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
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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:
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- 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
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:
a. Election of a secretary and chairman, in that order;
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;
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e. Nomination of the county committee members;
f. Adopt or re-ratify the municipal committee bylaws (see Rule 8);
g. Open discussion of draft platform (see Rule 42).
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:
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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.
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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
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 2012 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:
a. Election of a secretary and chairman, in that order;
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;
f. Nomination of the county committee members;
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:
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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.
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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.
MAINE REPUBLICAN PARTY
BYLAWS
Adopted March 11, 1985
Last amended November 12, 2011
ARTICLE I – NAME
This organization shall be known as the Maine Republican Party and shall be the official statewide organization for the Republicans of the State of Maine. The Maine Republican Party shall be governed by the duly elected members of the Maine Republican State Committee.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
The Republican State Committee shall lead and support the Maine Republican Party, shall cooperate with the Republican National Committee in promoting the principles and ideals of the Republican Party and shall maintain close liaisons with the Republican leadership and members of the Maine Legislature. It shall supply direction and leadership for the performance of organizational activities, working through and with the two Republican Congressional District Committees, the Republican County, City and Town Committees. In furthering the programs of the Maine Republican Party, the Republican State Committee shall work closely with the Maine Federation of Republican Women, the Maine Federation of Young Republicans, Maine College Republicans, the Teen Age Republican Caucus and with such other groups as may be established and organized from time to time.
ARTICLE III – CANDIDATE RECRUITMENT
This organization shall assist in the recruitment of Republican candidates for public office at Federal, State and local levels. As it pertains to the Maine Legislature, the Party shall work in conjunction with House and Senate leadership in the recruitment of candidates to the Maine Legislature. Each candidate recruited must support the basic principles of the Republican Party, have the ability to fulfill the duties of the office sought, and have an earnest desire to be elected.
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP
1. County Representatives
A. Number – The membership of the Maine Republican State Committee shall, in part, consist of one (1) Committeeman and one (1) Committeewoman for each county, plus one At-Large Member for every 10,000 Republican enrolled voters, or portion thereof, in excess of the first 10,000 according to the official figures available from the Office of the Maine Secretary of State as of April 1 of even numbered years.
B. Election – These members shall be nominated by their County Caucuses at the biennial State Convention, and shall be elected by the State Convention Delegates.
C. Term – Membership on the State Committee is not limited to any length of service.
D. Attendance – In accordance with Article VII.4.A and B, members may appoint as their proxy an enrolled Republican to attend and represent them at a State Committee meeting if unable to personally attend.
If any member fails to attend, in person, two consecutive meetings, the Secretary 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, the Secretary shall inform the County Committee or other proper organization which the member represents. Said organization may, according to its own Bylaws or procedures, declare the member’s position to be vacant and nominate a successor. Upon receipt of a declaration of vacancy, the State Committee may accept it and proceed to act upon the nomination of the successor.
The Secretary of the State Committee shall send quarterly attendance reports, including proxy information, if applicable, to the County Chairman, Secretary, and State Committee members of each county.
E. Vacancies – A vacancy occurring for any reason shall be filled by vote of the remaining members of the State Committee. However, prior to filling any vacancy the Secretary of the State Committee shall notify the proper sponsoring organization that a vacancy has occurred and advise the organization of the proposed meeting date when the vacancy will be considered for resolution by a nomination from the organization. In the event that a qualified replacement has not been nominated by the County or sponsoring organization, the State Committee will work with the sponsoring organization or specific County Chairman and remaining State Committee Members from that County to recruit and nominate a qualified replacement. The State Committee is not bound by the organization’s nomination since the law provides that the State Committee must fill a vacancy in its own membership.
F. Duties – The members of the Maine Republican State Committee shall hold the offices of the highest rank and responsibility of the Republican organization in their respective Counties. They shall supply assistance, encouragement to and liaison with the County organization in the County of their residence; they shall be responsible for transmitting suggestions and advice from the state level, helping to insure the continuity of purpose and interest in those matters of the State Committee action that require County, City and Town Committee support and implementation. State Committee members should attend all meetings of their County Committee. They are responsible for carrying out the purpose and objectives as expressed in ARTICLE II and ARTICLE III, and as may be adopted in the future.
2. Republican National Committeeman and Committeewoman
These persons shall be considered elected and voting members of the State Committee upon their election at the quadrennial Republican National Convention. Vacancies shall be filled by majority vote of the State Committee.
3. County Committee Chairmen
Each County Committee Chairman shall automatically be a voting member of the State Committee and therefore subject to the same rules as the elected members.
4. Representatives of Affiliated State Republican Organizations
Key members of affiliate State Republican Organizations, who are also voting members of the State Republican Committee shall include, the President of the Maine Federation of Republican Women, the Chairman of the Maine Federation of Young Republicans and the Chairman of the Maine College Republicans. If the Chairman of the Teen Age Republican Caucus will be of voting age as of the next General Election and will be an enrolled Maine Republican, that Chairman will also be a voting member of the State Committee. If not so qualified, the Chairman shall be a non-voting member. Vacancies shall be filled according to the Bylaws of their respective organization.
5. Other Members
A. The Maine State Senate and Maine House of Representatives shall each elect a person from their Caucus to serve as a voting member of the State Committee, elected at the same time as Party Leadership elections take place. Vacancies shall be filled by the ranking Republican officer of the House or Senate, as the case may be.
B. The Republican Governor and each Republican Congressman and U.S. Senator elected in Maine shall appoint a person to serve as a voting member to the State Committee who shall serve contemporaneously with the term of the appointer.
C. The Chairman of the Maine Republican Party Finance Committee shall become a member of the State Committee with voting privileges.
D. Officers chosen from outside the membership of the State Committee shall become voting members upon their election. In the event an existing State Committee member is elected to an officer’s position, that person shall cease to represent the body from which elected, and that seat shall be declared vacant.
E. The Legal Counselor shall be a non-voting member.
F. The State Chairman may appoint advisors to the State Committee. The State Chairman shall report the names of all advisors to the State Committee Members.
ARTICLE V – OFFICERS
1. Elected
A. The Maine Republican State Committee shall choose, by ballot, a Chairman, a Vice Chairman, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such other officers as the Committee may from time to time deem necessary. The Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and other officers (if any) shall be elected at the regular meeting in December of each election year for a two-year term commencing January 1, or until a successor is elected; these four officers may be chosen regardless of gender and need not be current members of the State Committee.
B. No announced candidate for Governor, the United States Senate, or United States House of Representatives shall serve as an officer of the State Committee.
C. No officer or employee of the State Committee shall be a paid lobbyist.
2. Appointments by the Chairman
A. The Chairman shall appoint the following who shall serve during the term of and at the pleasure of said Chairman. With the exception of the Chairman of the Finance Committee, the persons appointed to these positions shall not have voting rights on the State Committee unless they already hold a position with voting rights.
1. The Chairman of the Maine Republican Party Finance Committee.
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2. The Legal Counselor.
3. The members of the Rules and Procedures Committee.
4. A Deputy Treasurer
B. Special Appointments. The Chairman may appoint individuals to advisory or special positions as deemed both necessary and in the best interest of the Maine Republican Party. The persons appointed to these positions shall not have voting rights unless they already hold a position with voting rights.
3. 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 convene a meeting of the state committee for the purpose of electing a new Chairman and Vice Chairman within 45 days.
4. Elections for Vacancies
A. Elections for State Committee vacancies, in any officer positions, may be held at a regular or special meeting of the Committee so long as the pending election(s) are listed in writing in the call to the meeting.
B. The presiding officer shall provide advance notice of and manage the time allotted to the nominating process. Voting for each individual position shall be by secret ballot. Two members of the Executive Committee, not running as candidates for the specific positions being decided, plus one representative of each candidate solely as an observer, shall be chosen as election clerks to count the ballots and announce the results to the full Committee.
C. Elections to fill multiple vacancies (if necessary) shall be held in the sequence: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and other officer(s).
5. Salaries
A. The Treasurer and State Chairman may be paid such salary as the Executive Committee approves, and shall be the only officers of the State Committee with salary. Those members appointed to the Executive Committee by the Chairman shall not have a vote with respect to the salary for the Chairman.
The Legal Counselor may also receive such compensation as the Executive Committee approves.
B. The Executive Director shall be hired by the State Chairman.
C. The Executive Director shall hire all other paid personnel with the prior advice and consent of the Chairman. They shall be compensated based on the budget adopted by the State Committee.
D. All officers, both elected and appointed, shall be allowed reimbursement for travel expenses to be approved by the procedures set forth in ARTICLE VI.
ARTICLE VI – PAYMENT OF BILLS AND BONDS
All bills and expenses incurred, and for salaries due, should be approved by the State Chairman or his designee. They shall then be forwarded to the Treasurer of the State Committee for payment. The State Chairman may require such additional approvals, prior to payment, as may be deemed appropriate.
All permanent full-time paid personnel plus the State Chairman and the Treasurer of the State Committee shall be bonded for an amount to be determined by the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS
1. Calling
A. Regular – The Chairman of the State Committee shall call at least six (6) regular meetings in odd numbered years and at least eight (8) regular meetings in even numbered years. Notice of a regular meeting to the committee membership shall be not less than fourteen (14) days, and more if practical.
B. Special – A special meeting of the State Committee may be held at any time upon the call of the Chairman or in the Chairman’s absence, by the Vice Chairman, with notice of at least ten (10) days. Such a meeting may also be called upon the written petition and signatures of seventeen (17) members of the State Committee representing no less than six (6) counties, said petition to be delivered to the Chairman. It shall be the duty of the Chairman to issue a call for meeting within ten (10) days of the receipt of said petition, the meeting date to be not later than thirty (30) days and not earlier than five (5) days from the issuance of call, and to be held at such hour and place as the call shall specify. If the Chairman fails to call such a meeting within thirty (30) days after the filing of the petition, the Vice Chairman shall call the meeting. The petition must contain the specific purpose for calling the meeting. The call, including the purpose, must be sent to all State Committee members prior to the meeting.
C. The Chairman of the State Committee shall also have the authority to cancel or postpone State Committee meetings and shall give notice to members with a reason for the cancellation or postponement.
2. Conduct
A. All meetings of the Maine Republican State Committee and all meetings of its duly designated sub-committees shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
B. All State Committee Meetings shall be open to all enrolled Republicans. Enrolled Republican non-members, only after the prior decision of the chairman, may take part in the discussion but shall have no vote.
C. Resolutions regarding political issues not already defined in the current platform shall become agenda items only after prior approval by the Executive Committee, or upon written request from at least eight (8) State Committee members representing at least eight (8) different counties presented no later than seven days before a State Committee meeting, to the Chairman, who will then immediately distribute it to the membership.
3. Quorum
A majority of the qualified voting members of the State Committee shall constitute a quorum.
4. Proxies
A. Each member of the State Committee shall be entitled, unless otherwise indicated in these Bylaws, to one vote on each question in person or if represented by proxy duly appointed in writing by the member.
B. A proxy voter acting for a county representative to the State Committee shall be an enrolled Republican of the same county as the member being represented, and not a current member of the State Committee. A proxy voter representing a State Committee Officer, National Committee Member, Governor, Congressional Member or Chairman of the Finance Committee shall be an enrolled Republican in the State of Maine. A proxy voter representing a State Legislator must be a Republican member of that legislative body. A proxy voter representing an affiliated State Republican organization must be a member of that organization.
ARTICLE VIII – COMMITTEES
1. Executive Committee
A. Membership – The Executive Committee shall consist of ten (10) members of the State Committee as follows: the four officers of the Maine Republican Party, the National Committeeman, the National Committeewoman, the Chairman of the Finance Committee and, appointed by the Chairman, one County Chairman from each Congressional District and one member at-large.
B. Chairman – The Chairman of the State Committee shall serve as Chairman of the Executive Committee.
C. Duties – Duties of the Executive Committee shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
1. Advising the State Chairman in all matters.
2. Carrying out the other duties set forth in these Bylaws.
D. Sub-Committees – Sub-Committees of this committee may be designated as needed.
E. Meetings – The Executive Committee shall meet at least six (6) times during a year and at such other times as called by the State Chairman. Meetings may be held via conference call if appropriate for the agenda.
F. Special Appointments – The Chairman may appoint individuals to advisory or special positions as deemed both necessary and in the best interest of the Republican State Committee.
2. Maine Republican Party Finance Committee
A. Membership – The Maine Republican Party Finance Committee shall consist of the Finance Committee Chairman and any other members appointed by the Finance Chairman, with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee. The members of the Finance Committee do not need to be State Committee members.
B. The State Party Finance Committee shall be responsible for raising funds necessary to finance the State Committee Budget.
3. Budget Committee
A. Membership – The Budget Committee shall consist of not less than six (6) State Committee members, plus the State Finance Chairman and the Treasurer of the Republican State Committee, with no more than two members from any one county. The State Chairman shall appoint the Budget Chairman and members of the Committee.
B. Duties – The Budget Committee shall recommend a two-year budget, to cover basic operations, to be presented to the State Committee for approval no later than March 31st of the year following a general election. The budget shall be reviewed with the State Committee quarterly. All basic operational expenses shall continue to be paid until a budget is approved.
4. Other Committees
A. Creation – The State Chairman shall establish such other committees as deemed necessary.
B. Membership – Any committee so established shall have no more than two (2) members from any one county. Members shall be appointed by the State Chairman from enrolled Republicans in the State of Maine. Other Republicans enrolled in Maine, who are not members of the State Committee, as well as members of the Executive, Finance and Budget Committees may be appointed, if they express an interest in such appointment.
C. Sub-Committees – Any committee may designate sub-committees as deemed necessary.
5. Ex Officio Member
The State Chairman shall be, ex officio, a voting member of all committees and sub-committees.
ARTICLE IX – BYLAW AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be amended at a duly called meeting of the Republican State Committee, with a quorum present, by a two-thirds majority of the voting members present; provided that the pending action was clearly stated in the call of the meeting at which action on the amendment(s) was planned to be taken; and provided that approved amendment(s) be forwarded within five (5) days to those members not in attendance at the meeting.
