On Jun 25 2026, the newly elected Montgomery County Democratic Party precinct captains can vote to adopt a minor revision of a dysfunctional constitution, or introduce and adopt a reform model based upon the one in use by the Butler County Democrats.

The new party leadership refuses to use their own communications channels to inform the precinct captains of this option. That's why Reconstructing Dayton funded a mailer, and made both versions available here for comment.

The Proposed 2026 Official MCDP Constitution

This was sent out by email on 19 Jun 2026. It is essentially the same as the 2022 Constitution. Our Chair says only editors can see the updates. So, they sent out a version the executive committee can't review.

This is embarrassing.

After a bunch of messages, I finally got this version. "The Redline"

What changed?

The Constitution Committee did make several substantive changes following the listening session.

Members would now receive at least 30 days to review a proposed constitution before voting on it. The party would announce its six regular Executive Committee meetings by January 1, post them online, and provide proposed agendas with notices for both regular and special meetings.

The draft replaces the old “those present and voting” quorum with a quorum equal to 10% of the elected Central Committee. It also adds Robert’s Rules of Order as the party’s parliamentary authority.

Automatic Executive Committee membership would be expanded to include all Democratic mayors and all Democratic city council and city commission members in Montgomery County.

The endorsement section was substantially rewritten. Screening committees would have between six and twelve members, candidates would receive questionnaires, and the committee would provide the Executive Committee with a written summary of its findings and recommendations. State-party neutrality would bind the county party in state races, and the draft adds detailed procedures for incumbent, challenger and open-seat endorsements.

The committee structure was also changed. A Labor Liaison Committee was added. Screening, Auditing and Rules were moved into an ad hoc category, while standing committee chairs would be required to submit regular written reports, annual priorities and year-end accomplishment reports. Committee-chair names would be posted on the party website.

Precinct captains would receive an orientation, and the bylaws now list basic responsibilities for Central and Executive Committee members, including attending meetings, organizing precincts, registering voters, participating in party events and supporting Democratic candidates.

The draft also formally identifies the recognized Democratic clubs and requires the party chair to meet with their presidents quarterly and report back to the Executive Committee.

Those are the significant changes that appear to have come out of the listening-session process.

The Proposed Reform Constitution

Two constitutions. Two very different ideas of what a political party should be.

The committee’s final draft makes some procedural improvements, but it remains fundamentally a command-and-control document. Power still flows from the chair and Executive Committee. Screening remains appointed. Incumbents receive special protection. Ordinary Democrats are welcome in theory, but the document gives them few meaningful roles, little authority and no clear path to help build the party.

The Reform Constitution starts with a different question: what structure will help us elect more Democrats?

It opens the tent. Every Democrat can participate. Precinct captains are expected to build teams with assistant captains, block captains, apartment contacts, volunteers and future candidates. Clubs, labor, caucuses, neighborhood organizations and allied groups become organizing partners instead of spectators.

It creates the machinery we need now: regular training, regional support, candidate recruitment, a yearly candidate academy, campaign field coordination, voter registration, canvassing, literature delivery, ballot cure, GOTV and party-owned data that does not disappear when a candidate, consultant or chair leaves.

It also creates accountability. Major votes are recorded. Agendas must identify substantive actions in advance. Committee chairs report what they plan to do and what they accomplished. Precinct activity is measured. Vacancies, voter contact, training, volunteer recruitment and data return are tracked. Officers and appointed members are expected to do the work, not merely hold titles.

Most important, the Reform Constitution answers what we heard at the listening session. People asked how to participate, how to train precinct captains, how to recruit volunteers, how to develop candidates, how to improve communications, how to share data and how to hold leadership accountable.

The committee draft offers better rules for running meetings.

The Reform Constitution gives us marching orders for winning elections.

It does not have to be perfect forever. It contains a clear process for review and amendment. But it is ready to put people to work now, while the November election is approaching and five Montgomery County judgeships could be decided for a generation.

We can keep debating structure while the calendar runs out, or we can adopt the Reform Constitution and start building the party we need.

Vote Reform. Build the team. Win elections.