About
The Union County Republican Executive Committee meets the 1st Thursday of each month at the Bear’s Lair Restuarant, 6751 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trial NC. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM and ends by 9:00 PM. All registered Republicans are welcomed to attend. For additional information: secretary@ucncgop.org
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Origin of “GOP”
A favorite of headline writers, GOP dates back to the 1870s and ’80s. The abbreviation was cited in a New York Herald story on October 15, 1884; “The G.O.P. Doomed,” shouted the Boston Post…. “The Grand Old Party is in condition to inquire….”
But what GOP stands for has changed with the times. In 1875 there was a citation in the Congressional Record referring to “this gallant old party,” and, according to Harper’s Weekly, in the Cincinnati Commercial in 1876 to “Grand Old Party.”
Perhaps the use of “the G.O.M.” for Britain’s Prime Minister William E. Gladstone in 1882 as ” the Grand Old Man” stimulated the use of GOP in the United States soon after.
In early motorcar days, GOP took on the term “get out and push.” During the 1964 presidential campaign, “Go-Party” was used briefly, and during the Nixon Administration, frequent references to the “generation of peace” had happy overtones. In line with moves in the ’70s to modernize the party, Republican leaders took to referring to the “grand old party,” harkening back to a 1971 speech by President Nixon at the dedication of the Eisenhower Republican Center in Washington, D.C.
Indeed, the “grand old party” is an ironic term, since the Democrat Party was organized some 22 years earlier in 1832.
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North Carolina Republican Party Plan of Organization
Adopted June 6, 2008
PREAMBLE
ARTICLE I – MEMBERSHIP
A. MEMBERS………………………………………………………………………..4
ARTICLE II – PRECINCT ORGANIZATION
A. ANNUAL PRECINCT MEETINGS………………………………………………4
1. Call for Meeting ……………………………………………………………………4
2. Election of Precinct Officers ………………………………………………………4
3. Election of Delegates ………………………………………………………………5
4. Duties of Officers ………………………………………………………………….5
5. Other Precinct Meetings …………………………………………………………..5
B. PRECINCT COMMITTEE ……………………………………………………….5
1. Duties of Committee ………………………………………………………………6
2. Duties of Officers …………………………………………………………………6
3. Vacancies and Removals…………………………………………………………..6
ARTICLE III – COUNTY ORGANIZATION
A. ANNUAL CONVENTION ……………………………………………………….6
1. Call of Convention …………………………………………………………………6
2. Convention Action …………………………………………………………………7
3. Credentials …………………………………………………………………………8
4. Convention Fee …………………………………………………………………….8
B. COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ………………………………………….8
1. Membership ………………………………………………………………………..8
2. Powers and Duties ………………………………………………………………….8
3. Meetings ……………………………………………………………………………9
4. Duties of Officers……………………………………………………………………9
5. Vacancies and Removals …………………………………………………………..10
C. COUNTY FINANCE AND AUDITING COMMITTEES ………………………..10
1. Finance Committee …………………………………………………………………10
2. Auditing Committee ………………………………………………………………..10
ARTICLE IV – JUDICIAL, SENATORIAL, & LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES
A. GENERAL ORGANIZATION …………………………………………………….11
1. Membership …………………………………………………………………………11
2. Election of Officers …………………………………………………………………11
3. Powers and Duties of Committees ………………………………………………….11
ARTICLE V – CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ORGANIZATIONS
A. CONVENTIONS …………………………………………………………………..12
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1. Call of Convention …………………………………………………………………..12
2. Convention Action …………………………………………………………………..12
3. Credentials …………………………………………………………………………..13
B. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ……………………13
1. Membership …………………………………………………………………………13
2. Powers and Duties …………………………………………………………………..14
3. Meetings ……………………………………………………………………………..14
4. Duties of Officers ……………………………………………………………………14
5. Vacancies and Removals ……………………………………………………………15
C. DISTRICT FINANCE COMMITTEE ……………………………………………..15
ARTICLE VI – STATE ORGANIZATION
A. ANNUAL CONVENTIONS ………………………………………………………..15
1. Call to Convention …………………………………………………………………..15
2. Election of Officers ………………………………………………………………….15
3. Standing Committees ………………………………………………………………..15
4. Presidential Election Year State Convention ………………………………………..16
B. STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE …………………………………………………17
1. Membership ………………………………………………………………………….17
2. Powers and Duties ……………………………………………………………………18
3. Meetings ……………………………………………………………………………..18
4. Duties of Officers ……………………………………………………………………19
C. STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ………………………………………………19
1. Membership ………………………………………………………………………….19
2. Powers and Duties of Committee…………………………………………………….19
3. Committee Meetings …………………………………………………………………20
4. Duties of Officers …………………………………………………………………….21
5. Vacancies and Removals ……………………………………………………………..21
D. STATE FINANCE COMMITTEE ………………………………………………….21
1. Membership ………………………………………………………………………….22
2. Powers and Duties ……………………………………………………………………22
3. Duties of Officers ……………………………………………………………………22
E. DEFINITION OF REVIEW…………………………………………………………22
ARTICLE VII – GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE
A. CONVENTION PROCEDURES …………………………………………………..22
1. Annual Conventions and Presidential Election Year Conventions …………………22
2. Voting Procedure ……………………………………………………………………23
3. Special Meeting and Conventions …………………………………………………..23
4. Newspaper of General Circulation ………………………………………………….23
5. Challenges …………………………………………………………………………..24
6. General Election Procedure …………………………………………………………24
7. Vacancies and Removals ……………………………………………………………24
8. Non-Partisan Candidates and Office Holders ……………………………………….24
B. OFFICIAL RECORDS ……………………………………………………………..25
C. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS …………………………………………………………25
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1. Records ……………………………………………………………………………..25
2. Loans ……………………………………………………………………………….25
3. Budgeted Expenses…………………………………………………………………25
4. Leases ………………………………………………………………………………25
D. APPOINTMENTS …………………………………………………………………25
1. Notification …………………………………………………………………………25
2. Filling Vacancies ……………………………………………………………………25
E. FORFEITURE OF OFFICIAL PRIVILEGES ……………………………………..26
1. Removal or Resignation from Committees …………………………………………26
2. Party Disloyalty ……………………………………………………………………..26
F. ELECTION OF PRESIDENTIAL DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES …………27
G. REFRAIN FROM UTILIZING POWERS OF OFFICE IN REPUBLICAN
PRIMARY …………………………………………………………………………….27
H. PARTY OFFICERS AS CANDIDATES…………………………………………..27
I. ENDORSEMENTS IN NON-PARTISAN ELECTIONS …………………………..27
ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS, APPLICABILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF
THIS PLAN
A. AMENDMENTS TO PLAN OF ORGANIZATION ……………………………..28
B. APPLICABILITY …………………………………………………………………29
1. Rules as to Towns and Cities ………………………………………………………29
2. Rules as to Counties and Districts …………………………………………………29
C. AUTHORITY ……………………………………………………………………..29
1. Controversies ………………………………………………………………………29
2. Parliamentary Authority ……………………………………………………………30
3. Gender and Number ……………………………………………………………….30
D. EFFECTIVE DATE ………………………………………………………………30
1. Effective Date of this Plan …………………………………………………………30
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PREAMBLE
We, the Members of the Republican Party of North Carolina, dedicated to the sound
principles fostered by that party, conscious of our civic responsibilities and rights, firm in
our determination to give our strength to preserving the American principle that
government ought and must be of all the people, by all of the people and for all of the
people do, for the purpose of uniting and coordinating our efforts for maximum power
and efficiency, herewith establish this instrument, The Plan of Organization of the
Republican Party of North Carolina.
ARTICLE I – MEMBERSHIP
A. MEMBERS
All citizens of North Carolina who are registered Republicans are Members of the
Republican Party of North Carolina and shall have the right to participate in the official
affairs of the Republican Party in accordance with these rules. All reference herein to
Delegates, Alternates, Officers and Members shall, in all cases, mean persons identified
and registered with the Republican Party in the Precinct of their residence. Any person
running for an office within the North Carolina state, district legislative, county or
precinct Republican Party shall be a resident of the jurisdiction in which he seeks office.
ARTICLE II – PRECINCT ORGANIZATION
A. ANNUAL PRECINCT MEETINGS
1. Call for Meeting
In every year, the County Chairman shall call Precinct Meetings during the months of
February or March, after giving 10 days written notice to each Precinct Chairman and by
notice in a newspaper of general circulation within the County as provided for in Article
VII.A.4., and the Precinct Chairs also be informed as to the number of registered
Republicans entitled to cast votes at the county convention, and in accordance with
Article VII.A.4. Failure of the County Chairman to act in compliance with the provision
above shall be cause for any Member of the County Executive Committee to call said
Precinct Meetings by notice in a newspaper of general circulation within the County as
provided for in Article VII, A.4. Every Republican registered prior to January 31
preceding the Meetings shall be entitled to cast 1 vote, except that the January 31
requirement shall not apply to residents who have moved into the Precinct within 30 days
of the Precinct Meeting.
2. Election of Precinct Officers
At odd-year Precinct Meetings, at which a quorum is one person, unless the County Plan
of Organization requires a larger number, attendees shall elect a Precinct Committee
consisting of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and as many Members-at-Large as
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deemed necessary to conduct the business of the Precinct. Members of the Precinct
Committee shall hold their offices for 2 years or until their successors are chosen.
3. Election of Delegates
The annual Precinct Meetings shall elect 1 Delegate and 1 Alternate to the County
Convention. They shall also elect 1 additional Delegate and Alternate for each 100
registered Republican voters, or major fraction thereof, in the precinct as of January 1 of
that year. In determining the number of registered Republicans to be used as the basis for
the number of additional Delegates and Alternates to be elected in the precinct under this
calculation, a County may adopt, in its Plan of Organization, a basis number of registered
Republican voters less than 100 but, in so doing, must assure proportional representation
of all registered Republican voters in the county.
4. Duties of Officers
The Chairman and Secretary of each Precinct shall certify the election of Officers,
Committee Members, and Delegates and Alternates to the County Convention, on forms
stipulated by the State Central Committee and furnished by the County Chairman.
Complete credentials shall be in the hands of the County Secretary by the deadline set by
the County Chairman, which shall be at least 2 days prior to the Credentials Committee
Meeting, unless the Precinct Meetings and the County Convention are held on the same
day. No Delegate or Alternate shall be added to the Credentials List following the
adjournment of the Precinct Meeting. This delegate list shall be made immediately
available to any Republican candidate, at that candidate’s reasonable expense, along with
a confidentiality and use agreement that said list will be used only for Republican
activities related to the candidate’s run for office.
5. Other Precinct Meetings
a. Other Meetings of the Precinct general Membership may be held at such time as shall
be designated by the Chairman of the Precinct Committee after giving 5 days notice of
such Meeting in a newspaper of general circulation within the County, or by such other
method of notification as may be specified in the County Plan of Organization; or upon
similar call of 1/3 of the Members of the Precinct Committee, or 10 Members of the
general Precinct Membership.
b. In the event a Precinct fails to properly organize or the Precinct Chairman fails to act,
the County Chairman shall appoint a Temporary Precinct Chairman who shall serve for a
period not to exceed 30 days, during which time a general Membership Meeting shall be
called and a new Chairman elected.
B. PRECINCT COMMITTEE
1. Duties of Committee
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The Precinct Committee shall cooperate with the County Executive Committee in all
elections and Party activities, provide the County Chairman with a list of Party Members
within the Precinct suitable for appointment as Election Officials, and promote the
objectives of the Party within the Precinct.
2. Duties of Officers
The Chairman of the Precinct Committee, with the advice and consent of the Precinct
Committee, shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Party within the Precinct,
shall preside at all Meetings of the Precinct, and shall perform such other duties as may
be prescribed by the Precinct Committee or the County Executive Committee. The Vice-
Chairman shall function as Chairman in the absence of the Chairman. The Secretary shall
keep all minutes and records and shall maintain a list of registered Republican voters and
workers within the Precinct, unless otherwise provided by the Precinct Committee or the
County Executive Committee.
3. Vacancies and Removals
a. Vacancy due to death, resignation, discontinuance of residency within the Precinct,
removal of any Officer, or Member of the Precinct Committee, or for any other reason,
shall be filled by the remaining Members of the Precinct Committee, or as provided in the
County Plan of Organization.
b. The procedure for removal of any Member or Officer is defined in Article VII A.7.
Such removal maybe appealed to the County Executive Committee within 20 days and
their decision shall be final.
ARTICLE III – COUNTY ORGANIZATION
A. ANNUAL CONVENTION
1. Call of Convention
a. A County Convention shall be called every year by the Chairman of the County
Executive Committee, at a suitable location within the county, within the month of
March, at least 10 days prior to the scheduled District Convention, and following
procedures given in Article VII, A.4.
b. At the time of the call of the Convention, the County Chairman, with the advice and
consent of the Executive Committee, shall appoint a credentials committee consisting of
no less than 3 people, which will meet and issue its report on Delegates and Alternates
certified to that Convention at least 3 days in advance of the convening of the
Convention, unless a County holds its Precinct Meetings and County Convention on the
same day. All Delegates and Alternates challenged in the report of the Credentials
Committee shall be notified prior to the day of the Convention and allowed to present
their case to the Credentials Committee prior to the convening of the Convention. The
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Delegates and Alternates elected at the Precinct Meetings, unless successfully challenged,
shall sit as Delegates and Alternates to the County Convention.
c. If the county chairman fails, refuses or neglects to call a County Convention as
required by this Article, it shall become the duty of the Vice-Chairman to act in this
capacity. The Vice-Chairman shall follow procedures given in Article VII, A.4. If the
County Chairman or Vice-Chairman does not call such a Meeting, it shall be cause for
any Member of the County Executive Committee, with the approval of the Congressional
District Chairmen, to call such County Convention.
2. Convention Action
a. The County Convention shall adopt or amend a written County Plan of Organization
not inconsistent with this State Plan of Organization, a current copy of which shall be on
file at County Headquarters and at State Headquarters. Failure to comply may result in
the County Delegation not being seated at the State Convention by the Credentials
Committee. Failure of a County Republican Party to submit a County Plan to the NCGOP
State Headquarters, within 30 days of its adoption, by certified United States mail, return
receipt requested, shall constitute agreement by the County Party to adopt the State Plan
of Organization for that county.
b. Elections
i. In every odd-numbered year the County Convention shall elect a Chairman and Vice-
Chairman, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such other Officers as may be deemed necessary,
who shall serve for a term of 2 years or until their successors are elected.
ii. In every odd-numbered year the County Convention shall elect a County Executive
Committee of 5 or more voters, in addition to the County Officers, who shall hold their
places for a term of 2 years or until their successors are elected. The County Plan of
Organization may provide for the County Executive Committee to elect additional
Members of the County Executive Committee in addition to those Members of the
County Executive Committee elected by the County Convention.
iii. The County Convention shall elect 1 Delegate and 1 Alternate to Congressional
District and State Conventions, plus 1 additional Delegate and Alternate for every 250
Republicans, or major fraction thereof, registered in that county, as of January 1 of that
year. Each County shall further elect 1 Delegate and Alternate for each Republican
elected to the state legislature and to public office on the state or national level from said
County in the last election held for that office. With respect to the District Convention,
the additional 1 delegate and 1 alternate shall only be elected to the District Convention
being held in the District in which said Republican elected to the state legislature and to
public office on the state or national level actually lives.
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iv. If a County has been divided between 2 or more Congressional Districts, it shall
prorate its Delegate vote among these Congressional Districts in accordance with the
Republican registration as of January 1 of that year in the political subdivisions within the
County which have been divided among the different Congressional Districts. Delegates
elected to a Congressional District Convention, in addition to the other qualifications
which they must meet, must reside in the Congressional District to whose Convention
they are elected. The Delegates to the County Convention from the political subdivisions
in different Congressional Districts shall elect the Delegates to their own Congressional
District Convention.
3. Credentials
The Chairman and Secretary of the County Executive Committee shall certify the
election of Officers, Committee Members, Delegates, Alternates and Precinct Chairs to
the District and State Conventions, on forms furnished by the State Central Committee
and in conformance with Article VII. Completed Credentials shall be in the hands of the
Congressional District Secretary and the State Headquarters by the deadline set by the
State Chairman. All County Credentials for the State Convention should be mailed to
State Headquarters no later than 10 days following the date of the County Convention or
the deadline set by the State Chairman, whichever date comes first. The postmark date
will be used to determine compliance for mailed credentials. No Delegates or Alternates
shall be added to the Credentials list following the adjournment of the County
Convention. Copies of all newspaper notices, in addition to a list of county and precinct
officers, shall be submitted to the NC Republican Party and all applicable Congressional
District Committees along with County Credentials.
4. Convention Fee
For each person who is elected at a County Convention to be either a Delegate or an
Alternate to the State Convention, the County shall forward to the State Party a fee set by
the State Central Committee to defray the costs of mailing Convention materials to such
elected Delegates and Alternates. A County Plan of Organization may permit the County
Party to recover this fee from the Delegates and Alternates following their election.
B. COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
1. Membership
The County Executive Committee shall consist of the County Officers and other persons
elected by the County Convention in accordance with Article III A.2, and the County
Finance Chairman.
2. Powers and Duties
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The County Executive Committee shall cooperate with the District and State Committees
in all elections and Party activities; shall encourage qualified candidates for office within
the County; shall adopt a budget; and shall recommend nominees to the State Chairman
for appointments for County Board of Election; and shall have active management of
Party affairs within the County. It shall approve a Finance Committee and an Auditing
Committee of not less than 3 Members each and may approve such other Committees as
may be deemed necessary. The County Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be Ex-officio
Members of all Committees indicated in this paragraph. In the event that it is determined
that the County Plan of Organization is not consistent with the State Party Plan of
Organization, the County Executive Committee must at the next called meeting bring the
County Plan of Organization into compliance with the State Party Plan of Organization.
Under any circumstances, the County Plan of Organization must be brought into
compliance within 90 days. If permitted by the County Plan of Organization the County
Executive Committee may amend the County Plan of Organization upon a 2/3 vote after
providing written notice via first class United States Mail of the meeting advising
members regarding the substance of the proposed amendment and provided a quorum is
present. County Republican Parties shall submit, by certified United States mail, return
receipt requested, their county plans of organizations, and amendments thereto, to the
NCGOP State Headquarters within 30 days after their adoption, in order for the Plan
and/or amendment to be considered valid.
3. Meetings
The County Executive Committee shall meet at least twice a year upon call of the County
Chairman after giving 10 days notice to all Members; or upon similar call of 1/3 of the
Members of the Committee. The County Plan of Organization shall specify a quorum for
the transaction of business, but in no event shall it be less than 25% of the County
Executive Committee.
4. Duties of Officers
a. The Chairman of the County Executive Committee, with the advice and consent of
the County Executive Committee, shall have general supervision of the affairs of the
Party within the County. The Chairman shall issue the call for Precinct Meetings and the
County Convention, and Executive Committee Meetings, and shall preside at all the
Meetings of the County Executive Committee. The Chairman shall appoint a Finance
Chairman, Auditing Committee (subject to the advice and consent of the County
Executive Committee) and any other Chairman deemed necessary to conduct the business
of the County Executive Committee. The Chairman shall further appoint a Temporary
Chairman of the County Convention, who may be himself. The Chairman shall make
periodic reports on the status of the Party within his County to the District Chairman. The
Chairman shall be responsible for the creation and maintenance of a Republican
organization in every Precinct within his County. The Chairman shall obtain and preserve
a list of all registered Republicans within the County and shall perform such other duties
as may be prescribed by the County, District, or State Committees; the County Chairman
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shall be an “Ex-officio” Member of all Committees unless otherwise designated in the
County Plan of Organization.
b. The Vice-Chairman shall function as Chairman in the absence of the Chairman and
shall have such other duties as may be prescribed by the County Executive Committee.
The Vice-Chairman shall be an “Ex-officio” Member of all Committees unless otherwise
designated in the County Plan of Organization.
c. The Secretary shall keep all minutes and records and shall maintain a roster of all
Precinct Officers and Executive Committee Members. Such records shall be available,
including all Credentials Lists upon request, to any registered Republican within the
County. The Secretary shall furnish to the Congressional District Chairman and to State
Headquarters up-to-date lists of all Precinct Chairmen.
d. The Treasurer shall receive and disburse all funds for Party expenditures pursuant to
authority duly given by the County Executive Committee, shall make a financial report at
all County Executive Committee Meetings and shall fulfill all financial reports and
obligations required under State and Federal election laws.
5. Vacancies and Removals
a. Vacancy due to death, resignation, discontinuance of residency within the County,
removal of any Officer or Member of the County Committee, or for any other reason,
shall be filled by the remaining members of the County Committee, or as provided in the
County Plan of Organization.
b. The procedure for removal of any Member or Officer is defined in Article VII A.7.
Such removal may be appealed to the State Central Committee within 20 days and their
decision shall be final.
C. COUNTY FINANCE AND AUDITING COMMITTEES
1. Finance Committee
The County Finance Committee shall be composed of the County Finance Chairman, the
County Chairman, County Vice-Chairman, the County Treasurer, and not less than 3
persons approved by the County Executive Committee. They shall cooperate with the
Congressional District and State Finance Committees and shall have active management
of fund-raising efforts within the County.
2. Auditing Committee
The members of the Auditing Committee shall be nominated by the County Chairman
and the names shall be presented for the advice and consent of the County Executive
Committee. The Auditing Committee, once approved, shall conduct a yearly review of
the financial records of the County and report such review to the County Executive
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Committee for approval. The review to be conducted shall be of the type and nature
which the Auditing Committee, in its discretion, deems appropriate.
ARTICLE IV – JUDICIAL, SENATORIAL, & LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES
A. GENERAL ORGANIZATION
1. Membership
a. In a single County District the County Executive Committee shall serve as the District
Committee.
b. In a single County containing more than 1 District wholly within the County, the
County Plan of Organization shall address the method of election of District Officers.
c. In those Districts encompassing more than one County, or portions of more than one
county, voting Membership shall consist of County Executive Committee Members
residing within that District, if any, or there being none, it shall be the Precinct Chairmen
residing within that District, if any, or there being none, it shall be one or more persons
residing within that District, as appointed by the County Chairmen, and approved by the
County Executive Committee. Voting is to be weighted based on the number of
registered Republicans in each County and portions of counties within that district.
d. In those counties that are divided into 2 or more multi-county Legislative, Judicial, or
Senatorial Districts, the County Chairman and Vice Chairman shall appoint, with the
approval of the County Executive Committee, designees to serve on the District
Executive Committee for Districts in which the County Chairman or the Vice Chairman
do not reside.
e. All District Officers shall reside within their Districts.
2. Election of Officers
At some time preceding the State Convention, the District Committees shall meet at a
time and place designated by the Congressional District Chairman. If the District is split
between 2 Congressional Districts, the County Chairman designated by the
Congressional District Chairman of the Congressional District in which the greater part
of the District population lies shall call the Meeting. The Meeting shall elect a Chairman
and such other Officers as may be deemed necessary. The Officers shall have such duties
as may be prescribed by the State Executive Committee. The Chairman shall report to the
State Chairman names of the Officers elected.
3. Powers and Duties of Committees
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a. The Judicial District Committee shall encourage qualified candidates for District
Attorney, District Judge and Superior Court Judge and shall assist and cooperate with the
County and State Executive Committees in all campaigns.
b. The Senatorial District Committee shall encourage qualified candidates for State
Senate and shall assist and cooperate with the County and State Executive Committees in
all campaigns.
c. The Legislative District Committee shall encourage qualified candidates for State
House of Representatives and shall assist and cooperate with the County and State
Executive Committees in all campaigns.
d. Committees herein elected shall serve as the appropriate District Executive Committee
as they are referred to in North Carolina G.S. §163-114.
ARTICLE V – CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ORGANIZATIONS
A. CONVENTIONS
1. Call of Convention
a. A Congressional District Convention shall be called in every year by the Chairman of
the Congressional District Committee, within the month of April upon 20 days written
notice of the time and place for holding same to all Members of the District Committee
and to the County Chairmen within said District.
b. At the time of the call of the Convention, the District Chairman shall appoint a
Credentials Committee, which will meet and issue its report on Delegates and Alternates
certified to that Convention at least 3 days in advance of the convening of the
Convention. All Delegates and Alternates challenged in the report of the Credentials
Committee shall be notified prior to the day of the Convention and allowed to present
their case to the Credentials Committee prior to the convening of the Convention. The
Delegates and Alternates elected in the County Conventions, unless successfully
challenged, shall sit as Delegates and Alternates to the Congressional District
Convention.
c. In years requiring reapportionment, the District Convention shall be called within dates
designated by the Chairman of the State Republican Executive Committee. These
Conventions are to be held after the General Assembly has completed Congressional
redistricting.
2. Convention Action
a. The Congressional District Convention shall adopt a District Plan of Organization, a
current copy of which shall be on file at State Headquarters.
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b. In every odd-numbered year the Congressional District Convention shall elect a
Chairman and a Vice-Chairman, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such other Officers as may
be deemed necessary who shall serve for a term of 2 years or until their successors are
elected.
c. In every odd-numbered year the Congressional District Convention shall further elect 1
Member of the State Executive Committee, plus 1 additional Member for every 8,000
Republicans, or major fraction thereof, registered within that district, as of January 1 of
that year.
d. In every Presidential Election Year the Congressional District Convention shall elect 3
Delegates and 3 Alternates to the Republican National Convention and shall nominate 1
Presidential Elector, who must not be a current elected public official (pursuant to state
law).
3. Credentials
a. The Chairman and Secretary of the Congressional District shall certify election of
Officers, and at large Members of the State Executive Committee, elected according to
the provisions of Article V.A.2.c. Completed District Credentials, plus completed
Credentials for the Counties within the District, shall be in the hands of the State
Credentials Committee Chairman by the deadline set by the State Chairman.
b. The Chairman and Secretary of the Congressional District shall certify the election of
Delegates and Alternates to the National Convention, in addition to the Nominee for
Presidential Elector, on forms furnished by the State Central Committee.
B. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
1. Membership
The Congressional District Executive Committee shall be composed of:
a. The Officers elected at the District Convention.
b. County chairs and first vice chairs shall be members of each District Executive
Committee in which even a portion of their county lies, regardless of whether they,
themselves, live in that District.
c. The District Finance Chairman.
d. All Members of the State Executive Committee who are elected by the District
Convention under the provisions in Article V.A.2.c.
e. Such others as the District Plan of Organization may provide.
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2. Powers and Duties
The Congressional District Executive Committee shall set the location of District
Conventions; encourage qualified candidates for Congress; cooperate with the Judicial,
Senatorial and Legislative Executive Committees in encouraging qualified candidates for
those offices, especially in multi-County Districts; approve a Finance Chairman; and
cooperate with the County and State Executive Committees in all campaigns.
3. Meetings
The Congressional District Executive Committee shall meet at least each calendar quarter
of the year, upon call of the Congressional District Chairman after giving 10 days notice
to all Members by mail. Twenty Five percent of the Members of the Committee shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
4. Duties of Officers
a. The Congressional District Chairman, with the advice and consent of the District
Executive Committee, shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Party within the
District. The District Chairman shall assist the State Chairman in carrying out state
programs, maintain contact with all Counties within the District, and shall be responsible
for the proper organization and functioning of those Counties. The District Chairman
shall maintain constant liaison with all County Chairmen with regard to a Republican
organization in every Precinct within his District and with Legislative, Senatorial and
Judicial District Chairmen with regard to candidate recruitment. In addition, the District
Chairman shall furnish, upon request, each County Chairman and each County Executive
Committee Officer an accurate and up-to-date list of all County Executive Committee
Officers within his District to include title, name, address and zip code. These lists shall
be updated periodically to insure that the latest information is provided to those to whom
it is required to be provided. The District Chairman shall appoint a Finance Chairman and
Audit Chairman. The District Chairman shall be an “Ex-officio” Member of all District
Committees. The District Chairman shall have such other duties as may be prescribed by
the State Executive Committee.
b. The Vice-Chairman shall be Chief Assistant to the District Chairman and shall act as
Chairman in the absence of the Chairman; shall maintain liaison with the County Vice-
Chairman through the District (where applicable) and shall have such other duties as may
be prescribed by the District Committee. The Vice-Chairman will be an “Ex-officio”
Member of all District Committees unless otherwise designated.
c. The Secretary shall keep all minutes and records and shall maintain a roster of all
Officers of the Counties within the District.
d. The Treasurer shall receive and disburse all funds for Party expenditures pursuant to
authority duly given by the District Committee and will make a financial report to all
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District Executive Committee Meetings. The Treasurer shall fulfill all financial reports
and obligations required under state and federal election laws.
5. Vacancies and Removals
a. Vacancies due to death, resignation, discontinuance of residency within the District,
removal of any Officer of the Congressional District Executive Committee, or for any
other reason, shall be filled by the remaining members of the Committee at the next
officially called District Meeting.
b. The procedure for removal of any Member or Officer is defined in Article VII A.7.
Such removal may be appealed to the State Central Committee within 20 days and their
decision shall be final.
C. DISTRICT FINANCE COMMITTEE
The District Finance Chairman shall serve as Chairman of the Congressional District
Finance Committee, which shall be composed of the Finance Chairmen of all the
Counties within the District, the Congressional District Chairman, and the Congressional
District Treasurer, plus 3 additional Members to be elected by the Members of the
Finance Committee. Other Officers as may be deemed necessary may be elected by and
from the Members of the Committee. This Committee shall cooperate with the State
Finance Committee and with County Finance Committees in all fund-raising efforts.
ARTICLE VI – STATE ORGANIZATION
A. ANNUAL CONVENTIONS
1. Call to Convention
A State Convention shall be called to be held in the month of May or in the first two
weeks of June of each year, by the Chairman of the Republican State Executive
Committee after giving 60 days written notice of the time and place for holding same to
all Members of the State Executive Committee. Delegates and Alternates elected at the
County Conventions, unless successfully challenged, shall sit as Delegates and Alternates
to the State Convention. In years requiring reapportionment, the State Convention shall
be called by the Chairman of the State Republican Executive Committee upon 60 days
written notice of the time and place to all Members of the State Executive Committee.
2. Election of Officers
In every odd-numbered year, the State Convention shall elect a State Chairman and a
Vice-Chairman who shall serve for a term of 2 years or until their successors are elected.
3. Standing Committees
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a. The Standing Committees for each Convention shall be the Rules, Credentials,
Platform, Resolutions and Plan of Organization. These committees will be appointed no
later than the second Monday of the November preceding the Convention. The
Committees will remain in effect until the next cycle of appointments. The State
Chairman shall appoint three members to each of the Standing Committees for the
Convention. Each Congressional District Chairman will appoint one person, other than
themselves or their spouses, from their District to each of the Standing Committees. The
State Party Chair will name the Committee Chair for each of the Standing Committees
from within the membership of the respective Committees. Twenty-five percent of the
Members of a Standing Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business.
b. The Credentials Committee will meet and issue its report on Delegates and Alternates
certified to that convention at least 3 days in advance of the convening of the Convention.
All Delegates and Alternates challenged in the report of the Credentials Committee shall
be notified prior to the day of the Convention and allowed to present their case to the
Credentials Committee prior to the convening of the Convention.
c. The Rules Committee, Resolutions Committee, Platform Committee and the Plan of
Organization Committee shall give written notice of all business it will place before the
convention at least 30 days prior to the convening of the Convention by placing its
reports on the NCGOP website. Any State Executive Committee member may request a
written copy of the reports by mail. Any business on which notice has not been given
shall not be taken up by the Convention or be placed on the agenda except by a twothirds
vote of the Convention to address said business.
d. If either the State Chairman or District Chairman fails to make the appointments within
the time prescribed, the respective Vice-Chairman shall make the appointments.
e. If, prior to the next appointing cycle, the residence of any committee member
appointed by a District chair pursuant to Section VI.A.3.a shall change such that the
residence of that member shall lie outside the District from which he was appointed, that
person shall no longer be deemed a member of the standing committee to which he was
appointed, and the District chair shall, within 30 days of his receipt of notice of the
member’s change of residence, submit the name of a new appointee to the State
Chairman, who shall serve for the remainder of the term of the former member. Should
the District chair fail to act in accordance herewith, the District vice chair shall make the
replacement appointment in accordance with Section VI.A.3.d.
4. Presidential Election Year State Convention
a. A Presidential Election Year State Convention shall be called in every Presidential
Election Year between the date of the Presidential Preferential Primary Election and 35
days prior to the Republican National Convention of said Presidential Election Year, by
the Chairman of the Republican State Executive Committee after giving 60 days written
notice of the time and place for holding same to all Members of the State Executive
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Committee. Delegates and Alternates elected at the Presidential Election Year County
Convention, unless successfully challenged, shall sit as Delegates and Alternates to the
Presidential Election Year State Convention.
b. In every Presidential Election Year the Presidential Election Year Convention shall
elect Delegates and Alternates to the National Convention, in addition to those specified
under Article V, in the number stipulated by the State Chairman as determined by the
National Rules. The Convention shall nominate a National Committeeman and National
Committeewoman who shall serve for a term of 4 years or until their successors are
elected; and nominate 2 Presidential Electors-at-Large, who must not be current elected
public officials (pursuant to state law).
B. STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE
1. Membership
The State Central Committee shall be composed of the following:
a. The Congressional District Chairmen.
i. The Congressional District Vice-Chairman shall be a non-voting member unless acting
in the absence of the Chair, and unless acting in the absence of the Chair shall not effect
quorum.
ii. Congressional Districts with more than one Vice-Chairman shall designate one Vice-
Chairman who may act in the absence of the Chairman. Said designation shall be made
by the respective Congressional District Executive Committees.
b. The Chairman, Vice-Chairman, National Committeeman, National Committeewoman,
Secretary, Treasurer, General Counsel and State Finance Chairman. The Assistant
Secretary, Assistant Treasurer, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Finance
Chairman shall be non-voting members unless acting in the absence of their Principal
and, unless acting in the absence of their principal, shall not affect quorum
c. The Chairman of the Young Republican Federation, the President of the Republican
Women’s Federation, the Chairman of the Republican Men’s Federation, the Chairman of
the North Carolina Republican County Chairmen’s Association, the Chairman of the
North Carolina College Republicans, and the Chairman of the North Carolina Teenage
Republicans shall be voting Members. The vote of the North Carolina Teenage
Republicans shall be cast by the North Carolina Teenage Republican Advisor, who shall
be appointed by the Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party. The vote cast by
the Advisor to the North Carolina Teenage Republicans shall be as instructed by the
Chairman of the North Carolina Teenage Republicans.
i.The Organization’s Vice-Chairman or Vice President shall act in the absence of the
Chairman or President.
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ii. The Organization’s Vice-Chairman, unless acting in the absence of the Chairman, shall
not effect quorum.
iii. Organizations with more than one Vice-Chairman shall designate one Vice-Chairman
who may act in the absence of the Chairman. Said designation shall be made by the
respective Organization’s Executive Committees.
d. The immediate past State Chairman, the Republican Joint Caucus Leader of the
General Assembly, the Republican Leader of the North Carolina House of
Representatives and the Republican Leader of the North Carolina Senate. All other living
past State Chairmen shall be non-voting members, whose numbers shall not be included
in the determination of a quorum.
2. Powers and Duties
a. The State Central Committee shall have the power to appoint such Committees as it
may deem necessary for the proper conduct of Party affairs, to formulate fiscal policy,
establish financial goals, prepare a budget, set the dates for the State Convention as
provided for in Article VI.A.1, and the Precinct Meetings, County, Congressional
District, and State Conventions between February 1 and 35 days prior to the Republican
National Convention in Presidential Election Years, in accordance with National Rules;
and to do all things pertaining to Party affairs which it may be authorized to do by the
State Executive Committee. It shall be responsible for coordinating all campaigns for the
United States Senate and Council of State as determined feasible. The State Central
Committee shall keep accurate accounts of its proceedings and shall make annual reports
to the State Executive Committee.
b. The Committee may contract with, as a full-time Executive Director, a person of
highest character and professional political competence to execute on a day-by-day basis
the mission of the Committee. The Committee shall provide on a full-time basis, in the
vicinity of the capitol city of North Carolina adequate offices for the Executive Director
and such staff as the Committee shall provide for him, which offices shall be known as
Headquarters, North Carolina Republican Party.
c. The Central Committee is charged with, in addition to all other duties, the mission of
creating an effective Republican organization in every political Precinct in North
Carolina.
3. Meetings
The State Central Committee shall meet at least every other month upon the call of the
Chairman with 10 days notice to all members, or upon petition of 1/3 the members with
10 days notice to all members. Twenty Five percent of the Members listed in Article VI,
B.1.a through 1.d shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business..
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4. Duties of Officers
The Officers of the State Executive Committee shall act as Officers of the State Central
Committee, with corresponding duties
C. STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
1. Membership
The State Executive Committee shall be composed of the following:
a. The State Central Committee.
b. The Assistant Secretary, Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Finance Chairman. The
Assistant General Counsel and the Vice Chairs or Vice Presidents of the North Carolina
Young Republican Federation, the North Carolina Republican Men’s Federation, the
North Carolina Republican Women’s Federation, the North Carolina Republican County
Chairmen’s Federation, and the North Carolina College Republicans shall act only in the
absence of the organization’s Chair and, unless acting in the absence of the Chair, shall
not effect quorum.
c. The Congressional District Vice-Chairmen, and the Congressional District Finance
Chairmen.
d. All County Chairmen and Vice Chairmen:
i. Counties with more than one Vice-Chairman shall designate one Vice-Chairman who
may act in the absence of the Chairman. Said designation shall be made by the respective
County Executive Committees.
e. All current Republican Members of the North Carolina Delegation to the United States
Congress and United States Senate, Governors, Lieutenant Governors and Members of
the Council of State as Ex-officio members, who shall not effect quorum.
f. All current Republican Members for the North Carolina General Assembly, as exofficio
members, and shall not effect quorum.
g. At large members elected by the District Conventions under Article V.A.2.c of this
plan.
2. Powers and Duties of Committee
In every odd-numbered year, the State Executive Committee shall meet within 30 days of
the adjournment of the State Convention and elect a Secretary and an Assistant Secretary,
a Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer, General Counsel and Assistant General Counsel
who shall serve for a term of 2 years or until their successors are elected. The Committee
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shall formulate and provide for the execution of such plans and measures as it may deem
conducive to the best interests of the Republican Party. It shall approve an Auditing
Committee of at least 3 Members, 1 of whom shall be a Certified Public Accountant, to
conduct a yearly review, as described in Article VI, Section E; adopt a budget; and have
active management of all affairs of the Party within the State. It may delegate such duties
as it deems proper to the State Central Committee. When monies are raised and
expenditures authorized by other than the State Central Committee or the State Executive
Committee on behalf of any candidate for state or national office, the Party shall not be
held liable; except, however, that the State Executive Committee, by 2/3 vote of a
quorum present, may assume any portion of such debts it deems advisable.
3. Committee Meetings
a. The State Executive Committee shall meet at least twice per calendar year, upon call of
the Chairman at such times as the State Chairman deems necessary, or upon petition of
1/3 of the Members of the Committee, after giving 15 days written notice to all
Committee Members. Twenty Five Percent (25%) of the Members shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business. Ex-officio members do not affect the quorum.
b. All proposed resolutions to come before the Executive Committee shall be submitted at
least one month in advance so that they can be distributed to the Executive Committee
membership prior to its meeting. Notwithstanding the above, resolutions may be
submitted on the day of the meeting, but only if, by a two-thirds majority, the members of
the Executive Committee vote to consider the resolution.
4. Duties of Officers
a. The State Chairman, with the advice and consent of the Central Committee, shall have
general supervision of the affairs of the Party within the State. He shall preside at all
Meetings of the State Executive Committee and shall perform such duties as may be
prescribed by the State Executive Committee. He shall appoint, with the approval of the
State Executive Committee, a Finance Chairman and Assistant Finance Chairman, who
shall serve at the pleasure of the State Chairman. The State Chairman shall appoint the
Temporary Officers of the State Conventions. In Accordance with Article VI A.3 he shall
appoint three members to each convention committee and a chairman of each convention
committee from the committee’s membership. The State Chairman may delegate
authority to the District Chairmen to act on his behalf on any matter.
b. The Vice Chairman shall be chief assistant to the Chairman and shall act as Chairman
in the absence of the Chairman. The Vice-Chairman shall maintain close liaison with the
District and County Vice-Chairman and encourage and direct activities in the Party
structure. The Vice-Chairman shall work with the National Committeewoman and
National Committeeman and provide them with information and assistance on state
matters. The Vice-Chairman shall have such other duties as may be prescribed by the
State Executive and Central Committees.
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c. The National Committeewoman and National Committeeman shall maintain liaison
with the National Republican Party and with the State Executive and Central
Committees.
d. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all Meetings. The Assistant Secretary shall assist
the Secretary in the above duties and shall act as the Secretary in the absence of the
Secretary.
e. The Treasurer shall receive and disburse all funds collected or earned by the State
Party, and all disbursements shall be made by him. All funds shall be deposited in a
central location at the Treasurer’s direction. The Treasurer shall be bonded in an amount
fixed by the State Central Committee, with the premium to be paid from Party funds. The
Treasurer shall submit such financial reports as are required by state and federal
campaign election laws. The Treasurer shall submit such financial reports as required by
the State Executive Committee and the Central Committee, including but not limited to,
all debts and payables over 30 days past due, and the status of unpaid loans. The
Treasurer shall submit at each Central Committee meeting a financial balance sheet
which includes all accounts of the Party. The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the
Treasurer and act as the Treasurer in the absence of the Treasurer.
f. The General Counsel shall advise the Executive Committee in all legal matters and
shall act as Parliamentarian at all Meetings of the Committee.
5. Vacancies and Removals
a. Vacancies due to death, resignation, discontinuance of residency within the State,
removal of any Officer of the State Executive Committee, or for any other reason, shall
be filled by the State Executive Committee. Vacancies due to death, resignation,
discontinuance of residency within the District, or removal of any Member representing a
Congressional District, or for any other reason shall be filled by the remaining members
of the Congressional District Executive Committee in which such vacancy occurs.
b. Procedure for removal of any Member or Officer is defined in Article VII A.7 The
decision of the State Executive Committee shall be final.
c. Any At-Large Member who is absent from three consecutive meetings shall have
automatically resigned from the Executive Committee. The resulting vacancy shall be
filled in accordance with Article VI C.5.a.
D. STATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
1. Membership
The Finance Committee shall consist of the State Finance Chairman, the Congressional
District Finance Chairmen and the State Chairman. The State Finance Chairman shall
serve as the Chairman of the State Finance Committee. Other Officers as may be deemed
necessary may be elected by the Members of the Committee.
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2. Powers and Duties
It shall be the duty of the State Finance Committee to develop ways and means to
properly finance the General Election campaigns and other businesses and affairs of the
Republican Party. The Committee shall manage a united fund-raising effort in
cooperation with the State Central Committee and District and County Organizations for
effective fund-raising campaigns. Said Committee shall not, directly or indirectly, raise or
collect funds for the benefit of any candidates in Primary Elections. All persons making
contributions to the State Party of $100.00 or more shall be furnished with a receipt
thereof. Contributions going directly to the National Committee or to any candidate shall
not be acknowledged by the State Treasurer or recorded as a regular contribution to the
Republican Party of North Carolina. A permanent record of all contributions shall be
maintained by the State Chairman and the State Treasurer, and such records shall be
available, upon request, to the appropriate County and District Chairmen.
3. Duties of Officers
The State Finance Chairman shall preside at all Meetings of the Committee and shall be
the chief liaison between the Finance Committee and the State Central Committee. Other
Officers shall have such duties as may be prescribed by the Committee.
E. DEFINITION OF REVIEW
The review to be conducted by the Auditing Committee, as described in Article VI,
Section C-2 above, shall be of the type and nature which the Auditing Committee, in its
discretion, deems appropriate. However, the Auditing Committee shall conduct a full
audit, as that term is used in the accounting industry, at least once every four years.
ARTICLE VII – GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE
A. CONVENTION PROCEDURES
1. Annual Conventions and Presidential Election Year Conventions
a. The County, Congressional District, and State Conventions shall be called to order by
their respective Chairmen, or in the absence of the Chairman, by the Vice-Chairman or
Secretary, in order slated, who shall have the power to appoint the necessary Convention
Committees and Temporary Officers at or before the convening of the Convention.
b. No member of a credentials committee created by this Plan shall be eligible to be
elected to an officer or executive committee position at the convention for which the
credentials committee serves, nor shall a committee member publicly support anyone for
an office to be elected by said convention. Except when voting in convention, members
of credentials committees shall strive to maintain the integrity of the convention and the
committee by conducting the business of the committee with impartiality and strict
neutrality on the business and elections of said convention.
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2. Voting Procedure
a. No Precinct shall cast more votes than it has duly elected Delegates on the floor at the
County Convention.
b. No person shall be seated as a Delegate at any County, District or State Convention
unless such person shall have been duly elected a Delegate or Alternate by the
appropriate Precinct Meeting or County Convention; except, the registered Republican or
Republicans, present at a County Convention from an unorganized Precinct, which has
not had its credentials accepted, shall have the right to vote 1 vote per Precinct, prorated
among those present from that Precinct.
c. No Delegate, Alternate or any other Member of a Convention shall cast any vote by
proxy; provided, however, that, when not inconsistent with the Rules of the Republican
National Committee, any Delegate or Delegates present shall have the right to cast the
entire vote of the County in District and State Conventions. Votes for Chairman and
Vice-Chairman will be by county according to the number of Delegates authorized to
attend the state convention, so long as there is one delegate, from that county, on the floor
to vote the Delegates authorized.
d. At the Presidential Year Convention, the delegates and alternates to the National
Convention, in addition to the National Committeeman and National Committeewoman
shall be elected only by votes from the Convention delegates on the floor of the
Convention. Presidential Electors-at-large shall be nominated only by votes from the
delegates on the floor of the Convention.
e. Ex-officio members of the committees have the same voting rights as the other
committee members, and are not counted in determining if a quorum is present. When an
Ex-officio member of a committee ceases to hold the office that entitles him/her to such
membership, his/her membership terminates automatically.
3. Special Meeting and Conventions
The State Central Committee, at any time, in the interests of the Republican Party, may
direct the State Chairman or the Congressional District Chairmen to issue a call for
Special Senatorial, Judicial or Legislative Organization Meetings, and Special County
and Congressional District Conventions, in any or all of the Counties and Districts of the
State. The procedure for calling Regular Meetings and Conventions shall apply to the
calling of Special Meetings and Conventions so far as applicable and not inconsistent
with this Plan of Organization.
4. Newspaper of General Circulation
Notice published in a newspaper of general circulation in the County for the purpose of
this Plan of Organization shall include either a paid advertisement or a news item,
provided it includes the time, date, location and purpose of the Meeting. Such notices
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shall appear in the newspaper at least 10 days prior to the Meeting or Convention. This in
no way relieves the County Chairman of the responsibility of providing written notice to
party officers as may be otherwise required by this Plan of Organization.
5. Challenges
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Plan of Organization, challenges to
Delegates and Alternates must be made in their capacity as individual Delegates and
Alternates. The successful challenges of individuals in their capacity as Delegates and
Alternates shall not affect the seating of other Delegates and Alternates in the same
Precinct or County Delegates unless it can be demonstrated by a preponderance of the
evidence that the previous election of such successfully challenged Delegates and
Alternates resulted in the election of other Delegates and Alternates within such
Delegation who would not otherwise have been elected, but for the votes of the
unqualified Delegates or Alternates.
6. General Election Procedure
Notwithstanding any other Article in this Plan of Organization, the allocated Delegate
slots and then the allocated Alternate slots allotted under this Plan of Organization to a
Precinct or a County shall be filled first by the election of those duly qualified registered
Republicans, eligible to vote, present at such Meeting or Convention and desiring to be
elected to fill such slots. All duly qualified Republicans registered to vote may be elected
by qualified Republicans attending the meeting to fill slots that have not been filled by
Republicans attending the meeting or conventions. A county may provide in its Plan of
Organization that only persons actually present are eligible for election as Delegates or
Officers.
7. Vacancies and Removals
a. Any Member of a Committee organized under this Plan may be removed by a 2/3’s
vote of the respective Committee after being furnished with notice of the charges against
him, signed by not less than 50, or 1/3 of the Members of the Committee, whichever is
the lesser. Any Republican against whom charges are brought shall be furnished with 2
weeks notice of said charges and be given an opportunity to present a defense. Removal
shall be confined to gross inefficiency, Party disloyalty or failure to comply with the
County, District, or State Party Plans of Organization.
b. For the purposes of this Plan of Organization, “Party Disloyalty” shall be defined as
actively supporting a candidate of another Party or independent candidate running in
opposition to a candidate of the Republican Party or a Republican endorsed by the
appropriate Executive Committee in a non-partisan election.
8. Non-Partisan Candidates and Office Holders
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No County, Congressional District or State Committee of the North Carolina Republican
Party shall offer an opportunity for a candidate for, or current office holder of, a “nonpartisan
office” who is not a Registered Republican to address a Republican Convention
or other function sponsored by the North Carolina Republican Party or any of its
subdivisions.
B. OFFICIAL RECORDS
Minutes shall be kept by all Committees and Conventions of official actions taken, and a
copy shall be filed with the Chairman of the appropriate Committee or Convention and
with Republican State Headquarters.
C. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS
1. Records
The Chairman, Treasurer, and Finance Chairman of the County, District and State
Committees shall keep faithful and accurate records of any and all monies received by
them for the use of the said Committees and shall make faithful and accurate reports
thereof when so requested.
2. Loans
No officer, staff or member of the Party shall cause the Party to undertake a loan without
the prior approval of the Central Committee.
3. Budgeted Expenses
No State officer, or State staff member of the Party shall exceed approved total budgeted
expenditures without approval from the Central Committee.
4. Leases
No State officer, or State staff member, of the Party shall commit the Party to a lease in
excess of $10,000 or 90 days without the approval of the State Central Committee.
D. APPOINTMENTS
1. Notification
It shall be the duty of the State Chairman to transmit notice of known vacancies on a
County, District or State level to those persons having jurisdiction over such
appointments.
2. Filling Vacancies
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a. When a vacancy occurs in a governmental office for which a Party recommendation is
called for, the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with the laws of the State of North
Carolina and the terms of this Plan. The abovementioned recommendation shall be
provided by the committee having jurisdiction over the district which is subject of the
vacancy.
b. In multi-county offices or state legislative offices, the responsibility for calling the
meeting rests with the State Chairman. The State Chairman may delegate this authority to
the appropriate district or county chairman or the Congressional District Chairman if the
county or congressional district, as the case may be, encompasses all the district or
county in which the vacancy occurs.
c. Unless otherwise provided by law, notice to committee members of the time, date,
location and purpose of the meeting at which a recommendation for filling the vacancy
will be considered, must be made by certified United States Mail to the last known
address of the committee member. Notice must be mailed at least ten (10) days prior to
the date of the meeting, unless good cause exists for shortening the time period. In no
case may the meeting be scheduled for a date and time less than five (5) days after the
mailing of the notice to committee members.
d. In those cases where the State Chairman or, by appointment, the county, district, or
Congressional District Chairman calls the meeting, the State Chairman shall designate the
person to chair the meeting. The vote shall be conducted in a method reasonably
calculated to assure accuracy and fairness to all potential candidates for the position.
e. Should any cause or provision found in this section be deemed inconsistent with the
laws of the State of North Carolina, those laws shall govern as to the particular clause or
provision and the remainder of this section shall apply.
E. FORFEITURE OF OFFICIAL PRIVILEGES
1. Removal or Resignation from Committees
Any current or former Officer or Member of a Precinct Committee, County Executive
Committee, District Committee, State Executive Committee or State Central Committee
who, for any reason, is removed or resigned from said position shall forfeit all rights and
privileges in any way connected with that position.
2. Party Disloyalty
Any registered Republican attempting to influence or influencing the outcome of any
election against a Republican candidate or Republican endorsed by the appropriate
Republican Executive Committee or Legislative Caucus, other than by supporting an
opposing Republican Candidate in a Republican primary, may be declared ineligible to
hold office under the State Plan of Organization at the State, District, and Precinct level
for Party disloyalty by 2/3 vote of the State Executive Committee. Charges of Party
27
disloyalty may be brought by petition of 50 members of the State Executive Committee,
or by resolution of a County or District Republican Executive Committee. The State
Executive Committee may declare a Republican found to have engaged in Party
disloyalty as ineligible to serve in any office under the Plan of Organization for a period
of time between 6 months and 5 years.2
F. ELECTION OF PRESIDENTIAL DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES
Compliance with National Republican Party:
In order to comply with the rules of the National Republican Party and with the North
Carolina General Statutes, specifically Section 163-213.8, immediately following the
Presidential Preference Primary, the State Chairman, after consultation with the North
Carolina Chairman for each Candidate receiving votes in the primary, shall allocate
Delegate positions between the Candidates accurately reflecting the division of votes in
the statewide primary, thereby requiring the election of the 3 Delegates and 3 Alternates
at the District Convention and the remaining Delegates at the State Convention, in such
allocated numbers as to accurately reflect the results of the statewide primary. Each
person nominated as a Delegate or an Alternate at either the District or State Convention
must have publicly declared as a representative of a Candidate on the Presidential
Preference Primary ballot prior to the election of Delegates and Alternates to the National
Convention. Delegates and Alternates shall then be elected in the allocation as announced
by the State Chairman.
G. REFRAIN FROM UTILIZING POWERS OF OFFICE IN REPUBLICAN
PRIMARY
Each Officer and each Member of the State Executive Committee shall refrain from
utilizing the powers and dignity of his or her office or position in any Republican Primary
for public office at any level.
H. PARTY OFFICERS AS CANDIDATES
In the event that the chairman or vice chairman of the State Party, or any District,
Legislative, Judicial or County Party, shall announce his intentions to run for public
office or shall file a notice of candidacy with the Board of Elections, that person shall be
deemed to have resigned his office within the Party, effective seven days after the close
of filing, and the then-existing vacancy shall be filled as provided for herein. In those
cases where the Party office held by said person is at the county level, the Party official
may petition the County Executive Committee for exemption from this provision and the
County Executive Committee may, for good cause shown, grant such an exemption with
a two-thirds affirmative vote. This exemption shall be deemed void if any other
Republican files with the Board of Elections for the same public office within that
election cycle.
I. ENDORSEMENTS IN NON-PARTISAN ELECTIONS
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1. In non-partisan elections, district and county executive committees shall have
exclusive authority to endorse registered Republicans running in that district or county.
Political subdivision executive committees (ie., County Executive Committee) shall not
issue endorsements in non-partisan races unless the District resides entirely within the
County. All members of the County Executive Committee may vote on the non-partisan
endorsements for districts wholly encompassed within that county, regardless of whether
Committee members live within the District in question.
2. In non-partisan, statewide judicial elections, the NCGOP State Executive Committee
shall have the exclusive authority to endorse registered Republicans. Political
subdivisions executive committees (ie., County Executive Committees, Congressional
District Executive Committees, etc) shall not issue endorsements of non-partisan,
statewide judicial candidates inconsistent with the State Executive Committee
endorsements.
3. With respect to any endorsement provided for in this section (Article VII, Section (I)),
and unless otherwise provided by law, notice to committee members of the time, date,
location, and purpose of the meeting at which any such endorsement will be considered
must be made by United States Mail to the last known address of the committee member.
Notice must be mailed at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting, unless good
cause exists for shortening the time period. In no case may the meeting be scheduled for a
time and date less than (5) days after the notice to committee members. Such notice shall
also be provided to all registered Republicans who are candidates seeking the office for
which the endorsement is made.
ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS, APPLICABILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF
THIS PLAN
A. AMENDMENTS TO PLAN OF ORGANIZATION
1. The Plan of Organization may be amended, not inconsistent with the Rules of the
Republican National Committee, by majority vote of the delegates present and voting at
any State Convention provided, however, that the proposed amendment was mailed to the
membership of the State Executive Committee, elected at the preceding District
Convention, at least thirty days prior to the convening of the State Convention. This
mailing requirement shall not apply to the Report of the duly appointed Plan of
Organization Committee, which shall be noticed pursuant to Section VI.A.3.b of this
Plan.1
2. Amendments from the Convention floor to the proposed Amendments to the Plan (an
amendment to the amendment) which would materially alter the intent of the original
proposed amendment must receive a two-thirds vote of the delegates present and voting
at any State Convention. This paragraph applies only to amendments to Amendments to
the Plan that were mailed out to the Executive Committee as above described.
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3. Proposed amendments to the Plan not mailed to the State Executive Committee thirty
days prior to the convening of the State Convention must receive a two-thirds vote of the
delegates present and voting at any State Convention.
4. Plan of Organization Committees shall have authority to correct any spelling or
typographical errors in the Plan of Organization, as a housekeeping matter, that do not
change the substance of the Plan.
5. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or any County Plan of
Organization, in the event that there is a change in state or federal election law
that renders a portion of this Plan ineffective, obsolete or inoperative, the
Executive Committee may, upon a two-thirds majority vote, temporarily amend
this Plan to the extent necessary to alter procedures or schedules affected by such
change in state or federal election law. Any change made pursuant to this
paragraph shall be effective only until the date of adjournment of the next annual
State Convention called pursuant to this Plan, Article VI A 1 A.
B. APPLICABILITY
1. Rules as to Towns and Cities
This Plan of Organization is not intended to extend to or establish organizations for the
Republican Party of various towns and cities of the State of North Carolina as separate
units from the Precinct and County Organization. Qualified and registered Republican
voters of the towns and cities of the state may organize and promulgate their own rules
not inconsistent with these rules and the organizations herein established.
2. Rules as to Counties and Districts
The Precinct and County Committees and County Conventions, and the District
Committees and Conventions are authorized to promulgate such additional rules and
establish such additional Party Officers or Committees for their respective organizations,
not inconsistent with these rules, as shall be deemed necessary. Counties may establish
Executive Boards to transact the business of the Party between County Executive
Committee Meetings.
C. AUTHORITY
1. Controversies
Controversies in any County or District with respect to the organizations set up therein
under this Plan shall be referred to the State Chairman, State Vice-Chairman, National
Committeeman, National Committeewoman and General Counsel for arbitration. Ruling
shall be made within 60 days, and their decision shall be final.
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2. Parliamentary Authority
The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern all
proceedings, except when inconsistent with this State Plan of Organization or Convention
Rules properly adopted.
3. Gender and Number
The masculine pronoun or title herein includes the feminine, and the singular herein
includes the plural, wherever appropriate.
4. No Proxy Voting
No proxy voting shall be allowed at any meeting or convention held pursuant to this Plan.
D. EFFECTIVE DATE
1. Effective Date of this Plan
This Plan of Organization shall become effective and repeal and supersede all other rules,
except as specifically noted, immediately following adjournment of the State Convention
in Charlotte, North Carolina, on June 6, 2008. This, however, shall not invalidate any
action taken under the previous rules prior to the date above. The adoption of this Plan
shall not effect the term of those office holders at the time of the adoption of this Plan.
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2008 Plan of Organization Committee
Phil Strach, Chairman
Bill Peaslee
Lee Teague
Howard Smith (1st)
James Munden (2nd)
George Embrey (3rd)
Dave Burton (4th)
Dwight Shook (5th)
Charles Toomey (6th)
Shirley Babson (7th)
Ralph Reagan (8th)
Audrey Blackwood (9th)
Charles Newman (10th)
Candler Willis (11th)
Larry Allen (12th)
Rob Moseley (13th)
Chris McClure (NCGOP Liaison)
