Caucus Procedures

Caucus Rules for 10/25/2025

***REGISTRATION FOR THE CAUCUSES WILL BEGIN AT 12:30 PM ***

These Caucus Rules adopted under Indiana Code: 3-13-11 and the

Rules of the Indiana Democratic Party: For an Office Vacancy.

CAUCUS RULES OF PROCEDURE

These rules are adopted by the Rules of the Indiana Democratic Party, for the caucus to fill a vacancy in the position of Secretary and to establish the procedure necessary for this caucus to conduct its business. Any dispute over the eligibility of a precinct committee person or their eligible proxy participating in a caucus must be filed in written form with the Hamilton County Democratic Party Chair Josh Lowry for resolution at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the convening of the caucus. The written eligibility question may be submitted by a candidate seeking nomination in the caucus or by a precinct committee person who is eligible under IC 3-13-11-5 to participate in the caucus. Any dispute that was presented to the caucus chair and not resolved prior to the caucus may be brought to a vote by the members of the caucus, excluding those persons named in the dispute.

Rule 1: Candidate Declarations

Persons desiring to run for Secretary of the committee office must be a party member as set forth under Rule 8(c), a qualified voter, and reside in Hamilton County. Your written intent to run must be received by 12:59 pm on October 16, 2025. Email notice to both the current Chair and Secretary: chair@hamcodemsin.org

Rule 2: Voting Eligibility & Quorum

Under Rule 22 (d), If a county chair invokes the 10-day candidate filing requirement for election to county committee office and the election for said office is uncontested, a majority of the eligible members present and voting constitutes a quorum.

Rule 21 (d) No proxy shall be valid at the organization meeting of a county central committee, on any vote to fill a vacancy among the officers of a county central committee, or on any vote to remove a county chair.

Rule 3: Voting Procedures

Under Rule 13 (j(1)) the county committee shall fill any officer vacancies occurring in the committee by election at any meeting called for such purpose upon due notice to all members provided in Section (j)(2) below. The person receiving a majority of the eligible votes present and voting at such

meeting shall be declared elected. A person so elected to fill a vacancy shall take office immediately.

Under Rule 13 (j-4), no new appointments of precinct committeepersons shall occur following the resignation or vacancy of a committee officer prior to the meeting to fill the vacancy.

Rule 4: Remarks

In order to meet the highest standards of transparency and public accountability, the caucus shall use the following procedures for candidate interviews and remarks:

Candidates will be called forward in alphabetical order by last name to present remarks not to last longer than 5 minutes. A strict time limit will be enforced by the chair of the caucus.

If successive ballots are held, remaining candidates will be called forward in rotating order by last name to present remarks not to last longer than 2 minutes. A strict time limit will be enforced by the chair of the caucus.

Rule 5: Balloting Procedures

Prior to the beginning of voting, the chair of the caucus shall designate at least one (1) persons to serve as a TELLER on the Election Committee with the Parliamentarian to oversee the counting of ballots for the election. A person who serves as a teller SHALL NOT be a voting member of the caucus.

Prior to the beginning of voting, the chair shall recognize each candidate to designate one (1) person to serve as a WATCHER on behalf of the candidate. A watcher MAY be a member of the caucus.

All ballots are by secret ballot. The Secretary shall call forward Precinct Committee persons, or their Vice Committee persons voting by proxy, to cast their ballot. As each voter approaches the voting station, a caucus staff person or volunteer shall give one (1) paper ballot to each voter. After marking the ballot, the voter shall deposit the ballot in the ballot boxes provided. When all voters have deposited their ballots, the teller(s) shall count the ballots in a location designated by the chair, with the consent of the watchers. Candidate watchers are entitled to observe this count, but SHALL NOT handle any ballots.

In the event the election is uncontested, the chair of the caucus may directly appoint the candidate to the position, or the caucus may suspend these rules and approve the selection by acclamation.

Rule 6: Declaration of Majority

The teller(s) shall provide the chair with a written report specifying the number of votes cast for each candidate. The chair shall then announce the results of the ballot. If a candidate received a majority vote (50% plus one) of those eligible to cast a vote for a candidate, the chair shall declare that the candidate has been selected to fill the vacancy.

Rule 7: Successive Ballots

If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast on the first ballot, the candidate with the fewest number of votes shall be eliminated from the contest and another ballot held with the remaining candidates. This process shall continue on successive ballots until one candidate secures a majority (50% plus one) and is declared the winner under Rule 5.

Rule 8: Tie Votes

If any ballot results in a tie vote between the candidates receiving the highest number of votes, the chair of the caucus shall break any tie vote pursuant to state law.

Rule 10: Other Considerations

The Rules of the Indiana Democratic Party shall govern all remaining questions of conduct regarding the caucus.