What is a Precinct Chair and—Why Do We Need You to Be One?

Introduction

Most people have heard of governors, senators, and city council members. But there’s a role at the very foundation of our democracy that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: the precinct chair.

Never heard of it? Don’t worry, I hadn’t either until I signed up to be one.

In Hardin County, we have 19 voting precincts. Each one is supposed to have a precinct chair from each party — a neighbor, just like you, who helps organize Democrats in their corner of the county. I have no idea what the status is for the Republican Party, but right now not all of those seats are filled for our county Democratic Party. And that’s a problem, because when precinct chairs are active, voter turnout for their party can increase by 5–8%.

When you multiply that across all 19 of our county’s precincts, that small increase can nearly double Democratic turnout overall. See why it’s so important now?

What Does a Precinct Chair Do?

Think of a precinct chair as the bridge between everyday voters and the Democratic Party. Their work looks like this:

• Share information: Make sure neighbors know when elections are happening, where to vote, and who’s on the ballot.
• Register voters: Help new voters sign up and keep voter rolls accurate.
• Support turnout: Remind people to show up at the polls, especially in low-turnout elections like local races or constitutional amendments.
• Connect people: Serve as the local link between your community and candidates.
• Represent your neighbors: Bring concerns from your precinct to the county party meetings, shaping the direction of local Democratic efforts

Some other official duties a Precinct Chair in Texas does:

• Election Judge/Clerk Selection: Precinct chairs often nominate or help select election judges and clerks for their precinct polling places.
• Party Business: They’re voting members of their County Executive Committee (CEC), which is made up of all precinct chairs plus the county chair. This group sets local party policy, adopts rules, and helps guide candidate recruitment.
• Convention Role: Precinct chairs help organize and run the precinct conventions after the primary election. These are the first step in the Texas Democratic Party’s convention process, where resolutions are passed and delegates are chosen for county and state conventions.
• Filling Vacancies on the Ballot: If a Democratic candidate withdraws after the filing deadline, precinct chairs (through the CEC) may vote on who to nominate to replace them

Why Precinct Chairs Matter in Hardin County

Here’s the truth: Democrats are outnumbered about 8-to-1 here based on the last election results. That can feel discouraging, but here’s the surprising part: there are roughly 3,500 Democratic voters in Hardin County. That’s not nothing. That’s more people than went to my high school. That’s a base we can grow.

And here’s why it matters: every extra voter counts more than ever in a county like ours. Having precinct chairs in all 19 precincts would give Democrats in Hardin County something we’ve been missing — visibility, connection, and organization at the neighborhood level.

Precinct chairs are often the first to welcome a new Democrat who feels alone. They’re the ones who say, “You’re not the only one here. We’re in this together.”

We’re the boots on the ground listening to the pulse of our county and letting our state party know what’s going on.

It’s not always about national issues. Every community has unique needs. Maybe it’s a pothole that’s never fixed, a spike in drug addiction, or making sure elderly and disabled neighbors have accessibility. Precinct chairs gather those local concerns and carry them up the chain — from county, to state, to national.

Why We Need You

Serving as a precinct chair is the lowest-level elected position in politics, but it’s powerful.

Wait, elected? Yes, but don’t worry. In most counties, precinct chair seats are empty. If no one else runs, your county chair can simply appoint you if you meet a few basic qualifications. You don’t need to be a political expert. I’m not one either! You just need to care about your neighbors, about democracy, and about making sure our voices are heard.

If you’ve ever said, “Someone should do something…” this is your chance to be that someone.

Hardin County needs Democrats who are willing to step up. Whether you’re brand new to politics or have been involved for years, this is one of the most direct ways to make a difference right here at home.

Ready to become a precinct chair?
Contact Hardin County’s Democratic chair:
Vickie Brekel
vbrekel@gmail.com
(409)679-4110
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Not in Hardin County? Click here for your county’s Democratic chair.