LACDP Application for Democratic Charter Application

Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) is the number required to open a bank account. DO NOT use a personal Social Security number. If you do not have an EIN, you can request Internal Revenue Service Form SS-4 from (800) TAX-FORM or www.irs.ustreas.gov.Your FPPC or FEC I.D. Number is the number under which you report funds raised and expended. If your club does not have such a number, and you raise or spend money above a specified threshold, you may be violating the law. You can request an FPPC Form 410 from (916) 322-5660 or www.fppc.ca.gov and an FEC Form 1 from (800) 424-9530 or www.fec.gov.

"The application shall contain... Individual signatures, addresses and telephone numbers of the organization’s members who have not signed another organization’s charter application as set forth below:

(i) For membership organizations recognized as an affiliate of the California Young Democrats or College Democrats of America: not less than ten (10) members;
(ii) For all other membership organizations, including all other Democratic Clubs: not less than twenty (20) members

(iii) Because political action committees are not membership organizations, the only
signatures required for political action committees are of a responsible official agreeing to
comply with the chartering requirements and making the certifications required by the
application form."- LACDP Bylaws, Article 16, Section D

1. Membership -- Each member is a registered Democrat or is a person devoted to the principles of the Democratic Party but is ineligible to register as a voter at this time.  Any such ineligible person has expressed the intent to register as a Democrat immediately upon becoming eligible.

2. Nondiscrimination -- The organization does not require or use any test of membership or oath of loyalty which has the effect of requiring prospective or current members to acquiesce in, condone or support discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, national origin, physical ability, sex, age, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation or economic status.

3. Fair Bylaws -- It has bylaws and a constitution that require:

• Regularly held meetings, open to all Democrats, which requires at least 10-day prior written notice. 
• A regular election of officers for a reasonable tenure.
• Payment or waiver of dues/fees due to economic hardship.
• Dedication of its members to the principles of the Democratic Party.
• Prohibiting the endorsement of non-Democrats in any race or the financial support of non-Democrats.

4. Notification -- The organization will keep regular communications with Los Angeles County Democratic Party by sending notice of events and meetings to:

• The Chair of the LACDP.
• All members of the LACDP Assembly District delegation in which a majority of the organization’s members reside.
• The Co-Chairs of the LACDP Organization Committee.
• Mailing copies of the newsletter to the Los Angeles County Democratic Party office and/or info@lacdp.org.
   

Click here for a template of Constitution/Bylaws

Click here for a template of the Anti-Harassment Policy

Note: Democratic Clubs that raised or spent less than $1,000 last year may renew their charter for $50. Charter renewal is due on March 1 of each year. A late fee equivalent to 25% of the chartering fee will be applied if a club/organization has not submitted application for renewal sixty (60) days following the renewal deadline. If no application has been submitted thirty (30) days following the late fee deadline, LACDP will order the club/organization to cease and desist using the club's/organization's previous name. The LACDP Chair may extend the deadline with good cause. Charter application (both new and renewal) must be received by the LACDP at least 15 days prior to LACDP Monthly Membership Meeting in order to receive charter approval consideration at the meeting.