This September, the Brooklyn Democratic County Committee will convene in Downtown Brooklyn for the only organizing meeting of the two-year term. We will not meet again until 2026 (see Proposal 3). This meeting is critical – not just because we are in a presidential election year, but because these meetings present the rare opportunity to change how our party works to better engage and activate Brooklyn Democrats.

NKD has drafted five proposals for rules reform aimed at more transparency, accountability, and fairness. These rules empower County Committee Members, thousands of elected Democratic Party officials representing their blocks in Brooklyn, to have a meaningful impact on their communities. Read on to learn more about our platform.

2024 Rules Reform Amendments:

1. Proposal 1: “Proxy Reform and Enhancing the Rules Committee”
2. Proposal 2: “Democracy and Transparency in the Administration of County Committee Business”
3. Proposal 3: “Restoring the Rights and Meetings of County Committee Members”
4. Proposal 4: “Establishing Fair and Inclusive Standards for Quorum”
5. Proposal 5: “Incorporating the Judicial Screening Committee into the Rules”

Proposal 1: “Proxy Reform and Enhancing the Rules Committee”

At every County Committee meeting, a few top leaders of the Brooklyn Democratic Party collect enough proxy votes to outvote every County Committee member who attends the meeting in person. This system keeps all the power in the hands of the Party Chair. These rule changes would end proxy abuse and allow County Committee members to play a meaningful role in our party.

Proposed changes:

• A County Committee Member can only hold up to 10 proxies, or votes on behalf of other members, as opposed to an unlimited number.
• Proxies should only apply to specific votes, with details written out.
• Members who suggest rule changes can present their case to the Rules Committee.
• The Rules Committee will meet earlier, before the Organizational Meeting, and must report any decisions on rule interpretations within 30 days.

Proposal 2: “Democracy and Transparency in the Administration of County Committee Business”

Party leaders have previously appointed people to County Committee seats without their knowledge or consent. They have scheduled meetings at noon on weekdays, and in locations inaccessible by mass transit, discouraging participation. This proposal strengthens transparency and access, ensuring elected members of the party can fulfill their role and participate in party decisions.

Proposed changes:

• Written consent is needed to fill vacancies.
• Meetings must provide enough notice and include an agenda, with email being the primary communication method.
• A second meeting should be planned if the first meeting doesn’t finish all the business.
• Meetings should be held in accessible locations across North, Central, and South Brooklyn.
• The Executive Committee must approve any official communications from the party.
• The Executive Committee should review the voting process before meetings and share a record of any electronic votes right after.

Proposal 3: “Restoring the Rights and Meetings of County Committee Members”

In recent years, party leaders have reduced the number of County Committee meetings from two per year to once every two years, plus an informational meeting in the off years where no voting or party business takes place. This proposal restores regular opportunities for members to meet and influence the direction of our party.

Proposed changes:

• The minimum number of County Committee meetings should be two yearly: one in May and one in either January or September.
• Members should be allowed to suggest and discuss resolutions about how the Committee is run.

Proposal 4: “Establishing Fair and Inclusive Standards for Quorum”

In 2020 and 2022, each County Committee organizing meeting lasted more than 10 hours over two days, with long waiting periods between votes and discussions. These standards would ensure meetings reflect the true participation of members, preventing decisions from being made by a small or unrepresentative group; without them, a handful of people could make important decisions without sufficient input from the larger committee.

Proposed changes:

• A quorum (the minimum number of members needed for a valid meeting) must be present for any decisions other than adjourning.
• Members who are represented by proxy do not count toward the quorum.
• The quorum should include at least ten members from a majority of Assembly District Groups, with 450 members present.

Proposal 5: “Incorporating the Judicial Screening Committee into the Rules”

This change increases transparency and accountability in the judicial nomination process, ensuring diversity and fairness; without it, the process may lack oversight, risking bias or favoritism in selecting judicial candidates.

Proposed changes:

• The Chair of the Judicial Screening Committee will be elected by the County Committee every two years.
• The Committee’s rules will detail how members are selected.
• These rules must be part of the Party’s official rules, reviewed and approved by the Executive Committee every year, and posted on the Party’s website.
• The Chair will present an annual report on the diversity of the Committee members.