The Rules of the Maine Republican Party
The General Rules
of the Maine
Republican Party
As Adopted at Convention on May 7, 2010
The
following rules of the Maine Republican Party, when adopted by the biennial
state convention of the party, provide guidance to its members concerning
activities at all levels, it being the intent to assure that the Maine
Republican Party is open and accessible to all and to encourage the broadest
possible participation. The first part consists of basic issues of party
organization and management, some of which must be dealt with in convention to
satisfy state law. The second part contains specific proceedings for the
current convention. In order to assure
orderly and fair processes in deliberations, Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly
Revised, shall be the rules of biennial conventions so far as they are
applicable and consistent with the rules herein set forth.
ORGANIZATION
Rule 1. Enrolled Republicans in the
State of Maine
constitute membership in the Maine Republican Party. The exercise of that membership
is done through caucuses, conventions, and committees. These rules shall govern
operations of all caucuses, conventions, and committees of the Maine Republican
Party, except as pertain to Republican activities in the Maine Legislature,
promulgated to ensure compliance with requirements of the law and higher party
authority, and fairness to all participants in its activities. Bylaws of all
party committees must conform to these rules, as applicable.
Rule 2. The Maine Republican Party
shall cooperate with the Republican National Committee in promoting the
principles and ideals of the Republican Party and shall assist in the
recruitment and election of qualified Republican candidates for public office.
It shall be governed by the duly elected members of the Maine Republican State
Committee.
Rule 3. The membership of the Maine
Republican State Committee shall consist of:
a. One committeeman and one committeewoman for
each county, and in addition, a county shall be entitled to an additional
committee member for every 10,000 Republican enrolled voters or portion thereof
in excess of the first 10,000 according to the most current official figures
available from the office of the Secretary of State on January 1 each even
numbered year, to be elected by the state convention after nomination for such
offices by the county caucus of each county. Vacancies occurring in the state
committee may be filled in accordance with the bylaws of the State Committee.
No regular paid employee of the Maine Republican State Committee may be a
member of the State Committee.
b. The Republican national committeeman and
committeewoman upon election to those offices;
c. The chairman of each county committee, upon
election to that office;
d. The president of the Maine Federation of
Republican Women, upon election to that office;
e. The chairman of the State Republican Finance
Committee, upon appointment to that office by the chairman of the Republican
State Committee;
f. One appointee of a Maine Republican
governor, one appointee for each elected Maine
Republican member of Congress and one for each elected Maine Republican U.S.
Senator. Each appointee shall serve contemporaneous with the term of the
appointer;
g. One representative from: the Maine Federation
of Young Republicans, the Maine College Republicans, and the Maine Teen-age
Republican Caucus, when said representatives are elected in accordance with
their respective bylaws;
h. One representative from the Maine Senate and
one representative from the Maine House of
Representatives, upon election by the caucuses of the Republican members of the
respective bodies, such caucuses to be held at the time the Party leadership is
elected. Vacancies shall be filled by the ranking Republican officer of the
House or Senate, as the case may be.
Rule 4. Election of Officers
a. Eligibility. The Republican State Committee
shall choose, by ballot, a chairman, a vice-chairman, a secretary, a treasurer,
and other such officers as the committee shall from time to time deem
necessary. The chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, and treasurer may be chosen
from outside the membership of the committee. No announced candidate for
Governor of the State of Maine,
U.S. Senate, or U.S. House of Representatives shall serve as an elected officer
of the Maine Republican State Committee. No elected officer or employee of the
Maine Republican State Committee shall be a paid lobbyist. The elected officers
of the State Committee shall be voting members of the State Committee during
their terms of office, provided, however that no member of the State Committee
shall be entitled to cast more than one vote, in person or by proxy.
b. Procedure. The officers shall be elected by
ballot at the regular monthly meeting in December of each election year for a
two-year term commencing January 1, or until a successor is elected. Each
officer shall be elected by a majority of the members of the state committee
present or represented by proxy, and voting. In each election for officer, if,
on the first ballot, no one candidate receives a majority of the votes cast by
the members present and voting, then the votes will be recast with that
candidate receiving the least votes in the preceding ballot eliminated from the
ballot. Balloting shall continue in this manner until one candidate receives
the necessary majority vote.
c. Vacancies.
In the event of a vacancy in the office of chairman, the vice-chairman shall act
as interim chairman with an election to fill the vacancy to be held within 45
days. In the event that vacancies should arise contemporaneously in the offices
of chairman and vice-chairman, the secretary shall, as soon as practical,
convene a meeting of the state committee for the purpose of electing a new
chairman and vice chairman.
d. Removal of officers. The officers of the
committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Maine Republican State Committee
and, upon a motion presented by ten (10)
committee members representing at least four (4) counties, may be removed from
office for malfeasance or violation of these rules by a vote of 2/3 of the
members present and voting. The vote on the motion for recall must be preceded
by at least one month’s notice.
Rule 5. If any member of the Republican
State Committee fails to attend two meetings in the twelve month period,
beginning with the first meeting held after the Republican State Convention, or
in the same period the following year, the secretary of the state committee shall
remind the member that attendance is expected and that three such absences
could result in a recall. Should a
member be absent for a third meeting in either period, the secretary of the
state committee shall so inform the county committee or other proper
organization, which the member represents.
Said organization may, according to its own bylaws and procedures,
declare the member’s position to be vacant and nominate a successor. Upon the
receipt of the declaration of the vacancy, the Republican State Committee may
accept it and proceed to act on the nomination of the successor.
Rule 6. The Republican State Committee
shall adopt its own bylaws consistent with state law and these rules.
Rule
7. The Republican State
Committee shall be the judge of the credentials of its own membership, and any
member may be removed for cause.
Rule 8. All municipal committees shall be officially reconstituted
at each biennial caucus of Republicans within the municipality. The members of
the party in the municipality determine the committee membership and structure,
but said committees do not have status as such until properly reported to State
Party headquarters on a form provided for that purpose. To the extent
consistent with state law, in the event
that a municipal committee was not formed at a biennial
class=Section2>
caucus, such committees may be formed at a public meeting called by any registered Republican of
the municipality. Public notice of said
meeting must be made as required by state
law. A municipal committee formed pursuant to
this Rule shall not be considered official until recognized by the chairman of
the Maine Republican State Committee. Municipal committee bylaws and procedures
are within the structure of the committee and may be changed or amended by a
vote of the members using the process specified, including prior notification,
in their bylaws.
Rule 9. Municipal committees, or
portions thereof, which lie within a legislative district shall have
jurisdiction over the choice of a candidate for nomination or a nominee for
election to the legislature for the district concerned when the predecessor
dies, withdraws, or becomes disqualified. Unless contravened by their
individual municipal committee’s rules or bylaws, all enrolled Republicans
within a legislative district shall be considered members of their respective
municipal committees for the purpose of selecting a candidate for nomination or
a nominee for election to the legislature
for the district concerned.
Rule 10. The
county committee shall have jurisdiction over the choice of a candidate for
nomination or a nominee for all county offices and, by members residing within
the senatorial district, for state senator for the district when the
predecessor dies, withdraws or becomes disqualified.
Rule 11. The membership of each county
committee shall be, exclusive of the membership of elected officials, proportional
based on population of enrolled party
membership or voting experience, in accordance with its bylaws, which must be
confirmed by the county caucus at each biennial state convention and filed with
the Republican State Committee. Vacancies may be filled by nomination from the
applicable municipal committee and confirmed by vote of the applicable county.
Rule 12. Each district committee shall have jurisdiction over
the choice of a candidate for nomination or nominee for the Representative to
Congress of the United
States for the district concerned when the
predecessor dies, withdraws or becomes disqualified.
Rule 13. The
membership of each district committee shall be equal to the total number of
members of the state committee (including the county chairman) from counties
within the district and the membership will be apportioned among the counties
in the same distribution. Committee members shall be nominated from each county
at large at county caucuses and election confirmed by the district caucuses. In
the case of counties, which are divided between districts, the total
entitlement shall be apportioned according to Republican enrollment between
districts.
Rule 14. The
Republican State Committee shall have
jurisdiction over the choice of a candidate for nomination or a nominee for the
offices of Governor of the State of Maine,
United States Senator or presidential elector when the predecessor dies,
withdraws or becomes disqualified.
Rule 15. Whenever there
is a requirement for a special caucus to select a Republican candidate for an
elected position in Maine’s state legislature or an elected county position or
to fill a vacancy in such a position, the Republican chairmen of the counties
in which the legislative or county district resides shall work with the
municipal committee chairmen, the state party, and the Republican leadership of
the concerned legislative body to organize a special caucus. The procedures for calling the special caucus
shall be done in accordance with state law.
In the interest of fairness to
candidates, proper consideration shall be given to the following issues during
the planning of the special caucus:
- Venue selection;
- Selection of the initial presiding officer of the caucus;
- The order of candidate nominations;
- Time limits for nomination, second, and candidate
presentations; and
- Balloting procedures.
The agenda for the special caucus
shall include:
a. Call to order;
b. Election of the
caucus secretary;
c. Election of the
caucus chairman;
d. Ratification of
the caucus agenda and procedures;
e. For each known
candidate:
- Nomination,
- Second, and
- Candidate speeches
f. A request for
nominations from the floor;
g. Election of the
nominee
h. Adjournment
Other items may be added to the
agenda providing they do not contradict state law or the rules of the
municipal, county, or state committees.
Rule 16.
Resolution of any
controversy shall be in accordance with the following procedures:
a.
The Republican State Party may, upon a decision of the
Executive Committee, exercise jurisdiction over controversies between and among
members of any county committee or municipal committee when such controversy
affects the interests of the party as a whole or the rights of any member of
the party to participate in its affairs, pursuant to Rule
16 (b-f).
b.
When any controversy as defined in Rule 16 (a) arises at the municipal level, any member of such
committee affected by the controversy may file, within twenty-one (21)
calendar days of the date such controversy arises, a written appeal to the
governing county committee. Such appeal must be sent via certified mail, and a
copy of such appeal provided to the Secretary of the Republican State
Committee. Upon motion by an interested party or upon its own motion, the
county committee may issue a stay of further action by any party or by the city
committee, which affects the subject matter or outcome of the controversy.
Where appropriate, the stay may include an interim order identifying the city
committee or officer that shall be recognized by the
Party as the duly authorized committee or officer while the appeal is pending.
No later than twenty-one calendar days from the date of receipt of such
written appeal, the county committee shall rule upon the controversy, and issue
a written decision addressed to the parties to the dispute via certified mail,
with a copy provided to the Secretary of the State Committee. Where
appropriate, such decisions may include final determination as to which city
officer or committee shall be recognized by the Party as the duly authorized
officer or committee. Upon failure to provide such written decision within the
specified time period, such municipal controversy shall be adjudicated pursuant
to Rule 16(c) as if it were a county
controversy.
c.
When any controversy as defined in Rule 16(a) arises at the county committee level including a
controversy over the county committee’s resolution of a municipal controversy, any person so
affected by the controversy may file within twenty-one (21) calendar days of
the date such controversy arises a written appeal to the secretary of the
Republican State Committee. Such appeals must be sent via certified mail. Upon
receipt of such appeal, (1) the Secretary of the State Committee shall, within
five calendar days, provide a copy of the appeal to the county committee from
which the appeal is taken; and (2) the Chairman of the Republican State
Committee shall, within thirty (30) calendar days, appoint a panel of five
members of the state committee, who shall constitute a Board of Investigation.
If the Board has not yet been appointed, the Executive Committee may issue a
stay of further action by any party, the city committee or county committee
which affects the subject matter or outcome of the controversy.
1. Hearing.
Upon giving notice as provided in paragraph (2), below, the Board shall conduct
a hearing for the purpose of hearing all relevant evidence presented by any and
all parties interested. The Board shall request the Counsel to the Republican
State Committee to attend such hearing(s) and serve as its legal advisor. The
hearing(s) and proceedings of the Board shall be held at the offices of the
Republican State Committee or at such other location selected by the Board, as
may be most convenient to the members of the Board, to witnesses, parties, and
their counsel.
2. Notice.
Notice of hearing shall be given (i) by publication in at least one newspaper
of general circulation in the municipality, if a municipality controversy, or
county, if a county controversy, in which the controversy arises; and (ii) by
first class mail to the individual(s) who filed the appeal and to any
individual(s) named in the appeal.
3. Report
of Investigation. At the conclusion of their hearing and upon the Board’s
deliberations, the Board shall, within sixty (60) days of the State Committee’s
receipt of the appeal, report its findings and conclusions to the Republican
State Committee. The Republican State Committee may, upon receiving the report
of the Board of Investigation, take such action or actions as it deems appropriate
under the circumstances, including, but not limited to, issuing a final
determination as to which city or county officer or committee shall be
recognized by the Party as the duly authorized officer or committee.
d.
Each county committee and the Board of Investigation
shall adopt its own procedures to implement this Rule, provided such procedures
are not inconsistent with this Rule, and shall allow parties to be represented
in person and counsel.
e.
No members of the state committee from the county or
municipal committee in which the controversy arises shall serve as a member of
any such Board of Investigation.
f.
A new Board shall be convened for each controversy.
Rule 17. A
Rules and Procedures Committee shall be appointed by the state chairman no
later than February 15 of the year preceding the state convention. Its duties
shall include the following:
1.
Reviewing these rules to recommend changes to the
Republican State Convention for their ratification:
a.
to ensure compliance with state law;
b.
to ensure fair and efficient operation of the party;
and
2.
Reviewing the State Committee Bylaws to recommend
changes to the State Committee for its ratification;
3.
Reviewing county and municipal bylaws to ensure they do
not violate these rules; and
4.
Reviewing mandates conveyed by the Republican National
Committee.
Rule 18.
Resolutions
regarding political issues not already defined in the current platform shall be
presented to the State Committee following the procedure specified in the
bylaws of the State Committee.
RULES AND PROCEDURES
COMMITTEE
For the years 2009-2010
Artemas M. Pickard, Chairman, Cumberland
Lois Bloomer, Penobscot
Rosemarie Butler, Androscoggin
Mark Ellis, Kennebec
Gary
Lowe, Penobscot
Loretta
Mikols, Oxford
Linda
Post, Knox
Steven
Scharf, Cumberland
Kathy
Watson, Somerset
Charles
Webster, ex officio
The Rules of the Maine Republican Party
The Rules of the Maine Republican Party
As Adopted at Convention on May 2,
2008
RULES OF THE
PROCEEDINGS OF THE
2010 CONVENTION
Rule 1. In compliance with Title 21A, Maine Revised Statutes,
Article 111, Section 321, a state convention of the Republican Party is held
biennially between March 1 and August 1 during a general election year. In
order to provide for all requirements of the law and the Republican Party, the
2010 convention will be comprised of general sessions of the state convention,
caucuses of delegates representing each congressional district, and caucuses of
delegates representing each of the sixteen counties.
Rule 2. The
proceedings of the state convention shall include:
a. Election of a secretary and chairman of the
convention in that order;
b. Adoption of a platform for the next general
election;
c. Determining
the size of the state, district and county committees, and the method of their
election;
d. Election of members of the state committee
(see Rule 3a);
e. Election of a district committee for each
congressional district (see Rule 13);
f. Election of county committees for each
county;
g. Presidential Election Year Only:
1.
Elect national committeeman and committeewoman;
2.
Elect delegates and alternates to the Republican National Convention.
Rule 3. Election of delegates, alternates, and filling of
vacancies to the national convention shall be conducted as follows:
a. The total number of delegates and alternates
shall be those numbers fixed with formula set forth in the rules of each
national convention. Of such total number, three (3) delegates and three (3)
alternates shall be elected in the district convention of each congressional
district and the remainder of said delegates and alternates shall be elected at-large
by the convention as a whole.
b.
There shall be no automatic delegates to the national
convention selected by virtue of party position or elective office, except as
provided by the rules of the Republican National Committee.
c. In
the event of a vacancy caused by the death, disqualification, or resignation of
any delegate prior to the convening of the convention, the alternate delegate
who received the greatest number of votes will be selected to fill the vacancy
and shall be committed to support the candidate to whom the vacant position had
been allocated. If the delegate’s position was uncommitted, the replacement
shall continue to be deemed as an uncommitted delegate. If there is more than
one vacancy, the same procedure shall be followed in descending order of votes
cast for alternates.
d. In
the event of any ambiguities, inconsistencies, or unforeseen circumstances,
these rules shall be interpreted and construed by the Executive Committee whose
interpretation and construction shall be final and binding when made in
accordance with applicable legal principles.
Rule 4.
The proceedings of the district caucuses shall include:
a. Election of a secretary and a chairman of the
caucus in that order;
b. Election of members of the district
committee;
c.
Election of the district quota of delegates and
alternates to the Republican National Convention;
d.
Addresses by candidates for the district representative
to the U.S. Congress;
Rule 5. The proceedings of the county
caucuses shall include:
a. Call to order by the state committeeman or
state committeewoman for the county, but if both are absent, then by any member
of the caucus;
b. Election of a secretary of caucus;
c. Election of a chairman of the caucus who
shall also serve as chairman of the county delegation to the state and district
caucuses;
d. Nomination of two vice presidents of the
convention (one man and one woman);
e. Nomination of members of the district
committee (see Rule 13);
f. onfirmation
of county committee members previously nominated, or nominations of such
members if none have been previously nominated by municipal caucuses;
g. Nominations
of members of the state committee (see Rule 3a);
h. Adoption, modification or amending of county
bylaws (see Rule 8);
a.
Other business to come before the caucus;
b.
Adjournment
Rule 6. Each
county caucus is empowered to establish bylaws governing its county committee
and to establish rules whereby the number of members of the county committee is
allocated among the several municipalities within such county. If such county
caucus fails to adopt rules and bylaws, the same may be adopted by the county
committee, subject to the approval at the next succeeding biennial county
caucus, but such rules and bylaws shall be effective from the time they are so
adopted by the county committee until action by a succeeding biennial county
caucus.
Rule 7. Municipal
caucuses shall be conducted biennially as prescribed by state law, upon call of
the chairman of the Republican State Committee. The State Committee shall
prescribe such rules and procedures for the conduct of municipal caucuses,
including the date thereof, as said committee shall deem appropriate consistent
with the law and these rules. Municipalities shall be encouraged to conduct
their caucuses on a single date specified by the Chairman and the State
Committee. In determining the municipal delegate allotment to the state
convention, the results of the last Presidential or
Gubernatorial General Election, whichever is most recent, shall be used and
such formula as approved by the State Committee shall be applied. The
chairperson, or secretary, of the municipal caucus shall file, either by mail
or by hand delivery, the report of the caucus with the Secretary of the
State Committee no late than 7 calendar days following the date of the caucus.
The report shall be deemed filed on the date of mailing or date of hand
delivery.
Rule 8. The proceedings of the municipal caucuses shall include:
b. Adoption of rules
and procedures for the caucus;
c. Election of
delegates and alternates to the state convention;
d. Selection of
municipal delegation chairman for the state convention;
class=Section2>
f. Adopt or
re-ratify the municipal committee bylaws (see Rule 8);
Rule 9. A Standing Resolutions Committee shall be established no later than the
thirtieth of September of each odd numbered year, to serve until the next
biennial state convention. It shall be the resolutions committee of
the convention and shall have as its primary purpose the creation of and
presentation to the State Convention a proposed platform for the following
general election.
Rule 10. The Standing Resolutions Committee
shall be constituted as follows:
class=Section3>
a.
One member to be
elected by each Republican County Committee;
b. The ranking Republican member of the State Senate and two other
members from the Senate appointed by said ranking member;
c. The ranking
Republican member of the House of Representatives and six other members from
the House appointed by said ranking member;
d. Three members
appointed by the chairman of the Republican State Committee;
e. One member
appointed by each member of the Maine Republican Congressional Delegation;
f. When a Republican, the Governor or his
designee.
class=Section4>
Rule 11. After establishment, the Standing Resolutions Committee
shall organize itself by the election of a chairman and such other officials as
the committee may direct. In case of the death or resignation of any member,
said member shall be replaced in the same manner as the member was originally
chosen. The Standing Resolutions Committee shall be originally convened by the chairman of
the State Committee at such a time and place as the chairman may direct after
the committee’s establishment and no later than the first day of February
following such establishment. The committee may make such rules and bylaws for
its own governance as it may see fit.
Rule 12. A draft report of the Standing Resolutions Committee shall be published and made available at least
three months prior to the state convention. In addition, any proposed
amendments to this report or any other resolutions not included
in the report shall be submitted in writing to the chairman of the state
convention on or before 11:00 a.m. on the opening day of the convention, and
shall be signed by at least ten (10) delegates to the convention representing
at least three (3) counties, before being considered by the state convention. If,
however, the draft report is not published and made available three months in
advance as required, and provided to each town for the caucuses, proposed amendments
or other resolutions not included in the report may be made by motion of any
delegate from the floor of the convention.
Rule 13. A Rules and Procedures Committee shall be appointed by the
state chairman no later than September 30 of the year preceding the state
convention. Its duties shall include reviewing the State Committee bylaws and
recommending bylaw changes to the State Committee for its ratification, and
also reviewing these rules to recommend changes to the Republican State
Convention for their ratification to ensure continued compliance with election
laws and, if applicable, mandates conveyed by the Republican National
Committee. However, if such laws or mandates are not in the best interest of
the party, this committee is responsible for drafting changes to these rules,
and may include recommending changes to the state committee bylaws as may be
necessary from time to time. Finally, this committee will, upon request, review
county and municipal bylaws to ensure they do not violate these rules.
Rule 14. The convention shall proceed in accordance with the order
of business prepared and printed by the Republican State Committee.
Rule 15. At any time at which a vote is conducted, no person,
except members of the several delegations and officers of the
convention, shall be admitted to the section of the convention hall apportioned
for delegates.
Rule 16. The members of the Republican State Committee shall
constitute the Committee of Credentials. The secretary of the State Committee
shall receive all such credentials and present them to the Committee on
Credentials for consideration. The Committee on Credentials may appoint such
subcommittees as it deems fit to receive the evidence relating to any
controversy, or relating to any other matter on credentials, and to make
recommendations to the committee.
Rule 17. The lists of delegates submitted by the several municipal
caucuses pursuant to regulations established by the State Committee shall
constitute the temporary roll call of delegates and except, as the Committee on
Credentials shall otherwise decide, such lists shall constitute the permanent
roll. Any challenge to a delegate’s right to sit shall be filed in writing with
the secretary of the State Committee before the first session of the convention
shall recess. Any ruling or decision of the Committee on Credentials shall be
subject to final action by the convention.
Rule 18. The delegates and alternates to the state convention, a
district caucus, or to the respective county caucuses must be residents
of the municipality which they represent. If a full complement of delegates or
alternates cannot be present at any session of the state convention or at any
session of a district caucus or at respective county caucuses, any municipal
delegation without a full complement of delegates may fill vacancies, but each
person appointed to fill a vacancy shall be a resident of that particular
municipality which he represents; and provided further that no such person or
any delegate shall serve as delegation chairman.
Rule 19. Each municipal and county delegation shall have a
delegation chairman. Each municipal delegation should caucus and elect a
delegation chairman as soon as possible after the municipal caucus. Until the
delegation chairman is elected the municipal committee chairman shall serve as
delegation chairman.
Rule 20. Unless any municipal caucus has provided otherwise,
alternates will succeed to the position of an absent delegate in alphabetical
order.
Rule 21. Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall be the rules of this convention so far as they are
applicable and consistent with the rules herein set forth.
Rule 22. No delegate shall speak more than twice upon the same
question and no longer than five minutes at a time unless by leave of the
convention.
Rule 23. A roll call vote of the convention shall be taken on
demand of the chairmen of the caucuses of four (4) counties; provided, however,
that until counties have caucused a roll call vote shall be taken on demand of
the chairmen of ten (10) municipal delegations.
Rule 24. Whenever a roll call vote is required, municipal delegation
chairmen shall poll their delegations and deliver the responses promptly to the
chairmen of the county committee delegations, in writing. The county chairmen
shall tally the results of the municipal delegations and deliver the results
promptly to the state convention or district caucus chair in writing. Counties,
or in county caucuses, municipalities, may be called upon in alphabetical order
to announce their results. Should the convention chair order a voice vote from
the delegates, and there is an objection to this method, any objecting delegate
may ask for a Point of Order and ask for reconsideration of the voting
procedure.
Rule 25. The delegates to the state convention elected by the
municipal caucuses shall be the delegates of the county in which such
municipality is situated.
Rule 26. The order of
business of the county caucus shall be as follows:
a. Call to order by the state committeeman or
state committeewoman for the county, but if both are absent, then by any member
of the caucus;
b. Election of a secretary of caucus;
c. Election of a chairman of the caucus who
shall also serve as chairman of the county delegation to the state and district
caucuses;
d. Nomination of two vice presidents of the
convention (one man and one woman);
e. Nomination of members of the district
committee (see Rule 13);
f. Confirmation of county committee members
previously nominated, or nominations of such members if none have been
previously nominated by municipal caucuses;
f.
Nominations of members of the state committee (see Rule
3a);
g.
Adoption, modification or amending of county bylaws
(see Rule 8);
h.
Other business to come before the caucus;
i.
Adjournment
Rule 27. The proceedings of the district caucuses shall include:
a. Election of a
secretary and a chairman of the caucus in that order;
b. Election of
members of the district committee;
c. Election of the
district quota of delegates and alternates to the Republican National
Convention;
d. Addresses by
candidates for the district representative to the U.S. Congress.
The Rules of the Maine Republican Party
The Rules of the Maine Republican Party
As Adopted at Convention on May 7,
2010
RULES FOR THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2012 CONVENTION
Rule 1. In compliance with Title 21A, Maine Revised Statutes,
Article 111, Section 321, a state convention of the Republican Party is held
biennially between March 1 and August 1 during a general election year. In
order to provide for all requirements of the law and the Republican Party, the
2010 convention will be comprised of general sessions of the state convention,
caucuses of delegates representing each congressional district, and caucuses of
delegates representing each of the sixteen counties.
Rule 2. The
proceedings of the state convention shall include:
a. Election
of a secretary and chairman of the convention in that order;
b. Adoption
of General Rules of the party and Proceedings of the 2014 convention;
c. Adoption
of a platform for the next general election;
d. Determining
the size of the state, district and county committees, and the method of their
election;
e. Election of members of the state committee
(see Rule 3a);
f. Election of a district committee for each
congressional district (see Rule 13);
g. Election of county committees for each
county;
h, Presidential Election Year Only:
1)
Elect national committeeman and committeewoman;
2)
Elect delegates and alternates to the Republican
National Convention.
Rule 3. Election of delegates, alternates, and filling of
vacancies to the national convention shall be conducted as follows:
a. The
total number of delegates and alternates shall be those numbers fixed with
formula set forth in the rules of each national convention. Of such total
number, three (3) delegates and three (3) alternates shall be elected in the
district convention of each congressional district and the remainder of said
delegates and alternates shall be elected at-large by the convention as a
whole.
b. There
shall be no automatic delegates to the national convention selected by virtue
of party position or elective office, except as provided by the rules of the
Republican National Committee.
c. In
the event of a vacancy caused by the death, disqualification, or resignation of
any delegate prior to the convening of the convention, the alternate delegate
who received the greatest number of votes will be selected to fill the vacancy
and shall be committed to support the candidate to whom the vacant position had
been allocated. If the delegate’s position was uncommitted, the replacement
shall continue to be deemed as an uncommitted delegate. If there is more than
one vacancy, the same procedure shall be followed in descending order of votes
cast for alternates.
d. In
the event of any ambiguities, inconsistencies, or unforeseen circumstances,
these rules shall be interpreted and construed by the Executive Committee whose
interpretation and construction shall be final and binding when made in
accordance with applicable legal principles.
Rule 4.
The proceedings of the district caucuses shall include:
a. Election
of a secretary and a chairman of the caucus in that order;
b. Election
of members of the district committee;
c. Election
of the district quota of delegates and alternates to the Republican National
Convention;
d. Addresses
by candidates for the district representative to the U.S. Congress
e. Other
business to come before the caucus; and
f. Adjournment.
Rule 5. The proceedings of the county
caucuses shall include:
a. Call
to order by the state committeeman or state committeewoman for the county, but
if both are absent, then by any member
of the caucus;
b. Election
of a secretary of caucus;
c. Election
of a chairman of the caucus who shall also serve as chairman of the county
delegation to the state and district caucuses;
d. Ratification
of the county committee bylaws
(see Rule 8);
e. Nomination of members of the district
committee (see Rule 13);
f. Confirmation of county committee members
previously nominated, or nominations of such members not previously nominated
by municipal caucuses;
g. Nominations of members of the state committee
(see Rule 3a);
h. Other
business to come before the caucus; and
i. Adjournment.
Rule 6. Each
county caucus is empowered to establish bylaws governing its county committee
and to establish rules whereby the number of members of the county committee is
allocated among the several municipalities within such county. If such county
caucus fails to adopt rules and bylaws, the same may be adopted by the county
committee, subject to the approval at the next succeeding biennial county
caucus, but such rules and bylaws shall be effective from the time they are so
adopted by the county committee until action by a succeeding biennial county
caucus.
Rule 7. Municipal
caucuses shall be conducted biennially during the general election year as prescribed by state
law, upon call of the Chairman of the
Republican State Committee.
a. The
State Committee shall prescribe such rules and procedures for the conduct of
municipal caucuses, including the date thereof, as said committee shall deem
appropriate consistent with state law and these rules.
b. Municipalities
shall be encouraged to conduct their caucuses by March 1 or on a single date if
so specified by the State Committee.
After March 1, the county committee or the Republican State Chairman may
call such caucuses consistent with state law and these rules
c. In
determining the municipal delegate allotment to the state convention, the
results of the last Gubernatorial Election shall be
used applying the following
formula:
Each municipality shall be allocated
three (3) delegates for the first fifty (50) Republican votes or portion
thereof and two (2) delegates for each one hundred fifty (150) Republican votes
or portion thereof above the first fifty (50). The number of alternates
allocated to each municipality shall be equal to the number of delegates
allocated.
d. The
chairman or secretary, of the municipal caucus shall file, either by mail or by
hand delivery, the report of the caucus with the Secretary of the State
Committee no later than (14) fourteen calendar days following the date of the
caucus. The report shall be deemed filed on the date of mailing or date of hand
delivery.
Rule 8. The proceedings of the municipal caucuses shall include:
b. Adoption of rules and procedures for the caucus;
c. Election of delegates and alternates to the state
convention;
d. Ratification
of the municipal committee bylaws (see Rule 8 of the General Rules);
e. Selection of municipal delegation chairman for the state
convention;
g. Open
discussion of draft platform (see Rule 12)
h. Other
business to come before the caucus; and
i.
Adjournment.
Rule 9. A Standing Resolutions Committee shall be established no later than the
thirtieth of June of each odd numbered year,
to serve until the next biennial state convention. It shall be the resolutions committee of the convention and shall have as its primary
purpose the creation of and presentation to the State Convention a proposed
platform for the following general election.
Rule 10. The Standing Resolutions Committee
shall be constituted as follows:
class=Section2>
a. One member to be elected by each Republican County
Committee;
b. The ranking Republican member of
the State Senate and two other members from the Senate appointed by said ranking
member;
c. The ranking Republican member of the House of
Representatives and six other members from the House appointed by said ranking
member;
d. Three members appointed by the chairman of the Republican
State Committee;
e. One member appointed by each member of the Maine Republican
Congressional Delegation;
f. When a Republican, the Governor or his designee.
class=Section3>
Rule 11. After establishment, the Standing Resolutions Committee
shall organize itself by the election of a chairman and such other officials as
the committee may direct. In case of the death or resignation of any member,
said member shall be replaced in the same manner as the member was originally
chosen. The Standing Resolutions Committee shall be originally convened by the chairman of
the State Committee at such a time and place as the chairman may direct after
the committee’s establishment and no later than the first day of September following such establishment. The committee may make such
rules and bylaws for its own governance as it may see fit.
Rule 12. A draft report of the Standing Resolutions
Committee shall be published and made available by January 1, 2012. In addition, any
proposed amendments to this report or any other resolutions not included
in the report shall be submitted in writing to the chairman of the state
convention on or before 11:00 a.m. on the opening day of the convention, and
shall be signed by at least ten (10) delegates to the convention representing
at least three (3) counties, before being considered by the state convention.
If, however, the draft report is not published and made available by
January 1, 2012, and provided to each town for the
caucuses, proposed amendments or other resolutions not included
in the report may be made by motion of any delegate from the floor of the
convention.
Rule 13. The convention shall proceed in accordance with the order
of business prepared and printed by the Republican State Committee.
Rule 14. The voting procedure at the convention
shall be as follows:
a.
Each elected delegate shall be provided
a voting card with the delegate’s municipal name boldly printed upon it;
b.
When the presiding officer calls for a
vote on any potentially controversial topic the delegates will be asked to
raise their voting cards if in favor of the topic followed by like sign if
opposed;
c.
When appropriate, the presiding officer
may call for a voice vote.
d.
If either a vote with voting cards or a
voice vote does not clearly decide the issue, the presiding officer or 20 or
more delegate(s) may call for a revote with
cards with aides directed to make individual counts.
Rule 15. The
Chairman shall appoint a committee of nine (9) state committee members to constitute
the Committee of Credentials. The secretary of the State Committee shall
receive all such credentials and present them to the Committee on Credentials
for consideration. The Committee on Credentials may appoint such subcommittees
as it deems fit to receive the evidence relating to
any controversy, or relating to any other matter on credentials, and to make
recommendations to the committee.
Rule 16. The lists of delegates submitted by the several municipal
caucuses pursuant to regulations established by the State Committee shall
constitute the temporary roll call of delegates and except, as the Committee on
Credentials shall otherwise decide, such lists shall constitute the permanent
roll. Any challenge to a delegate’s right to sit shall be filed in writing with
the secretary of the State Committee before the first session of the convention
shall recess. Any ruling or decision of the Committee on Credentials shall be
subject to final action by the convention.
Rule 17. The delegates and alternates to the state convention, a
district caucus, or to the respective county caucuses must be residents
of the municipality, county or district which they represent. If a full
complement of delegates cannot be present at any session of the state
convention or at any session of a district caucus or at respective county
caucuses, any municipal delegation without a full complement of delegates may
fill vacancies, but each person appointed to fill a vacancy shall be a resident
of that particular municipality which he represents; and provided further that
no such person or any delegate shall serve as delegation chairman.
Rule 18. Each municipal and county delegation shall have a
delegation chairman. Each municipal delegation should caucus and elect a
delegation chairman as soon as possible after the municipal caucus. Until the
delegation chairman is elected the municipal committee chairman shall serve as
delegation chairman.
Rule 19. Unless any municipal caucus has provided otherwise,
alternates will succeed to the position of an absent delegate in alphabetical
order.
Rule 20. Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall be the rules of this convention so far as they are
applicable and consistent with the rules herein set forth.
Rule 21. No delegate shall speak more than twice upon the same
question and no longer than five minutes at a time unless by leave of the
convention.
Rule 22. A roll call vote of the convention shall be taken on
demand of the chairmen of the caucuses of four (4) counties; provided, however,
that until counties have caucused a roll call vote shall be taken on demand of
the chairmen of ten (10) municipal delegations.
Rule 23. Whenever a roll call vote is required, municipal delegation
chairmen shall poll their delegations and deliver the responses promptly to the
chairmen of the county committee delegations, in writing. The county chairmen
shall tally the results of the municipal delegations and deliver the results
promptly to the state convention or district caucus chair in writing. Counties,
or in county caucuses, municipalities, may be called upon in alphabetical order
to announce their results. Should the convention chair order a voice vote from
the delegates, and there is an objection to this method, any objecting delegate
may ask for a Point of Order and ask for reconsideration of the voting
procedure.
Rule 24. During
voting, seating in the delegate area shall be reserved solely for delegates
with proper credentials. Absent such
credentials, no one except officers of the convention shall be admitted to the
section of the convention hall apportioned for delegates. Each delegate
shall be allowed one vote per ballot and may not vote by proxy.
a. Balloting for National Committee Man and
National Committee Woman shall only be conducted with a quorum of the full
assembly on the main convention floor and, once initiated, must continue
uninterrupted until a victor is ascertained.
b. Balloting for district and
county positions shall only be conducted with a quorum of the full assembly of
the caucus with jurisdiction over the office under consideration and, once
initiated, must continue uninterrupted until a victor is ascertained.
c. All elections shall be
conducted by secret ballot except for uncontested offices, elections of
convention or caucus officers, or ceremonial offices. In these cases, the
chairman may call for delegates to indicate their preference as per Rule 14, or
by voice vote. For all elections, a call for additional nominations from
the floor shall be issued by the chairman.
d. A
candidate must garner a majority of votes (50% + 1) to prevail in a balloted
election. In the event no candidate attains a majority of votes
cast, a runoff election shall be
conducted between the two candidates with the most votes.
e. There shall be a Convention
Ballot Committee formed to tally the ballots for each election and to report
the results to the convention or caucus chairman. The Convention Chairman shall appoint an
Election Warden to oversee the tallying of ballots for all elections at the
convention. The Election Warden shall appoint at least one delegate from each
of the sixteen counties to serve on the Ballot Committee and representation of
each county shall be equal.
f. The last business of the
State Convention shall be the election of Delegates and Alternates to the
National convention. With the exception of the offices of National Convention
Delegate and National Convention Alternate Delegate, no member of the
Convention Ballot Committee shall be a candidate for any office that is subject
to a balloted election.
g, Each candidate or their
representative may be present to observe the tally of ballots.