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Constitution Party of North Carolina 2008 By-Laws (By-Laws)
RULES AND BYLAWS of the
Constitution Party of North Carolina
~ North Carolina Affiliate of the national Constitution Party ~
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this organization will be the “Constitution Party of North Carolina,” hereinafter referred to as
the “Party.” For purposes of acting as a state Party committee under Federal Election Laws, the rules
and regulations of the Federal Election Commission, and the Campaign Finance Laws of the State of
North Carolina the committee will be known as the “Constitution Party of North Carolina State Executive
Committee.”
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
The purpose of the Party is to develop an informed, energetic, and effective statewide political
organization in order to support the principles, goals, and platform of this Party as adopted by its
Convention and of the National Convention of the Constitution Party and to secure the election of all duly
nominated candidates thereof.
ARTICLE III – POLICY
All applicable provisions of the North Carolina Election Code will be part of these bylaws.
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP
The Party is an individual membership organization open to all legal residents of North Carolina.
SECTION 1: Establishing Membership
A. There are two ways to be a Member of the Party:
1. Maintain current membership dues with the Constitution Party National Committee (members
choosing this route will be required to transfer membership to the State Party in accordance with
Article V Section 5 of these bylaws), or;
2. Maintain current membership dues (or waiver) with the Constitution Party of North Carolina and
maintain compliance with the respective membership levels of Full, Associate or Friend of the
Party as prescribed in Article IV Sections 2, 3 & 4 of these bylaws.
B. To acquire membership in the Party, all members must submit the appropriate Membership
Registration Form and accompanying Membership Pledge or Affirmation as prescribed in Article IV
Section 2(A)(7), Section 3(A)(7) and Section 4(A)(7).
SECTION 2: Full Member
A. Requirements
1. Legal resident of the state of North Carolina.
2. 18 years of age or older.
3. Registered voter.
4. Current in Party Dues or Waiver as permitted in Article V of these bylaws.
5. Subscribe to all Essential Core Values of the Party as prescribed in the Constitution Party of
North Carolina Platform.
6. Acknowledge and abide by Article I Sections 3, 4 & 5 of the North Carolina State Constitution.
7. File the Membership Registration Form along with the Full Membership Pledge form to
determine membership status in the Party.
B. Privileges
1. Hold any office in the Party.
2. Serve on any Party Board or Committee.
3. Be a delegate at all conventions of the National, State or Regional Conventions.
4. Vote in any and all Party business except those specific to a Party Board or Committee.
5. Hold events for the Party.
6. Officially represent the Party.
7. Speak at Party functions or meetings.
8. Attend meetings permitting only Full Members.
9. Propose amendments and/or bylaw changes.
10. Call for procedural challenges.
11. Sponsoring Associate Members at Full Member only events.
12. Any other member privilege hereafter granted by the appropriate committees.
SECTION 3: Associate Member
A. Requirements
1. Legal resident of the state of North Carolina.
2. 18 years of age or older.
3. Registered voter.
4. Current in Party Dues or Waiver as permitted in Article V of these bylaws.
5. Subscribes to at least three fourths (3/4) of the Essential Core Values of the Party as
prescribed in the Constitution Party of North Carolina Platform.
6. Acknowledge and abide by Article I Sections 3, 4 & 5 of the North Carolina State Constitution.
7. File the Membership Registration Form along with the Associate Membership Pledge form to
determine membership status in the Party.
B. Privileges
1. Be a member of any Party Committee not listed in Article IV Section 3(C).
2. Attend meetings where Full Membership in the Party is not a requirement.
3. Attend Full Member Meetings only when the following requirements are met:
a.) A Full Member in good standing must sponsor the Associate Member.
b.) The Associate Member must have been granted prior approval by the Chairman or
Committee.
4. May address a gathering of the Party subject to committee or chair approval at whose meeting
or gathering the associate wishes to speak.
5. May attend any Party Board meeting unless said meeting is declared closed or is declared for
Full Members only.
6. May be a delegate at any Party State or Regional Conventions with the sponsorship of a Full
Member in good standing, and with the approval of their respective Regional Executive
Committee or their delegate (if applicable). If no Regional Executive Committee exists, approval
may be attained through the State Executive Committee or their delegate.
C. Privileges Denied
1. Membership on any of the following Party Committees:
a.) Platform Committee
b.) Bylaws Committee
c.) Finance Committee
d.) Membership Committee
e.) Any committee in which the State Executive Committee forms with the prerequisite that
only Full Members may participate.
2. Hold any Party office.
3. Vote on any Party policy issue.
4. Be a delegate without the sponsorship and direct oversight of a Full Member in good standing
and the approval of their respective Regional Executive Committee. (Refer to Article IV Section
3(B)(6))
5. Officially represent the Party at functions/meetings without prior approval by either the
members Regional Executive Committee or the State Executive Committee.
6. Make challenges to any Party policy; a Full Member in good standing may request that the
Associate Member be allowed to speak to the committee in order to make their challenge to Party
policy. It is the duty of the Committee to hear the challenge. The Committee may choose, after
hearing the challenge, to either:
a.) Grant
b.) Deny
SECTION 4: Friend of the Party Member
A. Friend of the Party status is designed for any individual who (1) donates financial contributions,
resources or time and efforts (2) does not wish to become a Full or Associate Member or, (3) they
may not meet the requirements to become a Full or Associate Member.
B. Requirements
1. Current in Party Dues or Waiver as permitted in Article V of these bylaws.
2. May not agree with all or any of the Essential Core Values of the Party as prescribed in the
Constitution Party of North Carolina Platform.
3. Acknowledge and abide by Article I Sections 3, 4 & 5 of the North Carolina State Constitution.
4. File the Membership Registration Form along with the Friend of the Party Membership
Affirmation form.
C. Privileges:
1. No privilege which Full or Associate Members are entitled to are granted to Friend of the Party
members.
2. No Friend of the Party may be allowed to represent the Party in any official capacity.
SECTION 5: Membership Pledge
A. The Membership Pledge is for individuals wanting Full Membership status in the Constitution Party
of North Carolina, and the text of the pledge will read:
As a Full Member of the Constitution Party of North Carolina I acknowledge that I understand and
agree with the Essential Core Values as outlined and defined in the Platform of the Constitution
Party of North Carolina. I also acknowledge and understand that the Party does not require a
religious test for membership, however; it does require that I as a member must acknowledge my
belief in God. I understand that this requirement is consistent with the Preamble and Article VI
Section 8 of the North Carolina State Constitution. I also acknowledge that I understand that the
rights of persons are derived from their Creator as defined under Article I Section 1 of the North
Carolina State Constitution and in The Declaration of Independence. The Constitution Party of
North Carolina also requires that I as a member must acknowledge and understand that I will
pledge not to engage in any activity or belong to any organization that attempts to or promotes
armed rebellion or the illegal overthrow of the legal Federal and/or State Governments as stated
in the North Carolina State Constitution in Article I, Sections 3-5.
B. There is to be a place to sign and date the Full Membership Pledge on the form. The Full
Membership Pledge is to be submitted with the Membership Registration Form where the Full
Member level status is selected.
SECTION 6: Associate Membership Pledge
A. The Associate Membership Pledge is for individuals wanting Associate Membership status in the
Constitution Party of North Carolina, and the text of the pledge will read:
As an Associate member of the Constitution Party of North Carolina I acknowledge that I
understand and agree with at least three-fourths of the Essential Core Values as outlined and
defined in the Platform of the Constitution Party of North Carolina. I also acknowledge and
understand that the Party does not require a religious test for membership, however; it does
require that I as a member must acknowledge my belief in God. I understand that this
requirement is consistent with the Preamble and Article VI Section 8 of the North Carolina State
Constitution. I also acknowledge that I understand that the rights of persons are derived from
their Creator as defined under Article I Section 1 of the North Carolina State Constitution and in
The Declaration of Independence. The Constitution Party of North Carolina also requires that I as
a member must acknowledge and understand that I will pledge not to engage in any activity or
belong to any organization that attempts to or promotes armed rebellion or the illegal overthrow of
the legal Federal and/or State Governments as stated in the North Carolina State Constitution in
Article I, Sections 3-5.
B. There is to be a place to sign and date the Associate Membership Pledge on the form. The
Associate Membership Pledge is to be submitted with the Membership Registration Form where the
Associate Member level status is selected.
SECTION 7: Friend of the Party Affirmation
A. The Membership Affirmation is only individuals wanting Friend of the Party Membership status in
the Constitution Party of North Carolina, and the text of the affirmation will read:
The Constitution Party of North Carolina requires that I, as a Friend of the Party member, must
acknowledge and understand that I will not engage in any activity or belong to any organization
that attempts to or promotes armed rebellion or the illegal overthrow of the legal Federal and/or
State Governments as stated in the North Carolina State Constitution in Article I Sections 3,
Section 4 and Section 5.
B. There is to be a place to sign and date the Membership Affirmation on the form. The Membership
Affirmation is to be submitted with the Membership Registration Form where Friend of the Party
Status is selected.
SECTION 8: Membership Registration Form
The Membership Registration Form along with Pledge or Friend of the Party Affirmation (as appropriate),
once received, are to be submitted to the designated Committee for final approval in accordance with
these bylaws. The Committee will keep the original Form and accompanying Pledge or Affirmation on file
and will provide a photocopy of the Form and accompanying Pledge or Affirmation to the Party’s State
Secretary. Both the designated Committee and State Secretary of the Party will keep these documents
on file for the duration of the member’s annual membership.
ARTICLE V – MEMBER DUES AND CONTRIBUTIONS
SECTION 1: Annual Dues Cost
Membership dues shall be determined at the State Executive Committee meeting or the annual State
Convention.
SECTION 2: Waivers
A member may substitute annual dues, upon approval, for another purchase or contribution (whether
monetary or non-monetary) that will benefit the Party organization. The Party believes that no person
should be denied the chance to participate in the political process due to financial hardship. Fee waivers
will also be made available for individuals on a case by case basis who are active participants in the Party
and are unable to pay due to severe economic hardships.
SECTION 3: Waiver Request Procedure
Members seeking a waiver must submit a written waiver request on a yearly basis. All request will be
submitted to the designated Committee who will then make a recommendation to the State Treasurer and
State Chairman. For reasons of financial hardship the designated Committee and State Executive
Committee will keep all information about the request confidential.
SECTION 4: Late Dues
Members who have failed to pay their annual dues to the Party for more than one month after the day that
the member’s dues have expired will immediately be dropped from the membership list. If any member
who holds a Party Office is dropped from the membership list for not paying annual dues, the member will
be suspended from holding office until annual dues or a waiver is obtained from the member. No
individual who is dropped from the membership list for not paying dues will be eligible to vote in any Party
business until annual dues or a waiver is obtained from the member.
SECTION 5: Transfer of Dues from National to State Party Organization
Members who have paid annual dues for the year to the National Constitution Party may transfer their
membership to the Constitution Party of North Carolina in good standing for the remainder of that year
from which time that their dues were paid to the National Party. Upon the expiration of that year the
member shall be notified by the State Party when their annual dues need to be renewed with the State
Party.
Any member who has transferred annual dues from the National Party to the Constitution Party of North
Carolina must file the appropriate Membership Registration Form and accompanying Pledge or Friend of
the Party Affirmation for the membership level to be approved by the designated Committee.
SECTION 6: Contributions-Dues Not Tax Deductible
In compliance with Federal and North Carolina State Law, all monetary (including membership dues) and
non-monetary donations (where a monetary value is applicable), are considered contributions to the
Party. Contributions to the Party are not tax deductible.
ARTICLE VI – SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION OF A MEMBER
The Party respects the right of individual members to disagree with each other. It is vital to the growth
and strength of the Party that members not be suspended or expelled merely over personal conflicts,
antagonisms, or differences of opinion. However a procedure for dealing with members who cause
serious trouble or danger to others or to the Party itself is a necessity. The procedures for Expulsion or
Suspension of any member will be defined by the appropriate Committee.
ARTICLE VII – APPEALS PROCESS
The appeals process will be defined by the appropriate committee.
ARTICLE VIII – ESSENTIAL CORE VALUES
A. The Essential Core Values of the Party are to be placed in the Constitution Party of North
Carolina Platform under “Essential Core Values.”
B. Any motion by a full member at the State Convention to change the meaning of or eliminate any of
the listed Essential Core Values will act as prima fascia evidence that the member does not agree
with the Party’s Essential Core Values, at which point a challenge to the member’s Full Membership
status may be made by any Full Member present. The Chairman must immediately revoke the
member’s Full Member status to an Associate Member of the Party. When a Full Member is reduced
to an Associate Member due to a proposed change to the Party’s Essential Core Values, the
previous motion to change the Essential Core Values will be considered invalid and withdrawn.
C. The Essential Core Values cannot be altered or eliminated. New Essential Core Values may be
added as long as the new Essential Core Value is not in conflict with any of the existing Essential
Core Values. A new Essential Core Value proposal may be adopted at the State Convention by a
unanimous vote of the delegates with Full Member status and the members of the State Executive
Committee and only after the proposal to add said Essential Core Value is made clear to all
members no later than two weeks prior to the State Convention. No more than one new Essential
Core Value can be proposed per State Convention. Article VIII(C) is not subject to any procedural
change laid out within these bylaws.
ARTICLE IX – OATH OF OFFICE
SECTION 1: Oath of Office
Any member which holds a leadership role in the Party must take the Constitution Party of North Carolina
Oath of Office. This includes all State Executive Committee, Regional Executive Committee, District,
County and Precinct Officers and/or Leaders, whether elected or appointed. The Oath of Office must be
administered by the designee of the State Executive Committee.
SECTION 2: Oath of Office Form
A. The Oath of Office reads as follows:
“I, __________________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) to faithfully carry out the duties
and obligations of the office of ___________________________ of the Constitution Party of
North Carolina to the best of my abilities and to honorably resign from said office whenever I am
unable or unwilling to faithfully carry out those duties and obligations of said office, or whenever I
no longer agree with the Essential Core Values of the Constitution Party of North Carolina. I
hereby acknowledge my belief in God and that the rights of persons are derived from Him alone;
so help me, God.”
B. Below the Oath there must be two blanks, one for Signature and one for Date.
C. At the bottom of the Oath of Office Form, information must be provided as to who administered the
Oath of Office, Date, Time and City. Two witnesses must also sign to attest that the said officer has
properly taken in their presence the Oath of Office. The above information will be provided on the
form as follows:
“Sworn to and signed before me, _____________________________.
Position: ____________________________
Signature: _____________________________
Being duly authorized to administer said oath by the Constitution Party of North Carolina on this
____ day of ______________ in the year of our Lord _________ at ________ o’clock ____ in the
city/town of ____________________, North Carolina.”
D. The Oath of Office Form will be kept on file, for the duration that the member holds the office for
that election cycle, with the State Secretary and a photocopy will be kept by the Regional Executive
Committee of which region the Officer/Leader resides (if applicable).
ARTICLE X – STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SECTION 1: Membership
The membership of the State Executive Committee will be composed of a State Chairman, State Vice
Chairman, State Secretary, State Treasurer, the Chairman of each of the Regions of the state (if
organized), and at least one, but not to exceed three, at-large members. All members of the State
Executive Committee will be Full Members of the Constitution Party of North Carolina with current
membership dues or a waiver. The number of at-large members to the State Executive Committee will be
determined prior to each State Convention by the designated committee.
SECTION 2: Election and Terms
A. The State Chairman, State Treasurer, and at least one at-large member (if applicable) will each be
elected by the State Convention for a term of 2 years.
B. The State Vice-Chairman, State Secretary and at least one at-large member (if applicable) will
each be elected for a term of one year from the date of the 2008 State Convention, and a term of two
years thereafter in staggered years.
C. National Committee Member will be appointed by the State Executive Committee.
D. The Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary of each Regional Executive Committee will be
elected in accordance with the rules and bylaws of their respective organizations with the approval of
the State Executive Committee or its designated Committee. The Regional Executive Committee of
each Region must submit its rules, bylaws and procedure for elections to the State Executive
Committee for approval. The designated committee will determine the time frame in which the
Region’s procedure for elections must be submitted.
E. The Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary of each organized County Executive Committee will
be elected in accordance with the rules and bylaws of their respective organizations with the approval
of their respective Regional Executive Committee or its designated Committee. The County
Executive Committee of each County must submit its rules, bylaws and procedure for elections to
their respective Regional Executive Committee for approval. The designated committee will
determine the time frame in which the County’s procedure for elections must be submitted.
SECTION 3: Vacancies
A. A vacancy in the office of State Chairman will be filled by the Vice Chairman who will serve the
remaining unexpired term of the vacating State Chairman. In the event that more than one office of
the State Executive Committee becomes vacant at the same time the next officer in the line of
succession will become the acting State Chairman. The acting State Chairman will appoint new
officers to the State Executive Committee as prescribed in Article X Section 3(B) of these bylaws.
B. A vacancy in the office of any member of the State Executive Committee will be filled by
appointment of the State Chairman, subject to confirmation by the State Executive Committee. The
nominee will serve the remaining unexpired term of the vacating State Executive Committee member.
C. Line of Succession:
1. State Chairman
2. State Vice-Chairman
3. State Secretary
4. State Treasurer
5. At-Large Elected with Chairman
6. At-Large Elected with Vice-Chairman (If Applicable)
7. At-Large (If Applicable)
SECTION 4: Duties
A. State Executive Committee
1. The State Executive Committee will formulate and provide for the execution of such policies,
plans, and measures as it may deem conducive to the best interest of the Party, and in conformity
with the state Party Bylaws.
2. It will call all regular and special State Conventions and make arrangement therefore, including
the basis of representation, the time and place.
3. Amend bylaws in accordance with Article XIX(B).
4. It will form all State Committees and appoint or approve the members thereof.
B. State Chairman
1. The State Chairman will be the chief executive officer of the Party and Chairman of the State
Executive Committee.
2. The State Chairman, or designee, will issue the call and preside at all meetings of the Party.
3. The State Chairman will observe and enforce the rules and Bylaws of the Party.
4. The State Chairman will appoint necessary staff members and all standing and special
committees.
5. The State Chairman will be ex officio a member of all committees.
6. The State Chairman will act as necessary to promote the functions of the Party.
C. State Vice Chairman
1. The State Vice Chairman will become the State Chairman in the event of a vacancy in that
office.
2. The State Vice Chairman will perform other duties the State Chairman may prescribe.
D. State Secretary
1. The State Secretary will be the chief clerical officer of the Party.
2. The State Secretary will record all proceedings of the State Executive Committee and the State
Convention, which will be the property of the Committee.
3. The State Secretary will perform other duties the State Chairman may prescribe.
E. State Treasurer
1. The State Treasurer will keep the financial records of the Party.
2. The State Treasurer will be responsible for fulfilling federal, state, and local financial disclosure
requirements, if applicable.
3. The State Treasurer will, at the direction of the State Chairman, issue all checks in payment of
Party obligations.
SECTION 5: State Executive Committee Meetings
A. The State Executive Committee will hold three regularly scheduled meetings each year in addition
to the annual State Convention. The State Chairman will call the meetings by written notice which
must be mailed to all State Executive Committee members and postmarked no less than fourteen
days prior to the meeting. The call for the meeting must include an agenda and any amendments to
the Bylaws that will be considered during the meeting. The fourteen-day pre-notification requirement
for a State Executive Committee meeting may be waived if all members of the State Executive
Committee agree to waive the requirement.
B. Special meetings can be called by the State Chairman or by actions of a majority of the members
of the State Executive Committee with the same pre-notification requirement as previously stated in
Article X Section 5(A).
C. A quorum is needed to conduct any business. A majority of the Committee will constitute a
quorum. A majority vote of those present is needed to enact any business discussed at the meeting.
D. The State Executive Committee may, without meeting together, transact business by telephone
conference call, by voting on questions or issues submitted to them by the Chair or with the approval
of the Chair or by a majority of the members of the State Executive Committee. Notice of the time of
all conference calls shall be given to all members of the State Executive Committee not less than 24
hours prior to each conference all.
SECTION 6: Removal of Office of Party Officials
The removal from office of Party Officials will be prescribed by the appropriate designated committee.
ARTICLE XI – VOTING
Voting, except for the election of officers, will be by voice. A person holding multiple offices will not be
permitted to more than one vote, excluding proxies. Any voting member who wants to vote by proxy will
designate his proxy on a written form which will be dated and signed. A quorum for any precinct, or
region committee or the State Executive Committee will consist of a majority of the members of said
committee.
ARTICLE XII – FINANCES
A. The State Executive Committee is authorized to approve fund raising activities in support of its
programs and operations.
B. The Party will not incur financial obligations until monies are collected sufficient to cover such
obligations. Any financial commitments more than $1,000 will be in written form and authorized by
the State Executive Committee prior to the expenditure.
C. Aggregate expenditures up to $200 in a calendar month may be authorized by the State Treasurer.
The State Treasurer must file a report with the appropriate Committee each time an expenditure is
made under their sole authority. Expenditures in excess of $200 but less than $1,000 must be in
written form and authorized by the State Chairman and/or Vice-Chairman prior to making the
expenditure.
ARTICLE XIII – CANDIDATES
A. Full Members of the Party desiring to run for elective office in the State of North Carolina must
apply for Approval of Candidacy to the State Executive Committee for all offices not within one
particular county. For offices within one particular county, application for Approval of Candidacy must
be made to the Regional Chairman. In the absence of a Regional Chairman the application will be
made to the State Executive Committee.
B. All candidates desiring the nomination or endorsement of the Constitution Party of North Carolina
must submit a signed Membership Pledge to the State Executive Committee.
C. All applicants not approved for candidacy may not associate their campaigns with the Constitution
Party of North Carolina nor the national Constitution Party and are not eligible for financial assistance
from the Party.
D. If a candidate who has made an application to be nominated withdraws, dies, or is declared
ineligible, the filing deadline for applications for nominations for that office is reopened and extended
until 11:59 pm of the day before the date of the convention at which the nominee for that office is
chosen. A candidate desiring to withdraw must do so in writing to the same authority that the
application was filed with.
ARTICLE XIV – STATE CONVENTION
A. The State Convention will be held in the month of August and the call for the Convention will be
issued by the State Chairman of the Party by the first day of the month prior to the month in which the
State Convention will be held. If the State Chairman fails to call the State Convention within the time
allotted, the next member of the State Executive Committee in the line of succession, as prescribed in
Article X(3)(C), will be responsible for calling the State Convention.
B. Notice of the State Convention will be sent by the State Executive Committee via electronic mail or
postal mail to members registered with the Party and posted on the state Party web site. Such notice
will specify the time, date and place for holding the Convention.
C. Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised will govern the proceedings of the State Convention, and
the ruling of the Chairman of the State Convention will be the decision on the question before the
body.
D. Nominees for State Executive Committee office will be chosen by majority vote of the delegates
voting at the State Convention.
E. The affirmative vote of the majority of the delegates present and voting at the State Convention will
be the act of the Convention.
F. The Chairman pro tem of the State Executive Committee will preside at the opening of the State
Convention until a State Chairman is elected.
G. The State Chairman or the State Secretary will certify the names of the duly elected delegates and
alternate delegates from North Carolina to the National Convention of the national Constitution Party
and promptly forward said names to the Executive Director of the national Constitution Party.
ARTICLE XV – SELECTION OF DELEGATES TO PRECINCT,
COUNTY, REGION, STATE, AND NATIONAL CONVENTIONS
A. Precinct Conventions: All Full Members may participate in the precinct conventions. Delegates
and alternate delegates to the county convention will be elected by each precinct convention.
B. County Conventions: Candidates for county office who have filed an application for nomination by
the party will be chosen by majority vote of the delegates at the county convention. The delegates at
each county convention will elect delegates and alternate delegates to the state convention and any
appropriate district convention.
C. District Conventions: For any district that has at least one candidate file an application for
nomination by the Party, a district convention will be held. In the case of a district that is completely
within one county, the district convention will be held in conjunction with the county convention but
only those delegates within that district may vote on the candidates seeking the Party nomination of
that district. Candidates for district office will be chosen by a majority vote of the delegates at the
district convention.
D. Delegates to the national convention of the Party, and also the convention officers of said
conventions, will be appointed by the State Chairman, subject to confirmation by majority vote of the
State Executive Committee.
E. Electors for Presidential and Vice Presidential nominees will be chosen by the State Chairman. If
the Chairman will fail to act, the next ranking officer will fulfill the responsibility.
F. The representative apportionment of the aforesaid delegates, alternate delegates, convention
officers and electors will be decided by the State Executive Committee on the basis of Party strength
in the respective precincts, counties, and regions of the state.
G. The locations selected for the aforesaid conventions do not have to meet the same requirements
as a polling place.
ARTICLE XVI – RULES FOR PRECINCTS, COUNTIES, AND REGIONS
Precincts, Counties, and Regions may adopt their own rules and bylaws, subject to approval by the State
Executive Committee, in the absence of such bylaws, these bylaws will govern.
ARTICLE XVII – USE OF THE PARTY NAME
No person, group of persons, or organization will use the name, address, or emblem of the Party in any
manner, unless the State Chairman grants permission.
ARTICLE XVIII – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The then current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order will govern the Party and all meetings and
conventions of the Party from the precinct level to the state level whenever they are applicable and not
conflicting with the Party Bylaws and the North Carolina Election laws.
ARTICLE XIX – AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
A. These Bylaws may be amended, excluding Article VIII(C), by a two-thirds vote of the State
Convention, provided that the amendment is stated in the call for a meeting.
B. The State Executive Committee can enact temporary bylaw amendments throughout the course of
the Party’s fiscal year (from annual State Convention to the next annual State Convention), not to
exceed three amendments, by a two thirds vote of the entire State Executive Committee. Temporary
bylaw amendments enacted by the State Executive Committee are considered official Party bylaws
until the next State Convention where they are to be voted on by the delegates and/or eligible Full
Members present at the State Convention to be determined prior to the State Convention. Any
temporary bylaw amendment enacted by the State Executive Committee that fails to be passed by
the State Convention is to be kept on file by the State Secretary for a period of three years from the
date it is withdrawn by the State Convention, and cannot be re-enacted by the State Executive
Committee for a period of three years.
ARTICLE XX – SEVERABILITY CLAUSE
If a court of competent jurisdiction does adjudge to be invalid or unconstitutional any portion of these
Bylaws, such judgment or decree will not affect, impair, invalidate or nullify the remainder of these
Bylaws. The effect of such judgment will be confined to the portion of these Bylaws so adjudged to be
invalid or unconstitutional. If any portion of these Bylaws is in conflict with any laws of the State of North
Carolina or of the United States of America, now or as a result of future, then these Bylaws will be
considered to be automatically amended to conform with the law.
ARTICLE XXI – FILING OF PARTY RULES AND BYLAWS
Where required by state law, the rules and bylaws of the Constitution Party of North Carolina will be
furnished to the appropriate state agencies of the North Carolina government and the National
Constitution Party Secretary and/or National Chairman by the State Secretary of the Constitution Party of
North Carolina.
-Ratified By the Constitution Party of North Carolina, on the 23rd Day of August this Year of our Lord:
Two-Thousand Eight in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina in Convention Assembled.
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