Become a PCO

Under Washington State law, the Chairman/Chairwoman of a political central committee is authorized to appoint Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) and Captains to vacant precincts following the even-year election of PCOs and the subsequent election of legislative District Committee officers. The completed form starts the process of approval in making such appointments. Our goal is to appoint Republicans who will promote Republican goals throughout the balance of the two-year term. By completing this form, you agree to promote these goals and support the Republican candidates.

As a PCO, you are the responsible Party official at the precinct level.

All PCOs must be registered voters.

NOTE: When you file to become a PCO, your filing information becomes public record, and is subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Elected PCOs

PCOs are voted into office during the primary election in even-numbered election years to serve two-year terms. If you were the only one to file in mid-May for your precinct, you were automatically elected. In contested precincts, candidates for PCO appear on the August primary ballot and are elected by voters in their precinct. The State Party requires that all elected PCOs receive at least 10% of the highest vote total for a Republican in that precinct. Once elected, you take office on December 1st of that year and help elect new officers and vote on or amend by-laws in your legislative district and county during the Reorganization Meeting.

Appointed PCO

If no PCO is elected in a particular precinct, then a Republican who lives in that precinct can be appointed by the county or legislative chair as the Appointed PCO. For more information about the requirements for becoming an Appointed PCO, contact the Chair of your legislative district or county organization. You may be required to fill out an application.

If you were appointed to the precinct in which you reside, you have much the same benefits and length of office as someone elected—but after the reorganization occurs.

Acting PCO

If you were appointed as an acting PCO, you have much the same benefits and length of office as someone elected—until an appointed PCO can be found or a reorganization occurs.

How do I file to become a PCO?

Running for election as a PCO is easy! Just submit a Declaration of Candidacy to your County Auditor during filing week, which begins two Mondays before Memorial Day and runs through Friday. Mail-in filing generally starts a few weeks before that.

You can file online, in person or by mail.

Because PCO positions are unpaid, there is no filing fee.

When filing, be sure to:

Enter office name and any position or district number defining the office for which you will be a candidate.

Enter your name and address exactly as it appears on your voter registration.

Print your name exactly as you want it to appear on the ballot. (Nicknames are acceptable)

Enter Republican for party preference

Read, sign, and date the oath. Your Declaration of Candidacy won’t be approved without your signature.

Click below to find your precinct.

https://www.fileforpco.com/

https://wsrp.org/pco/

Click here to find the website of your County Auditor.

Click here for a PCO Declaration of Candidacy form.

About PCOs

Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) are elected officials of the Party. As a PCO, you are the primary conduit between voters in your neighborhood and the Republican Party. Becoming active with your local Republican organization will make you a more effective PCO, and make a real difference in your community.

The most important day-to-day job of a PCO is talking to your neighbors. Your conversations with voters in your neighborhood help you represent them effectively at local party meetings, and provide us with important information for identifying the key voters in your area and reaching out to them effectively during campaigns.

Being a PCO is a great way to “build our bench” of future candidates. After actively participating in your party, making connections in your community, and learning about campaigns, you may decide to run for one of the 2000+ elected positions in Washington!

PCO responsibilities include:

Knock on your neighbors’ doors (or call them) to build relationships with voters in your neighborhood.

Educate undecided or swing voters.

Identify Democrats and Republicans.

Ensure Republicans are registered to vote.

Find out what issues motivate your neighbors, and share that information with local parties and campaigns.

Ensure the voices of voters are heard in local party decisions.

Communicate regularly with your local chair or PCO coordinator.

Coordinate with campaigns in educating voters and generating interest in an election on behalf of candidates and ballot measures.

Increase Republican voter turnout.

Remind voters to return ballots.

Attend legislative district and/or county reorganization meetings.

Nominate candidates for office in partisan races:

The State Party’s Rules for Nominations give local PCOs the power to choose the party’s nominees.

Participate in the appointment process when vacancies occur in partisan offices:

When a vacancy occurs, PCOs choose which candidates are submitted to the county council for appointment.

Participate in the candidate, proposition and ballot issue endorsement process:

PCOs are voting members who vote on the recommendations of your local organization. Check your bylaws for more information on this process.

Chair your precinct caucus during presidential election years under the direction of your local party chair. All this hard work adds up to precinct-by-precinct victories and the election of Republican candidates.

Cowlitz County Republican PCO list: Click here

Contributions to the CCRCC are not deductible as charitable contributions for Federal Income Tax purposes. Federal Election Law requires the CCRCC to report the name, mailing address, employer, occupation, and name of employer of each individual whose contributions aggregate in excess of $100 at our event. Contributions from foreign nationals are prohibited.

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