Boots on the Ground--Precinct Committeepeople Needed in Illinois

As Palin supporters move forward following the Governor's decision not to seek the presidency at this time, there is still a lot to be done on the local, state, and federal level. Governor Palin knows more than many the importance of getting involved on the local level, as she herself spent 10 years in local government. In addition to being aware and informed on a national and state level,we have opportunity to get involved locally. The smallest unit of elective politics is the precinct. Precincts are drawn up geographically and generally constitute  neighborhoods and small areas.  Each precinct has a GOP and Democratic committeeperson. These individuals have the responsibility and opportunity to help get out the vote on election day and help people in their neighborhoods become informed about all ballot issues from local referenda to presidential candidates. Republican News Watch has more information about what precinct committeemen and women do:

A Republican Precinct Committeeman represents the GOP voters of his or her precinct at the County Republican Party level. 

But most importantly, a Republican Precinct Committeeman is the face of the GOP within the precinct. In many cases, a Republican Precinct Committeeman might be the only party official a voter ever meets in person. 

This volunteer position is really what one makes of it. Some do more than others. But the Republican Precinct Committeeman’s job is in essence all about helping to grow the GOP and working to deliver the maximum number of Republican votes from his or her precinct on Election Day. Precinct Committeemen comprise the core of any grassroots effort and no political campaign can be successful without these front line GOP ambassadors. 

The principle means of doing the job is just an extension of what most people already do – talking to the neighbors. 

By becoming a Republican Precinct Committeeman you can take a leadership role in advancing the Republican Platform principles of lower taxes, smaller government, fiscal responsibility, individual freedom, strong national defense, and traditional family values. 

Many people begin their political involvement by becoming a Precinct Committeeman. It’s the perfect place to get started for anyone interested in building a better Republican Party and advancing our GOP’s values. And many Republicans have remained Precinct Committeemen even years later after being elected to higher public office. For example, it’s not uncommon to find U.S. Congressmen who are also Precinct Committeemen. They maybe more than anyone appreciate the Precinct Committeeman’s role.

Unfortunately, here in Illinois, only 49% of our precincts have GOP committeemen and women. Many conservatives in America and especially in Illinois are frustrated and disappointed with a Republican party that has too often has gotten away from the planks of the Republican party platform, and too frequently, the Democrats beat the Republicans on the ground game. This is a unique opportunity to get involved in locally and have a positive impact on the  GOP. Change and reform often occurs from the bottom up.

 Running for GOP precinct committeeman requires that you be at least 18 years old, a registered voter, and live in the precinct you're running in. You also need to collect at least 10 signatures on your petition from voters in your precinct by December 5th. For more information, please see here. If you live in Cook county, the process and structure are different. Cook county does not have precinct committeemen; they have Ward committeemen. They have the same requirements, but you need a different amount of signatures. You are required to collect signatures from at least 5 % of the GOP electors in your ward, but from no more than 8% of the electors. These are required by December 5th as well. Please see here for more information on the process in Cook county.

 A few of our fellow Illinois Organize4Palin volunteers are precinct committeemen. If you would like to connect with them with questions, please let me know (illinois@organize4palin.com), and we'll put you in contact. Let's steam ahead.

  Real hope comes from realizing how much God has blessed our exceptional nation, and then doing something about it. Governor Palin Crossposted from Illinois4Palin.