News About Our Party

DNC Hails Decision to Keep in Place Consent Decree Barring Republicans From Voter Intimidation

December 2, 2009 - DNC Chairman Tim Kaine and DNC Vice Chair for Voter Registration and Participation Donna Brazile issued the following statement on yesterday’s ruling by the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey keeping in place a consent decree barring the Republican National Committee from voter intimidation and asserting that Republicans still have an incentive to engage in such illegal practices. Late last year the RNC asked that the consent decree, which it agreed to in 1982, be nullified, going so far as to argue that because the President and U.S. Attorney General are African American, there is no longer any reason for Republicans to be subject to limits on efforts to engage in “ballot security measures.”

“Yesterday's ruling is a victory for all Americans who believe that every eligible citizen should have the right to vote and have their vote counted. It also represents a resounding repudiation of the Republican Party's trumped up claims of voter fraud. Our great nation was founded on the principles of equality and freedom, and our founders envisioned the right to vote as central to our ideals. Yet for years, Republicans have engaged in deplorable practices that intimidate voters and make it more difficult for them to cast their ballot.

“This is wrong, and it is illegal. As the court made clear, these types of actions stand in the way of Americans’ fundamental rights under the Constitution of the United States. Republicans would be better served trying to engage minority and under-represented voters rather than trying to intimidate them. Yet there is overwhelming evidence that these types of practices still occur, that Republicans have engaged in them in recent elections and that without a consent decree barring such actions Republicans will continue to have an incentive to engage in them. That Republicans, who attempted to use foreclosure lists in the 2008 election to deny people the right to vote in Michigan, even asked the court to nullify this decree, shows just how eager they are to continue engaging in practices to suppress the rightful votes of thousands of American citizens.

“These are not the ideals that our country was founded on, and they should not be tolerated. We applaud yesterday’s decision and recommit ourselves to fighting to ensure that the right to vote is fully protected. And we encourage Republicans to work with us to reform our electoral system to remove any impediments to voting and to ensure our voting rights laws are enforced consistent with the law.”

Curt Hanson wins Iowa House special election

September 2, 2009 - Democrat Curt Hanson won a special election to replace former representative John Whitaker who was appointed to a role with the USDA. Iowa Democratic Party chair Michael Kiernan commented on the victory;

"I congratulate Curt Hanson on a successful campaign. His was a local campaign about local issues, and it is not surprising he was successful. Curt will make an excellent addition to the Democratic majority in the Iowa House. Congratulations to Speaker Murphy, Majority Leader McCarthy and the staff of the Iowa Democratic Party, for their outstanding effort and teamwork, and the victory that has followed.

"Democrats have been successful in the last two election cycles and tonight because we have recruited great candidates, followed through on the promises we've made and are governing the state responsibly.

"We will continue to build upon this strong organization and team approach as we prepare for statewide elections next fall. Tonight's results don't change our strategy for 2010. Tomorrow we will get back to work on candidate recruitment, fundraising and organizing. We have every reason to expect continued success."

Chabert wins Louisiana state Senate special election

September 1, 2009 - In Louisiana Norby Chabert won a special election runoff to hold onto the 20th Senate district deat. Democrats continue to hold a 23-16 advantage in the state Senate. Chabert's 54-45% victory drew considerable attention and participation from voters, About 26 percent of the district’s 67,950 eligible voters turned out for Saturday’s runoff, an increase from the 20 percent voter turnout in the Aug. 1 primary.

Kentucky Democrats win state Senate special election

September 1, 2009 - In Kentucky Democrats won a special election state Senate race when State Rep. Robin Webb won the 18th Senate district seat. The seat was made available when Gov. Beshear (D) appointed Sen. Borders to the Kentucky Public Service Commission. This victory pulls the Democrats in the state Senate to within two seats of sharing power.

“The Democrats have won the last two special elections. So if there is another special election this year, momentum is clearly on our side,” Worley said

DNC Department Descriptions

August 18, 2009 - Association of State Democratic Chairs (ASDC) provides guidance, support, and technical assistance to State Democratic Parties. It trains new State Chairs, Vice Chairs, Executive Directors, and staff. It serves as a liaison for state parties and coordinates meetings and forums. A list of current state chairs, state party headquarters, and Executive Directors is available from the ASDC office.

Communications facilitates the DNC's interaction with the press. Using traditional methods of communication (e.g. press releases and media events) in combination with new media tools (e.g. web ads and online components) communications works to promote President Obama's agenda for change and provide support to our state parties and Organizing for America.  Through our rapid response, research efforts and regional press team, communications holds Republicans accountable, advance Democratic principles and help Democrats win elections.

The Finance department is responsible for all DNC fundraising activities including direct mail, telemarketing, internet fundraising, and fundraising events with principals and surrogates from the DNC and the White House. The finance department is focused on fundraising at all levels, from marketing, small donor grassroots events to high donor dinners.

The New Media department specializes in online organizing, advocacy, and fundraising, communicating directly with the DNC's long-time subscribers as well as folks from the Obama campaign and newly-recruited members. By using the DNC's and OFA's own websites and email lists, as well as social media such as Facebook and Twitter, the New Media department is continuing to build on the Obama Campaign's success to harness online interaction and participation to help pass the President's agenda and elect Democratic candidates across the country.

The Office of the Secretary coordinates the planning of all National Committee, Executive Committee and Standing Committee meetings. This office also serves as the DNC’s liaison to the National Committee members. As the Party’s official record keeper, the Secretary’s Office maintains the DNC’s official membership lists and coordinates archival storage of the Party’s official records. It also compiles the list of National Convention delegates, oversees convention voting operations, and publishes the Official Proceedings of each convention.

The DNC Operations Department is responsible for management and monitoring of the committees day to day business and legal activities. The department ensures that the operations are efficient and effective and that the committee resources are managed in a way that allows for the implementation of the strategic plan as determined by the Executive Director.

Organizing for America is building on the movement that elected President Obama by empowering communities across the country to bring about our agenda of change. As a project of the DNC, OFA's primary focuses are mobilizing and organizing our nationwide grassroots movement to support President's Obama's plans for healthcare, education, and energy.  While the national headquarters is housed within the DNC, OFA has staff in states throughout the country.

Party Affairs and Delegate Selection (PADS) oversees the institutional affairs of the Democratic National Committee: Party rules, the delegate selection, DNC and Convention standing committees, official appointments and nominations, and early preparations for the Convention.

Political develops and implements the coordinated campaign strategy on behalf of the DNC with Democratic candidates at federal, state and local levels. The Political department also coordinates the interaction between the Party, State Parties, and allied organizations.

The Research Department is responsible for both the long and short term needs of the DNC. In the short term they provide the necessary facts for the rapid response required when promoting or defending the administration, including health care and the economy. They also focus on long term research concerning potential political opponents and third party groups. In addition, they maintain a very large television archive which the DNC and Democratic allies use for rapid response.

The Voter Protection Department provides the DNC with guidance on voting rights and election administration issues. Recognizing that protecting the right to vote is fundamental to our democracy, the work of the department begins well in advance of Election Day. Working with Donna Brazile, DNC Vice Chair for Voter Registration and Participation, the department monitors developments in state and federal election law, and coordinates with the Party at the local and national level to promote laws and policies that advance the right to vote. Through the DNC’s Voting Rights Institute, the voter protection department seeks to engage and educate voters about their rights, update voters on recent developments in the law, and encourage their participation in the political process. Working with state counsel and individualized state-based coordinators, the department helps develop programs to ensure that all eligible voters are able to cast a ballot and that every vote is fairly and properly counted.