What is a Precinct?

A precinct (also called a “voting precinct” or a “voter precinct”) is the smallest political subdivision in Texas.  Texas counties are divided into individual precincts that share communities of interest and are in all or most of the same political districts, such as legislative or congressional representatives. 

What is a Precinct Chair?

The Precinct chair is the Democratic Party’s elected representative and leader in their precinct.  Precinct chairs provide fundamental services to party effectiveness.  The main responsibility of the Precinct chair is to contact, organize, and guide Democratic voters in their precinct.  Precinct chairs are also members of the County Executive Committee (CEC), which conducts the local business of the Party. 

Qualifications to be a Precinct Chair

Qualified candidates are elected to serve a two-year term by voters in their precinct in the Democratic Primary Election. Vacancies can be filled at any time during a term by a candidate filling out the application and receiving a majority vote at the next meeting of the CEC.

To become a precinct chair, you must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older.

  • Be a registered voter in the precinct you wish to represent.

  • Reside in the precinct you wish to represent.

What does a Precinct Chair do?

Precinct Chairs are the contact person for the Democratic Party in their neighborhood. They work to become familiar with other Democrats in the area, to recruit and lead a neighborhood team, and to promote Democratic candidates and events whenever possible.  Here are a few things precinct chairs work on:

  • Organizing their precinct in order to increase Democratic voter turnout.

  • Motivating and mobilizing voters to get them to the polls.

  • Registering neighbors and friends to vote.

  • Serving on the County Executive Committee (CEC)-attending monthly CEC meetings.

  • Serving on CEC committees.

  • Plugging volunteers into county-wide efforts and local campaigns.

  • Bridging the gap between voters and elected officials.

  • Assisting in recruiting election judges for Primary and General elections.

Ready to step up? Click here to submit your completed precinct chair application!

Please contact us at info@travisdems.org with any questions.