Rule 3-1.1

Eligibility for Membership

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1.Determining Eligibility for Membership.

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Under Article Three, Section One, of the By-laws eligibility for membership arises when a person satisfies two conditions: (1) the person is a resident of Milton Township and (2) the person is a Democrat.

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The most recent voters list supplied by the DuPage County Election Commission is used to determine whether these two conditions are met.

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2.Determining Identity.

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The identity of a person is derived from valid identification supplied by the person, sufficient to permit the person to be registered as a voter. A current voter identification card is sufficient identification.

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3.Determining Residence.

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Once a person’s identity is established, residence is determined from a review of the most recent voter list supplied by the DuPage County Election Commission.

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If the person’s name does not appear in the most recent voter list, other sources may be considered to determine residence. In the case of non-registered voters and persons who have recently moved into the Milton Township, valid identification, phone directories, and other reliable sources of information may be considered to determine residence. Such persons should be encouraged to register to vote.

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4.Determining Democratic Political Affiliation.

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Only Democrats are eligible for membership in the Democratic Party of Milton Township. Democrats are an inclusive political party and wish to encourage membership, but want to be certain that Republican dirty tricks do not influence the Organization.

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Accordingly, Article Three, Section One, requires that a person eligible for membership must have voted Democratic in the last partisan primary election or must have voted Democratic in at least two of the last four partisan primary elections.

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The required information about voting Democratic in primary elections is readily available from the most recent voter list supplied by the DuPage County Election Commission. The overall party code in the voter list information is not determinative.

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5.Responsibility for Determination of Eligibility.

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The Secretary has responsibility to determine whether a person is eligible for membership under the By-laws and these rules.

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A person may appeal the Secretary’s determination to the Executive Board; but a determination by the Executive Board is final in all such matters, unless an Officer appeals the decision to the membership.

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The Executive Board may grant membership in exceptional circumstances under Rule 3-2.2, but may require the payment of dues.

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Rule 3-2.1

Annual Dues

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1.Dues in general.

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Democrats eligible for membership in the Democratic Party of Milton Township (DPMT) are required to pay annual dues. Dues provide some minimal financial support for the Organization and provide a reliable list of the membership in the Organization.

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The payment of dues entitles members to certain rights and benefits as described in Article Three, Sections Three and Four, of the By-Laws.

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This rule and other rules relating to dues must be approved by the membership prior to becoming effective.

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In addition to dues, members and non-members are encouraged to make other political contributions to help support the purposes of the Organization.

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2.The Amount of Dues.

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The annual dues of the Democratic Party of Milton Township are $25.00 per year.

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A discount of $5.00 is allowed to those members who prepay a second year of membership.

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Unless a prospective member is not eligible for membership at the time of payment, dues are not refundable once paid.

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Payment of dues may be made in cash, by personal check, or by such other reliable method as the Treasurer may approve.

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The Executive Board may waive dues in the case of hardship and grant membership in exceptional circumstances as determined under Rule 3-2.2.

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3.Time of Payment of Dues

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Annual dues are payable annually.

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The rights and benefits of membership do not accrue to a member until receipt of the Organization’s annual membership card.

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4.Responsibilities of Collection of Dues, the Maintenance of Membership Records, and Issuing Annual Membership Cards

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Responsibility for collection of annual dues is a shared responsibility of the Treasurer and the Secretary of the Organization.

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Only members authorized by both the Treasurer and the Secretary may accept payments for dues.

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Upon payment of dues, a record of the date, the amount, and the payer’s name, address, contact information, and such other useful information as may be necessary shall be prepared for the Organization. At the time of payment, a receipt shall be provided to each person paying dues.

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All dues collected must be promptly provided to the Treasurer for deposit in the account of DPMT.

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The Secretary must verify eligibility for membership prior to a grant of membership.

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Thereafter, from the Organization’s record of payment, the Secretary is responsible for issuing an annual membership card evidencing membership in the organization.

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The Executive Board expects the Secretary to issue annual membership cards promptly and no later than one month following the payment of dues.

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The Secretary is responsible for maintaining membership records.

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The annual membership card provides evidence of membership in the organization until the expiration date on the membership card.

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Rule 3-2.2

Authority to Waive Dues and Grant Membership

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1.In General.

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The Democratic Party of Milton Township has carefully considered its membership rules, including the requirement for dues. The amount of annual dues is quite minimal and therefore is not generally expected to provide any serious financial hardship for most Democrats.

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This rule and other rules relating to dues must be approved by the membership prior to being effective.

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2.Authority to Waive Dues in the Case of Hardship.

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Under Article Three, Section Two, of the By-laws, the Executive Board has authority, in the case of hardship, to waive annual dues to any person who is otherwise eligible for membership.

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Because of the minimal amount of dues charged and the importance of financial support for the Organization, the Executive Board expects that waiver of dues will be an unusual occurrence.

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Nonetheless, prospective members, who are otherwise eligible for membership, may request a hardship exemption from payment of dues.

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The request for a hardship exemption must be made in a writing directed to the Chairperson or to the Secretary explaining in detail the reason for the request. The Officer receiving a written request for hardship exemption will present the request to the Executive Board at its next regular meeting.

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Each member of the Executive Board is required to treat each request confidentially.

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The Executive Board will vote upon each request and the Board’s determination will be final, unless an Officer appeals the decision to the membership.

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Upon approval, an annual membership card will be issued.

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3.Authority to Grant Membership in Exceptional Circumstances.

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Under Article Three, Section Two, of the By-laws, the Executive Board has authority to grant membership in exceptional circumstances.

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The Executive Board may exercise this authority only for the period of its term. Subsequent Executive Boards may consider each application anew.

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Membership in the Democratic Party of Milton Township is important to most loyal Democrats who reside in Milton Township. Membership brings important rights and benefits to members and is available with the payment of minimal dues that help sustain the Organization.

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Accordingly, the Executive Board is normally reluctant to grant membership other than through the Organization’s carefully considered membership procedures.

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Nonetheless, the Democratic Party of Milton Township recognizes that circumstances may exist that warrant granting membership in limited exceptional case-by-case circumstances.

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A prospective member, who is clearly a Democrat, but who is otherwise prevented by the current rules from being eligible for membership, may request the Executive Board to grant membership despite the current rules.

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Such person must request membership in writing and must fully explain the exceptional circumstances that warrant such consideration. The written request must be directed to the Chairperson or to the Secretary. The Officer receiving the written request must present the request to the Executive Board at its next regular meeting.

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The Executive Board may investigate the facts of the request and thereafter will vote on each request.

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The payment of dues may be required as a condition of a grant of membership.

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The decision of the Executive Board on the matter is final, unless an Officer appeals the decision to the membership.

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Upon approval, an annual membership card will be issued.

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Final By-Laws: Article Three

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Article Three: Membership in the Democratic Party of Milton Township.

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Section One: Eligibility for Membership.

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Residents of Milton Township, DuPage County, in the State of Illinois, who have chosen a Democratic ballot in the last most recent partisan primary election or have chosen a Democratic ballot in at least two of the last four most recent partisan primary elections, are eligible for membership in the Democratic Party of Milton Township. Elected and appointed Milton Township Democratic Precinct Committee people, Democratic Election Judges, Democratic Candidates and Officeholders, and other Milton Democrats are therefore eligible for membership.

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Section Two: Members.

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Members are persons eligible for membership who have paid their annual dues to the Organization.

Dues are proposed by the Executive Board and must be approved by the membership at a regular meeting. The Executive Board may waive dues in the case of hardship and grant membership in exceptional circumstances.

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Section Three: Rights of Members.

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All members may speak and vote on all matters at the meetings of the Organization and may propose such resolutions as they believe may benefit the Organization. All members shall have access to an up-to-date and accurate version of the current By-laws, to prior minutes of the Organization and of the Executive Board, to Executive Board rules and organizational information, and to financial information about the Organization. Requests by members for information shall be directed to the Secretary.

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Section Four: Member Benefits.

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The Organization provides many developmental benefits to its members, and a variety of opportunities to gain experience, to serve the community, and to help form the direction of our governments and of our lives. Members may request support on issues and for candidates. Members also receive the Organization’s periodic newsletter and other communications.