Often referred to as “the most powerful office in the world”, there is no political officeholder that is closer to voters than a precinct committeeperson (PC). We are on your ballot in even-year spring primaries, yet most voters have no clear understanding of the importance of the role that a PC holds.
First, what is a precinct?
If you are resident of McHenry County, you live in one of the 10,000+ precincts, in one of the 1,428 townships, in one of the 102 counties, in the state of Illinois!
Below are links to 223 individual precinct maps, in each of the 17 townships, in McHenry County, Illinois. Algonquin Township has the most precincts (63):
Alden (1), Algonquin (63), Burton (4), Chemung (5), Coral (3), Dorr (14), Dunham (2), Grafton (38), Greenwood (10), Hartland (2), Hebron (2), Marengo (5), McHenry (34), Nunda (29), Richmond (6), Riley (2), Seneca (3).
Precincts are the smallest unit that electoral districts are divided into. Illinois law sets maximum precinct size to 1,200 voters. Each precinct has a specific polling station where its residents go to vote on Election Day, however, more than one precinct may use the same polling station. The McHenry County Clerk decides how best to mange the needs the voters in each precinct and how each polling station is supplied with election judges, ballots and voting equipment.
What PC’s do and the statutory power they hold
PC’s are the backbone of the Democratic Party. It is a grassroots, volunteer effort. After being elected (or appointed) into the precinct we live in, we take an oath and a firm commitment to uphold our responsibility to the party. We participate in training, meetings and work to keep informed of local news and government action, that help us act as highly informed liaison between voters in our community and the Party.
Our work helps choose whose names will appear on the ballot for elective office, and what will be the policies of the political parties that provide the major support for those candidates. We engage voters at the door where we educate, take in their input and help them flex their political muscle. We are strong advocates for the interest of the voters in our precincts.
We also hold statutory power that is weighted by voter participation at the polls in the primary to help shape the Executive Board with our vote for County Chair and Executive Officers at the Democratic County Central Committee Convention every two years, following the Primary Election. Appointed PC’s hold the same opportunity to vote, however, unlike elected PC’s they can be removed by the Chair. Of of 223 precincts 109 are filled.
Our duties include:
- Pass petitions for candidates
- Distributing candidate information
- Voter education
- Driving voter turnout within our precinct
- Endorsing/Recommending candidates
- Voter registration
- Fundraising assistance
- Recruiting election judges
- Recruit volunteers
- Pollwatching
Illinois Election cycle and Precinct Committeeperson elections.
There is an election every year in Illinois. Example for 2024-2028:
2024 Presidential – spring primary
2025 Municipal (non -partisan election)
2026 Midterm (Congressional/Gubernatorial)- spring primary
2027 Municipal (non partisan election)
2028 Presidential – spring primary
PC’s are elected every two years in the primary of Presidential and Midterm elections because we are members of a political party Central Committee (Democratic or Republican). Just like other candidates we circulate petitions to gain ballot access for the primary election. We also circulate petitions for candidates running for state, county and federal seats.
Ready to help us keep Democracy on track? https://www.mchenrydems.org
