Q: Who should file for PCO?

You should file for PCO.

Select your county to get started:

Or, explore the what, why, where, when, and how of filing for PCO.

Q: What is a PCO?

PCO stands for Precinct Committee Officer.

And PCOs are like local representatives of Democracy for your neighborhood. They serve for two year terms, and help administer and steer Democracy at a hyper-local level, within your voter precinct.

Q: And why should I file for PCO?

Here's five great reasons to file for PCO:

1. Democracy is not a spectator sport.

We often talk about the need for our elected officials to represent us, and that holds true at all levels. Not everybody can run for President, the highest level, but anybody can sign up to be a leader in their neighborhood.

When more people participate in the process — and when our elected officials at all levels truly reflect the will of the people — the people win.

2. PCOs get special voting privileges.

PCOs elect the members, chairs, and officials of many local Democratic organizations, including:

  • Legislative District Chair
  • County Chair
  • Vacancies in Partisan State or County offices
  • State Central Committee Members — who, in turn, elect:
    • the Washington State Party Chair
    • Washington's DNC Members

3. PCOs run the caucus.

PCOs are the de-facto chairs of Washington's Precinct caucuses, for Presidential and Congressional races. (But don't worry, you can even hand off this duty to someone else if public speaking isn't your favorite thing!)

4. Most precincts don't have a PCO.

Historically, most of these slots don't get filled, so your odds of running unopposed and winning are very high. (And if someone does run against you, you get your name printed on the official voting ballot! You're famous!)

5. It's completely free to do!

Just fill out a form to declare yourself, and you're in the running.

Q: Where is my voter precinct?

As PCO, your voter precinct is your dominion. These can be as small as a few city blocks in urban areas, or much larger out in rural areas. Get a lay of your land with this precinct lookup:

Q: So when do I file for PCO?

It's too late!

Filing week has come and passed, May 16th–20th. We'll have information up soon about how to become an Appointed PCO, which is a different process with your local Democratic organizations.

Q: OK! I'm in! How do I file for PCO?

  1. File your candidacy online

    You will file online with your county elections department. Find your county in this list to get started:

  2. Run It!

    Once you file, you are in the running! And one of two things happens from here:

    1. No one else files to run against you, so you win by default. Hooray!
    2. Someone files to run against you, and your name appears on the ballot in August.

    If someone does run against you, it's voters in your precinct who will be voting for you, so you'll have the chance to make your case on why you're the best fit from the job. But historically speaking, it's much more likely you'll run unopposed and win the thing.

  3. Relish!

    Awesome of you to join the troops! You are doing your part in making sure elected officers reflect the will of the people.

Q: What's this about a map?

We had 667 PCO candidates commit to filing — we'll update it it with info on who all DID file once we have that info available to us.:

Also, please share FileForPCO with your friends!