BY-LAWS OF THE MISSISSIPPI REPUBLICAN PARTY
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name or this organization shall be the "Mississippi Republican Party," hereinafter referred to as the Party.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The purpose of the Party is to develop a statewide intelligent, aggressive, and effective political organization, to support the principles, objects and platforms of this Party as adopted by its Convention and to secure the election of all duly nominated Republican candidates.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Membership of the Party shall consist of all persons who are qualified electors under the laws of the State of Mississippi and who are in accord with the statement of principles of the Party, which principles shall have been declared by the State Convention of this Party.
ARTICLE IV: CONVENTION
SECTION 1: A State Convention shall be held in the year 1964 and every four (4) years thereafter at a time and place to be designated by the State Executive Committee, which Convention shall appoint Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the Republican National Convention, select a State Executive Committee, select one or more slates of Presidential electors, nominate a candidate for President and Vice President of the United States if it desires, adopt a platform, promulgate a statement of principles, elect a National Committeeman and National Committeewoman and take further actions deemed proper by the Convention.
SECTION 2: The State Executive Committee shall give thirty (30) days notice of the Convention by authorizing the State Chairman to issue a Call, which Call must be published one time in a newspaper having a general circulation in the State of Mississippi, and by authorizing and directing the State Chairman to mail a copy of the Call to each member of the State Central Committee and to Chairman of each county Executive Committee, which Call shall also contain a Call for Precinct Meetings and County Conventions, and reasonable rules for conduct of the same.
SECTION 3: Delegates to the State Convention shall be apportioned and selected in the manner provided by the laws of the State of Mississippi. The officers of the State Central Committee shall be the officers of the Convention.
SECTION 4: A majority of the duly certified Delegates shall constitute a quorum and a majority of a quorum shall have power to transact any business unless herein otherwise provided, and Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern all proceedings of the Convention, unless the Convention adopts a set of Convention rules by a two-thirds (2/3) vote.
ARTICLE V: STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SECTION 1: The State Executive Committee shall consist of thirteen members from each Congressional District to be chosen by the Delegates from the different Congressional Districts, each District acting separately, and shall hold office for a term of not more than four (4) years.
SECTION 2: All vacancies in the State Executive Committee shall be filled by the Committee with a qualified elector from the District in which the vacancy occurs.
SECTION 3: The State Executive Committee shall do and perform all acts specifically required of the State Executive Committee by the laws of the State of Mississippi.
SECTION 4: The first meeting of the State Executive Committee shall be held at a time to be fixed by the State Convention, at which time a Chairman, a Vice Chairman and a Secretary shall be elected. For elections occurring in 2008 only, the Chairman’s term shall begin on September 5, 2008, with the term of all other officers being effective upon election.
SECTION 5: A majority shall constitute a quorum and a majority of a quorum shall have power to transact any business unless herein otherwise provided, and Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the proceedings of the Committee, unless the Committee adopts a set of Committee rules by a two-thirds (2/3) vote.
SECTION 6: Notice of a State Central Committee meeting shall ipso facto constitute notice of meeting of this Committee, and it may transact any business required by law at any State Central Committee meeting.
SECTION 7: Notwithstanding any other provision of these By-laws to the contrary, the State Executive Committee may approve the qualifications of candidates and may declare nominees upon receipt by the Chairman of the written consent of a majority of the committee. However, upon the written request of one-quarter of the members of the State Executive Committee, the Chairman shall instead convene a meeting of the State Executive Committee to determine such issues.
ARTICLE VI: STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE
SECTION 1: The State Central Committee of the Party shall be composed of the members of the State Executive Committee, the National Committeeman, the National Committeewoman, the State Finance Chairman, the General Counsel, the Chairman of the Mississippi Young Republican Federation, the President of the Mississippi Federation of Republican Women, the President of the Mississippi Republican Elected Officials Association, the Chairman of the Mississippi Federation of College Republicans, the Treasurer, the Chairman of the Capital Foundation, the Chairman of the United Republican Fund, the Chairman of the Teen Age Republicans, and all Republicans elected to state-wide office, the Mississippi Transportation Commission, the Mississippi Public Service Commission, the United States Senate, and the United States House of Representatives. Elected officials, when necessarily absent from the meetings of the Central Committee, may be represented by persons designated by them in writing for that purpose, who shall have all the privileges of members of the Central Committee.
SECTION 2: Except when the State Convention is in session, the State Central Committee shall have control and management of all of the affairs and properties of the Party.
SECTION 3: The State Central Committee shall meet at least once each quarter upon the call of the State Chairman and at such other times as may be necessary upon the call of the State Chairman or a majority vote of the members of the Committee.
SECTION 4: All members of said Committee shall be given seven (7) days written notice by the State Chairman of all meetings, which notice shall be mailed to the last known post office address of each member.
SECTION 5: A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of a majority of the members of the Committee and a majority of a quorum shall have power to transact any business unless herein otherwise provided, and Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern all proceedings of the Committee, unless the Committee adopts a set of other rules by a two-thirds (2/3) vote.
ARTICLE VII: OFFICERS
SECTION 1: STATE CHAIRMAN. The State Chairman shall be elected by the State Executive Committee in the manner herein set forth; shall be the Chairman of and preside at all meetings of the State Convention, State Executive Committee, and State Central Committee; shall be the chief executive officer of the Party; shall have general supervision over the affairs, activities and employees of the Party; shall make all Committee appointments unless herein or by law otherwise provided; shall be responsible for drafting and submitting a budget for approval of the State Central Committee; and shall perform such other duties as are required by law and as usually pertain to the office of Chairman, including coordination with other State and National Party leaders. In 2008 only, the State Chairman shall be elected at the State Convention on May 10, 2008 but take office on September 5, 2008.
SECTION 2: STATE VICE CHAIRMAN. The State Vice Chairman shall be elected by the State Executive Committee in the manner set forth in Article V, Section IV, shall perform the duties of the State Chairman in his absence at meetings of the State Convention, State Central Committee, and the State Executive Committee, and perform such other duties as are required by law or as may be prescribed by the State Central Committee and as are incident to this office.
SECTION 3: SECRETARY. The Secretary shall be elected by the State Executive Committee in the manner herein provided and shall be Secretary of the State Convention, State Central Committee, and the State Executive Committee; shall keep minutes of the meetings of each, and perform such other duties as are required by law or as may be prescribed by the State Central Committee and as are incident to this office and in the same manner an Assistant Secretary may be elected and may perform the duties of the Secretary.
SECTION 4: NATIONAL COMMITTEEMAN AND NATIONAL COMMITTEEWOMAN. The National Committeeman and National Committeewoman shall be elected by the State Convention and shall be the Party's official representatives with the Republican National Committee and shall perform such other duties as are incident to the office.
SECTION 5: TREASURER. The Treasurer shall be appointed by the State Chairman with the approval of the State Central Committee; shall be custodian of all funds of the Party; keep a detailed record of the receipts and expenditures of the Party; and perform all such other duties as are incident to this office; and shall be bonded in an amount to be determined by the State Central Committee.
SECTION 6: GENERAL COUNSEL. The General Counsel shall be appointed by the State Chairman with the approval of the State Central Committee and shall serve as legal adviser to all committees herein provided, and shall perform such other duties as are incident to this office.
ARTICLE VIII: STANDING COMMITTEES
SECTION 1: The standing committees of the State Central Committee shall be the United Republican Fund Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Candidate Committee.
SECTION 2: UNITED REPUBLICAN FUND COMMITTEE. This Committee shall be composed of one person from each county to be appointed by the County Chairman with the approval of the State URF
Chairman; the general control and supervision of fundraising activities shall be managed by the State Executive Finance Committee of the United Republican Fund composed of not less than two persons of each Congressional District to be selected by the State Chairman, which Executive Committee shall assist and consult with the State Chairman in the preparation of all budgets.
SECTION 3: AUDIT COMMITTEE. The Audit Committee shall be composed of three (3) persons selected by the State Central Committee whose duties shall be to examine, or cause to be examined, the accounts of the State Finance Chairman, and shall make an annual report to the State Central Committee.
SECTION 4: CANDIDATE COMMITTEE. A State Candidate Committee consisting of not less than one (1) person from each Congressional District shall be appointed by the State Chairman with the approval of the State Central Committee, whose duties shall be to encourage qualified and capable members of the Party to seek public office, provide candidates with information concerning the election laws of this state, assist candidates in qualifying to seek the Party nomination and such other duties as may be prescribed by the State Chairman.
SECTION 5: CAPITAL FOUNDATION COMMITTEE. This committee shall be composed of no less than three members with the Chairman of the committee being appointed by the Chairman of the party. The Chairman of the Capital Foundation shall appoint at least two individuals to serve on the Committee. The sole purpose of this committee is to raise funds exclusively for the Capital Foundation with the intent to distribute these funds to Republican candidates in the state of Mississippi. The Committee shall recommend the distribution of funds raised to the Chairman of the party for final approval before distribution. All funds raised shall be used exclusively for direct candidate support.
ARTICLE IX: ORGANIZATIONS
SECTION 1: Except when the County Convention is in session, the County Executive Committee shall function as the principle organizational arm of the Party below of the state level and shall have the control and management of the affairs and properties of the Party throughout the county. The County Executive Committee shall meet at least once each quarter upon the call of the County Chairman and at such other times as may be necessary upon the call of the County Chairman or a majority of the members of the Committee. Municipal Executive Committees shall do and perform only those acts specifically required of them by the laws of the State of Mississippi or authorized by these By-Laws or by appropriate action of the Executive Committee(s) of the county(s) wherein the subject municipality is located.
SECTION 2: All affiliated organizations herein authorized shall be under control and supervision of the State Central Committee and may continue to function, operate, and use the name "Republican" in their name, unless the authorization is withdrawn by a majority vote of the State Convention or a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the State Central Committee.
SECTION 3: No affiliated organization may adopt a Constitution, By-Laws, or rules inconsistent with these By-Laws.
SECTION 4: The following affiliated organizations are hereby authorized to-wit: (1) MISSISSIPPI FEDERATION OF REPUBLICAN WOMEN; (2) MISSISSIPPI YOUNG REPUBLICAN FEDERATION; (3) MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE REPUBLICANS; and (4) the MISSISSIPPI TEENAGE REPUBLICANS.
SECTION 5: A County Executive Committee may authorize the formation of county, municipal, or beat Republican clubs, subject to approval by the State Central Committee.
ARTICLE X: PROXIES
No proxies shall be authorized by any committees or conventions of this Party, except that this shall not be construed to prohibit duly elected alternate delegates from acting and voting for delegates in county, state, or national conventions.
ARTICLE XI: RULES AND REGULATIONS
The State Convention and all Committees of this Party are authorized to adopt reasonable rules and regulations in order to facilitate the orderly conduct of its business so long as said rules do not conflict with these By-Laws or any federal or state statutes.
ARTICLE XII: RESIGNATIONS AND REMOVALS
SECTION 1: RESIGNATIONS. Any officer, Executive Committee member, Committee Chairman, or member of any Committee may resign by submitting written letter of resignation to the State Chairman or if the resignation be by one holding a position in a county organization, then in that event the letter of resignation shall be submitted to the County Chairman with a copy forwarded to the State Chairman. A change of residence shall constitute an automatic resignation if residence is a necessary requirement to hold the office or be a member of a committee.
SECTION 2: REMOVALS. Any and all officers, Executive Committee members, chairman of committees, and members of any other committees of the Party, or of affiliate organizations authorized herein or by the State Central Committee, may be removed for cause by a majority vote of the entire State Executive Committee provided thirty (30) days written notice is given of said meeting and an opportunity is given to be heard at said meeting. Any County Executive Committee may remove any officer, Executive Committee member, committee chairman, or other committee member in its county for cause by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire County Executive Committee provided ten (10) days notice of proposed actions shall have been duly given to the members with the notice of the meeting and provided that if the person affected is not a member of the County Executive Committee, then in that event the affected person shall also be given ten (10) days notice in writing of the meeting and an opportunity to be heard at such meeting, and in the event of a removal of any person by a County Executive Committee the affected member may appeal said removal decision to the State Executive Committee by giving notice to the State Chairman within ten (10) days after receipt of notice of his removal. The State Executive Committee will consider such an appeal within thirty (30) days from receipt of notice of the appeal of the appellant and all members of the County Executive Committee shall be given at least ten (10) days notice prior to hearing the appeal. The decision of the majority vote of the State Executive Committee shall be binding.
SECTION 3: ABSENTEEISM. In the event a member of the State Central Committee should be absent from two meetings of the State Central Committee in any one calendar year, the Secretary of said Committee is hereby and herein authorized and directed to notify said member in writing of such absences and to request his attendance at all future meetings of the State Central Committee. In the event a member of the State Central Committee should be absent from three meetings of the State Central Committee in any one calendar year such absentees shall be deemed cause for removal of such member pursuant to the provisions of Section 2, Article XII of these By-Laws.
ARTICLE XIII: ENDORSEMENT OF CANDIDATES
SECTION 1: No committee of the Mississippi Republican Party or any organization authorized to use the name Republican pursuant to the provisions of these By-Laws, whether state, county, or municipal, shall endorse or oppose any Republican candidate for public office prior to a Party primary when the Republican nominee will be selected by primary election.
SECTION 2: In the event a Party nominee will not be selected bay a primary election, then candidates for national, statewide, state-district, or multi-county offices may be endorsed by the State Central Committee; for county and county-district offices, by the County Executive Committee; and for municipal offices by the Municipal Executive Committee; provided no other committees or organizations organized pursuant to the provisions of these By-Laws may endorse candidates other than those endorsed by the governing committees as specified above.
ARTICLE XIV: SEVERABILITY CLAUSE
If a court of competent jurisdiction shall adjudge to be invalid or unconstitutional any clause sentence, paragraph, section, or part of these By-Laws, such judgement or decree shall not affect, impair, invalidate, or nullify the remainder of these By-Laws, but the effect thereof shall be confined to the clause, sentence, paragraph, section, or part of these By-Laws so adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, and if any part of these By-Laws is in conflict with any laws of the State of Mississippi or the United States of America now, or as a result of future enactments, then these By-Laws shall be considered to be automatically amended to conform with the law.
ARTICLE XV: ADOPTIONS AND AMENDMENTS
These By-Laws shall take effect and be in force from and after the 30th day of May 1964, and these By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the State Convention or a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the State Central Committee.
Adopted May 30, 1964
Re-adopted as amended June 1, 1968
Re-adopted as amended May 20, 1972
Re-adopted as amended April 10, 1976
Re-adopted as amended May 10, 1980
Re-adopted as amended April 14, 1984
Re-adopted without amendment May 21, 1988
Re-adopted without amendment May 9, 1992
Re-adopted as amended May 8, 1996
Re-adopted as amended May 18, 1996
Re-adopted as amended May 11, 2000
Re-adopted without amendment May 15, 2004
Re-adopted with amendment May 10, 2008
See amendment below, May 12, 2011
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