The Washington State Democratic Central Committee met in Bellingham this weekend in what would become a spirited debate on preserving it's values while meeting the challenges of the slow economy.
State Chair Dwight Pelz had announced that court rulings had declared the election of party Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) to be unconstitutional. Because of this the county auditors of Washington are to appear before the legislature to take the election of PCOs off the ballot, as it has proven to be costly. Pelz wanted to be able to have a "free hand" in negotiations with the legislature, including establishment of an online election of PCOs. The committee, wary of voter fraud, felt that online voting was not the way to go, in preserving such elections. After about an hour of discussions the proposal passed with a friendly amendment that made known of the body's disapproval of online PCO elections.
In a less controversial move, the committee allowed party activists to meet with their new Legislative Districts after the redistricting plans are approved. As you may know, both legislative and congressional district lines are in the process of being redrawn after the 2010 census.
In another resolution drawing spirited debate, the committee approved a proposal to decriminalize Marijuana with the intention of taking power out of the hands of the drug cartels. Although the measure past by a healthy margin, many voted against the proposal, on the basis that it would take attention away from more pressing issues. In addition, many thought that it would make election of Democrats even more difficult in more conservative legislative districts and counties
