What is a PCO?

Many people who have been Republicans all their lives still have questions about how the Republican Party functions. Here are some answers.

What is a Precinct?

Each county is divided into precincts. They are the same for both Republicans and Democrats. San Juan County has 23 precincts. Each precinct may send one Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) for each party.

Precincts are based on population and every time there is a census the number of precincts may grow, shrink, or stay the same. On average a precinct is made of about 1,000 people.

How are PCOs elected?

Each precinct formally elects a PCO every two years on the same ballot as congressmen. They also go through the same primary process.

If a PCO candidate runs unopposed in the Primary, then they are determined “elected.” If a precinct is left vacant the chairman of the party may appoint one. An appointed PCO has all the same rights, but may not vote in the reorganization meeting held every two years to elect officers and they also can’t vote in the election or removal of the party chairman. There are often vacancies.

Why are there PCOs?

A PCO chairs his precinct caucus at the presidential election. A presidential caucus sends representatives to the county convention, followed by state and national conventions. The national convention selects the presidential candidate for the party. PCO’s are also the voting members of the county Central Committee and decide what the county party does. There is more to it than that, but the PCO plays a crucial role.

What is the Central Committee?

The PCOs make up the San Juan County Republican Party Central Committee (SJCRPCC). The Central Committee meets regularly to decide on everything the county party does. At its most basic level, PCOs are people who work together to plan and carry out conservative goals. They have great latitude in determining what those goals are. The central committee must authorize all expenditures.

The central committee elects Officers, which form the “Executive Board” to lead the party every two years. This consists of a Chairman, Vicechair, Treasurer, State Committeeman, and State Committeewoman. The chairman appoints a secretary, PCO’s, committees, and committee chairs.

Here are some things that the Executive Board and the Central Committee may do together or by separating into smaller committees:

• Distribute candidate information to voters.
• Maintain and update the list of registered voters and send out mailers.
• Plan Precinct Caucuses.
• Formulate policy, recruit candidates, and recruit volunteers.
• Plan and hold fund-raising events to help carry out the mission of the party.
• Endorse candidates and assist in various campaigns.
• Maintain bylaws to govern the party organization.
• Work with the state Republican party as needed, the State Committeeman/woman help coordinate this.

A strong and effective party looks to its PCOs to perform at least the above tasks.

These duties may take a minimum of two hours per month, and more in election years.