rules of the republican party overview
DESCRIPTION
The attached RNC Rules were distributed as the baseline document to RNC Standing Rules Committee members attending the RNC meeting in Phoenix, May 2015.There were additional changes adopted through August 2014.Also attached RNC Legal Counsel's office presentation from that same meeting.TRANSCRIPT
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 1
Overview of
The Rules of the Republican Party
RNC Counsel’s Office
Updated February 2nd, 2015
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 2
OVERVIEW
• Preamble
• The Republican National Committee
– Rules 1 – 12
• Convening of the Next National Convention
– Rules 13 – 25
• Proceedings of National Convention
– Rules 26 - 42
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 3
Rules 1 – 12
Organization and operation of the
Republican National Committee
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 4
Organization of the RNC Rule 1
The RNC “shall have the general management of the
Republican Party”
Membership
Shall consist of the following from each State Republican
Party:
1 – National Committeeman
1 – National Committeewoman
1 – State Chairman
“State” is defined in Rule 1(b) to include all states and
territories, unless defined otherwise.
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE
Election of RNC Members
RULE 2
Provides the method of election for RNC committeemen and
committeewomen.
- State Party Rules
- State Laws
- National Convention Delegation
RULE 3
NCM and NCW serve 4-year terms, beginning and ending at adjournment
of the national convention
State party chairmen serve during term of chairmanship
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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE
Filling Vacancies of Members and Officers
RULE 4
When a vacancy occurs in a state’s RNC delegation, a state
party elects a new member pursuant to its rules. RNC
ratifies.
In most cases, when a vacancy of an officer or on committee
occurs, it is filled by the same method used when the
position was first filled.
Chairman appointees serve at pleasure of Chairman.
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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 7
RNC Officers
RULE 5
Officers:
• Chairman (CEO)
• Co-Chairman (opposite sex)
• 8 Vice-Chairmen (1 man, 1woman per region)
• Secretary (must be RNC member or officer when elected)
• Treasurer (must be RNC member or officer when elected)
Chairman Appointees:
• General Counsel
• Chairman, Republican Finance Committee
Sets forth the 4 RNC regions.
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 8
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE
Administrative Rules
RULE 7
• Robert’s Rules of Order to be used in all RNC meetings and its
committees.
• Rules for voting by proxy
• No secret ballot votes (except elections)
RULE 8
RNC Meeting Schedule – at least 3 times per year; upon the call of the
Chairman; provisions for special meetings.
RULE 9
RNC has authority to fill a vacancy of the Republican candidate for
President or Vice President of the United States.
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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 10
RNC Committees
RULE 6
• Executive Committee
RULE 10
• Rules
• Resolutions
• Budget
• Site Selection
• Committee on Arrangements
• Call
• Contests
• Finance
• Temporary Commission on Convention Planning
• Presidential Primary Debates
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 11
Executive Committee Rule 6(a)
Membership
3 – Appointed by RNC Chairman
8 – 2 Elected from each of 4 Regions
18 – Elected officers; Chairmen of State
Chairmen’s Advisory, Resolutions,
Budget and Rules Committees; General
Counsel; Finance Chairman
29 – Total Members
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 12
Executive Committee Rule 6(b)
Duties
Exercise all the executive and administrative functions…between RNC meetings…with the exception of…
1. Election of RNC officers
2. Ratification of RNC members
3. Call and designation of time and place of national convention
4. Fill vacancies for Republican candidates for President and Vice President
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 13
Standing Committee on Rules Rule 10(a)(1)
Membership
56 – 1 from each state delegation
The members of the RNC from each state shall caucus, and by majority vote, choose from their number a member to serve on this committee.
Duties
• To review and propose recommendations with respect to The Rules of the Republican Party
• Now has jurisdiction under Rule 12
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 14
Standing Committee on Resolutions Rule 10(a)(2)
Membership
1 – Chairman appointed by RNC Chairman
8 – 2 elected from each region
9 – Total Members
Duties
Consider all resolutions submitted by any member for adoption by the RNC…
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 15
Standing Budget Committee Rule 10(a)(3)
Membership
3 – Appointed by RNC Chairman
8 – Elected from Regional Caucuses
4 – Ex-Officio: RNC Chairman, Co- Chairman, Treasurer, and Chairman of Finance Committee
15 – Total Members
Duties:
Develops RNC Budget; Reviews income and expenditures
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 16
Site Selection Committee Rule 10(a)(4)
Membership
1 – Chairman appointed by RNC Chairman
8 – 2 voting members elected from each region
9 – Total Members
4 – 1 alternate member from each region
Duties
Investigate potential sites for the next national convention and recommend a site to the RNC for selection
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 17
Committee on Arrangements Rule 10(a)(5)
Membership
56(+) – At least 1 member from each state appointed by RNC Chairman
4 – RNC Chairman, Co-Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary
2 – Chairmen of Rules and Contest Committees
62(+) – Total Members
Duties
To plan for and manage the next national convention
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 18
Committee on the Call Rule 10(a)(6)
Membership
1 – Chairman appointed by RNC
Chairman
7(+) – Appointed by RNC Chairman
8(+) – Total Members
Duties
Shall assist…with the issuance of the call for the
next national convention…
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 19
Standing Committee on Contests Rule 10(a)(7)
Membership
1 – Chairman appointed by RNC
Chairman
8 – 2 elected by each region
9 – Total Members
Duties
Relating to resolution of contests associated with
national convention delegates as prescribed in
Rule 24
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 20
State Chairmen’s Advisory Committee Rule 10(a)(8)
Membership
State chairmen of each state party. RNC Chairman appoints Committee chairman.
Duties
Provide forum for discussion among state chairmen of matters of concern for state parties….but the shall take no formal action.
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 21
Finance Committee Rule 10(a)(9)
Membership
No limitations or requirements.
Duties
RNC shall create a Republican Finance
Committee and any subcommittees…to which it
may delegate the responsibility of developing and
implementing a broad based fundraising plan.
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 22
Temporary Commission on Convention Planning Rule 10(g)
• Membership: RNC Chairman appoints up to 20
members, including the RNC Chairman and
General Counsel as ex officio members
• Duties: Review financing, security, calendar,
program and site selection of future
conventions. Present recommendations to the
RNC at 2014 Spring Meeting
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE
Standing Committee on Presidential Primary Debates Rule 10(h)
Membership
5 – Appointed by RNC Chairman
8 – 2 elected by each region
13 – Total Members
Duties
To sanction debates on behalf of the RNC based
on considerations of timing, frequency, format,
media outlet, and the best interests of the
Republican Party.
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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE
Candidate Support
RULE 11
The RNC may not support a candidate who is not the
Republican nominee (or unopposed in primary) w/o
written approval from all the RNC members from the state.
Candidate is not recognized as the nominee under this Rule if
he or she was nominated in a process that allowed voters
who participated in the nomination of a candidate of
another party to participate in the Republican nomination
process.
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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 25
Amendments Rule 12
Rules 1-11 and 13-25 were eligible for amendment
between National Conventions (prior to 10/1/14), with
amendments going into effect 30 days after adoption.
Submission
Sponsor must submit 10 days prior to the meeting of the
full RNC where passage of the amendment is sought.
Adoption
Must pass through the Rules Committee by majority
vote. Then must receive an affirmative vote of ¾ of
the RNC membership.
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE
Amendments since 2012 National Convention Rules 1-11
RULE 7(c) – Proxy Requirements
• Removed witness requirement for proxies
• Allows filing of proxy by “letter, email or other acceptable form.”
RULE 10(a)(5) – Committee on Arrangements
• Removed chairman of Standing Committee on Contests and each of
the convention committees as ex officio officers of the COA.
RULE 10(a)(8) – State Chairmen’s Advisory Committee
• Removed references to the State Chairmen’s meeting (now the Spring
Meeting)
RULE 10(e)-(f) – added the words “and/or elected” to reflect that not all
committees are appointed.
RULE 10(h) – created the Standing Committee on Presidential Primary
Debates
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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 27
Rules 13 – 25
Rules Relating to Convening the Next
National Convention
- Call of Convention
- Delegates to Convention
- Contests
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 28
Call of Next Convention Rule 13
• Must be issued prior to December
1 of year before Convention.
• Includes temporary convention
rules, state delegate counts,
penalties, and proportionality
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 29
Membership in the Convention Rule 14
Delegates
• At Large
– 10 from each of the 50 states
– 6 each from American Samoa, Guam, the
Virgin Islands, and Northern Mariana Islands
– 16 from the District of Columbia
– 20 from Puerto Rico
• RNC Members
– 3 from each state, District of Columbia, and territories
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 30
Membership in the Convention, cont. Rule 14
• District Delegates
– 3 for each US House of Representatives district
• Bonus Delegates – At Large for electoral success. 1 additional Delegate for each of:
– Voting for Republican Presidential nominee
– Electing a Republican Governor
– Each Republican US Senator elected
– Electing at least half the members of U.S. House delegation
– Republican majority in one of a state’s legislative chamber
– Republican majority in all of a state’s legislative chambers
Alternate Delegates
• 1 for each Delegate
• No Alternate Delegates for RNC Members
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 31
Delegate Selection Process Rule 16
• Party Rules trump State Law
– California Democratic Party v. Jones, 530 U.S. 567 (2000).
• No “beauty contests” – Any statewide presidential
preference vote must be used to allocate and bind state’s
delegation to the national convention. Rule 16(a)(1)
• No “faithless delegates” – Votes at National Convention
by bound delegates for presidential candidates to whom
delegates are not bound shall not be recognized. Except as
provided by state law or state party rule, presidential
candidates cannot remove delegates. Rule 16(a)(2)
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 32
Timing of Delegate Selection Rule 16(c)
2016 Delegate Selection Window:
March 1, 2016 through 2nd Saturday in June (6/11/16).
Exceptions:
IA, NV, NH, SC may conduct their contests up to one month before the next earliest state.
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE
Proportional Allocation of Delegates Rule 16(c)(2)-(3)
Proportional allocation required for all processes to elect, select, allocate,
or bind delegates to the national convention held prior to March 15
(except carve-outs).
Allocation based on # of statewide or CD votes cast in proportion to total
# of votes received by each candidate.
May have minimum threshold to be awarded any delegates, but not higher
than 20%.
May have minimum threshold to be awarded all delegates, but not lower
than 50%.
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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE
Delegate Selection Process Rule 16(d)
Prohibits non-Republicans from participating
and allows states to require additional
qualifications.
If state law allows non-Republicans to
participate, delegates are selected by state
party rules.
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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE
Delegate Allocation Rule 16(d)
At large delegates elected at large.
3 delegates and 3 alternate delegates allocated
to represent each congressional district.
No automatic delegates (except for RNC
members).
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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE
Changes to Delegate Selection Process Rule 16(d), (f)
October 1, 2015
• Date by which any changes to delegate
selection process must be completed.
Changes made after this date are not
effective.
• Date by which state committees must file its
delegate election procedures with the RNC
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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE
State Conventions Rule 16(e)
Congressional or state conventions are the default method of
delegate election.
Conventions are to be called by the Republican state
committee, with notice published by method sufficient for
general circulation in the county/district/state
Delegates participating in the convention must be
Republicans.
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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE
Certification & Filing By 10/1/15 Rule 16(f)
October 1, 2015 deadline to adopt and submit delegate
selection/allocation plan. Rule 16(f)(1)
RNC may grant waiver where not possible for state to comply with
10/1/15 deadline and not possible to use the previous method to
elect delegates to the national convention – but ONLY if in the
best interest of the Republican Party. Rule 16(f)(2).
RNC may grant a waiver from Rules 16(a)(1) & 16(a)(2) where
compliance is impossible AND waiver is in the best interests of
the Republican Party. Rule 16(f)(3).
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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 39
Enforcement of Rules Rule 17
Violation of Rule 16(c)(1): Conducting delegate selection
process prior to March 1.
• States with 30 or more delegates shall have their delegation
reduced to 9 plus RNC members.
• States with 29 or fewer delegates shall have their
delegation reduced to 6 plus RNC members.
Violation of Rule 16(c)(2): Failure to allocate
proportionally for pre-Mach 15 contest.
• Number of delegates and alternate delegates reduced by
50% (but no less than 2 delegates).
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE
Filling Vacancies in a Delegation Rule 18
Order of precedence for method of filling
vacancies:
1. State Republican Party rules.
2. State laws.
3. In the same manner as delegates were initially
chosen, or by vote of state GOP exec
committee.
4. If vacancy not filled 10 days prior to
Convention, by vote of the state delegation.
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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE
Certification of Delegates Rule 20
All delegates and alternates must be chosen no later than 45
days before the date of the meeting of the national
convention.
2016 Deadline: June 3
Credentials for each delegate and alternate must be filed with
the RNC no later than 35 days prior to convention.
2016 Deadline: June 13
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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE
Certification of Delegates Rule 20
Who Certifies?
• Convention: Chairman & Secretary of convention or state GOP
• Primary: Canvassing board or officer designated by state law,
forwarded to RNC by Chairman & Secretary of state GOP
• State Committee: Chairman & Secretary of state GOP
Waiver
• RNC Executive Committee may grant a waiver to a state party
that is out of compliance w/ Rule 20 deadlines only if:
• State party makes a reasonable effort to comply; AND
• In best interests of the Republican Party
• Mandatory waiver if efforts impracticable due to non-GOP
control.
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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 43
Other Procedural Rules
• Participation in Delegate Selection Process
– Rule 15
• Excess Delegates and Alternates
– Rule 19
• Temporary Roll
– Rule 22
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COUNSEL’S OFFICE 44
Contests
• RNC Committee on Contests
– Rule 10(a)(7)
• Resolution by States
– Rule 21
• Contest Filing
– Rule 23
• Contest Procedure
– Rule 24
• Convention Committee on Credentials
– Rule 25
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE
Amendments since 2012 National Convention Rules 13-25
RULE 16(a)(2)
• Removed automatic resignation for faithless delegates.
• Clarifies that no presidential candidate shall have the power to remove
a delegate.
RULE 16(c)
• Imposed proportionality requirement for pre-March 15 contests
• States that proportional allocation is based on number of votes cast in
proportion to number of votes received by each candidate
• Established permissible vote thresholds:
o Percent of votes necessary to claim any delegates: no higher than 20%
o Percent of votes necessary to claim all delegates: no lower than 50%
RULE 16(d)
• Removed references to the 1988 Republican National Convention
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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE
Amendments Since 2012 Convention Rules 13-25
RULE 16(e)
• Added publication on a state party website as means sufficient to
provide notice of the call for any caucus, meeting, or convention to
select delegates to the national convention.
RULE 17(a)
• Increased the delegate penalty for a state that violates the Rule 16(c)(1)
calendar window for primaries/caucuses/conventions.
RULE 17(f)
• Erased removal of RNC members as delegates due to calendar
violation.
RULE 20(a)
• Moved up delegate selection deadline by 10 days to 45 days prior to
the National Convention.
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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE
Amendments Since 2012 Convention Rules 13-25
RULE 20(b)
• Requires state party chairman and secretary to forward certificates of
election for delegates elected by primary.
RULE 20(d)
• Discretionary and mandatory waivers of Rule 20 deadlines.
RULES 23-25
• Updated the rules concerning contests based on lessons learned from
2012 to ensure a more efficient process in 2016.
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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 48
Rules 26 – 42
Proceedings of the National Convention (Temporary Rules until Officially Adopted)
Convention Procedure
Convention Access
Convention Committees
Committee Reports
Voting, Nominations & Roll Call
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 49
Convention Procedure
• Order of Business prepared and printed by RNC – time/date, time limits, procedural rules (Rule 26)
• Committee Reports: Credentials first. Rules prior to Platform. All Committee reports prior to nomination of candidates. (Rule 27)
• One vote per delegate; voting by alternates. (Rule 29)
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 50
Admission to Convention Hall Rule 28
Delegate Section
• Delegates
• Officers of Convention
• Members of RNC
• Incumbent Governors and MOC’s
Press and Staff Section
Guest Section
Guest passes for each delegate and alternate plus # equal to 1/3 of delegation
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 51
Rules of Order Rules 30 - 39
• Rules of the House of Representatives (Rule 30) except: Robert’s Rules of Order for committees, Convention rules for reading reports and resolutions
• 5-minute Delegate debate rule (Rule 31)
• Suspension of Rules – Majority of Delegates from 8 states can require vote to suspend (Rule 32)
• Written submission of Platform resolutions (Rule 33)
• No Platform or Rules minority report without 25% support and timely submission (Rule 34)
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 52
Rules of Order Rules 30 - 39
• Motions to table amendments are in order (Rule 35)
• Majority vote for previous question (Rule 36)
• Roll calls (Rule 37):
• Alphabetical by state, announced by delegation chairmen; delegate exception; passing
• Electronic voting generally permitted except for President and VP nominations
• RNC may authorize alternative procedures for Presidential and VP roll calls if Convention cannot meet
• Unit Rule defined and prohibited (Rule 38)
• Roll call may be demanded by majority of delegates from 7 states (Rule 39)
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 53
Nominations Rule 40
• Support of majority of Delegates of 8 states
required to have name placed in nomination
for President or VP
• Certificate of support shall be submitted to
at least1 hour prior to placing names into
nomination
• Majority required to become Republican
nominee
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 54
Convention Committees Rule 41
• Credentials
• Rules and Order of Business
• Platform
• Permanent Organization
Membership
112 – 1 man and 1 woman from each state (elected)
Chairman and Co-Chairman (appointed by RNC Chairman)
Restrictions
• No Delegate may serve on more than one committee
• No Alternate Delegates unless too few eligible delegates
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 55
Temporary Rules Rule 42
Rules 26 – 42:
• Standing Rules of the 2012 Convention, and
• Temporary Rules of the 2016 Convention
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 56 56
This presentation was intended as an introductory overview of
The Rules of the Republican Party. Many details could not
be included. A full copy of the Rules can be found at
gop.com/rules-and-resolutions.
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
COUNSEL’S OFFICE 57 57
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