THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLICANS OF CLAY COUNTY
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLICANS OF CLAY COUNTY as amended by Republicans of Clay County Convention, 11 February 2023
PREAMBLE
The Republicans of Clay County welcome the participation of all residents of Clay County Minnesota who are concerned with the implementation of honest, efficient, responsive government. The Republican Party (Party) believes in the equality of all, as stated in the Declaration of Independence. Therefore the Party is committed to equal representation and opportunity for all and the preservation of the rights and liberties of each individual. It is the purpose of this Constitution to ensure that the Party provides for full participation and equal opportunity for all residents of Clay County Minnesota.
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this Basic Political Organizational Unit (BPOU) shall be the “Republicans of Clay County of Minnesota”.
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP
Membership shall be composed of Republicans residing in Clay County Minnesota who declare their support of the Republican Party Of Minnesota.
ARTICLE III: PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this organization shall be the maintenance and advancement of the principles and objectives of the Republican Party. The objectives of the organization shall be to provide the residents of Clay County Minnesota with Republican leadership in all elected offices. To fulfill this purpose the Clay County Republicans shall facilitate the Endorsements of Republican candidates for elected offices, and support the campaigns of endorsed
Republicans for Nomination in the primary election, and support the campaigns of the Republican Nominees in the general election.
ARTICLE IV: PRECINCT PARTY ADMINISTRATION
Section 1. Precinct Caucus: The regular biennial caucus of the members of this organization residing in each precinct shall be called by the Chair of this organization in each even-numbered year as prescribed by the Minnesota Statutes. This Caucus shall include election of a precinct Chair and Deputy Chair of each precinct. Additional unofficial precinct meetings may be called on an individual precinct basis by the precinct Chair or Deputy Chair of individual precincts.
Section 2. Precinct Delegates: The biennial caucus shall elect delegates to the BPOU County Convention as well as to the Endorsement conventions for State Senator and State Representatives.
Section 2.a. Delegate Apportionment: The Clay County Executive Committee shall determine the apportionment of delegates based upon the vote cast in each precinct in the race for Republican candidate for Governor or President in the last preceding statewide general election. Guidance of the Republican Party of Minnesota will assist the Clay County Executive Committee. Each precinct shall be entitled to a minimum of one (1) delegate. The Precinct Chair and Deputy Chair shall be the first nominees for election as delegates. Officers of the current Executive Committee and elected Republican State Legislators are delegates to the BPOU convention regardless of the caucus process. Their inclusion will not affect the caucus allocation for the precincts involved.
Section 3. Precinct Alternates: Biennial caucuses may also elect a number of alternates to the BPOU Convention equal in number to the delegates elected from that precinct when possible.
Section 4. Precinct Committee: The Precinct Chair and Deputy Chair along with the elected delegates shall comprise the Precinct Committee of each precinct.
ARTICLE V: BPOU CONVENTIONS & ENDORSEMENTS
Section 1. Conventions: The BPOU Convention shall be held each year during the period set by the Republican Party of Minnesota State Executive Committee. The Clay County Republicans Executive Committee shall determine the time and place of the convention. Special Clay County Conventions may be held at any time deemed necessary by a two thirds majority of the members of the Clay County Executive Committee.
Section 2. Composition: The BPOU Conventions shall be composed of all delegates and the seated alternates duly elected at the precinct caucuses. Should any precinct lack the full allowance of delegates then unfilled seats shall remain unfilled.
Section 3. Election of an Executive Committee: Those annual Conventions held in odd-numbered years shall elect from the membership of The Republicans of Clay County a Chair, Deputy Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and 3 elected directors.
Section 3.a Executive Committee Eligibility: Any person nominated for any position on the Executive Committee must be a resident of Clay County Minnesota and may not be banned from Republican Party events nor formally removed from the party. Any individual who has been removed from an elected position in the republican party of Minnesota shall be ineligible for nomination for a period of 5 years unless reinstated by a 2/3 vote of the executive committee.
Section 3.b Officer Elections: The nominees for officer positions shall be voted upon separately and shall serve until the next odd-numbered year BPOU Convention. Nominees will be nominated either before the convention after the convention call has been sent, or during the convention during the nominations item on the agenda for the office the nominee is seeking. All nominations from the floor must have a Nominator, and second. All Nominations before the convention shall be submitted in writing to both the Chair and the Nominating Committee, pre-convention nominations must contain the name of the nominee, the office sought, a nominator, and a second from a delegate. All candidates for all offices shall be vetted by the nominating committee and shall receive a recommendation from the nominating committee. The order of elections shall go Chair, Deputy Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Director. The nominating period for each office during the convention may not open until the previous office election has been completed and a winner declared.
Section 3.c Director Elections: The delegates at the convention shall also elect directors to sit on the Executive Board of the Clay County Republicans. The number of elected directors shall be 3. If all 3 spots cannot be filled then only 1 director shall be elected. The vote for the number of directors may happen after the director nominations. The director candidates shall be nominated by the delegates of the Clay County Republicans, nominations require a second. Directors shall be voted upon in a single ballot by selecting the nominees who received the most votes on the ballot. In instances of a tie for the last position(s) a second ballot will be cast just between the tied candidates.
Section 4. State and District Convention Delegates and Alternates: BPOU Conventions in even-numbered years shall elect from the Membership of the Clay County Republicans Delegates and Alternates to the District and State Republican Conventions. Delegates and Alternates shall be voted upon in two
separate consecutive ballots by selecting the nominees who received the most votes on the ballot. In instances of a tie for the last position(s) a second ballot will be cast just between the tied candidates. Delegates and alternates will be assigned a numerical ranking by number of votes received. In the case of a slate being elected by voice vote, the Executive Committee will assign a numerical order.
Section 5. Election of State Central Committee Delegates and Alternates: BPOU Conventions in odd-numbered years shall elect from the membership of the Republicans of Clay County: State Central Committee Delegates, and three alternates per delegate. Alternates shall be ranked by number of votes received. Nominations require a nomination and a second.
Section 5a. State Central Delegate and Alternate Eligibility: Any person nominated for State Central Delegate or Alternate must be a resident of Clay County Minnesota and may not be banned from Republican Party events nor formally removed from the party. Any individual who has been previously removed from an elected position in the Republican Party of Minnesota shall be ineligible for nomination.
Section 6. Quorum: Fifty percent (50%) of the seated delegates of the Convention shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business of the Convention.
Section 7. Committees: Prior to the convening of any Clay County Republican Convention, the Clay County Chair and Deputy Chair shall appoint as needed the following pre-convention committees from the duly elected delegates and/or alternates to the Convention.
a. Credentials Committee
b. Rules Committee
c. Resolutions Committee
d. Nominating Committee
e. Standing Constitution Committee
f. Such other Committees as circumstances dictate
Section 7.a Responsibilities of Committees:
a. Credentials Committee: Shall confirm all delegates are eligible, and provide the convention chair and tellers with voting thresholds of 33%, 50%, 60%, and 67% of seated delegates.
b. Rules Committee: Shall propose a set of rules for conventions and shall advise the parliamentarian upon request.
c. Resolutions Committee: Shall review and consolidate resolutions presented for the conventions.
d. Nominating Committee: Shall interview and provide findings for the following offices: Chair, Deputy Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, State Central Committee delegate, and any Candidate seeking endorsement for public office at the convention. Findings shall be as follows; Qualified, Qualified with Reservations, or Unqualified.
e. Standing Constitution Committee: Shall review constitution before each convention and is responsible for recommendations to the constitution. The constitution committee shall advise the parliamentarian on issues of the constitution.
f. Such other Committees as circumstances dictate.
Section 8. Endorsing Conventions: At any endorsing convention that may be held, delegates seated at the convention may endorse candidates for public office by a vote of 60% of the delegates and seated alternates, based on the most recent credentials report, provided.
ARTICLE VI: BPOU EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. Establishment: There shall be an Executive Committee responsible for providing leadership to the organization and for the management of its affairs.
Section 2. Composition: The Executive Committee shall consist of elected members of The Republicans of Clay County as follows:
a. Chair: The Chair shall be the presiding officer of the BPOU, and shall have responsibility for providing leadership and executive guidance.
b. Deputy Chair: The Deputy Chair shall work with the Chair in providing leadership and executive guidance, and shall perform the duties assigned by the Executive Committee, and shall hold the duties of the chair when the chair is unavailable.
c. Secretary: The Secretary shall keep minutes of all of the BPOU Executive Committee meetings and regular meetings, and shall manage the public communications of the organization.
d. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive, keep, and be responsible for all funds of the BPOU and shall complete accurate records and accounts of the receipts and disbursements of such funds.
e. Directors: Directors shall be responsible for providing leadership for the organization in particular areas of party function. Up to two Directors may be appointed by the Executive committee and confirmed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the total voting membership of the Executive Committee.
Three Directors shall be elected by vote of the delegates at the odd year conventions. All directors may serve until the following odd year convention.
f. Ex-Officio (Non-voting): Republican Members of The US House of Representatives, US Senate, Minnesota State Senate, Minnesota State House of Representatives, Minnesota State Constitutional Officers, present officers of the Congressional District, State, and the most recent past Chair of the BPOU in good standing shall serve as ex-officio members.
g. One designated representative from each unit of an auxiliary or affiliate organization of The Republicans of Minnesota living in Clay County as listed in the MNGOP bylaws. Affiliate may be accepted upon a two thirds majority of the executive committee. Affiliate members are ex-officio and may not participate in closed sessions.
Section 3. Meetings: The Executive Committee shall hold regular monthly meetings unless determined by a 2/3 majority that a meeting is not needed that month. In the absence of the Chair, the Deputy Chair shall be
the presiding officer. In the absence of both the Chair and the Deputy Chair, a presiding officer shall be elected by those voting members present. One more than fifty percent (50%+1) of the voting members of the
Committee shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of its business.
Section 4. Executive Committee Voting: Members of the committee may vote on all matters. Voting may be conducted in person, over the phone, by video, or by a signed proxy voting sheet. Proxy voting sheets must be signed by the executive committee members issuing the proxy, the executive committee member acting as the proxy, and by a third member of the Executive committee. The proxy voting form shall describe the vote(s) that are to be made, or the matter(s) on which the proxy voter may vote on the members behalf.
Section 5. Pre-endorsement Activity: If there is a contest for any endorsement, all declared candidates seeking that endorsement shall be allowed equal access to all information, Clay County events, and resources allowed for candidates prior to endorsement.
Section 6. Executive Committee Members Seeking Endorsement for Public Office: Any member of the Executive Committee seeking the endorsement of any delegates from the Republicans of Clay County shall automatically resign their positions upon announcement of their candidacy. ARTICLE VII: VACANCIES
Section 1. Vacancy in the Executive Committee: Vacancies among officers and directors shall be filled by the Executive Committee and confirmed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the total voting membership of the Executive Committee.
Section 2. Vacancy in Precinct Delegation: A vacancy shall occur in a delegate or alternate position upon death, resignation or change in residence to outside of the precinct from which the delegate or alternate was elected. Special caucuses for one or more precincts may be called by the Executive Committee in a manner prescribed by statute of biennial precinct caucuses for the sole purpose of filling vacancies in precincts which exist at the time of notice.
Section 3. Vacancy in District or State Delegation: A vacancy shall occur in a delegate or alternate position upon death, resignation, or change in residence to outside of Clay County. These vacancies may be filled by the BPOU Convention in odd-numbered years.
ARTICLE VIII: SEATING OF ALTERNATES
Section 1. BPOU Conventions: Should any elected precinct delegate to the BPOU Convention fail to attend such Convention, said seat shall be filled from the qualified available alternates only that precinct by caucus action of the assembled delegates from that precinct.
Section 2. District or State Conventions: If a delegate is unable to attend a District or State Convention, or a portion thereof, said Delegate may designate a First Alternate to fill the vacancy by notifying the BPOU Chair or Deputy Chair of such designation by written documentation not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the Convention. The Delegate may designate a Second Alternate in the same manner but only if, after inquiry, no First Alternate is available to fill the vacancy. If a Delegate fails to attend a District or State Convention, or a portion thereof, and fails to designate an Alternate replacement, Alternates will be seated in the numerical order that they were elected. The
Delegate’s seat shall be filled from among the qualified available Alternates, by caucus action of the assembled BPOU Delegates to the Convention. No Second Alternate may be seated at any District or State Convention until all First
Alternates attending such Convention from the BPOU shall be given an opportunity to be seated in an existing vacancy.
ARTICLE IX: REMOVALS
Members of the Executive Committee, Delegates and Alternates to Conventions may, except as otherwise prescribed by State Constitution, be removed only by a two-thirds vote of the total voting membership of the Executive Committee. Notice of any proposed removal and of the time and place at which such removal is to be voted upon shall be given to all members of the Executive Committee and to the individual whose removal is to be voted upon. The individual whose removal is proposed and Executive Committee members shall be served with a statement of the specific grounds for the proposed removal at least ten (10) days before a vote is to be taken upon such a proposal. Meetings of removal are closed to all except the Executive Committee and said individual.
ARTICLE X: CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Amendments: This Constitution may be amended only by a two-thirds vote of the members seated at a BPOU Convention. No proposed amendment shall be submitted to the Convention until after it has been considered by a Constitution Committee and reported out of said Committee by at least a Committee Report signed by 50% of committee members. Proposed amendments to this Constitution must be submitted to the Constitution Committee in writing and at least seven days prior to any BPOU Convention at which that proposed amendment is to be considered.
Section 2. Effective Date: Each amendment to this Constitution shall, unless otherwise prescribed by the amendment, become effective immediately upon its adoption.
ARTICLE XI: RULES OF ORDER
The rules of parliamentary procedure contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern Republicans of the Clay County Republicans in all applicable cases in which they are not in conflict with this Constitution, the laws of the State
of Minnesota or the Constitution of the Republicans of Minnesota.
