Figuring Out Your Ballot: “Member, County Central Committee”

Ballot Box in front of Pasadena City Hall (File Photo – ColoradoBlvd.net)

By February 5, all registered voters in Los Angeles should have their ballots for the March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary election, but do you know what all the races are about? One little-talked about race is for “Member, County Central Committee.”

By Melissa Michelson

The California Election Code governs all political parties. Every four years, registered Democrats and Republicans in assembly districts across Los Angeles County can elect up to seven delegate-members to represent them in their respective Party.

In total across the county, those members act as the governing body of the Party for four years.

Members of the County Central Committee in your area will join those who get elected in other areas of L.A. County to form part of the entire Party delegation (or “County Central Committee”). They may form smaller committees to interview politicians seeking endorsement, or meet regularly to consider and vote on which bills, resolutions or political candidates to endorse as a Party, and they may be able to participate on various organizational committees within the Party.

The Republican Party

According to the Republican Party’s bylaws, to be qualified as a member of the Republican Party of LA County, the registered Republican member would need to reside in the district they are elected for, and have been a registered Republican for a year or more.

Section 2 of the Bylaws state that “Meetings of the County Committee may be convened at any time upon the call of the County Chair. The County Chair shall call at least one meeting of the County Committee each quarter of each year.” The purpose of the meetings is to “transact any and all business of the members of the County Committee. No specific purpose for the meeting need be stated in the notice thereof…”

The Democratic Party

According to the Democratic Party‘s bylaws, a “Regular Member is a member of the Assembly District Delegation and Region for the Assembly District in which she/he resides.” Article II Section C of the Bylaws outlines 12 purposes of the County Central Committee, including, “To interview, develop and endorse Democratic candidates for public office” or “To develop party policies and positions and to communicate them to the public and to all officeholders.” Most members of the delegation have the right of vote, voice, and motion at all meetings…” The LACDP meets on the second Tuesday of the month (see Bylaws Article IX Section A) in Koreatown. Since July 2020 meetings have been on Zoom, except for the October 2023 meeting.

Curious about other districts, Parties or races?

Here is the list of all the candidates in all races in every district in Los Angeles County that appear on the March 5 primary ballot, including for the Peace and Freedom Party, Libertarian Party, Green Party, Republican and Democratic Parties, as well as those running as independent with No Party Preference and candidates running in non-partisan city races, school and college board races and for judge.

Did you know?
- While you can register or re-register to vote at any time, to vote in the upcoming election, you must have registered 15 days before Election Day. (FAQs about Voter Registration).
However, if you miss the deadline, you can do "Same Day Voter Registration” in person at a voting center.
- If you are a No Party Preference voter, you will receive a primary nonpartisan ballot with no presidential candidates, unless you request a party’s ballot. The Registrar’s website explains how to vote for President in the primary here.