PATRIOTS GET INVOLVED

The LaSalle County Republican Central Committee (LCRCC) is made up of Republican Precinct Committeemen (PC) representing each of the LaSalle County precincts. A PC is the person who is legally charged with getting out the vote on election day. The most effective political work starts in the precincts. This position is a non-paid, elected office. 

In Illinois, precinct committeemen are grassroots-level officials elected to represent their political party within the smallest voting subdivisions.  These positions are critical for party organization, as committeemen serve as the primary link between voters and the party structure at the local level.  

Election and Term: Committeemen are elected in even-year primary elections to serve two-year terms.  In Cook County, the structure differs; Ward Committeemen (representing multiple precincts) serve four-year terms, while Township Committeemen may also exist in suburban areas. 

Core Responsibilities: Their primary duties include voter registration, Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) efforts, distributing campaign literature, and helping candidates appear on the ballot by circulating nominating petitions.  They also play a vital role in fundraising and identifying potential candidates and volunteers. 

Party Leadership Role: Elected committeemen automatically become members of their county’s Central Committee.  Their first major duty after election is to meet 29 days after the primary to elect the County Chairman and other executive officers.  They also vote for State Central Committee members every four years.

Statutory Authority: Committeemen have the legal authority to appoint Election Judges for their party’s polling places within their precinct.  They also cast weighted votes at conventions based on the number of party ballots cast in their precinct during the previous primary.

Qualifications: Candidates must be registered voters and members of the party they wish to represent within the specific precinct.  They typically must collect a petition with a minimum number of valid signatures from party registrants in their precinct to appear on the primary ballot.

Vacancies: If no one runs for the position or if a committeeman vacates the role, the County Chairman (or township organization in some cases) has the authority to appoint a replacement.  Appointments cannot be made during the "blackout period" between the primary and the county convention. 

This structure ensures that every voter in Illinois has a direct representative in their local party organization, facilitating grassroots engagement and local party governance across the state’s 102 counties. 

The LCRCC is looking for Republican men and women to become PCs!  The first step in becoming a PC is to use the Contact Us button below to start the process.