CONSTITUTION

Senate District 51 Republican Party Minnesota

03/31/2022 

PREAMBLE

The Senate District 51 Republicans fully subscribe to the Republican Party of Minnesota Constitution’s Preamble, quoted as follows:

“The Republican Party of Minnesota (RPM) welcomes into its party all Minnesotans who are concerned with implementation of honest, efficient, responsive government. The RPM believes in these principles as stated in the United States Declaration of Independence: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these rights are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Therefore, it is the party committed to equal representation and opportunity for all and the preservation of the rights of each individual. It is the purpose of this constitution to ensure that the RPM provides equal opportunity for full participation in our civic life for all Minnesota residents who believe in these principles regardless of age, race, sex, religion, or social or economic status.”

ARTICLE 1:     DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1 -- NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Senate District 51 Republican Party Minnesota.

SECTION 1.2 -- REPUBLICAN PARTY OF MINNESOTA

The Republican Party of Minnesota, its constitution, and the actions of the State Headquarters of the Republican Party of Minnesota are referred to in this document by the abbreviation “RPM”.

SECTION 1.3 -- SENATE DISTRICT 51

Senate District 51 (SD51) refers to the geographical area bounded by the SD51 lines as defined by Minnesota Law.

SECTION 1.4 -- CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS

Congressional Districts Three and Five (CD-3 and CD-5) refer to the geographical areas bounded by the respective Congressional District lines as defined by Minnesota Law.

SECTION 1.5 -- HOUSE DISTRICTS

1.5.1-.   SD51 is divided into two House Districts by Minnesota Law.

1.5.2-.   Senate District 51 is that portion of Bloomington and Richfield as defined by State Law on February 21, 2022.

1.5.3-.   House District 51A (HD51A) is that portion of SD51 which as defined by State Law on February 21, 2022.

House District 51B (HD51B) is that portion of SD51 which as defined by State Law on February 21, 2022.

SECTION 1.6 -- SENATE DISTRICT 51 CONVENTION

1.6.1-.   SD51 Conventions, acting as a legislative body, hold the primary authority and responsibility for the organization and conduct of Republican Party business in SD51.

1.6.2-.   A SD51 Convention is held shortly after each biennial precinct caucus. Other SD51 Conventions may be held as duly called by the RPM, the SD51-FC, or the SD51-EC. (See Sections 1.7 and 1.8 below.)

1.6.3-. The SD51 Convention is composed of all delegates and seated alternates as elected at the precinct caucuses in even numbered years according to Minnesota Statute.

SECTION 1.7 -- SENATE DISTRICT 51 FULL COMMITTEE

The term “Senate District 51 Full Committee” (SD51-FC) shall refer to the committee established and elected by a SD51 Convention, and members properly selected to fill vacancies thereon. The composition of the SD51-FC is defined in the SD51 Bylaws.

SECTION 1.8 -- SENATE DISTRICT 51 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The term “Senate District 51 Republican Executive Committee” (SD51-EC) shall refer to the SD51 officers and executive committee members elected by a SD51 Convention, and members properly selected to fill vacancies thereon. The composition of the SD51-EC is defined in the SD51 Bylaws.

SECTION 1.9 -- CHAIR

The term “chair” when specifying a single head of a committee refers to either a man or a woman.

SECTION 1.10 -- BPOU

BPOU is a term defined in the RPM Constitution that refers to a “Basic Political Organizational Unit”. This term is used by the RPM to establish the basic operating units of the Republican Party in Minnesota. SD51 Republicans are organized as a BPOU.

SECTION 1.11 -- RESIDENCY

No person shall act as a SD51 Convention delegate or alternate, as a voting officer, as a committee member, or as a SD51 delegate or alternate to a higher level convention unless that person is a current legal resident of SD51. In likewise manner, no person may act to represent SD51 in a Congressional District capacity unless that person is also a resident of the specified Congressional District.

ARTICLE 2:     ORGANIZATION

SECTION 2.1 -- TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION

The jurisdiction of SD51 shall be limited to the geographical area situated within the boundaries of Senate District 51 as determined by Minnesota Law in accordance with the 2020 census.

SECTION 2.2 -- SD51 IS A BPOU

2.2.1-. SD51 is organized as a Republican BPOU for the Senate District 51 geographical area.

2.2.2-.   Changing the BPOU organization of SD51 (for example to two house district BPOUs (HD51A and HD51B) may only be accomplished according to the then current RPM Constitution. Currently (as of March 10, 2012) this may be done at any time, with notice in the call, by a majority vote of a properly called SD51 Convention.

SECTION 2.3 -- AUTHORITY

2.3.1-. The SD51-FC and any SD51 committees, sub-organizations, functions, processes or its representatives derive authority directly or indirectly from the action of a duly called SD51 Convention which is composed of the delegates and seated alternates from all precincts of SD51 as elected at precinct caucuses in even numbered years according to Minnesota Statute and the RPM apportionment.

2.3.2-.   The actions and operation of any SD51 organization, sub-organization, officer or representative shall be subject to and conform to the Constitution and Bylaws of the RPM, and the Constitution and Bylaws of the respective CD-3 and CD-5 organizations.

If the CD-3 and CD-5 Constitutions and/or Bylaws are in conflict, then they shall:

  • First be applied to HD51A for the most restrictive interpretation between the CD-3 and CD-5 Constitutions and/or Bylaws, and applied to HD50B for CD-3, if possible, or
  • Second, the RPM Constitution and/or Bylaws shall be used, or
  • Third, the most restrictive interpretation between the CD-3 and CD-5 Constitutions and/or Bylaws shall apply as necessary for those matters involving the entire SD51.

SECTION 2.4 -- SENATE DISTRICT 51 OFFICERS

2.4.1-   At a minimum, there shall be elected for SD51: two Chairs, one from HD51A and one from HD51B, two Deputy Chairs, one from HD51A and one from HD50B, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. Additional officers may be elected as specified in the Bylaws.

2.4.2-   The election, selection, duties and responsibilities of the SD51 officers shall be specified in the SD51 Bylaws.

2.4.3- There shall be no limit on the number of terms nor the number of years that a person may serve as an officer, provided that the person is duly elected or selected according to the SD51 Constitution and Bylaws.

SECTION 2.5 -- SENATE DISTRICT 51 FULL COMMITTEE

2.5.1-   There shall be a Senate District 51 Full Committee (SD51-FC) established and elected by the SD51 Convention. The SD51-FC shall meet periodically, at least two (2) times each year, and have the responsibility for setting general policy and procedures for the SD51 Republican Party. The “Senate District 51 Full Committee” is the name of the “BPOU Committee” for the SD51 area as specified in Article XI of the RPM Constitution. The composition, selection, duties and responsibilities of the SD51-FC shall be stated in the SD51 Bylaws. However, as much as possible, membership in the SD51-FC shall be evenly distributed between HD50A and HD50B.

2.5.3- There shall be no limit on the number of terms or the number of years that a person may serve as a member of the SD51-FC, provided that the person is duly elected or selected according to the SD51 Constitution and Bylaws.

SECTION 2.6 -- SENATE DISTRICT 51 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

2.6.1-.   There shall be a Senate District 51 Executive Committee (SD51-EC) established and elected by the SD51 Convention. The SD51-EC shall meet at least six (6) times each year, and have the responsibility for directing and conducting the detailed business of the SD51 Republican Party.

  1. The composition, selection, duties and responsibilities of the SD51-EC shall be stated in the SD51 Bylaws. However, as much as possible, membership in the SD51-EC shall be evenly distributed between HD50A and HD50B.
  1. Any SD51 Convention may nominate and elect any SD51 Republican resident as a voting member of the SD51-EC per the RPM Constitution (Article XI, Section 2). Also, per the RPM Constitution (Article XI, Section 2), all members of the SD51-EC are automatically members of the SD51-FC.

2.6.4- There shall be no limit on the number of terms or the number of years that a person may serve as a member of the SD51-EC, provided that the person is duly elected or selected according to the SD51 Constitution and Bylaws.

SECTION 2.7 -- OTHER SENATE DISTRICT 51 FUNCTIONS

The organization, function, selection, operation and supervision of other SD51 business and responsibilities such as fundraising, search committees, RPM and Congressional District interchanges, Bylaws, rules, credentials, conventions, etc. shall be specified in the SD51 Bylaws.

ARTICLE 3:     GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 3.1 -- ENDORSEMENT REQUIREMENTS

3.1.1-   Any endorsement for candidates for public office must receive at least sixty percent (60%) of the voting strength of the endorsing Convention (SD51, HD50A or HD50B).

3.1.2-   Voting strength is established by the final report of the Credentials & Registration Committee. If the call does not specify a closing time for convention registration, then voting strength is established by the last report of the Credentials & Registration Committee before each ballot.

  1. Credentials & Registration Committee voting strength increases up to the delegation maximum as delegates or alternates register. Voting strength does not decrease if delegates or seated alternates leave the convention.
  1. Post-Primary Endorsement by the SD51-FC

If a primary election for a public office from SD51, HD50A, HD50B, or other public office representing areas within SD51 results in the selection of a Republican nominee other than the endorsed candidate, or if there was no endorsement of a Republican nominee prior to the primary, then a meeting of the SD51-FC shall be called within ten (10) days of the certainty of the primary’s election results. The purpose of this meeting shall be to consider a post-primary endorsement. Any post-primary endorsement shall require a sixty percent (60%) vote of the SD51-FC members present, and such vote must be greater than or equal to a majority of the total members of the SD51-FC. If the public office is for a sub-area of SD51, such as HD50A or HD50B, then these requirements shall apply to only those members of the SD51-FC that reside in the geographic area of the office under consideration.

  1. Vacancies in Nominations

In the event of death or withdrawal of an endorsed nominee for public office from SD51 or a sub-division of SD51 prior to 21 days before the general election, then the SD51-FC shall meet to consider the endorsement of a substitute nominee or candidate. The call for the meeting shall be issued at least five (5) days before the meeting.

In the event of death or withdrawal of an endorsed nominee for public office from SD51 or a sub-division of SD51 less than 21 days before the general election, then the SD51-EC shall consider the endorsement of a substitute nominee or candidate.

In any of these cases an endorsement shall require a sixty percent (60%) vote of the members of the stated committee that are present, and such vote must be greater than or equal to a majority of the total members of that committee per Section 3.1.4- above.

  1. Vote Equalization

If various precincts select the number of delegates and alternates according to different proportions of the prior governor or president Republican ballot strength, then any balloting at a SD51, HD50A or HD50B Convention for endorsement for public office, and any voting for state or congressional district delegations, and any voting for Republican State Central Committee representatives, and any balloting for officers of SD51 shall be proportionalized to give equal weight to a delegates vote according to their prior general election governor or president Republican ballot strength.

  1. Split Delegations

If a precinct or other delegation must be split for purposes of voting, then the number of votes assigned to any sub-precinct or sub-delegation shall be assigned according to the rules set by the RPM. If RPM rules do not apply, then the voting strength shall be set as nearly as possible to the Republican strength of the subject geographic areas according to their prior general election governor or president Republican ballot strength.

  1. Residency Requirement

No person may vote on any SD51 Republican business in order to represent a precinct or geographic area unless the person is a current resident of that area, and unless the person is a legal Republican voter according to RPM rules.

SECTION 3.2 -- QUORUM

3.2.1-   A quorum for a SD51 Convention is set by the rules for that SD51 Convention.

3.2.2-   A quorum of 25% shall be required to transact business at a SD51-FC meeting. Membership for the purposes of determining the quorum includes only officers, executive committee members, and those persons currently designated by the precincts as representatives.

3.2.3-   A quorum of 51% shall be required to transact business at SD51-EC meetings.

SECTION 3.3 -- REMOVAL  

  1. A SD51 representative on a Congressional District committee; a SD51 officer; or a SD51-FC, a SD51-EC, or SD51 sub-committee member may be removed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all of the voting members of the SD51-FC at a duly called meeting of the SD51-FC, with the removal being listed as an item on the agenda in the call, and prior notice to the person. [See the following articles in the RPM Constitution: a) Article 2, Section 5.3, b) Article XI, Section 3, and c) Article XVI, section 2.]

3.3.2- Any SD51-FC officer, member or appointee may be removed or his/her resignation accepted by the SD51 Executive Committee due to failure of the person to meet the applicable residency requirement.

3.3.3- If a member of a SD51 committee (other than SD51-FC) consistently fails to attend scheduled meetings without excuse, and shows no interest in participation in SD51 affairs, then that person may be requested to resign. Consistent absence from meetings which creates quorum problems is grounds for removal, provided that this rule must be applied equally to all such consistent absentees.

SECTION 3.4 -- DISBURSEMENTS

All disbursements of assets (money or other assets) of SD51 must have prior authorization by a majority vote of a SD51 Convention, or a majority vote of a SD51-FC meeting, or a majority vote of a SD51-EC meeting. Monetary disbursements over $50.00 per transaction must also have prior authorization by the SD51-EC. Disbursement of SD51 assets (money or other assets) to any SD51 officer or individual shall only be made to reimburse the person for a valid, pre-authorized Republican Party expense or expense under the $50.00 limit stated above.

SECTION 3.5 -- DUES

Payment of dues shall not be required as a condition of membership or participation in any committee or activity of SD51. However, modest fees may be charged for attendance at conventions or other meetings in order to cover the expense of holding the convention or meeting.

SECTION 3.6 -- PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the most current edition of Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern all conventions and meetings of SD51 Republicans in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the statutes of the State of Minnesota, the Constitution and Bylaws of the Republican Party of Minnesota, the Constitution and Bylaws of the applicable Congressional District, the Constitution and Bylaws of SD51, and for conventions, the Convention Rules.

ARTICLE 4:     AMENDMENT

SECTION 4.1 -- SENATE DISTRICT 51 CONSTITUTION

The SD51 Constitution shall be established and may be amended by a simple majority (50% +1) vote of the voting strength of a SD51 Convention as established by the final report of the Convention Credentials & Registration Committee.   However, any proposal for amendment shall be referred to the SD51 Constitution & Bylaws Committee before it shall be voted upon by the SD51 Convention. Adequate notice of any proposed amendments or their general nature shall be given to the SD51 Convention delegates at least ten (10) days prior to the SD51 Convention.

SECTION 4.2 -- SENATE DISTRICT 51 BYLAWS

4.2.1-   Establishment or Amendment by SD51 Convention

The SD51 Bylaws shall be established and may be amended by a sixty percent 60% vote of the voting strength of a SD51 Convention as established by the final report of the Credentials & Registration Committee.   However, any proposal for amendment shall be referred to the Constitution & Bylaws Committee before it shall be voted upon by the SD51 Convention. Adequate notice of any proposed amendments or their general nature shall be given to the SD51 Convention delegates at least ten (10) days prior to the SD51 Convention.

  1. Amendment by SD51-FC

The SD51 Bylaws may be amended by a sixty percent (60%) vote of those present at a SD51-FC meeting.   However, any proposal for amendment shall be referred to the Bylaws Committee before it shall be voted upon by the SD51-FC. Adequate notice of any proposed amendments or their general nature shall be given to the SD51-FC members at least seven (7) days prior to a SD51-FC meeting. If a subsequent SD51 Convention rescinds such SD51-FC amendment, then the SD51 Convention version shall not be further challenged by the SD51-FC during that term of office.