate.

B. For Towns of Less Than Five Thousand (5,000) Population Under the Last Federal Census

The enrolled members of the Democratic Party in the municipality, at a caucus called for the purpose, shall, by a majority vote of those present and voting, select party endorsed candidates for each municipal office and for town committee members, and shall elect delegates to conventions. In the endorsement of any person for an office or for a position as committee member, or election of a delegate, for whom only the electors of a political subdivision of the municipality may vote, only the enrolled members of the Democratic Party in such political subdivision may participate. The time and place of holding all such caucuses shall be determined by the town committee, and notice of the time, place and purpose of any such caucus shall be given to all enrolled Democratic voters of the municipality at least five (5) days, but not more than fifteen (15) days, in advance of the caucus by publication of the same in a newspaper having general circulation in the municipality and by posting the same on the public sign post in said municipality. The time of any such caucus shall be fixed so as to comply with the provisions of the Connecticut General Statutes. The chair of the town committee shall be the temporary chairperson of all such caucuses and shall preside until the meeting has selected its permanent chairperson. In like manner, the Secretary of the town committee shall act as secretary at all such caucuses until the meeting has selected its permanent secretary.

Section 13: Slate Endorsement

At any caucus or town committee meeting duly called for the election of delegates to any convention, nominations for said delegates may be made by (1) presentation to the caucus or town committee of a slate composed of a number of persons not exceeding the number of such delegates to which the town is entitled under the state rules of the Democratic Party or (2) by nomination of individual candidates. In the election of such delegates, each member of the caucus or town committee member present and voting shall vote for a number of candidates not to exceed the number of a full slate as defined above. The voting for delegates to each convention shall be done separately for each convention.

Section 14: Party Endorsed Candidates for Municipal Office

Candidates for municipal office chosen as provided in Section 12 above shall run in the primary for such office as party endorsed candidates. Any candidate shall be the nominee of the Democratic Party for the office for which they are a candidate if no valid opposing candidacy has been filed for nomination to such office by four o’ clock (4:00) p.m. on the twenty-first (21st) day preceding the day of the Democratic primary for such office.

Section 15: Party Endorsed Candidates for Town Committee

Candidates for town committee members chosen as provided in Section 12 above shall run in the primary for town committee members as party endorsed candidates. Any candidates shall be deemed elected as members of the town committee if no valid opposing candidacies have been filed for town committee members by four o’ clock (4:00) p.m. on the twenty-first (21st) day preceding the Democratic primary for town committee members.

Section 16: Insufficient Endorsements

If, for any reason, sufficient endorsements of candidates for municipal office or town committee members are not made, any eligible person may seek to become a candidate in accordance with Conn. Gen. Stat. §§9-405, 9-406, and 9-372 et seq.

Section 17: Certification of Party Endorsed Candidates and Elected Delegates

The Secretary and the Chair or presiding officer of the town committee, caucus or convention, as the case may be, shall certify to the municipal clerk the names and street addresses of the party endorsed candidates selected, and delegates elected, as provided in Sections 12 and 13 above. Such certification shall include the title of the office or position as committee member for which each person is endorsed and the date upon which the primary is to be held, or the convention for which the delegate has been elected. In the case of the endorsement of a person for an office or for a position as committee member, or election of a delegate, for whom only the electors of a political subdivision of the municipality or for a senatorial district located entirely within the municipality may vote, the Secretary of the town committee shall certify to the municipal clerk the name or number of such political subdivision or senatorial district.

Section 18: Date of Party Endorsement of Candidates

Each party endorsement of a candidate to run in a primary for the nomination of candidates for municipal office or for election as town committee members shall be made within the time frame established by the Connecticut General Statutes. Said endorsement shall be certified to the clerk of the municipality by the following two officials: the Chair and Secretary of the town committee, the permanent chair and secretary of the caucus or the permanent chair and secretary of the convention.

Section 19: Tie vote
A. For Towns of Five-Thousand (5,000) or More Population Under the Last Federal Census

In the event that a vote taken on selection of a party endorsed candidate results in a tie, such tie vote shall be dissolved by the vote of the chair of the town committee, but this provision shall not affect their right to cast any vote as a member of the town committee in the first place.

B. For Towns of Less Than Five-Thousand (5,000) Population Under the Last Federal Census

In the event that a vote on the selection of a party endorsed candidate results in a tie, such tie vote shall be dissolved by the vote of the permanent chairperson of the caucus, but this provision shall not affect their right to cast any vote as a member of the caucus in the first place.

Section 20: Vacancies in Party Endorsed Candidacy

A. If a party endorsed candidate for nomination to a municipal office or for election as Town Committee member, prior to twenty-four (24) hours before the opening for the polls at the primary, dies, or prior to ten (10) days before the day of the primary withdraws their name from nomination, or for any reason becomes disqualified to hold office or position for which they are a candidate, an endorsement may be made to fill such vacancy by the town committee, by a majority vote of those present and voting, at a meeting called for that purpose; provided if the original endorsement was made by the members of the town committee elected from only one political subdivision of the municipality, only such members shall participate in the endorsement to fill such vacancy.

B. The chair of the town committee may cast a vote on such endorsement to break a tie, but this provision shall not affect their right to cast any vote, as a member of the town committee, to which they are otherwise entitled. The Secretary of the town committee shall immediately certify the endorsement to fill such vacancy to the Democratic Registrar of Voters.

C. No candidate shall be deemed to have withdrawn until a letter of withdrawal signed by such candidate is filed with the municipal clerk.

Section 21: Plurality Vote Determinative of Nomination

The nominations of the Democratic Party to all offices and the election of members of the town committee and delegates to conventions shall be made in all respects as provided in the State Primary Law, as the same may be amended from time to time. At a primary for nomination to a municipal office or for election of town committee members the winner shall be determined by a plurality of votes cast.

Section 22: Vacancy in Nomination.

If a nomination has been made for a municipal office and the nominee thereafter, but prior to twenty-four (24) hours before the opening of the polls on the day of the election for which such nomination has been made, dies, withdraws their name, or for any reason becomes disqualified to hold the office for which they have been nominated, a nomination to fill such vacancy may be made by the town committee, by a majority vote of the town committee members present and voting at a meeting called for that purpose. The chair of the Town Committee may cast a vote on such nomination to break a tie, but this provision shall not affect their right to cast any vote, as a member of the town committee, in the first place. In the case of a withdrawal, said nomination shall not be valid until the candidate who has withdrawn has filed a letter of withdrawal, signed by such candidate, with the Secretary of the State, and also has filed a copy with the municipal clerk. The Chair of the town committee shall certify the nomination to fill such vacancy to the Secretary of the State, and shall file a copy with the municipal clerk. Such certification of a nomination to fill a vacancy due to death or disqualification shall include a statement setting forth the reason for such vacancy.

Section 23: Definitions

As used in these rules, “municipal office” means any elective office of a town, city or borough and the offices of justice of the peace, state representative in an assembly district composed of a single town or part of a single town, state senator in a senatorial district composed of a single town or part of a single town, and judge of probate in a probate district composed of a single town. The other terms used in these rules shall have the same meanings as in the State Primary Law, as the same may be amended from time to time.

Section 24: Special Caucuses.

Special caucuses may be called for any lawful purpose by a majority of the town committee or by not less than ten percent (10%) of the registered Democratic voters in the town. The call for any such special caucus shall be in writing and signed by each of the persons issuing the same, and notice of the time, place and purpose of said special caucus shall be given to all registered Democratic voters in the town, at least five (5) day in advance of such caucus, by publication in a newspaper having circulation in said town and by posting on the public sign post.

Connecticut Democratic State Party Rules Amendments:

Amended July, 1986

Amended July, 1994

Amended July, 1996

Amended July, 2000

Amended May, 2004

Amended May, 2008

Amended May, 2010

Amended May, 2012

Amended May, 2014

Amended May, 2016

Amended May, 2018

Amended May, 2020

Amended Feb, 2021

Amended May, 2022