Platform and Rules

The powers, rights, privileges, and duties of the State Committee and of the Chairman thereof are provided by law, and the State Committee is authorized by law to adopt Rules for its proper governance. The State Committee is the sole Republican organization with statewide representation which is given official standing by law. The State Committee, therefore, is by virtue of law the sole official body endowed with official authority to guide the destiny of The North Dakota Republican Party and to correlate and coordinate all Republican activities and influence throughout North Dakota with that of the Republican Party nationally.

The following rules are hereby adopted and declared to be the Rules for the governance and organization of The North Dakota Republican Party.

The name of this organization shall be “The North Dakota Republican Party.” 

The purpose of The North Dakota Republican Party shall be to promote sound, honest, and limited constitutional government in the state and nation by electing Republicans to public office. A further purpose of The North Dakota Republican Party shall be to preserve and protect the dignity, rights, and liberties of the individual. The legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done but cannot do for themselves, in their separate and individual capacities. In all that the people can individually do as well for themselves, a government ought not to interfere.

The North Dakota Republican Party membership shall require payment of annual dues, determined by the State Committee. The State Committee may set the amount of State Party dues by a majority vote. Any dues changes shall take place on January 1 of any given year.

Comment: A person wishing to join The North Dakota Republican Party may submit dues to State Party Headquarters, or to a District by contributing to The North Dakota Republican Party. Likewise, a person wishing to contribute to a District would make payment to the District, if the District so provides in its bylaws. A person making a contribution to the District does not become a member of The North Dakota Republican Party.

Section 1. Purpose 

The general supervision, regulation, and direction of affairs of The North Dakota Republican Party shall be vested in the State Committee.

Section 2. Duties 

1. To establish and maintain a state headquarters. 

2. To do any and all other acts necessary to accomplish the program and policies of the State  Convention. 

Section 3. State Committee Membership 

State Committee voting members shall include District Chairmen from all North Dakota Legislative Districts, Officers of the State Committee, the National Committeeman, the National Committeewoman, the Republican Leader of the North Dakota House of Representatives, the Republican Leader of the North Dakota Senate, and the highest-ranking Republican elected to North Dakota’s State Executive Branch.

Ex-officio, non-voting members of the State Committee shall include all North Dakota Republican members of the United States Congressional Delegation, all Republican officials elected to North Dakota’s State Executive Branch, the immediate past State Party Chairman, the State Chairman of the North Dakota Young Republicans, the State Chairman of the North Dakota College Republicans and the State Finance Chairman. 

All voting and non-voting membership participation is contingent upon North Dakota residency.

Section 4. Meetings 

The District Chairmen, shall meet on or before July first of each odd- numbered year and organize in accordance with state law. Only the duly elected District Chairmen or their designated proxy shall vote to elect the Officers of the State Committee listed in Section 7 of this Article such that each legislative district in the state is entitled to one vote. The State Committee shall hold at least two meetings each year at the call of the State Chairman and at such other times as ten members, in writing, request the State Chairman that a meeting be held. No person may be allowed to vote at a State Committee meeting unless that person has paid his/her State party dues.

Section 5. Notice of Meetings 

Fifteen days written or electronic notice of all meetings shall be given to each member of the State Committee.

Section 6. Quorum

A majority of the duly-elected and serving members of the State Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings.

Section 7. Officers 

The officers of the State Committee shall be a State Chairman, 1st Vice Chair, 2nd Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. All officers shall be entitled to vote on all questions coming before the State Committee for consideration, except for the election of the State Committee officers. The State Chairman shall vote only in eligible votes, when his or her vote will alter the outcome or when secret ballots are employed. The officers elected need not be members of the State Committee. A vacancy on the State Committee, other than a District Chairman, shall be filled by a majority vote of the current State Committee. The State Committee shall have the power to provide compensation for the office of the State Chairman on a part-time or full-time basis.

Section 8. Duties of Officers 

State Party Chairman: The State Party Chairman, as The North Dakota Republican Party’s Chief Executive Officer, shall serve as the presiding officer at all State Committee functions. The State Party Chairman is responsible for exercising and discharging the duties conferred to the office in The North Dakota Republican Party’s Rules, Republican National Committee Rules, and state law. The Chairman shall appoint all standing and special committees of The North Dakota Republican Party.

1st Vice Chair: The 1st Vice Chair, in the absence of the State Chairman, shall preside at all meetings of the State Committee. If a vacancy occurs in the office of State Chairman, caused by death, resignation, or otherwise, then the 1st Vice Chair shall be the Acting Chairman until the next meeting of the State Committee.

2nd Vice Chair: The duties of the 2nd Vice Chair are to assist the State Chairman, and to perform such other duties as the State Chairman may from time to time request. If a vacancy occurs in the office of State Chairman, caused by death, resignation, or otherwise, then the 2nd Vice Chair shall be the Acting 1st Vice Chair until the next meeting of the State Committee.

Secretary: The Secretary of the State Committee shall attend the meetings of the State Committee and keep the minutes of the proceedings. The record of said minutes shall be certified and attested by the Secretary and delivered to all State Committee Members. The Secretary shall provide copies of the State Committee and the Executive Committee minutes to all legislators that request to have their names placed on the distribution list for minutes. The Secretary shall keep an up-to-date roll of the State Committee members, State Committee Officers, and Executive Committee members.

Treasurer: The Treasurer of the State Committee shall be the custodian of all moneys belonging to the State Committee and shall pay out the same only on the direction of the State Chairman. He shall keep a strict accounting of all moneys received and paid out with the date of such receipt and payments, from whom received, to whom paid and for what purpose, which account at all times shall be accessible to the State Chairman. The Treasurer shall report the State Party’s current financial position at State Committee Meetings and Executive Committee Meetings. At the end of the Treasurer’s term of office, he or she shall turn over to his or her successor all moneys, books, and papers of the State Committee remaining in his or her hands. The Treasurer shall be required to ensure compliance with all finance and reporting requirements of State and federal law.

Section 9. Removal of Officers

The State Committee may remove from office any Party Official for neglect of duty, malfeasance, absence from office, conduct unbecoming of a Party Official, or for other cause as determined by the State Committee.

The procedure for removal shall be governed by the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order. 

Section 10. State or Federal Candidate Conflict of Interest 

The nomination, endorsement, or filing as a candidate for any state or federal office by an officer of the State Committee, or by the National Committeeman or National Committeewoman, will automatically constitute his or her resignation from such office.

Section 11. DataCenter 

DataCenter information is the property of the State Committee, and access shall be provided to the chairmen of each legislative district, endorsed candidates for legislative and statewide office, and local users authorized by the District Chairman. Access to DataCenter shall not be provided candidates for state legislative office who are not endorsed by the legislative district nor to statewide candidates who are not endorsed at the State Convention. If a non-endorsed candidate for legislative office is the party’s nominee by way of a June primary election, then DataCenter access shall be provided at the candidates’ request.

No state party official, District Chairman, or other authorized user shall transfer DataCenter information to a non-authorized user at any time. All DataCenter users shall complete training provided by the State Party and sign a list ownership and confidentiality agreement before being provided access.

Regional Chairmen are elected to serve terms between State Party reorganizations (approximately two years) by a majority vote of District Chairmen in the Region present at the reorganizational State Committee Meeting. The Regions may meet during the year at the call of the Regional Chairman. Regional Chairmen must reside in the region and be a District Chairman. The Regions will consist of the following Legislative Districts:

Southwest Region: 7, 8, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 47

Northwest Region: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 23, 26, 38, 40

Northeast Region: 9, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 42, 43

Southeast Region: 10, 11, 13, 16, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 41, 44, 45, 46

Section 1. Purpose 

The Executive Committee shall be responsible for The North Dakota Republican Party’s execution of policy and management of political activities, as promulgated by the State Committee and to ratify the State Chairman’s appointments of standing committees on (1) Research, (2) Organization, (3) Publicity, (4) Finance and Auditing, (5) Campaign, and any other necessary committees.

Section 2. Membership 

Voting members of the Executive Committee shall include, Officers of the State Committee, the National Committeeman, the National Committeewoman, the Republican Leader of the North Dakota House of Representatives, the Republican Leader of the North Dakota Senate, the highest ranking Republican elected to North Dakota’s State Executive Branch, and the four Regional Chairmen. Officer vacancies shall be filled by the majority State Committee, upon fifteen days’ notice.

Ex-officio, non-voting members of the Executive Committee shall include all North Dakota Republican members of the United States Congressional Delegation.

Section 3. Meetings 

Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be called by the State Chairman upon notice to each member of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may meet by electronic means provided all parties can simultaneously hear each other.

Section 4. Voting 

A majority vote of the members of the Executive Committee shall be required for the transaction of business at all meetings except as required by the parliamentary authority.

Section 5. Duties and Authority 

1. To establish The North Dakota Republican Party Federal Committee, which shall be responsible for raising and spending money for federal candidates. This Federal Committee shall be the only State Party Committee which shall raise money for Federal candidates and shall follow the laws and rules of the Federal Election Commission.

2. To further promote the growth of The North Dakota Republican Party, the Executive Committee shall maintain a link on the NDGOP.org homepage to assist prospective new members who want to get involved at the grassroots level. This page shall include: a diagram showing the organizational structure of the NDGOP, the timeframe and purpose of district reorganization meetings, the functions of District Chairs and district organizations, the purpose of the district and state conventions, and a means of identifying their legislative district and contacting their District Chair.

Minutes of all Executive Committee meetings will be distributed to the members of the State Committee for them to comment on and review at the next meeting of the State Committee.

Each Region will be entitled to one member on the Rules Committee to be chosen by the Regional Chairman. The State Chairman will appoint the Rules Committee Chairman to be confirmed by the State Executive Committee.

The Committee on Rules will establish the standing rules for the State Republican Endorsing Convention subject to approval by the State Committee. The Committee on Rules shall persist as a standing committee, meeting as needed to address and/or propose additional changes or modifications to the rules governing the NDGOP subject to approval of the State Committee. The Committee on Rules shall also be tasked with biennial review of the NDGOP Platform and bringing any alterations to it.

Section 1. District Organization 

Each District Committee’s jurisdiction exists within the confines of their Legislative Districts, defined in North Dakota Century Code §54-03-01.14. Consistent with state law and district bylaws, districts may organize under either a precinct model or an at-large model.

A caucus shall be held on or before May 15 following each General Election. The District Committee shall meet in every odd-numbered year within fifteen days after the caucus to reorganize. The time and place of the caucus and District Committee reorganization meeting shall be set by the District Chairman.

All District caucuses, reorganization meetings, conventions to elect delegates, and legislative endorsing conventions, shall be noticed on the state party website at least 10 days in advance. The notice must also precede any deadlines set by participation requirements by 10 days. All necessary details of participation requirements for prospective participants, including candidates, must be provided within the notice. For any meeting requiring public notice in the local paper of record, such notice shall include the aforementioned details on the aforementioned timeframe.

Section 2. Duties 

1. To establish and maintain a District Committee.  

2. Subject to The North Dakota Republican Party State Committee Rules and North Dakota Century Code, to govern the District Party with full authority in between District Reorganizations. 

Section 3. Meetings 

The District Committee shall have such other meetings as are duly called by the Chairman, or as otherwise prescribed by the District bylaws.

Section 4. Officers

The officers of the District Committee shall be a Chairman, one or more Vice Chairmen, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The District Committee shall form an Executive Committee consisting of the District officers, the Party’s nominees for and members of the Legislative Assembly, and other persons consistent with the Bylaws of the District Committee and state law.

Section 5. Rules 

The District Committee shall have the authority to adopt its own Rules and Modes of Procedure so long as they do not conflict with the Rules of the State Committee or state law. The District Committee may include in its own Rules payment of a specified amount of dues to establish affiliation with the District Republican Party. The District Committee may limit entry to District Conventions and District meetings to those who satisfy the membership criteria for the District.

Whenever a district’s bylaws are amended, revised bylaws, along with indication of the date of revision, must be submitted to the State Party. Bylaws must be received by the State Party at least 30 days prior to any district meeting. District meetings shall be governed by the most recent revision of that district’s bylaws on file with the state party.

The State Party will provide, upon request, an electronic copy of a district’s most recent bylaws to any member of that district’s Executive Committee. 

RULE NO. 1. CALL OF THE CONVENTION 

At least ninety (90) days prior to the State Republican Endorsing Convention (State Convention), the State Chairman and the State Executive Committee shall issue a call of the State Convention to the State Republican Committee. The Call shall include the purpose, date, place, and the time of the State Republican Endorsing Convention.

RULE NO. 2. DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES 

Section 1. District Endorsing Convention. 

During the period between January 1 and March 1 of an even-numbered year the District Chairman shall call a convention to elect delegates and alternates to the State Convention.

Section 2. Eligibility.

To serve as a delegate or alternate to the State Convention, a candidate must:

1. Be an American citizen of voting age (18) by the time the convention is called to order.
2. Have been a resident of the District for the 30 days immediately preceding the District Convention.
3. Have affiliated with the Republican Party in the last general election or intend to affiliate in the next general election.

Initial delegate and alternate lists are due to Party headquarters 30 days before the State Convention, with final lists due by the Monday before the start of the State Convention. Delegates and alternates must be on the final district list to be credentialed, and have paid dues online or postmarked by mail to party headquarters at least 14 days prior to the start of the State Convention. No person may seek election as a delegate or alternate in more than one District during one election cycle.

Section 3. Non-Discrimination. 

No American citizen eligible to vote shall be denied from participating as a delegate or alternate based on sex, race, religion, color, age, or national origin.

Section 4. Allocation of State Convention Delegates and Alternates Between Districts. 

Delegates and alternates to the State Convention shall be allocated to districts as follows:

1. One delegate for every 300 votes cast in that district for the Republican gubernatorial candidate in the last General Election for that office.
2. One delegate for every 300 votes cast in the district for the Republican U.S. House candidate in the last General Election.
3. One delegate for every 300 votes cast for the Republican candidate for President in the last Presidential Election.
4. One delegate for each Republican Legislator elected in the last legislative election in that Legislative District.
5. One bonus delegate for every 20 dues-paying members of The North Dakota Republican Party in that district at the end of the previous calendar year.
6. One bonus delegate for every 5% increase in dues-paying members of The North Dakota Republican Party in the district at the end of the preceding calendar year compared to the number on January 1 of that year.
7. Total bonus delegates awarded under subsections 5 and 6 shall not exceed 25% of the delegates awarded under subsections 1-4.
8. Each district shall have at least five delegates.
9. Each District may have the same number of alternate delegates as regular Delegates.
10. After calculating the number of delegates and alternates allowed to each district under subsections 1-9, a district shall also receive additional delegate slots for and to be filled by each State Executive Committee member residing in the district who is not a district chairman.

If a Legislative District has 100% new territory as compared to the previous election cycle, it shall receive delegates equal to the average number of delegates from the districts it was formed from, rounded up.

Section 5. Election of Delegates. 

The District Chairman and all State and Executive Committee members residing in the district shall be automatic delegates.

The District Executive Committee may appoint up to 10% of the district’s delegates based on status as elected officials, District officers, or other persons in consideration of long service to the party or responsibilities at the State Endorsing Convention.

All remaining delegates must be elected by a plurality vote of qualified Republican District Convention voters physically present at a District Convention.

The District Chairman or District Executive Committee may appoint a nominating committee to recommend candidates for election as delegates. The selection of recommended candidates may optionally be determined by assigning points to criteria set forth by the nominating committee.

Candidates unable to attend the District Convention must personally contact the District Chairman or the District’s nominating committee to express interest and demonstrate eligibility.

Any person attending a District Convention whose eligibility to serve as a delegate based on the District’s membership and State Party criteria has been verified may be nominated from the floor.

If the number of persons nominated for election as a delegate is greater than the number of delegate slots available for that district, the delegates must be elected by secret ballot. If the number of persons nominated for delegate election is equal to or less than the number of slots available for that district, they may be elected by acclamation.

Proxy voting is not permitted.

All names placed in nomination must be included on a uniform paper ballot for use by all eligible voters. Names shall be placed on the ballot in the order in which they were nominated. To tally the votes, election tellers may be appointed by the District Chair or Executive Committee.

Alternate delegate slots shall be filled by those delegate candidates who receive the greatest number of votes, with the ascending vote totals determining alternate delegate priority. A majority of votes is not necessary for the selection of alternate delegates.

Section 6. Vacancies 

Vacancies remaining after a District Convention, or created by withdrawal, shall be filled by the respective District Executive Committees.

RULE NO. 3. CERTIFICATE OF DELEGATES 

Only delegates or alternate delegates appearing on district lists received no later than 14 days before the convening of the State Convention shall be deemed timely. Late applicants shall not be seated.

RULE NO. 4. TEMPORARY ROLL 

The names of the delegates and alternates on the final district report will be placed upon the temporary roll of the convention by the State Chairman. No person on the temporary roll of the convention and whose right to be seated as a delegate or alternate is being contested shall be entitled to vote on the contest of their right to be seated but may vote on the contests of other delegations until their contest is reached and ultimately decided.

RULE NO. 5. CONTESTING DELEGATE SEATING 

Section 1. Notice. 

Notice of contests shall state the grounds for contesting the seating of a delegate or delegates and shall be filed no later than two days before the scheduled meeting of the Committee on Credentials. The notice of contest shall be filed with the Secretary of the Republican State Committee and shall be sent simultaneously via registered mail to the delegate or delegates being contested.

RULE NO. 6. STATE ENDORSING CONVENTION COMMITTEES 

Section 1. The Committee on Credentials 

Each Region will be entitled to two members on the Credentials Committee to be chosen by the Regional Chairman prior to the first meeting of the committee. If the Regional Chairman fails to appoint members, they will be appointed by the State Executive Committee. The State Chairman will appoint the Committee Chairman to be confirmed by the State Executive Committee. The Credentials Committee will certify all delegates and alternates to the State Republican Endorsing Convention before the State Republican Endorsing Convention conducts any official business. The Committee may announce the number of delegates certified to vote at the beginning of each ballot taken during the State Republican Endorsing Convention. The Credentials Committee will also endeavor to resolve any disputes, including contests over seating, or advance them to the State Convention.

Section 2. The Committee on Resolutions. 

The Committee on Resolutions will produce position statements reflecting Republican Party principles. Resolutions not of state or national relevance, temporary in nature, duplicative of other resolutions, or containing ad hominem arguments shall not be considered.

Each Regional Chairman shall give due consideration for the rules and goals relative to resolutions and in doing so, will name two members from their respective regions to the Committee and Resolutions at least 90 days prior to the State Convention. The Republican House Floor Leader and the Republican Senate Floor Leader shall each appoint one Committee Co-Chairman at least 90 days prior to the State Convention. If any appointment has not been made by the deadline, the State Chairman will nominate a qualified person to fill any vacancy, to be confirmed by the State Executive Committee.

The Co-Chairmen may appoint a secretary, who need not be a member of the Committee on Resolutions, and will schedule four regional meetings, which may be virtual, and open to all State Committee members, prior to the State Convention. Resolutions will be collected at these meetings through District Chair presentations or presentations by the appointed members of the Resolutions Committee. Resolutions must be submitted in writing to the Committee at least 24 hours before the Committee convenes for its first session. All resolutions shall include at least one sponsoring district that shall be identified on the resolution.

The Resolutions Committee may meet remotely as long as all members are able to connect to the meeting and an in-person location is made available for anyone presenting to the committee to be able to do so in person.

The Resolutions Committee may submit no more than 15 resolutions to the State Convention. Every resolution shall identify either one or more districts as sponsors or identify the Resolutions Committee as a sponsor.

In order to be accepted by the committee, a resolution must pass with a ⅔ majority vote of those members of the committee present. Resolutions which do not meet this threshold shall not be considered at the State Convention.

The Resolutions Committee Report shall be made available to the State Committee no later than seven days prior to the start of the Convention. The State Committee shall meet prior to the start of the convention to review the report and appropriately divide the report should be the Committee determine that one or more resolutions need to be voted on separately. The State Committee may not amend or change the language of any resolution beyond the scope of grammatical corrections. The State Committee may reject a resolution by a two-thirds majority vote.

The Resolutions offered by the Committee on Resolutions shall be provided to the State Convention delegates upon their arrival and shall be voted upon by State Convention delegates as a package unless the State Committee has determined to separate any resolution for a separate vote. It shall be ruled out of order for the Convention Chairman to permit debate or amendment on resolutions, either as separate resolutions or as a Resolutions Committee Report. The votes at the convention shall be by written or electronic ballot at the time specified in the official convention agenda and counted by the State Executive Committee or its agents. A resolution shall be considered adopted when it receives approval on two-thirds of ballots cast. Resolutions shall be considered adopted until the next State Convention convenes.

Section 3. The Committee on Permanent Organization 

The Committee shall consist of the National Committeeman, the National Committeewoman, the State Chairman, and two members from each region, chosen by the Regional Chairman. The National Committeeman and the National Committeewoman shall serve as Co-Chairmen. The Committee shall nominate the permanent Chairman of the Convention and other officers the convention shall need. The State Chairman and the State Secretary shall serve as the Temporary Chair and the Temporary Secretary.

In addition, the Committee shall make recommendations for a slate of delegates and alternates to attend the National Republican Convention. The Committee shall post an application form on the Party website along with minimum qualifications and estimates concerning the costs to applicant, if successful, to attend the Republican National Convention. An applicant shall be deemed to have self-nominated to stand for election at the State Endorsing Convention, provided the Committee determines the applicant is qualified.

To be qualified, an applicant must have: attended a previous State Endorsing Convention as a delegate, alternate, or page; and been elected or appointed as a delegate or alternate to the upcoming State Endorsing Convention.

An applicant is disqualified if it is determined that he or she has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a crime that the Committee on Permanent Organization believes would reflect poorly upon The North Dakota Republican Party.

The Committee shall also post on the Party website the criteria used to guide the Committee’s recommendation for a slate of delegates and alternates, which shall include being elected as a delegate to the prior year’s State Endorsing Convention, volunteerism on behalf of the Party, service as a state or party official, running for office, contributions to the District or State Party and other criteria provided by the Committee, and may reserve a number of positions for new members of the Party.

Applications to become a candidate for national delegate must be verified by the applicant’s district chair. Applications must be received twenty-one (21) days prior to the State Endorsing Convention. The Committee shall score, evaluate, and make a recommendation by 5pm on the Monday before the State Endorsing Convention begins, and subsequently post its recommendation, along with the applicants and the scores, on the Party website. In addition, the Committee’s recommendation shall be given to each State Endorsing Convention delegate and alternate at or before registration.

Finally, the Committee shall nominate the electors to represent the Republican Candidate for President on the North Dakota election ballot. 

Section 4. Committee on Arrangements 

1) The Committee shall consist of seven (7) members:

a) Three (3) members elected at large by the State Committee at the State Committee meeting following the last State Convention;

b) Two (2) members appointed by the Chairman of the Party;

c) The Committee Chair of the most recent State Convention;

d) The Committee Chair of the upcoming Convention, once chosen.

2) The duties of the committee shall be as follows:

a) Generate a request for proposal to North Dakota cities, subject to approval by the Executive Committee;

b) Disseminate the RFP and facilitate the process of gathering proposals;

c) Review the proposals and generate a committee recommendation;

d) Proposals shall be reviewed against criteria to include, but not limited to: existing rotation customs, lodging availability, adequate convention facilities, community support, local committee desire, financial commitments;

e) Engage third-party vendor(s) to facilitate convention planning, subject to approval by the Executive Committee;

f) Guide the convention planning process and act as a partner with the local committee and any third-party vendors.

3) The recommendation of the Committee on Arrangements shall be considered for approval by the State Committee.

Section 5. Elephants Celebrated Committee

1) The committee shall consist of 5 members:

a) A Chair appointed by the North Dakota Republican Party Chair
b) Four (4) members, one appointed by each of the Regional Chairs

2) The committee will solicit nominations from the District Chairs to be weighed and voted upon by the Committee Members;

3) The Committee will determine how many awards will be presented at the subsequent State North Dakota Republican Endorsing Convention;

4) The Committee may determine the individual or individuals who shall present the award.

RULE NO. 7. ORDER OF BUSINESS 

The Order of Business of the State Republican Endorsing Convention shall be as follows:

1. Call to Order by the State Chairman or the State Chairman’s designee.
2. Report of Credentials Committee and seating of delegates.
3. Election of Permanent Chairman and Secretary.
4. Vote on the Rules Committee report. If rules are rejected, the State Convention shall be governed by the most recently adopted rules of a previous State Convention.
5. Endorsement of or letters of support for Statewide Candidates, Election of National Committee members, National Convention delegates, and National electors with the order of endorsement or election to be at the discretion of the State Executive Committee.
6. Resolution Committee report.

RULE NO. 8. CANDIDATES ENDORSED OR ELECTED BY THE STATE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION 

Section 1. National Committeeman-National Committeewoman 

In a Presidential election year the State Republican Endorsing Convention will nominate and elect a National Committeeman and National Committeewoman for the purpose of Representing The North Dakota Republican Party on the Republican National Committee. The National Committeeman and National Committeewoman shall serve a term of four years.

Section 2. Delegates-Alternates to the Republican National Convention 

In a Presidential election year, at the State Endorsing Convention, the Committee on Permanent Organization will recommend a slate of delegates and alternates to attend the National Republican Endorsing Convention from qualified persons who applied to the committee. Any sitting Republican North Dakota State Governor, U.S. Senator, or U.S. Representative shall, without application to the committee, be deemed to have applied to the committee and shall be presented on the recommended slate unless withdrawn.

No nominations may be made from the floor. All qualified persons who applied to the committee will be deemed nominated as a delegate or alternate unless withdrawn, in writing, submitted to the Chairman, before the ballots are printed. Voting shall occur via ballot, with nominees listed alphabetically by last name, with nominees recommended by the Committee on Permanent Organization identified in bold type.

The delegate candidates receiving the highest vote totals equaling the number of delegate slots available shall be elected as delegates to the Republican National Convention. The remaining delegate candidates receiving the next highest vote totals shall be elected as alternate delegates to the Republican National Convention. Ties shall be decided by lot. 

Section 3. National Electors 

In a Presidential election year, the Committee on Permanent Organization will present a slate of three electors to represent the Republican Candidate for President on the North Dakota General Election Ballot and three alternates. Nominations may be made from the floor. The three elector candidates receiving the highest vote totals shall be elected as electors. The remaining three elector candidates receiving the next highest vote totals shall be elected as alternate electors. Ties shall be decided by lot. 

Section 4. Statewide Candidates 

The State Republican Endorsing Convention shall endorse one candidate for each partisan statewide office appearing on the North Dakota Primary Election Ballot that year.

RULE NO. 9. CREDENTIALS 

Issues or contests regarding credentials shall be presented to the Credentials Committee (see rules 5 & 6). Adoption by the Convention of a Credentials Committee report of certified delegates shall determine the number of delegates eligible to vote.

The Credentials Committee will report to the Convention any changes in the total number of certified delegates before the conduct of business at each session of the Convention and may before the vote of endorsement for any office for which two or more candidates have been nominated.

The Chair of each District delegation shall have authority to fill a vacancy in that District’s certified delegation from among its registered alternates.

RULE NO. 10. NOMINATING 

Section 1. Candidates 

In order for a Statewide Candidate, National Committeeman, or National Committeewoman to have his/her name placed in nomination he/she must:

1) Submit valid signatures from ten District Chairs by 5:00 p.m. March 8th the year of the Republican State Endorsing Convention at which they are seeking endorsement or election;

2) Pay the following fees to the party in order to be eligible to be a candidate:

a) $5,000 for senatorial/gubernatorial races
b) $3,500 for congressional races
c) $2,500 for statewide executive officers
d) No fee for National Committeeman/woman

3) Any person who has sought the endorsement of another political party or ran as an Independent for statewide office in the past six (6) years shall be prohibited from seeking the endorsement of The North Dakota Republican Party’s State Convention.

4) Submit to the Chairman in writing on the form provided by NDGOP, any use of a candidate’s or other party’s personal or campaign funds to pay the fees of any delegate or alternate by 5:00 p.m. the Monday preceding the convening of the State Convention. Such disclosures shall be made available to delegates and alternates upon request;

5) Hold delegate status to the Republican State Endorsing Convention at which they intend to be nominated as a candidate;

6) Receive a nomination and second by seated delegates to the Republican State Endorsing Convention. A special guest to the Convention may speak in support of a candidate; however, they may not formally place the candidate’s name into nomination. The Lieutenant Governor position is exempt from this rule. The endorsed candidate for Governor or designee thereof may nominate the Lieutenant Governor at the convention. Any other nomination from the floor of the convention for Lieutenant Governor requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote.

Section 2. Nominations 

After the Convention Chairman has opened the floor for nominations, the Convention Chair will call for nominations and allow them until there are no more nominations or all eligible candidates have been nominated. If there is only one candidate for nomination who has the required support, the chair may declare them elected or endorsed.

RULE NO. 11. BALLOTING 

Section 1.  

Votes shall be conducted by secret ballot. Ballots shall be furnished by the Convention. Each certified delegate shall be entitled to cast one vote for each office. The delegate or alternate designated by the District Chairmen must be present on the floor of the Convention to cast their vote. No proxy voting will be allowed. 

Section 2. 

 The Convention Secretary shall call the roll for the vote count in numerical order. 

Section 3.  

The Chairman of each District delegation shall report the results of the District balloting in writing on the vote report furnished by the Secretary of the Convention. The Chairman shall sign the vote report. The signed vote report and  any physical ballots shall be placed in the report envelope and the report envelope shall be delivered to the Convention Secretary.

Section 4.  

When the Convention Secretary has received the vote report of every District, the Convention Secretary shall call the roll of the Districts. As each District is called, the Chairman of the District shall announce the District’s vote. After the announcement of each District’s vote, the Convention Secretary shall release the District’s vote report to tellers appointed by the Convention Chairman for tallying. In the event of a variance between the vote report and the vote as announced by the District Chairman, the vote report shall be the official count unless changed by a polling of the delegation. The Convention Secretary shall repeat the vote and the same shall be recorded.

Section 5.  

Before the next District is called, any delegate may demand a polling of his or her delegation. If such a demand is made, the Convention Secretary shall poll the delegation individually and announce and record the vote before proceeding to the next District. The Convention Secretary shall not release the results of any vote report until after the same has been announced by the District Chairman.

Section 6.  

No delegate or alternate shall be bound by any attempt of any District to impose the unit rule on the delegation.

Section 7.  

If two rounds of balloting have been completed, and no candidate has achieved a majority, the candidate with the lowest tally including ties, beginning with the third ballot, on any subsequent ballot shall be eliminated from future ballots. At no time may this section be used to reduce the number of candidates on the ballot to less than two.

Section 8.  

The balloting on candidates shall continue until a candidate shall have received a majority of the votes cast of the certified convention delegates casting a vote. If a majority is reached during the announcement and tallying of votes, the Convention Secretary shall continue the calling and counting until every District has announced its vote and all votes are recorded.

At the conclusion of the balloting during which a candidate has received a majority vote of the certified delegates casting a vote, the Convention Chair shall declare the candidate endorsed and the official candidate of The North Dakota Republican Party at the Primary Election to be held in June or elected to the position if the position was an election.

Section 9.  

The North Dakota Republican Party through the Rules Committee may establish procedures for electronic balloting during the convention, so long as sufficient assurances are provided via audit trail to protect the integrity of the balloting process of the convention.

RULE NO. 12. MAJORITY REQUIRED 

All endorsements and other questions properly before the Convention shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast by delegates certified by the Credentials Committee with the exception of Republican National Convention delegates and alternates provided a quorum is present.

RULE NO. 13. ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER 

Except as otherwise provided herein, the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, and the North Dakota Century Code shall govern the proceedings of the State Republican Endorsing Convention.

To the extent that any conflicts exist, the Rules of The North Dakota Republican Party State Committee and these Rules take precedence over Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

RULE NO. 14. VACANCIES 

In the event of the death, resignation, disqualification, or disability of any candidate for office, sucha vacancy shall be filled by a special convention made up of the Republican State Committee. TheNorth Dakota Republican Party State Chairman will be responsible for calling such a SpecialConvention.

RULE NO. 15. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CAUCUSES AND CANDIDATE(S) FOR WHOM DELEGATES ARE  BOUND TO VOTE AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION 

Presidential Caucuses:  

The North Dakota Republican Party shall hold Republican Presidential Caucuses in North Dakota on or between March 1 through March 15. Delegates will be awarded proportionally and bound to candidates on the first ballot who receive at least 20% of the votes cast in the Republican Presidential Caucuses. If a candidate garners at least 60% of the votes cast, they will receive all of the delegates.

Delegate Selection:  

North Dakota’s delegates to the Republican National Convention shall be selected in accordance with applicable state and national Republican Party rules and requirements.

RULE NO. 16. PRESIDENTIAL CAUCUS RULES 

Section 1. 

Presidential Caucuses will be held on or between March 1st through prior to March 15th the year of the Presidential Election. The Executive Committee shall set the date for the caucuses and hours for voting, which shall be the same throughout the state. The Executive Committee may establish a Presidential Candidate fee payable to The North Dakota Republican Party for candidate participation in the caucuses.

Section 2. 

The North Dakota Republican Party shall ensure at least eight physical caucus locations for voting in Presidential Caucuses in Williston, Minot, Devils Lake, Grand Forks, Fargo, Jamestown, Bismarck, and Dickinson. Additional physical locations may be established by Republican Districts working alone or jointly with other districts.

Section 3. 

Delegates will be awarded proportionally to candidates who receive at least 20% of the votes cast, unless one candidate receives at least 60% of the votes cast, in which case Section 4 shall apply.

Formula for delegate allocation: Assuming North Dakota had 29 national delegate slots to fill, the following shall serve as an example of how to apply the votes:

If candidate A received 30% of the vote, candidate B received 18% of the vote, candidate C received 21% of the vote, candidate D received 22% of the vote, candidate E received 8% of the vote, and 1% of the vote was spread to various write-ins the delegate allotment in consideration of North Dakota’s 29 delegates would be applied as follows.

This example is illustrative of 29 delegate positions.

A: 41% of qualifying votes = (11.89) 12 delegates

B: 0 delegates

C: 29% of qualifying votes = (8.41) 8 delegates

D: 30% of qualifying votes = (8.7) 9 delegates

E: 0 delegates

The formula: Add the percentages of the qualifying candidates (20%+) which were 30%+21% +22%=73%. Next, we take 73% which represents the whole of qualifying candidates and determine what portion of the whole (73%) each candidate garnered:

A: 30/73=41% C: 21/73=29% D: 22/73=30% this gives up our multipliers to determine delegate allotment.

A: .41×29= 11.89 C: .29×29=8.41 D: .30×29=8.7

Finally, we divide the delegates accordingly: Each delegate gets the whole number of delegates they received in this case 27. The remaining delegates (2) are allocated to the candidate with the highest fractional portion of a delegate. In this case, the results are as follows:

A: .89 C: .41 D: .7 Candidate A has the highest fractional portion of a delegate at .89 and Candidate D has the next highest at .7.

Candidate A would receive 12 delegates;

Candidate C would receive 8 delegates;

Candidate D would receive 9 delegates.

In the event of a tie the unassigned delegate(s) must elect to be bound to the candidate of their choosing.

Section 4. Winner Take All 

If a candidate garners at least 60% of the votes cast that candidate will receive all of the delegates. 

Section 5. Candidate Withdrawal, No Reallocation 

Should a candidate who received delegates withdraw, suspend his or her campaign or drop from the race prior to the Republican National Convention, those delegates assigned to the candidate shall proceed to the convention unbound.

RULE NO. 17. SPECIAL ENDORSING CONVENTION 

Section 1. Call of the Special Convention 

In the event of a special election for the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate triggered by a writ of election issued by the Governor, the State Chairman and the State Executive Committee shall, as soon as practical, issue to the State Republican Committee the Call of the Special Endorsing Convention at least twelve (12) days prior to the Convention.

The Call of the Special Endorsing Convention shall include the purpose, date, place, and the time of the State Republican Special Endorsing Convention.

Section 2. Special District Conventions 

The District Chairs shall call and hold a special district convention at which the required number of delegates to the State Republican Special Endorsing Convention shall be chosen. Public notice of must be given at least six (6) days before the special district convention by publication in the official newspaper in the county or counties that comprise the district, which notice shall include the purpose, date, place and the time of the special district convention. The notice shall also include the purpose, date, place, and the time of the State Republican Special Endorsing Convention.

Section 3. Allocation of Delegates and Alternates Between Districts 

Delegates and alternates to a State Republican Special Endorsing Convention shall be allocated asfollows:

1. One delegate for every 300 votes cast in the district for the Republican gubernatorial candidate in the last General Election for that office.
2. One delegate for every 300 votes cast in the district for the Republican U.S. House candidate in the last General Election.
3. One delegate for every 300 votes cast in the district for the Republican candidate for President in the last Presidential Election.
4. One delegate for each Republican Legislator elected in the last legislative election in that Legislative District.
5. One bonus delegate for every 20 dues-paying members of The North Dakota Republican Party in that district at the end of the previous calendar year.
6. One bonus delegate for every 5% increase in dues-paying members in the district by year end of the preceding calendar year compared to the number on January 1 of that year.
7. Total bonus delegates awarded under subsections 5 and 6 shall not exceed 25% of the delegates awarded under subsections 1-4.
8. Each district shall have at least five delegates.
9. Each district may have the same number of alternate delegates as regular delegates.
10. After calculating the number of delegates and alternates allowed to each district under subsections 1-9, a district shall also receive additional delegate slots for and to be filled by each State Executive Committee member residing in the district who is not a district chairman.

If a Legislative District has 100% new territory as compared to the previous election cycle, it shall receive delegates equal to the average number of delegates from the districts it was formed from, rounded up.

Section 4. State Special Endorsing Convention Committees 

A committee on credentials, a committee on rules, and a committee on permanent organization will be established as otherwise provided in these rules. During a State Republican Special Endorsing Convention, there will be no committee on resolutions.

Section 5. Order of Business 

The Order of Business of the State Special Republican Endorsing Convention shall be as Follows:

1. Call to Order by the State Chairman or the State Chairman’s designee.
2. Report of Credentials Committee and seating of delegates.
3. Election of Permanent Chairman and Secretary.
4. Vote on the Rules Committee report. If rules are rejected, the Special Endorsing Convention shall be governed by the most recently adopted rules of a previous State Convention.
5. Endorsement of Statewide offices with the order of endorsement to be at the discretion of the State Executive Committee.

Section 6. State Special Endorsing Convention Rules 

Except as otherwise provided in Sections 1 through 5 above, in all other respects, the rules for the State Republican Special Endorsing Convention are the same as for the prior endorsing convention, including eligibility of delegates and alternates, non-discrimination, election of delegates, certification of delegates, temporary role, contesting delegate seating, admission to the convention hall, credentials, nominating, balloting, limitation of debate, voting requirements, application of Robert’s Rules of Order, vacancies, and suspension of the rules.

Section 7. Rules Governing Special Election for Letter of Support 

In the event that a candidate endorsed by the State Convention later withdraws from the race, citing circumstances outside the scope of death, incapacity or residency out of state, the State Committee may offer a letter of support to another candidate. The process for selecting the candidate to receive the letter of support shall be executed as follows: The voting members of the NDGOP State Committee shall comprise the body which shall determine the recipient of the party’s letter of support.

Notice to the voting body shall be provided at least 15 days in advance of the State Committee Meeting at which the letter of support may be granted. Candidates for the letter of support shall be placed into nomination and seconded by no fewer than two voting members of the NDGOP State Committee. Each candidate shall be allotted 15 minutes for nomination, seconding, and speech/presentation. Voting shall be conducted by secret ballot.

A simple majority of votes cast will be required to secure the letter of support. If two rounds of balloting have been completed and no candidate has reached a majority, the candidate with the lowest tally shall be eliminated from any subsequent ballots until a majority is achieved. If only one candidate has been placed into nomination a motion to vote by acclamation shall be in order.

Proxies are only permissible at State Committee meetings and not at any precinct or district meetings or any convention. All District Chairs exercising proxies shall be residents of the district which the person giving the proxy represents, must have paid his/her State Party dues, and shall provide written authorization. Each authorized person shall have one vote. Any person elected via proxy as a delegate to the State Convention shall not be seated as a delegate to the State Convention.

All matters of procedures of meetings and conventions shall be based on and governed by the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, the Parliamentary Authority of The North Dakota Republican Party, except when in conflict or inconsistent with these Rules, or state or federal laws.

Section 1. Notice Requirements 

These Rules may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the State Committee present, provided fifteen days’ notice of any proposed amendment has been given to each member by the State Party, or by the State Committee member or the Rules Committee member proposing the amendment. 

Section 2.  

The rules contained herein governing the conduct of biennial or special conventions may also be amended by the convention in session by a two-thirds vote of the delegates present and voting provided 15 days’ notice has been given.