The Democratic Party of Sacramento County

Meetings of the Central Committee

We invite you to attend the monthly meetings of the Sacramento County Democratic Central Committee. Meetings are open to the public and accessible to persons with disabilities. The Central Committee meets the second Tuesday of each month, at 6:00 p.m., in Room 127 of the State Capitol. Go to the Meetings document for more details.

History of the DPSC

In 1930, the People of the State of California enacted, by initiative statute, Proposition 14, which established County Central Committees within each county in California. County Central Committees are governed under Sections 7200-7244 of the California Elections Code. Each County Central Committee is the governing body of the local Party and is charged with conducting the party election campaign within their County. The Democratic Party of Sacramento County (DPSC) - also known as the Sacramento County Democratic Central Committee (SCDCC) - has been in existence since before 1960. A number of notable Sacramento County leaders have served as Chair of the local Party, including the late Gordon D. Schaber, former Dean of the McGeorge School of Law. Notable past elected members of the Central Committee are: the late Congressman Robert Matsui, former Assemblyman Phil Isenberg, Sacramento Mayor Joe Serna, Jr., Sacramento County Supervisor Roger Dickinson, and Sacramento City Councilwoman Lauren Hammond.

Party Structure and Organization

The structure and organization are fully described in the 2006 Constitution. Members of the Sacramento County Democratic Central Committee are elected by State Assembly District, at the Primary Election, of each even-numbered year. Candidates must be registered Democrats and live in the respective Assembly District. Candidates names appear on the Primary Election Ballot. The number of elected members from each Assembly District depends upon the number of votes cast, for the Democratic Party candidate for governor at the last gubernatorial election.

The Sacramento County Democratic Central Committee is comprised of at least 21 elected members. The current number of elected members is thirty (30); six members each from five (5) Assembly Districts: Assembly District 4, Assembly District 5, Assembly District 9, Assembly District 10, and Assembly District 15. If there are more vacancies on the committee than candidates for election, the remaining vacancies are filled by Central Committee appointment.

In addition, the Central Committee is comprised of not more than 22 Ex-Officio members: the Democratic Party nominees for the House of Representatives, State Senate, or State Assembly; and the Democratic Party nominees, for the U.S. Senate or state-wide constitutional office, who have permanent residence in Sacramento County.

Central Committee members may appoint an alternate or designee to the Committee. Upon written authorization, and after being sworn into office, an alternate or designee has the right to vote in the appointing member's absence. Alternates and designees are subject to the same rules as members, and must meet the same residence qualifications as the member who appoints them.

An elected member can be removed from office, if: (1) he/she registers as a member of another party, (2) advocates that voters should not vote for the nominee of the Party, or (3) supports a candidate of another party.

Every two years, commencing on the second Monday of odd-numbered years, the Central Committee reorganizes itself and elects new officers: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and Parliamentarian. The officers, together with three elected members-at-large, comprise the Central Committee's Executive Committee. In addition, the Central Committee has four standing subcommittees: the Committee on Constitution & Bylaws and Issues, the Committee on Community Outreach, the Committee on Campaign Services, and the Committee on Organizational Development.

Endorsements of Local Candidates and Measures

The Democratic Party of Sacramento County endorses local candidates and takes positions on local measures prior to each election. Questionnaires are mailed to candidates, and candidates who return them are invited to an interview. Interview panels are appointed by the Central Committee Chairman. After the interview process, the panels forward their recommendations to the Central Committee's Executive Committee, which reviews them and submits its recommendations to the Central Committee. The Central Committee then determines, by vote, which local candidates and ballot measures receive the official endorsement of both the Democratic Party of Sacramento County and the California Democratic Party. National and state offices and propositions are considered for endorsement by the State Party; local offices and measures are considered by the County Party. The Democratic Party of Sacramento County considers endorsements in all local races.