4th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT- REPUBLICAN PARTY OF MINNESOTA
CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
The Republican Party of Minnesota (hereinafter referred to as the RPM) welcomes the participation of all Minnesotans who are concerned with the implementation of honest, efficient, responsive government. The Republican Party believes in the equality of all, as stated in the Declaration of Independence. Therefore, it is the party committed to equal representation and opportunity for all and preservation of the rights of each individual. It is the purpose of this Constitution to ensure that the Republican Party provides for full participation with equal opportunity for all Minnesotans regardless of age, race, gender, religion, social status or economic status.
ARTICLE I
NAME and OBJECTIVE
SECTION 1. NAME: The name of this organization shall be the 4th Congressional District - Republican Party of Minnesota (Hereinafter referred to as the 4th District).
SECTION 2. OBJECTIVE: The object of the 4th District shall be to elect Republican endorsed candidates to public office and promote the RPM philosophy. The 4th District will manage its affairs in accordance with this Constitution, the RPM Constitution and constitution and laws of the state of Minnesota and the United States of America.
ARTICLE II
4th DISTRICT ORGANIZATION
SECTION 1. OFFICERS The officers of the 4th District shall include a Chair, a Deputy Chair, a State Executive Vice-Chair, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and six (6) Vice Chairs. These officers shall be elected at the 4th District Convention held in odd numbered years, except that the Office of Treasurer shall be appointed not elected. The officers shall perform such duties as are prescribed by or pursuant to the By-Laws, and such other duties as are usually incident to the office. The term of office shall be for two (2) years. No person shall be elected to hold the same office for more than two (2) consecutive terms except Treasurer, and State Executive Vice Chair.
Chair: Shall serve as Chair of the 4th District Officers, Executive and Full Committees, and shall preside over the meetings. In the event of absence, death, disability, resignation, or removal, the Deputy Chair shall assume the duties, until the Chair is able to resume the duties of Chair, or in the event of a vacancy of office, until the Full Committee elects a replacement. The Chair shall be an ex-officio Delegate to the State Central Committee (Article IX, Section 1.B of the RPM Constitution).
Deputy Chair: Shall assist in the duties and responsibilities of the Chair, and have such specific duties as may from time to time be designated by the Chair, Executive Committee, or Full Committee. The Deputy Chair shall be an ex-officio Delegate to the State Central Committee. (Article IX, Section 1.B of the RPM Constitution).
Secretary: Shall keep accurate minutes of all conventions and committee meetings, the record of attendance of the members and give notice to the members of all regular and special meetings. The Secretary shall also maintain permanent records of all transactions of the 4th District.
Six (6) Vice Chairs: Shall have such specific duties as may from time to time be designated by the Chair, Executive Committee, or Full Committee. The Vice Chairs shall be ranked 1 through 6.
State Executive Vice Chair: Shall represent the 4th District at the meetings of the State Executive Committee. In the absence, or in the event of the death, disability, resignation, removal, or leave of absence of the State Executive Vice Chair, the Chair shall assume the duties, until the State Executive Vice Chair is able to resume his ⁄ her duties, or until the Full Committee elects a replacement. The State Executive Vice Chair shall be the At-Large Delegate to the State Central Committee. (Article IX, Section 1.B of the RPM Constitution).
Treasurer: Shall be the custodian of the funds of the 4th District – Republican Party of Minnesota, provide an annual report and such other reports as requested by the Chair, the Executive Committee, and the Full Committee, and make proper filings as required by law. Note:The Treasurer shall be appointed by the Chair and approved by a majority vote of the Full Committee.
SECTION 2. 4th DISTRICT ORGANIZATION: The Basic Unit of the 4th District shall be BPOU's, (organized by House Districts if wholly within the boundaries) of the 4th District, which shall be organized in accordance with, ARTICLE XI, of the RPM State Constitution titled “Basic Political Organizational Unit Administration”, and this 4th District Consitution.
SECTION 3. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: The Executive Committee shall be composed of the following people:
A. The 4th District Officers
B. The BPOU Chairs residing in the 4th District. If a BPOU Chair is unable to attend, another BPOU Officer residing in the 4th District may be designated by the BPOU Chair.
C. Where a BPOU is not entirely within the 4th District and a BPOU Chair doesn't reside in the 4th District, then the BPOU Chair shall designate another BPOU Officer residing in the 4th District or, if no other BPOU Officer resides in the 4th District, a precinct officer residing in the 4th District.
D. The 4th District Finance Chair
E. The 4th District Director of Computer Services
SECTION 4. FULL COMMITTEE: The Full Committee shall consist of the following residents of the 4th District:
A. The Executive Committee
B. The Chairs of the city organizations created under Articles IV and V
C. Two Vice Chairs, Secretary and Treasurer of each BPOU
One representative from each Party affiliate elected by a vote of the 4th District members of the affiliate (See Article V, section 2)
SECTION 5. REAPPORTIONMENT: The 4th District shall implement a reapportionment plan according to the RPM Constitution.
SECTION 6. REMOVAL: Any 4th District Officer or any member of the Executive Committee or Full Committee may be removed by a two-thirds vote of all the members of the Full Committee.
ARTICLE III
BPOU ORGANIZATION
SECTION 1. BPOU OFFICERS: The officers of each BPOU organization shall consist of at least one Chair and such other officers as shall be prescribed by the BPOU Constitution. The officers shall be elected at the BPOU Conventions held in the odd numbered years.
SECTION 2. BPOU EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: The BPOU Executive Committee shall consist of at least the BPOU Officers and it shall meet at least every six months.
SECTION 3. BPOU FULL COMMITTEE: The management of the affairs of the Party within each BPOU shall be vested in the BPOU Full Committee, subject to the direction of the House District BPOU Convention, the 4th District and the RPM . The BPOU Full Committee shall consist of at least all BPOU Officers and all precinct officers residing within the BPOU. It shall meet at least once a year.
SECTION 4. PRECINCT ORGANIZATION: The BPOU Constitution shall provide for the establishment of a precinct organization to administer the affairs of the RPM in each precinct lying within the BPOU.
SECTION 5. SENATE DISTRICT COORDINATING COMMITTEE: If a BPOU is organized by House District, the BPOU Chairs of each House District shall organize a Senate District Coordinating Committee comprised of at least one Chair from each BPOU. It shall have the responsibility to organize a candidate search for the office of State Senator and to assist in the campaign for State Senator.
SECTION 6. REMOVALS: Any BPOU Officer may be removed by a two-thirds vote of all the members of the BPOU Full Committee.
ARTICLE IV
ST. PAUL REPUBLICAN ORGANIZATION
SECTION 1. TITLE: There shall be established a St. Paul Republican organization consisting of the St. Paul Republican City Committee (City Committee) and a St. Paul Republican Ward Committee (Ward Committee) for each ward in St. Paul.
SECTION 2. WARD CAUCUSES: A ward caucus shall be held in odd numbered years in each ward, unless the city charter requires otherwise. Each person eligible to vote in the next city election in the ward who supports the principles and ideals of the Party shall be entitled to participate. Each caucus may pass resolutions and shall elect ward delegates and officers including a chair, vice-chair, secretary and treasurer.
SECTION 3. CITY COMMITTEE: The City Committee shall be composed of the City Committee officers and the Ward Committee officers. The City Committee officers shall include a chair, a vice-chair, a secretary and a Treasurer. The City Committee officers shall be elected by the Ward Committee officers.
SECTION 4. CITY CONVENTION: A City Convention shall be held in each odd numbered year at the call of the City Committee. The voting members shall be the delegates and alternates elected at all of the ward caucuses. They shall be seated only in the wards from which they were elected.
SECTION 5. CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS: The City Convention or the City Committee shall adopt an adequate Constitution and⁄or Bylaws which are not inconsistent with this Constitution, the RPM Constitution and the constitutions and laws of Minnesota and the United States of America.
ARTICLE V
OTHER CITY ORGANIZATIONS
SECTION 1. PURPOSE: Other cities which lie in whole or in part within the 4th District may establish Republican organizations for the purposes of a) finding qualified candidates for city offices and aiding their campaigns, b) aiding campaigns for and against ballot questions and c) speaking on behalf of the city Republicans on city issues.
SECTION 2. CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS: Each city organization shall adopt an adequate constitution and⁄or bylaws which are not inconsistent with this Constitution, the RPM Constitution and the constitutions and laws of Minnesota and the United States of America.
SECTION 3. OFFICERS: Each city organization shall elect officers including at least a Chair, a Vice-Chair, a Secretary and a Treasurer.
SECTION 4. CAUCUSES: City organizations shall caucus whenever required by the city charter. Each person eligible to vote at the next city election and who supports the Party philosophy shall be entitled to participate and to vote at such a caucus. Caucuses shall be held for the largest unit of political subdivision of the city. Each caucus shall elect officers and delegates to the city convention as provided in the city organization constitution and⁄or bylaws and may pass resolutions.
SECTION 5. CITY CONVENTIONS: City Conventions shall be held in each odd numbered year at the call of the city committee. The voting members shall be the delegates and seated alternates elected at all of the city caucuses. Alternates shall be seated only in the wards or political subdivisions from which they were elected.
ARTICLE VI
AFFILIATES
SECTION 1. RIGHTS OF AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS: The right of special organizations having Party affiliations to exist and carry on their activities as they see fit, consistent with the objects, platforms and principles of the Party is recognized. The organization of permanent local clubs and organizations or party members for the purpose of holding meetings and carrying on other activities supporting the Party and public welfare shall be permitted and encouraged. The activities of all such Party affiliates in the 4th District during election campaigns shall be coordinated with 4th District activities and subject to the direction of the 4th District Chair.
SECTION 2. SUBMISSIONS TO 4TH DISTRICT: Each affiliate carrying on activities in the 4th District shall submit a current list of officers and a copy of the minutes of the convention electing one representative to serve on the Full Committee and one delegate and one alternate to attend the 4th District Convention. The Full Committee representative and the delegate and alternate to the 4th District Convention must reside in the 4th District and be elected by the affiliate members that reside in the 4th District. An affiliate delegate or alternate shall not be a regular Party delegate or alternate. An affiliate failing to comply with one of these requirements will lose its voting privileges at the 4th District Convention or the Full Committee, whichever is applicable.
ARTICLE VII
4TH DISTRICT CONVENTIONS
SECTION 1. CALL: A 4th District Convention shall be held annually at the call of the State Executive Committee, the State Central Committee or the 4th District Executive Committee and at such other times and for such other purposes as the committee calling the convention may determine. The location shall be determined by the 4th District Full Committee. Written calls shall be issued to all delegates and alternates at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the convention, except in the case of a post primary endorsing convention, in which case the written call shall be issued at least five (5) calendar days prior to the convention.
SECTION 2. DELEGATES: The delegates and alternates to the 4th District Convention shall be:
Delegates and alternates to the 4th District Convention elected at BPOU Conventions. The number of delegates each BPOU will be entitled to elect will be determined by the 4th District Executive Committee, provided that the basis of apportionment shall be uniform throughout the 4th District and shall be based upon the votes cast for the Republican candidate for governor in the last preceding statewide general election, or, if such election was a presidential election, the votes cast for the Republican candidate for President.
One delegate and one alternate from each RPM affiliate who are residents of the 4th District elected at a 4th District caucus held by each RPM affiliate.
SECTION 3. BUSINESS: The 4th District Convention shall transact such business as is specified in the Call of the Convention and may transact such other business as a majority of the convention may determine.
SECTION 4. SEARCH⁄ NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE: The Search⁄ Nomination Committee for 4th District officers and candidates seeking endorsement for U.S. Representative of the 4th District shall consist of a representative of each BPOU selected by the BPOU, wholly or partially within the 4th District who reside within the 4th District. The 4th District Chair shall designate one member of the Search Committee to serve as the chair. The 4th District Chair and Deputy Chair shall be ex-officio members of the committee. The committee shall report each candidate as “qualified” or “unqualified”.
SECTION 5. ENDORSEMENT: Any candidate for public office may be granted pre-primary endorsement by the 4th District Convention if the candidate receives a 60 percent vote of the convention and if the 60% is greater than or equal to at least a majority of the registered delegates and seated alternates as established by the last report of the Credentials Committee preceding such vote. If the public office sought by the candidate is legally partisan, then the candidate must agree to seek the office as a Republican if the endorsement is received. When more than one such candidate is nominated for endorsement, none of them shall be voted upon separately.
SECTION 6. CONVENTION COMMITTEES: The Registration, Arrangements, Rules, and Platform Committee's shall consist of a representative from each BPOU selected by the BPOU. All members of the convention committees must be 4th District Delegates or Alternates. The 4th District Chair shall appoint one member of each committee to serve as the committee chair. The 4th District Chair and Deputy Chair shall serve as ex-officio members of each respective committee.
SECTION 7. The 4th District Chair shall appoint the Convention Officers and personel deemed necessary for the operation of the 4th District Convention.
ARTICLE VIII
CONVENTIONS FOR BPOU AND OTHER POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS
SECTION 1: OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION CONVENTIONS: An unorganized political subdivision convention may be held for the sole purpose of endorsement of a Republican Candidate, by either a joint call of the affected BPOU's or by the Executive Committee of the 4th District – Republican Party of Minnesota pursuant to ARTICLE V – Conventions of the RPM Constitution.
SECTION 2. DELEGATES: Conventions shall be composed of the delegates elected at the most recent precinct caucuses as required by state law. Only those delegates residing within the political subdivision for which the convention was called shall receive the call. Refer to RPM Constitution, Article VIII, Section 1.
SECTION 3. APPORTIONMENT OF DELEGATES: Refer to Republican Party of Minnesota Constitution, Article VIII, Section 1.
SECTION 4. METHOD OF CALLING:
A. CONVENTIONS FOR BPOU AND ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION WHOLLY WITH A BPOU: BPOU Conventions shall be held annually at the call of the State Executive Committee, the State Central Committee, the 4th District Executive Committee or the BPOU Executive Committee, preceding the 4th District Convention. Special BPOU Conventions may be held at the call of the same committees at such time and for such purpose as the committee calling the convention may determine. BPOU Conventions shall be held at a place determined by the calling committee. Refer to RPM Constitution, Article VIII, Section 2.
B. CONVENTIONS FOR POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS CROSSING BPOU LINES: When a political subdivision crosses BPOU lines but lies entirely within the 4th Congressional District, the 4th District Executive Committee or the political subdivision executive committee may issue the call for a convention, appoint a convener and specify the proportionate delegate voting strength of the delegates from the BPOU'S involved.
C. CONVENTIONS FOR BPOU'S OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS PARTIALLY OUTSIDE THE 4th DISTRICT: If any BPOU or other political subdivision crosses the 4th District lines, the State Executive Committee or the political subdivision executive committee may issue the call for an endorsing convention, appoint a convener and specify the proportionate voting strength of the delegates from the BPOU'S involved.
D. TIME OF CALL: Written calls shall be issued to all delegates and alternates at least ten calendar days prior to the convention, except in the case of a special endorsing convention in which case the call shall be issued at least five calendar days prior to the convention. Refer to Article V, Section B of RPM Constitution.
E. LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT ENDORSING CONVENTION: If a legislative district endorsing convention has not been called six weeks before filings close and a majority of the precinct chairs of the district request an endorsing convention, then the 4th District Chair shall issue the call for such a convention.
SECTION 5. ENDORSEMENT: Any candidate for public office may be granted pre-primary endorsement if the candidate receives a 60% vote of the convention as established by the last report of the credentials committee preceding such vote. If the public office sought is legally partisan, then the candidate must agree to seek the office as a Republican if the endorsement is received prior to being considered for pre-primary endorsement. Where only one candidate is nominated for endorsement, refer to the RPM Constitution, Article V, Section B3.
SECTION 6. STATE AND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DELEGATES: Delegates and alternates to the Party RPM Convention shall be elected at a BPOU Convention held in even numbered years. They shall also be the delegates and alternates to 4th District Conventions. If the BPOU Constitution so provides, BPOU Conventions may elect delegates and alternates annually for a term of one year.
SECTION 7. CITY CONVENTIONS: Except for provisions mandated by the Party Constitution, no provisions of this Article shall apply to campaigns for city office, or to any city conventions within cities that have organizations formed pursuant to Articles IV and V.
ARTICLE IX
VACANCIES
SECTION 1. 4th DISTRICT OFFICES: Any vacancy in a 4th District office shall be filled by the 4th District Full Committee within 90 days from the date the vacancy occurs. If the 4th District Full Committee does not act with that time, then the 4th District Executive Committee shall fill the vacancy.
SECTION 2: Any vacancy in a BPOU not filled within 60 days of the vacancy occurring may be filled by the 4th District Executive Committee.
SECTION 3. PRECINCT OFFICES: The BPOU Chair with the approval of the BPOU Full Committee may call a special caucus for one or more precincts in the manner prescribed by statute for biennial precinct caucuses for the sole purpose of filling vacancies where such exist at the time of notice or may provide for the appointment of an acting officer until an officer is duly elected.
SECTION 4. STATE AND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES AND STATE CENTRAL DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES: A vacant delegate position shall be filled by the highest-ranking alternate from the BPOU. Remaining vacancies may be filled at a duly called BPOU Convention in the same manner as the original delegate or alternate was elected.
ARTICLE X
STATE CENTRAL DELEGATES
SECTION 1. ELECTIONS: State Central delegates and alternates shall be elected in odd numbered years at BPOU Conventions Each electing convention may elect up to three alternates for each delegate it is allotted. They shall serve until their successors are elected. Only convention delegates residing within the 4th District shall be eligible to vote for State Central delegates and alternates.
SECTION 2. ALLOTMENT FORMULA: Delegates shall be allotted among the House Districts according to the House District's percentage of the 4th District Republican vote in the last general election for president or governor (rounded to the nearest 1⁄1000th of 1%). Delegate numbers of the House Districts shall be determined by the following formula:
DN = T x ( H divided by F ) where
DN = Delegate number to be used in sections 4 and 5 below
T = Total number of delegates allotted to the 4th District
H = Republican vote in the last election for president or governor for that portion of the House District residing within the 4th District
F = Republican vote for the entire 4th District in the last election for president or governor
SECTION 3. ALLOTMENT PROCEDURE: Delegates shall be allocated in the following order:
A. Each House District is entitled to the number of delegates equal to the whole (non- fractional) part of its delegate number as calculated in section 3 above.
B. House Districts with a delegate number between .2500 and .9999 shall receive one delegate and be allocated no additional delegates based on the fractional part of its delegate number.
C. The House District with the largest fractional delegate number shall receive the first remaining delegate. The House District with the second largest fractional delegate number shall receive the second remaining delegate. This procedure shall be repeated until all remaining delegates have been allocated.
SECTION 4. SEATING ALTERNATES: If any State Central delegate is absent at a State Central meeting, the delegate shall be replaced by the highest-ranking alternate from the same House District. If no alternates are present from an absent delegate's House District, then the seat shall be filled by the highest ranked unseated alternate available from other House Districts within the 4th Congressional District. The ranking procedure in section 4.C. above shall be used to rank the alternates. If this ranking procedure doesn't fill the available delegate seats, then the remaining seats will be filled by the highest ranked alternates from House Districts falling under section 4.B.
ARTICLE XI
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
SECTION 1. CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS COMMITTEE: Immediately following the 4th District Convention in odd numbered years, the 4th District Chair with the approval of the 4th District Executive Committee shall appoint a standing Constitution And Bylaws Committee and designate a chair. This committee shall meet from time to time at the call of its chair or the 4th District Chair and shall continually review the provisions of this Constitution and Bylaws. This committee shall report to the 4th District Convention.
SECTION 2. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION: This constitution may be amended by a majority vote at any 4th District Convention, provided that any proposal for amendment shall be referred to the 4th District Constitution and Bylaws Committee and reported out of said committee by at least a minority report signed by three such committee members before it shall be submitted to the convention.
SECTION 3. BYLAWS: The 4th District Full Committee is authorized and empowered to adopt bylaws not inconsistent with this constitution, the RPM Constitution or the laws and constitutions of Minnesota and the United States of America. The bylaws may be amended by two-thirds vote at any 4th District Full Committee meeting after written notice of any proposal for amendment has been submitted with the notice of the meeting. Any proposal for amendment shall be referred to the 4th District Constitution and Bylaws committee and reported out of said committee by at least a minority report signed by three such committee members before it shall be submitted to the meeting.