Salt Lake County Republican Party · Chair guide
Getting started as a house district chair
Your job is to help precinct chairs succeed and keep the district connected to the county party. Begin with a reliable roster, a clear way to communicate, and a realistic plan for the next meeting or election.
Your first steps
Know the district
Confirm the precincts in your house district and your current chair contacts. Introduce yourself to your region chair and review the authorized district report.
Reach every precinct chair
Ask what each chair already has in place, explain the next Central Committee meeting and caucus responsibilities, and identify vacancies or support needs.
Make the next task clear
Share one set of current instructions, connect chairs with training and tools, and coordinate district activity with the region chair and party officers.
What the role includes
The county bylaws call this position the legislative district chair. They direct the chair to assist precinct chairs and vice chairs, help organize caucuses and handle materials, serve as liaison to precinct leadership, nominate replacements when a precinct office is vacant, assist Republican legislators and nominees in the district, and serve on the County Central Committee.
In practice, this means helping chairs understand the work and making it easier for them to participate.
The official call to a Central Committee meeting is sent by email at least two weeks before the meeting. Meeting materials are also posted online. Share both with your precinct chairs so they can prepare.
When a precinct chair seat is vacant
The bylaws allow a district chair to recommend declaring the seat vacant if the precinct chair dies, resigns, moves out of the precinct, is removed by the County Central Committee or Executive Committee, or misses three Central Committee meetings in a row without sending another precinct officer.
When you have a qualified replacement to recommend for a vacant seat, let party leadership know and complete the Precinct Officer and Delegate Change Request Form with the replacement’s information. Party officers make the appointment, and the Executive Committee must ratify it.
If a precinct chair cannot attend a Central Committee meeting, help them arrange an authorized substitute.
If you cannot attend a Central Committee meeting
A House District Chair may have their House District Vice Chair attend as their substitute. Follow the instructions in the meeting notice.
Region Chairs and Senate Chairs cannot send substitutes.
A workable district routine
- Keep contacts current: note which precincts have active officers and route corrections through the party’s update process.
- Before each Central Committee meeting: remind chairs to read the materials and plan to attend.
- At the meeting: be on hand to help set up, put out your house district sign in the auditorium so chairs can find you, and greet the precinct chairs from your district.
- Before caucus: coordinate training, supplies, locations, packet collection, and questions with party leadership and precinct chairs.
- During election season: connect precinct volunteers and nominated candidates with the district plan; share progress and obstacles with the region chair.