Our pledge 95¢ of every dollar to the mission — administration capped at 5% of dues and donations, or $2,500, whichever is greater
Governance

How we’re governed.

Published in full, because an organization that touches elections shouldn’t make you ask.

Documents

Everything, downloadable.

Formation

  • Articles of Incorporation
  • Bylaws
  • IRS Form 8976 notice

Policies

  • Nonpartisanship Policy
  • Compensation Policy
  • Accountable Expense Plan
  • Conflict of Interest Policy

Chapters & finance

  • Standard County Charter Agreement
  • Annual Financial Reports
  • IRS Filings

Structure at a glance

Legal formWashington nonprofit corporation, operating as a federal 501(c)(4) social welfare organization.
MembersOne class of voting members, age 16 and up. Members elect the board and amend the bylaws. Electronic voting permitted. Annual membership meeting each year.
BoardFive to seven directors, staggered two-year terms, elected by the members. At least one seat reserved for a member under 30. Meets at least quarterly; remote attendance permitted.
OfficersPresident, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer. The Treasurer may not be the President.
ChaptersThe board may charter state and local chapters by written agreement. Chapters adopt these bylaws, use the name under license, remit a dues share, and hold charters revocable for cause, with nonpartisanship violations named explicitly as cause.
FinanceAdministration capped at 5% of annual dues and donations, or $2,500, whichever is greater. Two signers required above a set amount. Annual financial report to members. Accountable-plan expense reimbursement.
AmendmentsBylaws amended by member vote. The nonpartisanship article requires a supermajority. Robert’s Rules apply by default.

Why the bylaws are short

Eight articles, under ten pages. Complexity in bylaws is where small nonprofits go to die. Anything that changes often — dues amounts, event formats, committee charters — lives in board policy, which the board can amend by simple vote. The bylaws hold only what should be hard to change.

Nonpartisanship is in the bylaws. Deliberately.