Malheur County Republican Central Committee
Become a PCP
What is a PCP? Why is a PCP important?
Watch this short video, "Precinct Committeeman Strategy," by Dan Schultz. CLICK HERE
Watch this quick 12-minute video, "Precinct Committeeman Tutorial." CLICK HERE
WHAT IS A PCP? A PCP or a Precinct Committee Person is an entry level official of the Oregon Republican Party (ORP). You can represent people that live within a precinct to their county Republican Party. In Malheur County, we have a total of 84 PCP positions divided amongst our 24 Malheur County Voting Precincts. We still have many openings for PCPs. You can help fill these vacant seats by becoming a PCP and by being Elected at a Primary Election (held in even-numbered years) or between elections you can be Appointed.
WHY IS A PCP IMPORTANT? A PCP is a voting member of the Central Committee in their county party, and the Central Committee in each county is authorized to make all decisions relating to its county party. As a Republican PCP, you will be voting on official Party business such as your county bylaws, resolutions, as well as electing county Party leadership and Platform Convention delegates.
ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible for the office of PCP, you must have a current active voter registration in the State of Oregon, and you must have been a registered Republican for at least 180 days in any state (with exceptions for voters who are applying within 180 days of their 18th birthday). Your county elections office will review and certify the eligibility of all persons seeking the role of PCP.
ELECTED PCP: To become an Elected PCP you must file as a Candidate and win at the Primary Election (held in even-numbered years). You need at least three votes.
APPOINTED PCP: To fill a vacancy in between elections, you can also become an Appointed PCP. Complete the Appointed PCP Malheur County Application Form (below). Then you will attend a Central Committee meeting to be voted in.
Do I need to be a PCP to volunteer in my county or state GOP? No. Any Republican can volunteer. Many of our volunteers do not feel the need to participate in the Central Committee and instead contribute to the party by working on our committees or on political campaigns.
TO BECOME A PCP:
1) Complete and sign the Appointed PCP Malheur County Application Form. (Download)
2) Submit your completed and signed form in person to the Chairman, Malheur County Republican Central Committee meeting, the third Monday, January to October, at 6:30 pm. Check Location: https://www.malheurrepublicans.org/events or Mail it to MCRCC, 1006 SW 6th Avenue, Ontario, OR 97914
3) Wait to hear from the Malheur Republicans. Be prepared to attend a Malheur County Republican Central Committee meeting to be voted in.
Local Elected Republicans - PCPs, Malheur County Republican Central Committee:
(Many of these positions are vacant and can be filled with Appointed PCPs)
Precinct #1 City of Ontario - 5
Precinct #2 City of Ontario - 9
Precinct #3 City of Ontario - 6
Precinct #4 City of Ontario - 6
Precinct #5 Applegate - 2
Precinct #6 Fair/Ontario Heights - 5
Precinct #7 Butte/Cairo - 4
Precinct #8 City of Nyssa - 6
Precinct #9 Rural Nyssa - 5
Precinct #10 City of Adrian - 2
Precinct #11 Rural Adrian - 3
Precinct #12 City of Vale - 4
Precinct #13 South Rural Vale - 3
Precinct #14 North Rural Vale - 4
Precinct #15 Willowcreek - 2
Precinct #16 Brogan - 2
Precinct #17 Ironside - 2
Precinct #18 Harper - 2
Precinct #19 Juntura - 2
Precinct #20 City of Jordan Valley - 2
Precinct #21 Rural Jordan Valley - 2
Precinct #22 Arock - 2
Precinct #23 McDermitt - 2
Precinct #24 Annex/Huntington/Farewell Bend - 2
"Elections are won or lost in the precincts."
TOP 10 ACTIVITIES OF A PRECINCT COMMITTEE PERSON:
1) PCPs serve for two years as a Republican Party representative in their own neighborhood. State law specifies in ORS 248.015: The Term of office of a precinct committee person is from the 24th day after the date of primary election until the 24th day after the date of the next following primary election. For every 250 voters there is a PCP position in your precinct but every precinct must have at least two PCPs.
2) PCPs support Republican candidates after the Primary Election. You are the eyes, ears, and legs for candidates in your precinct. You play a critical role in selecting and electing Republican candidates for a wide range of positions from the local school board to US Congress. You'll be asked to volunteer on various campaigns in your area.
3) PCPs are the "grassroots base" of the Republican Party. You are the liaison to the County Party organization. This is a year-round commitment, which entails certain responsibilities; the most important is to keep in touch with your Republican neighbors. Recruit and train volunteers whenever possible. Maintain and update a database of the Republican voters in your precinct with phone numbers and e-mail addresses when possible.
4) PCPs canvas their precinct. PCPs pass out literature for candidates and the Party, as well as talking to voters. Walking lists can be obtained from your County Party or the local elections department.
5) PCPs register voters. This can be done at events or just by handing out voter registration cards in your neighborhood.
6) PCPs identify voters. Lots of voters consider themselves Republicans but are not registered with the Party. Phone calls and personal contacts are good ways to identify which issues are hot buttons for them and whether they are likely to vote Republican. This information can be put in a database and used later for special mailings and other projects.
7) PCPs help Get Out the Vote [GOTV]. Without votes, even the best Republican candidates can't win. Making sure voters turn in their ballots by Election Day is the most crucial job you have as a PCP. GOTV drives include phone banks and door-to-door. These efforts are especially urgent in the final days before the ballots are due.
8) PCPs participate in fundraising activities. They are often asked to volunteer at events sponsored by local or state parties. Money is the mother's milk of politics.
9) PCPs attend meetings of the county Republican Central Committee. PCPs need to attend monthly meetings (January through October) to formulate policy and develop strategies, and elect party leadership at their county party's organizational meeting (held in November of even-numbered years).
10) PCPs need to be flexible. There is no magic formula for success. Use your best judgement to inform voters and get them to cast a bollot for Republicans.
