BYLAWS AND CONVENTION RULES FOR THE LIBERAL PARTY USA. AS ADOPTED 06/05/2024

ARTICLE 1: NAME

These articles shall govern the national association known as the "Liberal Party USA," hereinafter referred to as the "PARTY."

ARTICLE 2: PURPOSE

Section 1: National Convention

The Liberal Party National Convention is the highest authority and the primary function of the Party. The National Convention shall be responsible for:

  1. The nomination of the President and Vice President of the United States by the Nomination Delegates.
  2. The selection of the Chair, Secretary, Treasurer.
  3. Promoting policies, candidates, and thought leaders to membership, attendees, and the public at-large.

Section 2: Supporting State Affiliates

The Party shall endeavor to provide as much support to the state affiliates as possible.

Section 3: Fundraising

The Party Central Committee shall primarily be a fundraising and budgeting committee. The Party shall fundraise to support affiliates and candidates as a major function and the primary function of the Central Committee.

ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: State Parties

Recognized state party affiliates in good standing shall be the sole membership of the Party. Each state party shall, at their state convention, shall elect a National Central Committee Member who shall serve for a term of their determination of the state party on the National Central Committee.

Section 2: Membership in Good Standing

State parties in good standing 30 (thirty) days prior to the National Convention shall be eligible to elect a voting member of the National Central Committee for the following year. State parties who are not in good standing shall be considered provisional members and ineligible to vote on National Central Committee business. Good Standing shall require the following;

  1. Bylaws and platform that are consistent with those of the National Liberal Party as determined by the Executive Council;
  2. Adoption of a National Nominating Delegate binding selection process that is consistent with these bylaws,
  3. State Parties have raised the minimum annual membership dues and submitted them to the party Treasurer no later than 30 (thirty) days before the national convention; and,
  4. The State Party has not been subject to disaffiliation.

Section 3: Returning to Good Standing

Any state party who loses their "Good Standing" status may return to "Good Standing" at the next national convention by fulfilling the requirements in Article 3 Section 2, or at any time between conventions by:

  1. Reconciling any deviations from bylaws or platform that prompted loss of good standing; and,
  2. Paying annual dues in full plus an additional 10% (ten) of the membership dues as an interim good standing fee.

Section 3: Becoming a Recognized State Party

To be recognized as a state affiliate, a group of 3 (three) or more people residing in the applicant state shall do as follows:

  1. Form the proper political party entity and incorporate in compliance with their state laws;
  2. Be and remain in compliance with all state and federal laws related to their state political party,
  3. Submit their bylaws and platform to the Executive Council for certification;
  4. Submit the certified bylaws and platform to the Party Secretary to be added to the next Central Committee Meeting;
  5. Receive a majority vote from the Central Committee recognizing their state affiliate as a member of the Party contingent on signing the execution of an affiliate agreement provided by the Central Committee,
  6. Sign a notarized copy of the affiliate agreement to be returned to the party Secretary; or,
  7. Other procedures or special alternatives based on circumstances specific to a state and previously approved by a majority vote of the Central Committee.

Section 4: Membership Dues

Membership dues shall be set by the Central Committee no later than December 1 of each year.

ARTICLE 4: NATIONAL CENTRAL COMMITTEE

Section 1: Purpose

The National Central Committee is the legislative, fundraising, and budgetary body of the Liberal Party. The primary purpose of the Central Committee shall be fundraising. Each Central Committee Member shall be responsible for overseeing the fundraising of their states national dues, and additional fundraising for both the national and state affiliates even after the annual dues have been met.

Section 2: Committee Membership

Each eligible state receives one voting member of the Central Committee. That member shall be elected at each state's convention for a term determined by that state. Once elected, the name of that Committee Member shall be submitted to the Central Committee to be ratified as a member by a simple majority vote. If, for whatever reason, the Central Committee declines to ratify membership, the state affiliate may submit another name for consideration in accordance with their bylaw procedure. Central Committee Members may also serve as members of the Executive Council.

Section 3: Other Duties and Authority

  1. Set an annual budget no later than December 31 of the previous year.
  2. Ratify any platform or bylaws changes that originate from the two approved methods for such changes.
  3. Appoint the Board of Directors of the organization in accordance with these bylaws.
  4. Remove members of the Central Committee with two thirds vote.
  5. Recommend to the Executive Council the disaffiliation of State Affiliates with a simple majority vote.
  6. Appoint a three-member committee from among its members who will approve hiring and termination of employees and contractors. This Committee shall serve as a search committee for candidates for any open position. They shall interview candidates and submit no more than 3 (three) names to the chair for final determination on hiring.
  7. Form committees as needed to accomplish specific goals for the advancement and operation of the Party.
  8. Ratify the chairs recommended appointments to a Convention Committee for the planning and execution of the annual convention.
  9. Approve the proposed agenda of the annual convention no later than 90 (ninety) days prior to the convention. Amendments to the convention agenda may be ratified up to 30 days prior to the national convention.
  10. Manage the day-to-day operations of the party by maintaining and curating a Policy Manual that will serve as the operations manual of the party. The Policy Manual may be amended by a majority vote of the Central Committee.
  11. 1/4 (one fourth) of the committee may call a special regular Central Committee Meeting with 3 (three) days notice to state chairs and Central Committee Members, 1/3 (one third) of the committee may call an emergency meeting that may take place with 12 (twelve) hours notice to Central Committee Members.
  12. Call the dates and locations of the National Conventions. The party shall determine the date and location of National Conventions at least three years in advance of that convention, unless this rule is suspended by a 3/4 (three-fourths) vote of the Central Committee.
  13. Shall establish a committee of themselves to interview and recommend prospective Presidential Candidates to the Executive Council.
  14. The Committee shall pass an annual budget in the fourth quarter of the calendar year, and shall pass an annual Strategic Plan that will give guidance to staff on the vision of the party.

Section 4: Meetings

  1. Each session of the Central Committee shall last for two years, with the first meeting taking place at the National Convention. The first meeting shall be the meeting that selects the Board of Directors for that session.
  2. The Central Committee shall have a meeting at least once a quarter with the budget ratification happening at the fourth quarter meeting. Additional meetings may be called as needed and in accordance with these bylaws.
  3. At least one meeting a year shall be in person unless 2/3 (two-thirds) of the committee votes to suspend this rule. All other meetings may be hosted virtually.

ARTICLE 5: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1: Purpose

The Board of Directors is a subcommittee of the Central Committee, serves at the pleasure of the Central Committee, and primarily functions for various statutory and campaign finance requirements. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for the day-to-day operation and regular business of the party as determined by the policy manual.

Section 2: Membership

The Board of Directors shall be selected for a two-year term. To be a member of the Board of Directors, the appointee must be a member of the Central Committee. The members of the Board of Directors are:

  1. Chair: The Chair shall serve as the spokesperson of the Liberal Party and shall be the responsible party for any forms or contracts that are consistent with the regular business or day-to-day operations of the party and the state affiliates. The tone and message of the chair shall be consistent with the party platform and the general opinion of the Central Committee. The Chair shall preside over Central Committee Meetings and the National Convention OR appoint a convention chair to be ratified by the Central Committee. If the Chair is not available to chair a meeting, the Central Committee may appoint an interim chair to preside during that meeting. The Chair can be recalled by the Central Committee for any reason by a simple majority vote of the Central Committee.
  2. Secretary: The Secretary shall be responsible for producing agendas, taking minutes, and maintaining party records. The Secretary shall fill any statutory authority required to support state and national affiliates. The Secretary can be recalled by the Central Committee for any reason by a simple majority vote of the Central Committee.
  3. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall provide monthly reports to the Central Committee regarding the finances of the organization. Reports must be compliant with General Accepted Accounting Principles. The Treasurer shall make sure that campaign finance laws are being adhered to. The treasurer may oversee the production of a treasurer report by contract or external staff. The Treasurer can be recalled by the Central Committee for any reason by a simple majority vote of the Central Committee.

Section 3: Selection by Sortition

  1. The Central Committee may, with a majority vote, suspend this process and retain the existing board of directors.
  2. Each member of the Central Committee that wishes to be considered for the Board of Directors positions shall put their name into consideration by notifying the Secretary at least 12 (twelve) hours before the convening of the first meeting of the upcoming Central Committee session.
  3. The first official act of the first Central Committee meeting of the session shall be the ratification of the names of those interested in joining the board of directors.
  4. The Chair shall read the list of names to the Central Committee and ask for objection; any single member of the Central Committee may object to a name in consideration.
  5. Those names that receive an objection shall be considered individually and disqualified by a majority vote of the Central Committee.
  6. Once all objections have been resolved, the chair shall place all ratified names into a preapproved vessel and draw three names at random.
  7. Those three individuals shall present their qualifications to the Central Committee for consideration.
  8. Each Central Committee member shall receive a ballot with each position, the committee member shall write the name of the candidate and the position they wish to see the candidate fill on the ballot.
  9. A tie shall be considered by a method of chance. The Chair position shall be filled first, then Secretary, then Treasurer.

ARTICLE 6: EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Section 1: Purpose

The Executive Council is the committee designated to protect the ideological integrity of the party, resolve disputes between member states and the national affiliate, protect the organization from hostile takeover, and to provide checks and balances on the Central Committee and the various state parties.

Section 2: Membership

The Executive Council is a 7 (seven) member committee. Membership on the Executive Council is a lifetime appointment. Upon vacancy of a seat on the Executive Council, for whatever reason, the members of the Executive Council shall replace that member with the person of their choice by a majority vote. If a quorum of the executive council is impossible due to excessive vacancy, the Central Committee shall appoint only so many members necessary as to achieve a quorum by a ¾ (three-fourths) vote of the Central Committee.

Section 3: Duties and Authority

  1. To certify the bylaws and platform of prospective state affiliate members.
  2. To ratify bylaw and platform amendments that originate with the state parties and are ratified by the Central Committee.
  3. To resolve disputes between affiliates, the Board of Directors, or Convention proceedings.
  4. To disaffiliate members with a 2/3 (two-thirds) vote.
  5. To periodically review bylaws and platforms of the membership to ensure that they are in good standing with the party.
  6. To review and certify prospective candidates for President of the United States. Only certified candidates may be nominated at the national convention.

ARTICLE 7: STAFF POSITIONS

Section 1: Establishing Positions

The Party shall have three mandatory staff positions that shall be empowered to execute the will of the Central Committee on a day-to-day basis, expend monies within the Central Committee's approved annual budget, and ensure that the organization operates efficiently and effectively. These positions may be hired from a pool of applicants to be hired as contractors or employees, or appointed as volunteers. The prospective staffers shall be interviewed and recommended to the chair by the Human Resources Committee and ratified by a majority vote of the Central Committee.

Section 2: Positions and Description

  1. Executive Director: The Executive Director shall be responsible for executing contracts, approving expenditures, acting as spokesperson for the party, assist the Chair and Treasurer in compiling an annual budget, and executing any regular business necessary to keep the organizations in compliance and order.
  2. Operations Director: The Operations Director shall be responsible for maintaining accounts and making expenditures approved by the Executive Director, ensuring compliance with all applicable authority, maintaining all records and documents, assisting the Chair and Treasurer in compiling an annual budget, and making regular budget reports to the Treasurer.
  3. Political Director: The Political Director shall be the primary strategist for all political, communications and outreach related activity. The Political Director shall also monitor and work towards universal ballot access through signature gathering drives, campaigns, lobbying, and lawsuits.

Section 3: Establishment of Human Resources Committee

The Central Committee Shall establish and populate a Human Resources Committee responsible for the search and interviewing of all staff related positions. The Committee shall present no more than three applicants to the chair for final selection and presentation to the Central Committee for ratification. The Human Resources Committee shall also be responsible for maintaining a healthy and acceptable work environment.

ARTICLE 8: PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION PROCEDURE

Section 1: National Nominating Delegates

National Nominating Delegates are the electors charged with nominating the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates at the National Convention. These delegates are only empowered to nominate the candidates for President and Vice President and are bound to vote for their candidates until such a time that their candidate is eliminated or withdraws during a multiple round selection process at convention, at which point they are free to vote for whichever candidate they choose. The number of delegates from each state shall be set by the Central Committee at the first Central Committee meeting of a midterm election year and shall not be amended, and shall be published in the Convention Procedure Manual.

Section 2: Convention Procedure Manual

The Central Committee shall be responsible for maintaining a Convention Procedure Manual that may be amended until 30 days prior to the first state nominating contest. This manual shall:

  1. List the eligible candidates for President and set the deadline for candidate certification.
  2. Specify special rules and guidelines for the convention.
  3. The names and contact information for the Convention Committee

Section 3: Selection of National Nominating Delegates

  1. States shall host one of the following binding nominating contests on a previously noticed date and time:
    1. State or Party sponsored primary on official ballot
    2. Neighborhood caucuses with at least one designated caucus location in every county or geographic area in the state. These caucuses shall ensure that participants are registered members of the party or meet some other membership criteria.
    3. Binding straw-poll with at least one polling location in every county in the state.
    4. Other procedures or special alternatives based on circumstances specific to a state and previously approved by a majority vote of the Central Committee.
  2. A number of delegates and alternates shall be assigned to a candidate based on their vote percentage in the binding contest in this section.
  3. At the state convention, state party members may run to fill the delegate seats in breakout sessions for each eligible candidate.

ARTICLE 9: AMENDING BYLAWS AND PLATFORM

There shall be two methods for amending the bylaws and amending the platform.

Section 1: Amending by State Method

  1. A member state may, by a petition of a majority of their state delegates to the immediately previous state convention, propose a bylaws or platform amendment to the Central Committee.
  2. The Central Committee may, by a 2/3 (two thirds) vote, send the bylaws amendment to the Executive Council for ratification by a majority vote of that body.
  3. If 3/4 (three fourths) of the Central Committee votes to approve the bylaws amendment, the Executive Council shall only refuse to ratify with a 2/3 (two thirds) vote.

Section 2: Amending by Executive Method

  1. The Executive Council may send proposed bylaws amendments to the Central Committee to be passed by a 2/3 (two thirds) vote of the Central Committee.

ARTICLE 10: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

All committees and the convention shall use the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order as of 6 (six) months prior to the convening of the national convention. These procedures are to be used as a guide and all decisions made under Roberts Rules may be overruled by a majority vote of the Executive Council or 2/3 (two thirds) vote of any committee.