2016 Bylaws of the Lancaster County Democratic Party

PREAMBLE

The Lancaster County Democratic Party, hereafter referred to as the “County Party,” recognizes the basic worth of all people and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, physical handicap, ethnic background or cultural heritage. The purpose of the County Party is to serve the public interest by providing the ongoing structure to ensure the election of Democrats to both partisan and non-partisan offices; to retain and recruit Democrats, and encourage potential candidates for public office; and to provide our membership with a forum on matters of political interest. The County Party also provides education and training. The intention of the County Party is to approach its tasks with integrity and honor and to involve as many people as possible in the process. The goal of the County Party is to build a Party whose strength is in its solidarity.

ARTICLE I: THE CONVENTION

 

The Lancaster County Democratic Party Convention, hereinafter referred to as “County Convention,” as constituted and empowered by state law and the bylaws and rules of the Nebraska Democratic Party and Democratic National Committee is the body that directs and controls the County Party organization.

 

Section A. Authority

The County Convention’s authority shall be supreme in relationship to the power of the County Party officers, hereinafter provided for. After the adjournment of the County Convention, the direction and control of the County Party organization shall be vested in the Central Committee. In the absence of a convened quorum of the Central Committee, the Executive Committee shall have direction and control as defined in Article III.

 

Section B. Organization

The organization and temporary rules of the County Convention and the appointment of all Convention Committee chairs shall be determined by the County Chair with the approval of the Central Committee, provided that the rules for the operation of the convention shall be the first order of business brought before the convention.

 

Section C. Quorum

Forty percent (40%) of the registered delegates shall constitute a quorum to convene the County Convention. The quorum, once established, shall stand for the remainder of the convention. 

Section D. Convention Business

The County Convention shall:

1. Enact rules of the convention.
2. Elect county convention officers, as provided in Article I.
3. Elect County Party officers, as provided in Article III.
4. Elect members of the Central Committee, as provided in Article II.
5. Elect Legislative District Team Leaders, as provided in Article IV.
6. Elect delegates and alternates to the Nebraska Democratic State Convention from each legislative district.
7. Consider and act upon any proposed bylaw amendments.
8. Consider and act upon a proposed platform.
9. Consider such other business as may come before it.

 

Section E. County Convention Officers

The County Chair or her/his designee shall temporarily preside over the County Convention until the election of the following County Convention officers:

1. Convention Chair, who shall preside over the County Convention;
2. Convention Secretary, who shall take minutes and record all official acts of the convention;
3. Sergeant at Arms, who shall maintain order during the convention and assist in other duties as assigned by the Convention Chair.

Section F. Convention Committees

Prior to the convening of each County Convention, the Chair of each Convention Committee shall be appointed by the County Chair with the approval of the Central Committee.

 

The five standing committees of each County Convention shall be:

1. Planning Committee. The Planning Committee shall assist the County Chair with logistical arrangements in preparation for the County Convention. It will also review and recommend the rules and order of business to be adopted by the County Convention and shall file such recommendations with the Convention Secretary.
2. Credentials Committee. The Credentials Committee shall prepare and file the names and addresses of all delegates duly elected to the County Convention. It will also determine the qualification of any registering delegates to be seated by the County Convention in accordance with State Party requirements and with Nebraska Revised Statute § 32-709.
3. Nominations/Elections Committee. The Nominations/Elections Committee shall oversee all aspects of the elections including nominations, preparations, and the counting of ballots. It will also assume responsibility for filling vacancies in elections of County Party officers.
4. Bylaws Committee. The Bylaws Committee shall review and recommend changes in the Bylaws to be adopted by the County Convention and shall file such recommendations with the Convention Secretary.
5. Platform and Resolutions Committee. The Platform and Resolutions Committee shall prepare and recommend a platform and resolutions to be adopted by the County Convention and shall file such recommendations with the Convention Secretary.

 

Section G. Adjournment

The County Convention may be adjourned only by a majority vote of those present and voting.

 

ARTICLE II: CENTRAL COMMITTEE

 

Section A. Definitions

The Central Committee shall be composed of the elected County Party officers, Central Committee members elected at convention or otherwise elected under these Bylaws (collectively referred to herein as “Central Committee members”).

 

Section B. Authority

When the County Convention is not in session, the Central Committee shall meet at least monthly, excluding the month of December. It shall have the direction and control of the County Party organization and shall determine, set, and formulate the policies of the County Party as set forth in the County Party Bylaws and Standing Rules and to deal with those issues that require action by the County Party organization. The Central Committee may overrule an action of the County Chair or the Executive Committee by a majority vote.

 

The Central Committee shall have the authority to establish rules, procedures and policies to govern itself effectively and to carry out the duties of the County Party organization. The Central Committee may by a 2/3rds vote amend the Bylaws on matters governing the operation of the Central Committee itself found in Articles II through V.

 

Section C. Duties and Responsibilities of Individual Members of the Central Committee

It is the duty and responsibility of a Central Committee Member to conduct activity consistent with the purpose of the County Party organization.

Requirements to serve as a member on the Central Committee are as follows:

1.     Be a registered Democrat residing in Lancaster County.

2.     Abide by the Rules and Bylaws governing the Lancaster County Democratic Party.

3.     Voting members of the Central Committee of the Lancaster County Democrats shall participate in a minimum of 2 of the following:

a)     Participate actively in County Party functions as a member of a subcommittee as defined in Article V;

b)     Take an active role in helping elect Democrats to office in Lancaster County by running for office, helping on campaigns, and/or recruiting others to do the same.

c)     Be a monetary donor to the Lancaster County Democratic Party.

4.     Members shall not personally endorse any candidate who is not a registered Democrat and/or may be running against a candidate who is a registered Democrat.

5.     Attend all regularly scheduled Central Committee meetings or be excused in advance by the Chair in accordance with Article II, Section G.

Section D. Quorum

Forty Percent (40%) of the members of the Central Committee shall constitute a quorum. Once reached, a quorum shall be in effect until adjournment. When a quorum shall not be present, the Central Committee members may continue to meet as an advisory committee to the Executive Committee.

 

Section E. Special Meetings

Special meetings of the Central Committee may be called by the County Chair, or by a petition of 25 percent of the members of the Central Committee. Members of the Central Committee must be notified no less than five days prior to such a meeting and be provided with an agenda.

 

Section F. Election and Terms of Office

When the convention is in session the Legislative District Caucuses shall submit a list of eligible persons who are willing to serve on the Central Committee. The nominees presented by the LD caucuses shall stand for election by the convention as a whole. A majority vote of the convention shall be required to be elected to the Central Committee.

 

When the convention is not in session the Central Committee may nominate and elect additional members of the Central Committee. A motion may be made at the beginning of the meeting to seat those persons who have attended at least two consecutive meeting of the Central Committee and are attending their third consecutive meeting. Such candidates must also meet the requirements of serving on the Central Committee.

 

Section G. Removals

A member of the Central Committee who fails in those duties, as defined in Article II, Section C, may be removed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members voting with a quorum present. Notice of impending dismissal must be given to the person in question no less than fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the vote.

 

Central Committee members who have two consecutive unexcused absences are deemed automatically removed from the Central Committee. Any member who was removed automatically may, upon his/her return to the Central Committee, be granted the opportunity to appeal to the Central Committee and explain his/her absences. Upon a majority vote he/she may be reinstated to the Central Committee immediately.

 

Prior to adjourning each regularly scheduled Central Committee, the Secretary shall identify those inactive Central Committee members whose removal from the Central Committee for non-compliance with these Bylaws or Rules of the County will be voted upon at the subsequent Central Committee meeting, and report in the minutes any members automatically removed because of two consecutive unexcused absences.

 

ARTICLE III: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

Section A. Definition of the Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the officers of the County Party. The Executive Committee may act on behalf of the Central Committee on those matters requiring action but where convening a Central Committee meeting would be impractical. Such actions of the Executive Committee shall be presented for ratification by the Central Committee at the next Central Committee meeting.

 

Section B. Officers

The officers of the County Party shall be a Chair, Associate Chair, Second Associate Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and LD Team Leaders as elected in Article IV.

 

Section C. Elections

Any person interested in declaring as a candidate for any Executive Committee Officer shall contact the Chair of the Nominations Committee by the deadline of fourteen days in advance of Convention. However, nomination of candidates may be received from the floor at the appropriate time and there shall be provisions for these nominees on the ballot. The Executive Committee Officers shall each be elected by a majority vote of those present and voting at the County Convention. The order of election shall be Chair, Associate Chair, Second Associate Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. LD Team Leaders are elected pursuant to Article IV.

 

Section D: Terms of Office

The terms of the officers of the County Party shall begin with adjournment of the County Convention, and shall extend to the convention of the next biennial County Convention, unless resignation, removal or death shall come first.

 

Section E: Duties and Responsibilities

 

County Party Officers must attend or be excused in advance at all regularly scheduled Central Committee meetings and Executive Committee meetings. The Executive Committee shall create an annual budget to be presented and approved by the Central Committee.

 

1. County Chair. The County Chair, in addition to any powers and responsibilities that may be elsewhere specified, shall:
2. Establish such sub-committees as he or she deems appropriate.
3. Appoint the chairs of the sub-committees with the approval of the Central Committee.
4. Supervise the organizing and conducting of the County Convention and meetings of the Central Committee, including appointment of temporary presiding officials of the County Convention.
5. Preside at meetings of the Central and Executive Committees.
6. Direct day-to-day activities of the County Party organization; however, the Chair shall take no action contrary to any specific directive of the County Convention or Central Committee.
7. Represent the County Party under authority and direction of the Central Committee.
8. Set the time and place of the Central Committee and Executive Committee meetings each month.
9. Assign duties to Executive Committee Officers as needed
10. Complete all appointments required by these Bylaws within sixty (60) days of the conclusion of the County Convention.

 

2. Associate Chair. The Associate Chair, who must be of a different gender than the Chair, shall:
3. Assume the powers and responsibilities of the County Chair if the office of County Chair falls vacant, and shall serve as a member of the Executive Committee. An election shall be held to fill the vacant position of Associate Chair only if the same gender would be filling both County Chair and Associate Chair positions, and this would be done according to the Bylaws of the County Party in place at the time the vacancy occurs. Then the Second Associate Chair shall retain said position.
4. Serve as representatives of Executive Committee at Standing Committee meetings, as assigned by the Chair.
5. Fulfill other duties as assigned by the Chair.

 

3. 2nd Associate Chair. The duty of the Second Associate Chair, who may be any gender, shall be to:
4. a. Assume the duties of the Associate Chair if that office falls vacant.
5. Serve as representative of Executive Committee at Standing Committee meetings, as assigned by the Chair.
6. Fulfill other duties as assigned by the Chair.

 

4. Secretary. The Secretary shall:
5. a. Keep the minutes of the Executive and Central Committee meetings.
6. Maintain a list of the current Central Committee members and their attendance.
7. Handle correspondence with elected officials.
8. Make provisions for retaining records for reference and historical purposes in a way that is accessible to current and future members of the County Party.
9. Fulfill other duties as assigned by the Chair.

 

5. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall receive, keep and disperse the funds of the County Party, as directed by the Central Committee, and shall serve on the Executive Committee. The treasurer assumes the fiduciary responsibility of prudent handling of County party funds and must ensure that these monies are not commingled with other accounts.

 

Section F. Removals and Replacements

If any officer of the County Party fails to attend to the duties of office as defined in Section D, notice of impending dismissal will be given in writing to the person in question no less than fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the vote. That person’s position may then be declared vacant by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Central Committee members present and voting. In the event that an office of the County Party shall fall vacant, notice shall be given to the Central Committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting. On the meeting the month after the vacancy is announced, the Central Committee shall then accept nominations and elect a replacement to serve the remainder of the term of office. A majority vote is necessary to be elected as an officer of the County Party.

 

Article IV: LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT TEAMS

 

In order to progress towards a precinct-based organization, the Lancaster County Democratic Party shall be divided into Legislative District Teams (LD Teams) for each Legislative District. Each LD Team shall be responsible for coordinating County Democratic Party activities within a Legislative District as permanent party subdivisions of the County Party. Each LD Team Leader shall, with the assistance and advice of the Executive Committee, establish a precinct organization to identify volunteers for electioneering activities.

 

Section A. Members

Each LD Team shall consist of an elected Legislative District Team Leader, all members of the Central Committee who live in that Legislative District, and any appointed precinct leaders in that Legislative District.

 

Section B. Authority

All activities of an LD Team are subject to the direction and review of the Central Committee. The Central Committee may overrule any action of the LD Team by a majority vote. All fundraising activities and expenditures by an LD Team must be approved in advance by either the Executive Committee or the Central Committee. All funds raised and spent by an LD Team shall be deposited and disbursed through the County Party.

 

Section C. Election

Each Legislative District Team Leader shall be elected by his or her respective Legislative District Caucus at the County Convention. The term shall begin immediately and shall continue until the next Convention or until the Team Leader’s death, resignation, or removal.

 

Section D. Duties and Responsibilities

1. Legislative District Team Leader. The Legislative District Team Leader, in addition to any powers and responsibilities that may be specified elsewhere, shall:
2. Coordinate the activities of the LD Team and all of its members.
3. Recruit and appoint precinct leaders to conduct Party activities at the precinct level.
4. Set the time and place of LD Team meetings.
5. Preside at any LD Team meetings.
6. Be a member of the Central Committee and report on the activities of the LD Team to the Central Committee.
7. Represent the LD Team as a voting member of the Executive Committee.

 

2. LD Team meetings shall be scheduled as needed.  Meetings may be called by the County Chair, the Legislative District Team Leader, or by petition of any three members of the Central Committee who are members of that LD Team. Members of the LD Team must be notified no less than three days prior to such a meeting and must be provided with an agenda.

 

Section E. Removals and Replacements

If a Legislative District Team Leader has two unexcused absences from regular Executive Committee or Central Committee meetings notice of impending dismissal will be given in writing to the person no less than fourteen days prior to a vote on that person’s removal. That position may then be declared vacant by a two-thirds vote of the Central Committee.

 

In the event of a vacancy the County Chair and any member of the Central Committee from that LD may nominate a new LD Team Leader who resides in the legislative district. Such nomination must be approved by a majority vote of the Central Committee.

ARTICLE V: SUB-COMMITTEES

 

Committee chairs shall serve as nonvoting members of the Executive Committee and shall attend all Executive Committee meetings.

 

Section A. Special Committees

1. Audit Committee

The Audit Committee shall consist of three members appointed by the Executive Committee to examine the books no less than once a year and whenever there is a transfer of records. The committee shall report its findings annually at the regularly scheduled Central Committee meeting in September, and at the first Central Committee meeting subsequent to completion of an audit following a transfer of records.

 

2. Disciplinary Committee

This committee shall be composed of the County Chair, Associate Chair, 2nd Associate Chair and the LD Team Leaders. If a member of the Disciplinary Committee is under review he/she shall not participate on the Disciplinary Committee.

 

The purpose of the Disciplinary Committee is twofold:

1) To review those rare circumstances where the County Party may be required to disavow a candidate running as a Democrat in a primary election or in a non-partisan race in the general election.

 

2) To provide a mechanism to discipline County Party Officers and Central Committee members whose actions undermine the election of Democrats or other actions that undermine the County Party.

 

Any Central Committee member may request that the Disciplinary Committee be convened. Upon the request, a majority vote of the Central Committee or the Executive Committee shall convene the Disciplinary Committee to review the person.

 

The Disciplinary Committee shall therefore have the authority to recommend censure or removal of Party Leaders, County Officers and Central Committee members who publicly endorse candidates who are not registered Democrats and who are running against a candidate who is a registered Democrat. The Committee shall also have the power to recommend disavowal of candidates running in a primary election or in a non-partisan race.

 

All recommendations made by the Disciplinary Committee shall be presented at a Central Committee meeting. Approval of any recommendations for disavowal, censure, or removal shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all members present and voting.

 

Section B. Standing Committees

The Chair of each Standing Committee shall be appointed by the County Chair. All members of the Central Committee should serve on at least one standing committee. Each Standing Committee shall issue a report of its activities at each Central Committee meeting.

 

1. Public Relations Committee

The Public Relations Committee may publish the Lancaster County Democrat, produce the cable television show, and maintain a social media presence on behalf of the County Party organization.

 

2. Membership Committee

The Membership Committee is responsible for maintaining and developing membership for the County Party organization. The Membership Committee shall host at least one social event per quarter and coordinate party outreach at community events. The Membership Committee shall distribute a packet of information for all members of the Central Committee.

 

3. Fundraising Committee

The Fundraising Committee is responsible for generating revenue for the County Party organization. The Fundraising Committee shall host at least one fundraiser per quarter, including the annual Patriots’ Dinner. The Fundraising Committee shall also be in charge of recruiting sustaining donors to the Party.

 

4. Issues Committee

The Issues Committee is responsible for reviewing, researching, and vetting specific political positions and making recommendations to the Central Committee. The Issues Committee may also hold fora on relevant political issues in Lancaster County.

 

5. Candidate and Elected Officials Committee

The Candidate and Elected Officials Committee shall recruit candidates for office in Lancaster County. The Committee shall conduct events and coordinate services and resources for candidates, elected officials, and potential candidates for public office in Lancaster County.

 

6. Technology Committee

The Technology Committee shall maintain and evaluate the technological needs of the County Party. The committee shall maintain the county party’s operation of its electronic presence, voter file management, and provide related technical training as necessary.

 

Section C. Ad Hoc Committees

Additional committees may be established for a specific purpose and a defined period of time by appointment of the County Chair, County Convention, or Central Committee.

 

 

ARTICLE VI: ENDORSEMENT OF CANDIDATES

 

The primary purpose of the County Party is to elect Democrats to partisan and non-partisan offices in Lancaster County. The County Party will provide support in appropriate forms to Democrats running for office.

 

If a candidate has been disavowed by the County Party, under Article V, Section A, 2., he/she will not receive any support from the County Party.

 

The County Party believes that Party Leaders, County Party Officers and Central Committee members should support the election of candidates who are registered Democrats.

 

All Democratic candidates running for office should expect evenhanded treatment from the County Party Organization. All County Party Officers shall maintain strict neutrality in Primary and General Elections where two or more Democrats are vying for the same office unless one of the candidates is an incumbent or one of the candidates has been disavowed by the County Party.

 

The County Party may withhold endorsement of a candidate in a contested primary race by a 2/3^rd majority vote of the Central Committee if the candidate does not meet with party officials as requested or is deemed not a credible candidate as evidenced by lack of fundraising or organized campaign.

 

The County Party will solely endorse any Democratic elected official running for reelection unless the challenger or his/her designee appears before the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may vote to recommend to remain neutral after an opportunity to hear from the challenger and the elected official. A recommendation to remain neutral must be brought forth before for debate in an executive session of the Central Committee. The Central Committee will debate the motion in executive session with the vote on the motion taken in open session. This section does not apply to any race where the incumbent has been disavowed by the Central Committee.

 

Candidates for public office who have no prior relationship with the County Party may be required to appear, either personally or by representative, before the Executive Committee or the Central Committee. If the candidate fails to meet with the County Party, then the candidate can by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Central Committee be disavowed without convening the Disciplinary Committee.

 

ARTICLE VII: OFFICIAL ACTS

 

Business transacted at the County Convention in accordance with the official rules then in force shall be the official acts of the Lancaster County Democratic Party. Beyond the acts of the County Convention, only the Central Committee of the County Party shall have the authority to determine official acts and positions of the County Party. At no time shall any other individual or body, no matter how constituted, be authorized to represent, or to hold itself to represent, the Lancaster County Democratic Party.

 

ARTICLE VIII: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

 

All questions of parliamentary procedure shall be determined in accordance with the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, except as may be provided by these Bylaws, or by resolution of the Central Committee or County Convention.

ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS

 

These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the delegates present and voting at the County Convention, with a quorum established, or by the Central Committee on matters pertaining to its own governance, as provided by these Bylaws. Proposed amendments shall follow the election of Convention officers and officials, and the adoption of Convention rules. Once approved, the adoption of amendments shall be effective immediately.

 

ARTICLE X: DISSOLUTION

 

The County Party may be dissolved according to the laws of the State of Nebraska. In the event of dissolution, an audit shall take place, after which all remaining moneys, items, and equipment shall pass to the Nebraska Democratic Party.