Glossary - C to V



Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. DCCC is the official campaign arm of the Democrats in the House. 



Direct Mail

Direct mail is a great way to “drive a message” to voters. 


 Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee 

Early Voting

In Texas, 11 or 12 days ending on the Friday before the Tuesday election, during which a voter can cast a ballot in any of several locations in their county of residence.  

Election Judge


A trained, paid official who runs a poll, handling the paperwork, managing the clerks, and enforcing election laws on site. There are two at each poll; the Presiding Judge carries all the responsibility and has authority over the Alternate Judge. During primaries, the parties run separate parallel elections, and the paired election judges are from the same party. During general elections, the presiding judge is from the party that had the majority of voters in that precinct in the most recent gubernatorial election, and the alternate is from the other major party (if possible). The Republican and Democratic county parties compile lists of election judge volunteers every election cycle. The lists typically consist of current precinct chairs, past election judges, and others who have indicated an interest in serving as election judge. The Harris Country Commissioner’s Court has final approval of appointments, which are for a one-year term. Election judges are trained and paid by the Harris County Clerk each time there is an election. Election judges cannot hold an elective public office, be a candidate for public office, be employed by or related to a candidate for public office, be the campaign manager or campaign treasurer for a candidate in that election, or have been convicted of an offense in connection with an election.


Election Judge Functions


Election Judges (EJ) are appointed each year by Harris County Commissioners from a list of qualified persons submitted by each political party. If possible, Election Judges should reside in the precinct they represent.

“§ Judges pick up required election equipment shortly before an election, mark early voters in the poll book, locate clerks to work at their polling location, organize the setup of the election equipment and the operation of the election, and return the equipment immediately after the polls close;

§ Judges are responsible for following Texas Election Law and conducting a fair election. Although each judge represents a political party, no display of any party affiliation is allowed during the election; Judges are paid for the time they work at the polls and for training attended; § Required to use County-appointed election judges whenever possible; § Fill vacant slots as necessary.

§ Presiding Judges are not responsible to secure the Alternate Judge. However, PJs are responsible for securing clerks and language assistants/interpreters.

§ Mail writ of appointment to each Election Judge (County Clerk’s Office responsibiliity)

§ Mail training schedule, number of clerks, language assistants/interpreters if needed, notice of polling location, supply pick up and election night turn in location. (County Clerk’s Office responsibiliity)”

Executive Committee Members

CEC or SDEC. CEC consists of the county party’s precinct chairs and county chair. SDEC (State Democratic Executive Committee) consists of all the Senate Districts’ elected officers. 

Field Organizing

 “Field organizing is the act of reaching out to voters through direct, one-on-one communication. Some people refer to it as “voter contact” or “grassroots organizing,” but the ultimate goal is to contact voters directly, identify the ones who support you, and get them to the polls to vote for you on Election Day. Most people think that field organizing takes place in the last two months of the campaign (September and October). However, effective organizing is the result of year-round efforts that culminate in activities designed to mobilize your vote. ” 


The most important element in every election is getting voters to the polls—these get-out-the-vote (GOTV) efforts make the difference between winning and losing office. 

Knock and Drag

This usually teams of volunteers who have vans that can “knock” on supporters doors who have not voted and “drag” them to the polls. 

Phone Banking


Phone-banking is a critical part of any get-out-the-vote (“GOTV”) effort. It involves gathering with like-minded Democrats using computer software and cell phones to call potential voters and ask for their help turning Texas blue. We have upcoming races for the Pasadena City Council and we could use all the help we can get! Training is provided. If you can use a computer mouse and dial a phone, you can help get out the vote for this important upcoming election!



A polling place where voters vote. Ideally, one poll per precinct. 


The smallest political subdivision in Texas. Consists of all the registered voters living within a legislatively defined boundary. Typically bounded by major streets, waterways, and/or parks, and containing up to 5000 registered voters. Ideally, each precinct will have a poll for those voters to vote at on Election Day. If not, then they will vote in a neighboring precinct. Each precinct usually has both an elected Democratic and Republican Precinct Chair. 

Precinct Chair

As elected or appointed officials for a two year term, Precinct Chairs are responsible for: Working with others to mobilize and organize voters and get them to the polls Representing their precinct on the County Executive Committee Bridging the gap between voters and elected officials Serves as the contact person for the Democratic Party in their neighborhood 

Presiding Judge

Teams of two judges are appointed for each precinct. The presiding judge (PJ) is from the party that received the most votes for Governor in the last gubernatorial election. 

Rides the Polls

Sometimes transportation is an obstacle to voting, other times intimidation is. Giving someone a ride directly to the poll is the great way to ensure that they vote. 

Robert's Rules of Order

Rules governing parliamentary procedure in all Party meetings - see



 State Democratic Executive Committee.  A body consisting of elected representatives from every Senate District in Texas. Each Senate District sends the following representatives: chair, secretary, vacancy chair, committee man, and committee woman.  

Senate Districts

A level in the state party organizational structure determined by the boundaries of the state senators’ districts. The body of an SD consists of all the precinct chairs within the district, plus elected officers. Some SDs choose to hold regular meetings. At some CEC meetings, the SDs caucus afterwards. State Senate District conventions are held in even years, on a Saturday after the primaries. At that time delegates to the state party convention are selected by precinct caucus. SDs also elect a chair, secretary, vacancy chair, and two delegates (man & woman) to the State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC). 

Texas Democratic Party

Governing body of the Democratic Party in Texas. Party officers include the State Chair, elected officers, and State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC) members. The party is governed by the SDEC as defined in the party rules. For more information, go to

Vote By Mail

A means of voting via the postal system. Originally, it was called Absentee Voting, and restricted to those who would be out of the county on Election Day. Now, everyone over 65 automatically qualifies, as does anyone claiming to be disabled.  

Voter Activation Network

The Voter Activation Network (VAN) is the voter file that we use to track all of our voters. It is maintaied by the state party, TDP. The VAN is an online database that allows us to organize information about voters and volunteers to ensure we’re targeting the right voters and turning them out to vote, while making campaigns more efficient and effective and allowing campaigns and activists to track their projects and successes. At election time, this powerful database allows Democrats to ensure that our communities are registered to vote and allows us to encourage everyone to make it to the ballot box.