Road to Convention - Republican Party of Texas...CEC Vote on Precinct Conventions 2. Some date or...

RoadtoConvention

ConventionsAMAJORfunctionwithintheParty

q PrecinctConventionq EachCountydetermineswhenandwheretobeheldq MustbeAFTERpollscloseonelectiondayandbeforeCounty/SDConventionconvenesonthe 3rd SaturdayafterthePrimaryElection

q County/SenateDistrictConvention– 3rd SaturdayafterthePrimaryElection.Dateissetbystatepartyrule,butthetimeandlocationissetbyCEC

q CountyConvention– iftheCountyisentirelyinONEStateSenateDistrictq SenateDistrictConvention– iftheCountyhasmorethanoneStateSenateDistrict

PurposeofConventions● ElectDelegatesandAlternatestoattendthenextconvention

• Set the Party Platform, Rules & Priorities

• Elect Party leadership○ StateChairman○ StateViceChairman○ NationalCommitteeman○ NationalCommitteewoman○ StateRepublicanExecutivecommittee(SREC)Members

• Effective way to make change happen

Delegatesq are grassroots Republicans

q participate in the shaping of the Party, its role, and its direction regarding public policy

q serve as volunteers

q must be elected to represent their

district

The Power of a Delegate

q Shape the defined beliefs of the Partyq Deliver legislative priorities for the

Party to champion and for elected officials advance

q Set Party rulesq Elect leadership

What are resolutions?

A means for proposing your ideas

Precinct ConventionBring 3 copies in writingPropose during appropriate agenda itemDiscuss, amendVote

Other conventions: Resolutions committees

Remember: Process is key

q Learn Robert’s Rulesq Practice (online resources/cheat

sheet)q Study RPT Rules

Tier1PrecinctConventions

WhoCanParticipate?

● AnyregisteredvoterintheprecinctwhovotedintheRepublicanPrimaryElectionofyearconventionisheld.

● AnyregisteredvoterwhohastakentheOathofAffiliation○ Notparticipatedinanotherparty’sprimaryorconventionprocess

CECVoteonPrecinctConventions● YourCountyExecutiveCommittee(CEC)needstovoteonwhenand

whereyourcountywillholdtheirPrecinctConventions.

OPTIONS:1. AfterthepollscloseonElectionDay

● Pros○ Easytotellpeoplewhenandwheretoattend○ Plentyoftimetoprocessallpaperworkandappoint

temporarycommittees● Cons

○ Makesureyouaddtheextratimeintothecontractsyousignwiththepollinglocationswhenyousecurethem.

○ Ifmanyofyouractivistarealsoworkingthepollstheymightnotbeabletofinishtheirdutiesandattendtheconventions

CECVoteonPrecinctConventions

2. SomedateortimeafterElectionDaybutbeforetheCounty/SDConventions● Pros

○ Electionworkerswouldbeabletoparticipateintheconventions

○ Doesn’trequirefolkstostayevenlateronaschoolnight○ Doesnotinterferewithelectionnightpartiesorreturns

● Cons○ Mightbedifficulttogetactivistsoutonanadditionalday○ ShortensthetimeframetoorganizefortheCounty/SD

Convention

CECVoteonPrecinctConventions

3. SameDayasCountyConvention -● Pros

○ Activistsonlyhavetogiveuponedayinsteadoftwo

● Cons○ Logistics,especiallycommitteework,couldbeanissue

PrecinctConventionProcess● ThePrecinctChairistheTemporaryPrecinctConventionChairmanandwillstartthemeeting○ IfthereisnoPrecinctChairortheyaren’tpresent,any

singlevoterorgroupofPrimaryElectionvotersinthatPrecinctcanstillholdthemeeting■ Iftheprecinctisvacantandaconventionisstillheld,

thismightbea goodpoolofcandidatestorecruitfromtofillthevacancy

○ MaterialswillbepostedontheRPTwebsite■ Script,Minutes,Delegate/AlternateList,&SignIn

Sheet

PrecinctConventionProcess● APermanentConventionChairmaniselectedbythosepresentatthemeeting○ ThePrecinctChaircanbeelectedasthePermanent

ConventionChairmanoranotherpersoncanbe■ ThePermanentPrecinctConventionChair’sdutiesendwhentheconventionisadjournedandtheyhavesubmittedtheconventionmaterialstotheCountyChair

PrecinctConventionProcess● AtthePrecinctConvention,delegatesandAlternatesarenominatedandelectedtorepresentthePrecinctattheCounty/SDConvention○ MakesuretouseLEGAL names○ AKAthenameusedtovoteintheelection

● PlatformResolutionsareproposedandthoseadoptedareforwardedtotheCounty/SDConvention○ ResolutionsMUSTbepresentedinwriting

PrecinctConventionGuidelines● Noquorumisrequired○ Onepersoncanholdaconventionmeeting

● PrecinctConventionscanlastfromafewminutestoanhourormore

● MinutesandotherformsMUSTbereturnedbythePermanentConventionChairtotheCountyChairbytherequiredtimeanddate.Credentialproblemswilloccurputtingdelegatestandingatriskifnotreturnedbytherequireddate.

SubmissionofRecordsq PermanentChairofthePrecinctConventionmustsubmitthe

recordsoftheconvention (RPTRule22c)q TotheCountyChairmanq Onorbeforethe3rd dayafterconvention(ifbymail,thenmustbedepositedinmailbythe2nddayafterconvention)q UnlessyourcountyisholdingprecinctconventionsthedaybeforeoronthedateoftheCounty/SDConvention

q Failuretosubmitbythedeadlineq Mayresultindelegate/alternatecredentialsbeinginquestionorrevokedbytheCredentialscommittee

q GeneralRulesforallconventions- RPTRules10- 18A

q GeneralRulesforPrecinctConventions- RPTRules19- 22

Thank you!

Tier2County&SDConventions

Date,Time,andLocation� CECshouldvoteonlocationandstarttimeoftheCounty/SDConvention

� LocationSuggestions – planforyoursize○ Countyheadquarters○ Countycourthousecourtroom○ Schoolauditoriumorcafeteria○ Church○ Localbusiness○ House

� Coordinateopeningandclosingoffacility� County/SDConventionsmustbeheldthe3rd SaturdayafterthePrimaryElection

Volunteers● Delegates,AlternatesandPartyOfficerscanalsohelpwiththeseroles

● Tasks○ Registration○ Setup○ Teardown

● Pages – High/Homeschoolstudentsaregreatresources○ Assistatcommitteemeetings○ AssistatRegistration○ AssistwithBallotdistribution,votecounting,etc.○ Actasarunnerbetweenthemainconventionandcommittees

AppointTemporaryConventionOfficers● MustbeafterthePrimaryElection● MustbeaDelegatetotheCounty/SDConvention● Officers

○ TemporaryConventionChair■ CountyConvention- CountyChairisautomaticallytheTemporaryChairofaCOUNTY

Convention■ SDConvention– PrecinctChairswholiveinthatSenateDistrictelecttheTemporarySD

ConventionChairfromamongstthemselvesandtheCountyChairlivingintheSD● ForanSDfullycontainedwithinthecounty,firstmeetingiscalledbyCountyChair- body

shouldelectaTemporarySDChairatthismeeting(TEC§171.053)● ForanSDcomprisingpartofacountyandcrossingacountyline,thefirstmeetingis

calledbytheStateChair- bodyshouldelectaTemporarySDChairatthismeeting.Sec.171.054(b)

● MaybeaspecialmeetingorcancoincidewithaCECmeeting

AppointTemporaryConventionOfficers● Officers(continued)

○ TemporaryConventionSecretary■ Mayappointassistantsifnecessary

○ TemporarySergeant-at-Arms■ Mayappointassistantsifnecessary

○ TemporaryParliamentarian■ Mayappointassistantsifnecessary

● MustbeappointedafterthePrimaryElectionbutbeforetheCounty/SDConvention

● MustbeaDelegate totheCounty/SDConvention● OncetheChairmanandmembersofthecommitteeareappointed,thecommitteesshouldmeetinADVANCE(asneeded)oftheCounty/SDConventiontoconducttheirtasksandthenbeabletoprovideareporttothedelegatesattheCounty/SDConvention

AppointTemporaryCommitteeChairs� MustbeappointedafterthePrimaryElectionbutbeforetheCounty/SDConvention

� MustbeaDelegate totheCounty/SDConvention� OncetheChairmanandmembersofthecommitteeareappointed,thecommitteesshouldmeetinADVANCE(asneeded)oftheCounty/SDConventiontoconducttheirtasksandthenbeabletoprovideareporttothedelegatesattheCounty/SDConvention

� CommonConventionCommittees:○ Rules○ Resolutions/Platform○ Nominations○ Organization○ Credentials

AppointTemporaryCommitteeMembers● MaybedoneinconsultationwithTemporaryCommitteeChairman

● MustbeafterthePrimaryElectionbutbeforetheCounty/SDConvention

● MustbeaDELEGATEtotheCounty/SDConvention○ IfyourCounty/SDConventionhasmorethan25delegates■ Eachcommitteeshallbecomposedofatleast5butnotmorethan15members

● NOTE○ Resolutionsneedonlyincludethe“Resolved”section(s)notthe“WHEREASplanks”

○ Youdonotneedtopasstheentirepreviousplatform,justthechanges/edits/additions

TemporaryCommittees&Function� TemporaryCredentials – shallhearanycontestconcerningdelegatesandshallrecommendthepermanentrolloftheconvention○ ThiscommitteecheckstoensurethatalldelegateswhosenamesaresubmitteddidvoteintheRepublicanPrimaryElectionorhavetakentheOathofAffiliation

� TemporaryRules – shallrecommendsupplementaryrulesfortheconvention○ Theycansetadditionalrulesconcerningtimelimits,aslongastheydonotconflictwithStateLaworRepublicanPartyofTexasRules

� Organization – shallrecommendpermanentofficersfortheCounty/SDConventionfromamongthedelegates○ Thesecanandoftenwillbethecommitteewillsimplyrecommendthetemporaryofficerstobepermanentofficers

TemporaryResolutions● TemporaryResolutions – shallconductpreliminarydeliberationsforthepurposeofmakingrecommendationstothePermanentResolutionsCommittee○ Withalltheprecinctssubmittingresolutionsforconsiderationthecommitteecombinesandorganizesthesedowntobeputbeforethebodyfordebateandpossibleadoption

○ TheresolutionssubmittedthroughthisprocesshelpformtheStatePartyPlatform■ ItisnotnecessarytopassplanksofthecurrentRPTplatform

■ SomecountiesdouseittohelporganizethesubmittedresolutionsandshowdelegateshowthoseresolutionswouldimpactthecurrentStatePlatform

TemporaryNominations● TemporaryNominations – shallconductpreliminarydeliberationsforthepurposeofmakingrecommendationstothePermanentNominationsCommittee○ ThiscommitteecompilesalistofeligibleDelegatesandAlternatestorepresenttheCounty/SD/CDattheStateConvention■ RPTwillsupplythebreakdownforthedelegate/alternateallotmentfromeachCongressionalDistrictinyourSDorCounty

○ EligibilityRequirements■ MusthavevotedintheRepublicanPrimaryElectionofthecurrentyearofconvention - OR

■ SignedtheOathofAffiliation○ Dependingonsizesomecountiesaskinterestedindividualstofilloutanapplicationandmayevenofferopportunitiestovetindividualsinface-to-faceinterviews

TemporaryNominations● Individualstoconsider

○ CountyChair○ CountyOfficers○ PrecinctChairs○ PartyVolunteers○ ElectedRepublicanOfficials/Nominees

● IfbothaHusbandandWifewanttoattendtheStateConvention,manycountiesaskonespousetobeaDelegateandasktheotherspousetobeanAlternatetoallowformoreoverallinvolvement

● NOTE: IfyouareholdingaSenatorialDistrictConvention,thereareadditionalguidelinesregardingselectionofDelegatesandAlternatestotheStateConvention

● REMINDER: Thelistcannotbealteredorsupplementedoncepassedbytheconventionasawholeaftertheconventionadjourns○ Conventionscannotpassamotiontoallowthechairtoaddto

thislist

Guidelines� VotingStrength

○ EachPrecinctisallottedacertainpercentageofdelegatesdependingontheturnoutinthepreviousgubernatorial,election■ RPTwillsendyoutheallotments

○ Unlessalldelegatesarepresenteachdelegate’svotewillbeapercentage■ 20delegatesallowedwith10inattendance=2votesperdelegate

� CandidateLiterature○ Maybefreelydistributedindelegateandalternateseatingareasaslongas theitemsdisplaynameandaddressofthepersonorgroup(RPTRule15A)

ImportantProcessSteps!ReportofNominationsCommittee– ExhibitsE&F● AfterthereportofrecommendeddelegatesandalternatestotheStateConventionaremade,thereportisupfordebateandcanbeamended

● StateConventionDelegates– ExhibitE● StateConventionAlternates– ExhibitF

● IfnothingelseTURNTHISINtoStateParty!!! INATIMELYFASHION!○ DelegatesandAlternatesfromyourcountyorSDCANNOTattendtheStateConventioniftheyarenotsubmitted!!

ImportantProcessStepsReportofPermanentResolutionsCommittee– ExhibitsG&H� Typicallythereareseveralprintedcopiesofthe

proposedresolutionsforconsiderationdistributedtotheconventiondelegates

� Youcandiscusseachresolutionoryoucanmovetoacceptthereportasawhole

� ADOPTEDResolutions– ExhibitGSendtheseintotheStateParty

� ResolutionsNOTadopted– ExhibitH

SubmissionofRecordsDeadlinetosubmitpaperworktoRPT○ ExhibitE – DelegateselectedtotheStateConvention○ ExhibitF – AlternateselectedtotheStateConvention○ ExhibitG – ResolutionsADOPTED

● PermanentChairoftheConventionmustsubmittherecordsoftheconvention(RPTRule32)○ ToRPTonorbeforethe5thdayaftertheconvention

● Failuretosubmitbythedeadline○ Mayinvalidatetheconvention○ Mayresultindelegate/alternatecredentialsbeinginquestionedorrevokedbytheCredentialscommittee

UseYourTimeWisely● CountyExecutiveCommittee

○ PrecinctChairVacancies

● MeetingtimesandothereventsPromotePartyCandidatesandElectedOfficials○ Speaktotheconvention○ Sponsorportionsoftheconvention■ Meals■ Bottledwater

○ AttendandCampaign■ Setupatable■ Distributecampaignswag

Thank you!

Tier3StateConvention

FunctionofStateConvention● EveryStateConvention (every2yrs)

○ ElectionofPartyOfficers■ StateChair■ ViceChair■ SRECMembers

○ AdoptaStatePartyPlatform○ AdoptStatePartyRules

● PresidentialYearsOnly○ ElectNationalConventionDelegates&Alternates○ ElectNationalCommitteeman&NationalCommitteewoman○ ElectPresidentialElectorsfromeachCD

OtherAspectsoftheStateConvention

● Speakers○ StatewideElectedOfficials○ OtherprominentRepublicansfromaroundthenation

● BreakoutSessions○ Educationaltraining○ Issuedrivendiscussiongroups○ Paneldiscussionswithfieldexperts

● Events– ElectedOfficialshaveeventswhereyougettomeetthem,theircampaignstaffandothersupporters

● Exhibitors○ Contactandliteraturefromadvocacygroups○ Swag– T-shirts,bumperstickers,pins,jewelry,etc.○ CandidatesandCampaigns

StateConvention- TemporaryCommittees● EachSRECMemberrecommendsONEdelegateforeachcommitteeandSDCaucus.(RPTRule33b)○ IfbothSRECMembersagreeonthesamecommitteeappointmentthatiswhotheStateChairmustappointtothecommittee.

○ IfthemembersdisagreetheStateChairmustchoosebetweenthetworecommendations.

○ TheStateChairmayappointanydelegatefromaSDthat:■ Doesnotsubmitanynamesforconsideration■ Submitsnamesthatareineligibleorunwillingtoserve

● CommitteeAppointmentsmustbemadewithin20daysoftheCounty/SDConventions.

● Committees○ StateNominations,PartyOrganization,Credentials,Platform&Resolutions,&Rules

StateConvention- Appointments● StateChairmanAppointsaTemporaryCaucusChairmanforeachCDcaucus(RPTRule33d)

● StateChairmanAppointsaTemporaryCaucusChairmanforeachSDcaucusthatisrecommendedbythetwoSRECmembersforthatSD(iftheysubmitdifferentnames,thentheStateChairmanchoosesoneofthetwonamessubmitted),unlesstheSDconventionrequestsinwritingthatthePermanentChairofthelastSDConventionisappointedTemporaryChair(iftheSDisfullywithinonecounty)(RPTRule33d)

StateConvention- Appointments● Rulesconcerningappointments

○ Allindividualssubmittedmustbedelegatesatthestateconvention■ Alternatesarenotallowedbe ona committee

○ Theindividualmustbewillingtoserve○ Ensuretheappointeeisawareoftheadditionaltimeandfinancialcommitmentsthatservingasacommitteememberwillincur

○ TheirnameandcontactinformationwillbepostedontheRPTwebsite

● CommitteeChairsareappointedbytheStateChair

Caucuses● SenatorialDistrict(SD)

○ ElectsPermanentSDCaucusChairman○ ElectsonedelegatetoeachofthePermanentCommittees○ Credentials,Rules&OrderofBusiness,LegislativePriorities,Platform&Resolutions,StateNominationsCommittee

○ EachSDelectstheirStateRepublicanExecutiveCommittee(SREC)Members○ EachSDselectstheirpicksforStateChairmanandViceChairman

● CongressionalDistrict(CD)(every4yrs)○ ElectsPermanentCDCaucusChairman○ ElectsonedelegatetotheNationalNominationsCommittee○ SelectstheirpicksforNationalCommitteeMan&Woman

■ Requiressupportfrom19ofthe36CDCaucusestowin○ ElectstheirNationalConventionDelegates(3)&Alternates(3)○ ElectstheirPresidentialElector

NeedtoKnow:Delegates&Alternates

Delegate&AlternateQualifications

● Registeredvoterinrepresentedarea● AffiliatedwiththeRepublicanParty

○ VotinginthecurrentyearofconventionPrimaryElection○ TakeOathofAffiliation

■ Cannothavevotedinanotherparty’sPrimaryElectionorparticipatedinanotherparty’sconventionprocess

● AndhasbeenelectedatthepreviousconventionleveltoserveasaDelegate○ ExcludingPrecinctConventions

● Judgesareprohibitedfrombeingadelegatetoapoliticalpartyconvention○ CanonsofJudicialConduct

Delegatevs.Alternate● Adelegatemayvote– anunseatedalternatecannotvote

● Adelegatemayserveonatemporaryorpermanentconventioncommittee– analternatecannot

● Adelegatemayserveasatemporaryorpermanentconventionofficer– analternatecannot

Guidelines:AlternatesBecomingDelegates● RecommendedbyeithertheRulesCommitteeortheNominationsCommitteeatyourCounty/SDConventionandtheConventioncaneitheradoptoramend/adopt.○ PairingofDelegatestoAlternates■ Alternate1canonlyserveasadelegateifDelegate1isnotpresent

○ ReplacebyAlternateorder■ Alternate1servesasadelegatewhenthefirstdelegatevacancyoccurs■ Alternate2serveseither● WhentheseconddelegatevacancyoccursafterAlternate1hasbeenplaced

asadelegate● IfAlternate1isnotpresentthenAlternate2takesthefirstopendelegate

spot● TheCaucusChairortheirdesigneeischargedwithensuringthatalternatesareseatedproperly&timelythroughoutthevariousmeetingsduringtheStateConvention○ IfnotyoucanraiseaPointofOrder

SelectionTheonlyway tobeadelegateoralternatetonextleveloftheconventionprocess:

ELECTED by

your PreviousConvention

Perceptionvs.RealityThewaytheprocessisdesignedtowork…

Dependingonthesizeandinterestinyourcountytheminordetailsmightbedifferent

TheProcessofbecomingadelegate● Howmanyspots?

○ EachCounty/SDChairwillreceivetheircounty/SDallotmentfromRPT■ Samenumberofalternatesslotsastherearedelegateslots

● TwoOpportunities○NominationsCommittee

■ Submitanapplicationtothenominationscommittee■ Interview■ Committeerecomends youtotheconvention

○NominationfromtheFloor■ ThePermanentCounty/SDConventionChairoftheNominationsCommitteegivesareporttothewholelistingallthedelegates&alternates.● Thelist/reportcanbeamendedfromthefloor

Beingactiveintheconventionprocess,thecountypartyandotherRepublicanclubs,campaigns,etc.mayhelpincreaseyourchancesofbeingelectedasadelegate.

Attending Convention?

Pre-register now: www.TexasGOP.orgConvention � Convention Registration

NationalConvention

NationalConvention● Howcanyoubeadelegateoralternate?

○ ElectedbyyourCongressionalDistrictCaucusatStateConvention■ EachCDelects3Delegatesand3Alternates

○ ElectedbytheNationalNominationsCommitteeasaDelegateatLarge

● Funbutcanbeexpensive- bepreparedtodoalotofwalkingandtakingbussesfromdesignatedhoteltoConventionsite.

Thank you!