The name of this organization shall be “The North Dakota Republican Party” and shall consist of the State Committee, the Executive Committee and District Committees organized consistent with legislative districts within the State of North Dakota.

The purpose of the Republican Party of North Dakota shall be to promote sound, honest, and constitutional government in the state and nation by electing Republicans to public office. A further purpose of the Republican Party of North Dakota 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.

Section 1. Purpose

1. The general supervision, regulation, and direction of affairs of the Party shall be vested in the State Committee. The State Committee is composed of District Chairmen, the National Committeewoman, the National Committeeman, the State House Leader, the State Senate Leader, and a Representative of the State Elected Officials.

Section 2. Duties

1. To establish and maintain a state
2. To do any and all other acts necessary to accomplish the program and policies of the State

Section 3. Meetings

1. The District Chairmen, which make up the State Committee, shall meet on or before July first of each odd- numbered year and organize in accordance with state law. 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. The District Chairmen, as members of the State Committee, shall keep the State Chairman fully advised of the political conditions and requirements in their respective legislative districts and shall look after the Party’s interest at all elections. Ex-officio, non-voting members of the State Committee shall include the State Finance Chairman, all North Dakota Republican members of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, all Republican Executive State Officials, the immediate past State Chairman, State Chairman of the Young Republicans of North Dakota, and the State Chairman of the North Dakota College Republicans. No person may be allowed to vote at a State Committee meeting unless that person has paid his/her State party dues.

Section 4. Regions

1. The State Committee shall be divided into four regions each with its own chairman elected for two year terms by region at a meeting of the State Committee held in a non-election year. The Regions shall meet during the year at the call of the Regional Chairman. The regions will consist of the following Districts of the Legislature:
2. Northwest Region: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 38, 40
3. Northeast Region: 10, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 23, 29, 42, 43
4. Southeast Region: 11, 12, 13, 16, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 41, 44, 45, 46
5. Southwest Region: 7, 8, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 47

Section 5. Officers

1. 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 the State Chairman who shall vote only in the case of a tie. 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 of the 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 6. Quorum

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

Section 7. Notice of Meetings

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

Section 8. Duties of Officers

1. State Chairman: The State Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the State Committee. In addition to all the powers, rights, privileges, and duties conferred and imposed upon him by law, he shall exercise and discharge those conferred on him by the Rules of the State Committee and all resolutions adopted in conformity The State Chairman shall be the executive officer of the Republican Party in the State of North Dakota. He shall appoint all standing and special committees of the North Dakota Republican Party with the approval of the Executive Committee.
2. 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.
3. 2nd Vice Chair: The duties of the 2nd Vice Chair are to assist the State Chairman, act as liaison between the Republican Party and the Republican Women of North Dakota, and to perform such other duties as the State Chairman may from time to time request. The 2nd Vice Chair is also charged with building, developing, and promoting Republicanism in every form in North Dakota. 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.
4. Secretary: The Secretary of the State Committee shall attend the meetings of the State Committee and keep the minutes of the proceedings in a book provided for that purpose. The record of said minutes shall be certified and attested by the Secretary and delivered into the hands of the State Chairman and copies provided to the District 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 mailing list for minutes.
5. 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 At the end of his term of office, he shall turn over to his successor all moneys, books, and papers of the State Committee remaining in his hands.
6. 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.

Section 9. Conflict of Interest

1. 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 1. Purpose

1. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the execution of the policy of the State Committee with relation to the political organization and management of the Republican Party within the state and shall guide and coordinate political activities and campaigns throughout the state.

Section 2. Membership

1. The Executive Committee of the State Committee shall consist of the State Chairman, the 1st Vice Chair, 2nd Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, National Committeeman, National Committeewoman, the Party’s floor leaders in the House of Representatives and Senate, and a representative of State Party Elected Officials together with four Regional District Chairmen as elected in Article III, Section 4. Vacancies shall be filled by the State Committee, upon fifteen days’ notice.

Section 3. Meetings

1. Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be called by the State Chairman upon notice to each member of the Executive Committee.

Section 4. Voting

1. A majority vote of the members of the Executive Committee shall be required for the transaction of business at all meetings.

Section 5. Duties

1. To be responsible for carrying into effect the policies and programs promoted and promulgated by the State Republican Conventions and of the State
2. To approve 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.
3. To do any and all other acts necessary to accomplish the programs and policies of the State Committee and State
4. To establish a 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

Section 1. Organization

The Republican Precinct Committeemen elected or appointed as provided by law together with the Republican nominees for, and the members of the Legislative Assembly and the officers of the District Committee shall constitute the District Committee of the Republican Party within each legislative district.

Section 2. Meetings

The District Committee shall meet in every odd-numbered year within fifteen days after the precinct caucus. A precinct caucus shall be held on or before May 15 following each General Election. The time and place of the District Committee and precinct caucus meeting shall be set by the District Chairman. The District Committee shall have such other meetings as are duly called by the Chairman and at such other times as five members of the District Committee in writing request the Chairman that a meeting be held.

Section 3. 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 select an Executive Committee consisting of from five to eighteen persons chosen from eligible District members. The Chairman, one or more Vice Chairmen, Secretary and Treasurer of the District Committee shall be members and officers of the Executive Committee. The Party’s nominees for and members of the Legislative Assembly shall also be members of the Executive Committee. The five to eighteen person membership limitation shall include the officers of the Executive Committee and the Party’s nominees for and members of the Legislative Assembly. Any officer of the District Committee may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the members of the District Committee at a duly called meeting of the District Committee.

Section 4. 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. The District Committee may include in its own Rules payment of a specified amount of dues to establish affiliation with the Republican Party. The District Committee may limit entry to District Conventions and District meetings to those who satisfy the membership criteria for the District.

By June 1, 2018, each District Chair shall provide the State Party with current bylaws.

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 day 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.

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 5. Duties

To do all other acts necessary to accomplish the programs and policies of the State Committee, the State Convention, and the District Convention.

Section 6. 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.

Proxies are only permissible at State Committee meetings and not at any precinct or district meetings. All persons 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.

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.

Section 1. These Rules may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the State Committee present, provided fifteen days’ notice has been given to each member of any proposed amendment.

Section 2. These Rules may be temporarily suspended during any convention of the Republican Party of North Dakota by a vote of two-thirds of the elected delegates.

Delegates and alternates to the State Republican Endorsing Convention shall be allotted as provided by these Convention Rules.

Section 1. District Endorsing Convention. During the period between January 1 and March 1 of an even year the District Chairman shall call a convention for the purpose of electing delegates and alternates to the State Republican Endorsing Convention.

Section 2. Eligibility. Delegates and alternates to the State Republican Endorsing Convention must be an American citizen of voting age (18) by the time the convention is called to order, must have been a resident of the District for the 30 days immediately preceding the District Convention, and must be a dues paying member of the North Dakota Republican Party at the time of the District Convention and forward those dues to the State Party before the convention. No person may seek election as a delegate or alternate in more than one District during one election cycle. In addition, the delegates and alternates must have voted or affiliated with the Republican Party in the last general election or intend to vote or affiliate with the Republican Party in the next general election.

Section 3. Non-Discrimination. No American citizen eligible to vote shall be denied from participating as a delegate or alternate for reasons of sex, race, religion, color, age or national origin.

Section 4. Allocation of Delegates and Alternates Between Districts. Delegates and alternates to the 2016 State Republican endorsing convention shall be allocated as follows:

1. One delegate for every 300 votes cast for the Republican candidate for Governor in the previous General In the event that a Legislative District has 100 percent new territory as compared to the Legislative District’s territory in the prior election cycle, that Legislative District shall receive delegates equal to the average number of delegates granted under this subsection (4a) for all the Legislative Districts from which the territory of the new district was acquired during the prior election cycle, rounded up.
2. One delegate for every 300 votes cast for the Republican candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in the previous General Election. In the event that a Legislative District has 100 percent new territory as compared to the Legislative District’s territory in the prior election cycle, that Legislative District shall receive delegates equal to the average number of delegates granted under this subsection (4b) for all the Legislative Districts from which the territory of the new district was acquired during the prior election cycle, rounded up.
3. One delegate for every 300 votes cast for the Republican candidate for President in the previous General In the event that a Legislative District has 100 percent new territory as compared to the Legislative District’s territory in the prior election cycle, that Legislative District shall receive delegates equal to the average number of delegates granted under this subsection (4c) for all the Legislative Districts from which the territory of the new district was acquired during the prior election cycle, rounded up.
4. One delegate for each Republican Legislator elected in the last legislative election cycle for that Legislative In the event that a Legislative District has 100 percent new territory as compared to the Legislative District’s territory in the prior election cycle, that Legislative District shall receive bonus state legislator delegates equal to the average of all the Legislative Districts from which the territory of the new district was acquired during the prior election cycle, rounded up.
5. One bonus delegate shall be awarded to a district for every 20 dues-paying members of the North Dakota Republican Party from that district at the end of the preceding calendar
6. One bonus delegate shall be awarded to a district for every 5 percentage points of increase in the number of dues-paying members of the North Dakota Republican Party from that 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 4(E) and 4(F) shall not exceed 25% of the delegates awarded under subsections 4(A) – 4(D).
8. Each Legislative District will be entitled to at least five
9. Each Legislative District shall be afforded a number of Alternate Delegates to the State Republican Endorsing Convention equal to the number of Regular Delegates under this section.
10. One delegate for each member of the State Executive Committee who is not a District Chairman.

Section 5. Election of Delegates. The District Chairman and all members of State Committee and State Executive Committee residing in the District shall be delegates. The District Executive Committee may elect a maximum of ten percent of the District’s delegates to 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 to the Republican State Endorsing Convention must be elected by plurality vote of qualified Republican District Convention voters physically present at a District Convention called for such purpose.

The District Chairman or District Executive Committee may appoint a nominating committee for the purpose of recommending 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.

To be nominated as a delegate, a candidate who is unable to personally attend the District Convention must personally contact the District Chairman, indicate interest in being nominated, and provide evidence that the candidate meets all district membership criteria. Any person attending a District Convention whose eligibility to serve as a delegate based on the District’s membership 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 submitting their name for delegate election is equal to or less than the number of slots available for that district, a majority voice vote on the proposed slate of delegates may be permitted. 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: State Convention delegate and alternate delegate vacancies remaining after a district convention, or created by delegate or alternate delegate withdrawal, shall be filled at the discretion of the respective District Executive Committees.

Consistent with the other provision of these Rules, only delegate or alternate delegate applications postmarked or hand delivered by the Monday preceding the beginning of the Republican State Nominating Convention shall be deemed timely. Late filing applicants shall not be seated as delegates or alternate delegates.

The names of the delegates and alternates listed by the District Chairman shall 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 convention floor until by a vote of the convention the contest as to such person has been finally decided and such person is permanently seated, except that any such person may be accorded the right to so vote, except in matters involving the credentials of that person by an affirmative vote of a majority of the State Committee on the Committee on Credentials.

Section 1. 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.

Section 2. A challenge to the seating of a delegate or delegates can only be made by a resident of the Legislative District in question.

Section 1. Only those persons wearing badges identifying them as delegates, officers of the convention, Republican statewide office holders, Republican US Senator, Republican US House member, pages, sergeants of arms, special guests of the convention, candidate floor managers or members of the media shall be admitted to the convention hall designated for delegates.

Section 2. Those persons wearing badges identifying them as alternates will have seats at a designated spot on the floor of the convention.

Section 3. The rest of the convention hall will be open for guests to observe the convention as seating permits.

Section 1. The Committee on Credentials

Each Region will be entitled to two members each on the committee to be chosen by the Regional Chairman. 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 will 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 resolve any disputes over credentials that may come before the State Republican Endorsing Convention.

Section 2. The Committee on Resolutions

The Committee on Resolutions will produce a clear and concise collection of position statements highlighting our core principles. Resolutions not of state or national relevance, temporary in nature, or duplicative of other resolutions shall not be considered.

Each District Chairman shall give due consideration for the rules and goals relative to resolutions and in doing so, will name one member to the Committee on Resolutions. At least 90 days prior to the Convention, the House Floor Leader and the Senate Floor Leader shall each appoint one Committee Co- Chairman. If such appointment has not been made, the State Chairman will fill any vacancy, to be confirmed by the State Executive Committee.

The Co-Chairmen may appoint a secretary, and will schedule 4 regional meetings open to all Republicans prior to the convention to allow for the free exchange of ideas. Resolutions will be collected at these meetings and through District Chairs or appointed members of the Resolutions Committee. Resolutions must be presented to the Committee at least 24 hours before the Committee convenes for its first session.

The Resolutions Committee shall meet in person at least two weeks prior to the start of the State Convention, and must complete its consideration of the Resolutions prior to the start of the State Convention, so that upon arrival at the convention delegates are provided with a copy for their consideration.

In order to be accepted by the committee, a resolution must pass with a 2/3 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 offered by the Committee on Resolutions shall be voted upon as a package by the convention by written or electronic ballot at the time specified in the official convention agenda and counted by the State Executive Committee or its agents. 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.

Section 3. The Committee on Rules

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

The Committee on Rules will establish the 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 the State Committee for approval.

Section 4. 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. In addition, the Committee shall act as the nominating committee for a slate of delegates and alternates to attend the National Republican Convention. The Committee shall post an application form on the Party website, and include the weighted criteria used to select a slate of delegates, 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 fourteen (14) days prior to the state convention.

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

Section 1. In order for a minority report of a committee report to be considered on the floor of the Convention, the minority report must receive the support of 25% of the members of the committee.

Section 2. No minority report pertaining to the report of the Committee on Credentials shall be in order.

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
2. Election of a Temporary Chairman and Temporary
3. Appointment of Committee on Credentials, Committee on Rules, Committee on Resolutions, and Committee on Permanent Organization by the Temporary
4. Report of Credentials Committee and seating of
5. Election of Permanent Chairman and
6. Accept the Rules Committee
7. Endorsement of Statewide officers, National Committee members, National Convention delegates, and National electors with the order of endorsement to be at the discretion of the State Executive Committee.
8. Accept the Resolution Committee

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, the Committee on Permanent Organization will present a slate of delegates and alternates to the State Republican Endorsing Convention from persons who applied to the committee from nomination. 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 slate. Nominations may be made from the floor, and shall be added to the bottom of the ballot in the order nominated. Only those persons who applied to the committee, but were not nominated as a delegate will be eligible to be nominated from the floor. 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.

Nominations may be made from the floor. In the event nominations are made from the floor, a nominee must receive a majority of the votes and finish in the top three in order to be elected

Section 4. Statewide Officers

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

Issues regarding credentials shall be presented to the Credentials Committee. 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 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 or other electors.

An updated Credentials Report by district will be given thirty minutes prior to each ballot, or as nearly thereto as may be practicable. Only those credentialed as of the deadline prior to balloting will be allowed to mark a ballot and cast a vote.

Section 1. 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 five District Chairs by 5:00 p.m. March 8th the year of the Republican State Endorsing Convention at which they are seeking endorsement;
2. Submit to the Chairman in writing any use of a candidate’s or other party’s personal or campaign funds to pay the delegate fees of any seated delegate by 5:00 p.m. the Monday preceding the beginning of the Republican State Endorsing Convention. Such disclosures shall be made available to seated delegates and alternates upon request;
3. Hold delegate status to the Republican State Endorsing Convention at which they intend to be nominated as a candidate;
4. 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 Governor or the Governor’s designee 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. After the Convention Chairman has opened the floor for nominations, the Convention Secretary will call the roll of the Districts for the purpose of making a nomination. If there is only one candidate for nomination who has the required support as spelled out in Section 1 of Rule No. 8, a motion to nominate for such office by acclamation shall be in order.

Section 3. If only one candidate has met the requirements Section 1, then nominating speeches for the uncontested candidate shall be limited to one nominating speech or resolution of support, one seconding speech, a speech from the candidate, and optional floor demonstration, the total of which shall not exceed fifteen minutes. The acceptance speech shall be limited to five minutes.

If more than one candidate has met the requirements of Section 1, then the nominating speeches for each candidate shall be one nominating speech and up to two seconding speeches, a speech from the candidate, and an optional floor demonstration, the total of which shall not exceed a total of thirty minutes; with the candidate speech not to exceed fifteen minutes. The acceptance speech shall be limited to ten minutes.

The Convention Chairman shall have the duty to enforce the above time limits as the circumstances warrant.

Section 4. Non-delegates may participate in the demonstrations following the nomination of a candidate. It will be the responsibility of the candidate to make sure the floor is cleared of all non-delegates once the demonstration has concluded.

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 all 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 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. 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, 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.

Section 9. The Republican Party through the Rules Committee for the convention 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.

The Convention Chairman may prescribe a reasonable time limit on discussion of any issue before the Convention. Each delegate shall be limited to one four-minute statement on any issue before the Convention and a two-minute rebuttal.

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.

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 State Committee are temporarily suspended.

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

Any convention rule may be temporarily suspended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all certified delegates.

Delegate Allocation: North Dakota’s delegates to the Republican National Convention shall caucus prior to or at the convention to discuss voluntarily apportioning delegate representation on the first ballot to reflect the results of the Presidential Caucus, with any fractional result rounded to the nearest whole delegate. However, any such apportionment on the first ballot shall be strictly voluntary. The delegates remain free to vote their conscience on all balloting.

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

The Committee on Rules will determine Republican Presidential Caucus Rules. Such rules will become effective upon a majority vote of the Republican State Committee, no later than is consistent with the provisions of North Dakota State Law.

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 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 as follows:

1. One delegate for every 300 votes cast for the Republican candidate for Governor in the previous General
2. One delegate for every 300 votes cast for the Republican candidate for S. House of Representatives in the previous General Election.
3. One delegate for every 300 votes cast for the Republican candidate for President in the previous General
4. One delegate for each Republican Legislator elected in the last legislative election cycle for that Legislative
5. One delegate for each member of the State Executive Committee who is not a District
6. Each Legislative District will be entitled to at least five delegates.
7. Each Legislative District shall be afforded a number of Alternate Delegates to the State Republican Endorsing Convention equal to the number of Regular Delegates under this

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
2. Election of a Temporary Chairman and Temporary
3. Appointment of Committee on Credentials, Committee on Rules, and Committee on Permanent Organization by the Temporary
4. Report of Credentials Committee and seating of
5. Election of Permanent Chairman and
6. Accept the Rules Committee
7. Endorsement of Statewide offices with the order of endorsement to be at the discretion of the State Executive

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 a normal 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.