Lincoln County Republican Central Committee

Bylaws

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Lincoln County Republican Central Committee, also known as the Lincoln County Republicans, (hereafter "LCR").

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization shall be to perform the functions set forth in the election laws of the State of Colorado and the ByLaws of the Colorado Republican State Central Committee (hereafter "CRC"), including but not limited to:

A. Educating electors in the principles of, and enlisting them in, the Republican Party;

B. Disseminating political information about the affairs of our county, state and nation, and defining the issues at stake;

C. Promoting support for all Republican candidates for county, state and national offices; provided, however, that no candidate for any designation or nomination for public office shall be publicly endorsed, supported or opposed by the LCR before the primary, unless such candidate is unopposed in the primary;

D. Raising funds for the Lincoln County Republican Party;

E. Encouraging a strong Republican organization and encouraging citizens to exercise their American right to vote;

F. Exerting every effort to achieve the objectives of the Colorado Republican State platform;

G. Striving to have every position and/or office held by a separate person with the goal that persons holding multiple offices serve only an interim period until such office may be filled by appointment or election, whichever is appropriate.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

A. Membership shall be composed of voting and non-voting members.

1. The voting members shall be all of the precinct committee persons from all election precincts within Lincoln County, the county party officers, the elected Republican county public officials, the Republican State Senators and Representatives, United States Senators and Representatives, elected state public officials and the district attorneys who reside within the county.

2. The non-voting members shall be the elected officers of the party's Congressional, State Senatorial, State Representative, and Judicial Central Committee; chairmen of the LCR standing committees; and the presiding county officer of each of the recognized county Republican auxiliaries, unless said persons are otherwise entitled to vote.

B. All members shall reside, and be registered as Republicans, within the county.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS

A. Officers.

1. The elected officers shall be a chairman, vice­ chairman, secretary/treasurer, or secretary and treasurer.

2. The officers shall reside, and be registered as Republicans, within the county.

3. The officers shall assume their duties at the close of the organizational meeting and shall serve for a term of two years, or until their successors are elected.

4. Where new officers are elected, all existing records shall be turned over to them within 2 (two) weeks.

B. Duties.

1. The chairman shall:

a) Be the chief executive officer of the LCR.

b) Issue the call and preside at all meetings of the LCR, the executive committee and the vacancy committee.

c) Observe and enforce the bylaws and rules of the LCR.

d) Appoint all standing and special committees.

e) Be an ex-officio member of all committees.

f) Perform functions as outlined in the Colorado State Bylaws, including, but not limited to, the following:

1) Instruct the secretary to provide the Colorado Secretary of State and the CRC chairman with a list of officers elected in Lincoln County.

2) Provide a list of all candidates for public office in Lincoln County to the chairman of the CRC.

3) Provide a written list authenticating all delegates and alternates elected by Lincoln County to any state or congressional convention, specifying the numerical order in which alternates were elected to the CRC chairman and to the appropriate district chairman.

2. The vice-chairman shall:

a) Exercise the functions of the chairman in his absence, during his inability to perform, or at his request.

b) Perform other duties the chairman may prescribe.

3. The secretary shall:

a) Be the chief clerical officer of the LCR and executive committee proceedings.

b) At least three days prior to the convening of each county assembly and/or convention, prepare and provide to the LCR officers a temporary roll of the delegates entitled to participate therein. The roll shall be prepared from the credentials of uncontested delegates placed upon the temporary roll by the LCR. 

c) Serve as secretary at all county assemblies and/or conventions.

d) Prepare and verify all credentials for delegates and certificates showing designations made by the county assembly and/or convention.

e) Perform other duties the chairman may prescribe.

4. The treasurer shall:

a) Be custodian of all funds; and financial books, papers, records and proceedings of the LCR and the Republican County assembly and/or convention; and report to the executive committee when, and as, the committee requires.

b) File an annual treasurer's report with the executive committee.

c) File all financial reports required by law.

d) Perform other duties the chairman may prescribe.

C. Removal.

Any elected officer of the LCR may be removed from office at any time, for any cause the LCR may deem sufficient, by a vote of two-thirds of the entire membership of the LCR eligible to vote at a meeting called for that purpose.

D. Vacancies.

A candidate to fill a vacancy in any elected office of the LCR (chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, or treasurer) shall be nominated at a vacancy committee meeting called for such purpose within thirty (30) days of the vacancy. Formal approval of any candidate nominated by the vacancy committee must take place at a special meeting of the LCR called for such purpose within thirty (30} days of the vacancy. A quorum of the LCR is required.

E. Nominations.

1. A nominating committee shall be formed to nominate a complete slate of officers for the LCR.

2. Candidates for officers may be nominated from the floor of the organizational meeting.

3. Nominations for any office shall be made only by members of the LCR, in person.

F. Elections.

Officers shall be elected by plurality vote, using a secret ballot, unless there is only one nominee for the office. In that case, election shall be by voice vote.

ARTICLE V. MEETINGS

A. The organizational meeting for the LCR shall be held between the 1st and 15th of February of the odd- numbered years. Its purpose shall be to elect a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and treasurer, and to conduct other business that may properly come before it.

B. Other meetings (regular and special) shall be held:

1. At a time and place designated by the LCR; or

2. Upon the call of the chairman, vice-chairman or (in the event of an emergency, when both the chairman and vice-chairman are absent) upon the call of the secretary; or

3. Upon the written request of one-third of the voting members. In such case, the meeting shall be called by the chairman within ten (10) days after receipt of such a request and the meeting shall be held within fifteen (15) days of the call.

C. Official Call.

1. The official call shall be in writing, and mailed through the United States Post Office or sent electronically through email to the last address of each member on file with the secretary.

2. The mailing shall be made no fewer than ten (10) days before the date of the meeting. 

3. The call shall state the time and place of the meeting, and the business to be conducted. Business of the meeting shall not necessarily be limited to matters stated in the call, except in case of a special meeting.

D. Voting.

1. With the exception of the election of officers, voting shall be by voice or rising vote.

2. A person holding multiple offices shall not be entitled to more than one vote.

E. Quorum.

Plurality vote shall apply.

ARTICLE VI. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee shall consist of the chairman, vice­ chairman, secretary, treasurer, finance committee chairman, and presiding officers of other Lincoln County Republican organizations approved by the LCR.

A. Duties

1. The duties of the Executive Committee shall be to serve as an advisory committee to the LCR, and shall perform other duties as directed by the chairman.

2. The Executive Committee shall promote harmony.

B. Meetings

1. Executive Committee meetings shall convene upon the call of the chairman. When necessary, meetings can also be called by another member of the Executive Committee. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call. Except in cases of emergency, at least ten (10) days' notice shall be given.

2. Meetings may be open at the discretion of the chairman, or majority vote of the members present and voting.

C. Candidates

1. A member of the executive board shall not be precluded from remaining a member of the executive board by becoming a candidate for public office at any primary or general election.

2. Should any member of the executive board choose to openly support a pre-primary or primary candidate {other than his or her own candidacy) seeking a contested designation as the Republican nominee for a partisan election, such support shall be prefaced by his resignation from the board. The executive board may remove by vote such member who refuses to resign.

ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES

The standing committees shall be: audit, finance, vacancy, nominating, and others deemed necessary by the chairman.

A. The audit committee shall be composed of no fewer than two members. The committee shall audit the books of the LCR before the organizational meeting, and shall report at that meeting. It shall also audit the books at any other time requested by the executive committee.

B. The finance committee shall oversee all fund-raising programs.

C. The vacancy committees shall be selected by the LCR in accordance with §1-3-103(1)(c), Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended. They shall seek advice of members of the LCR. They shall fill all vacancies, with the exception of a vacancy in any of the four elected offices (chairman, vice-chairman, secretary or treasurer). In the event of a vacancy in any elected office of the LCR, the vacancy committee shall consist of all members of the LCR.

D. Additional standing committees shall be appointed by the chairman at the request of the executive committee or the LCR. Special committees may be appointed by the chairman.

E. Plurality vote shall apply in all special and standing committees.

ARTICLE VIII. FINANCES

A. It is recommended that each year the LCR have a budget which is submitted by the executive committee, voted upon by the LCR, and used by the LCR.

B. Operating expenses, such as stationery, photocopies, postage, etc., are necessary expenses, and shall be paid by the treasurer.

C. Election legals and advertising, as required by state election laws, shall be paid by the treasurer. "Election legals" will include any published notices of official calls to county Central Committee meetings.

D. Payment of county delegate fees to the state assemblies, congressional district assemblies, etc., will be paid by the LCR.

E. The LCR shall not reimburse, or pay, any officers for travel, lodging, or meal expenses. Registration fees will be paid to workshops and other state Central Committee meetings. LCR officers are encouraged to attend other county Central Committee meetings and/or Lincoln Day dinners, but will do so at their own expense.

F. The LCR should maintain regular fund-raising methods to be determined by the finance committee chairman.

G. Lincoln Day dinners, and any other such gatherings, are to be self-supporting and not impose any additional expense to the LCR, in order to add additional revenue to the LCR. Recognizing the possibility of winter storms and other unforeseen circumstances, guests shall be asked to pay for their tickets when making advance reservations.

H. The amount of any campaign contributions shall be decided by the LCR after the primary election in the following order of priority: 1) county candidates; 2) state legislative candidates; 3) candidates for national office. Any such contribution will be made according to the availability of LCR funds and in accordance with federal or Colorado law regarding campaign contributions.

I. The sending of flowers, cards, etc., to party members who are ill, or to the families of deceased members, are an individual responsibility. Such thoughtfulness and consideration is encouraged, but is not an authorized expense of the LCR.

ARTICLE IX. PRECINCT CAUCUSES

A. Precinct caucuses shall be held in accordance with state law.

B. Voting members shall have been:

1. A resident of the precinct for thirty-two (32} days; and,

2. Registered as a Republican for at least two (2) months, as shown by the registration books of the county clerk and recorder. However, any registered Republican who has attained the age of eighteen (18) years, or has become a naturalized citizen, within the three (3) months immediately preceding the caucus, may vote.

C. Procedure

1. With the committee persons (2) as nominees, elect a chairman and secretary for the caucus.

2. Elect the number of delegates and alternates to the county assembly and/or convention stated in the call published by the LCR.

a) Plurality vote shall elect.

b) A tie for the last available place shall be determined by lot.

c) Cumulative voting (which allows an elector to give more than one vote to a single candidate) shall not be permitted.

3. Elect two precinct committee persons in accordance with Colorado Election Laws to serve for a term of two (2) years after the date of election.

a) Plurality vote shall elect.

b) A tie shall be determined by lot.

c) The names of the committee persons elected shall be certified to the county assembly by the officers of the caucus in accordance with Colorado Election Laws.

d) In case of vacancy in an elected committee person office, such vacancy shall be filled by the executive officers of the LCR to complete the term of office, and shall be ratified by the members of the LCR at the next meeting.

4. Determine the nominees for delegates to higher assemblies and/or conventions, as required in Article X, Section C.

5. Results of the elections and nominations shall be certified, postmarked, or delivered to the LCR secretary by the chairman or secretary of the precinct caucus within three (3) days after the precinct caucus is held.

D. Accessibility

1. In accordance with State statute, any private home in which a precinct caucus is to be held shall be accessible to persons with disabilities in a manner reasonably available to the person(s) conducting the precinct caucus and at no cost or expense to said person(s) conducting said precinct caucus.

2. Any controversy regarding such accessibility shall be determined by the executive committee based upon the reasonable means of accommodation available at no cost or expense to the persons conducting the precinct caucus.

ARTICLE X. ASSEMBLIES AND CONVENTIONS

A. County Assemblies and/or Conventions.

County assemblies and/or conventions shall be held no later than twenty-one (21) days after the precinct caucuses at such time and place as is determined by the LCR.

1. All delegates and alternates to Lincoln County assemblies and convention, and to those assemblies or conventions of senatorial and representative districts wholly contained within Lincoln County, shall be selected at their precinct caucuses in accordance with Colorado statutes. The number of delegates and alternates shall be fixed by the executive committee and shall be proportionally based on the Republican votes cast at the last general election for the Republican candidate for President or Governor. The list of delegates and alternates shall be delivered to, or postmarked to, the secretary within three (3) days after the caucus is held, or such delegation shall not be seated.

2. The call for the county assembly and/or convention shall include (in addition to the time, place and purpose) a statement of the number of delegates to be elected to the state and district assemblies and conventions. At the request of the chairman, or any district lying wholly within the county, the call for the county assembly and/or convention shall include the call for the assembly of such district.

B. Other Assemblies.

All other assemblies shall be held no later than fifty­ five (55) days before the primary election date.

C. Delegates or Alternates.

Any delegate or alternate nominated to attend higher assemblies and/or conventions:

1. Must have been elected a delegate or alternate from his precinct to the Lincoln County assembly and/or convention and must have attended the Lincoln County assembly and/or convention.

2. Must be nominated by, and receive the endorsement of, the majority of persons present at the precinct caucus meeting from which he is nominated. Nominations from each precinct shall be in numerical order of caucus preference. The list of nominations shall be postmarked, or delivered, to the chairman of the delegate committee of the LCR within three (3) days after the caucus.

3. The nominating committee shall prepare a list of nominees for delegates and alternates to attend higher assemblies and/or conventions and shall present said list of nominees to the county assembly or convention. County assembly and/or convention members shall vote, from the alphabetically compiled list of nominees, for delegates and alternates to attend higher assemblies and/or conventions. The persons elected shall be those receiving the highest number of votes sufficient to fill the required number of delegates and alternates to the assemblies and/or conventions. A delegate or alternate who moves from the county thereafter shall become ineligible to serve as delegate or alternate to such assembly and/or convention.

D. Committee people.

The county assembly shall ratify the list of precinct committee people. The presiding officer and secretary of the county assembly shall file a certified list of the names and addresses, by precinct, of those persons elected as precinct committee people with the county clerk and recorder within ten (10) days after the date of the county assembly in accordance with Colorado Election Laws.

E. Resolutions.

Before any resolution may be considered by the county assembly and/or convention, it shall be in writing and referred to the resolutions committee of the LCR. All proposed resolutions shall be filed with the LCR chairman no fewer than ten (10) days before the assembly and/or convention convenes unless the LCR chairman extends the time for filing such resolutions. The LCR chairman will make all properly submitted resolutions available to all LCR members in writing by handing out said resolutions at the county assembly and/or convention immediately prior to the commencement of said assembly or convention.

All resolutions shall be separately stated, contain only one topic, and shall be voted on separately by the county assembly and/or convention delegates.

F. Voting in Assemblies and Conventions.

1. No proxies shall be allowed or recognized in any assembly and/or convention. Any vacancy shall be filled by an alternate who is present and shall be selected from the list of alternates by numerical order, beginning with the first alternate.

2. What is commonly known as the "unit rule," by which the entire vote of a delegation is cast according to the majority vote within the delegation, shall not be allowed. Cumulative voting shall not be permitted.

G. The quorum at any county assembly and/or convention shall consist of those delegates present.

H. From the convening of the county assembly and/or convention, it shall have the power to determine controversies about both the regularity of the party organization within the county and the right to use the party name. It may also provide rules that shall govern the LCR in determining such controversies.

ARTICLE XI. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY.

ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER NEWLY REVISED shall govern the LCR whenever they are applicable and not inconsistent with these bylaws, the Colorado Election Laws or the Colorado Republican State Central Committee bylaws.

ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

A. These bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the LCR by a two-thirds vote, provided the proposed amendment was submitted to the bylaws committee and included in an Official Call which is mailed no fewer than ten (10) days before the meeting.

B. If previous notice was not given in the call, unanimous consent of the LCR members present must be obtained before an amendment may be offered.

ARTICLE XIII. CONFLICT AND SEVERABILITY

In the event any provision of these bylaws is determined to be in conflict with any provision of the bylaws of the Colorado Republican State Central Committee or the Colorado Revised Statutes, the provisions of the bylaws of the Colorado Republican State Central Committee or the Colorado Revised Statutes, as applicable, shall supersede and control any such conflict. Any section or article of these bylaws determined to be in conflict with any law, rule, or regulation and invalid or unenforceable by reason thereof, shall be deemed to be severable from any and all other sections and articles and such determination of invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the remaining sections and articles of these bylaws.