# Convention Provisions The "Rules of the Republican Party of the State of Delaware" provide detailed provisions regarding **conventions**, which are critical events for the party’s governance, officer elections, candidate endorsements, and delegate selection. These rules are primarily outlined in **Article VI**, with additional references in **Article III**, **Article IV**, **Article V**, **Article XI**, **Article XII**, and **Article XIII**. Below is a comprehensive summary of the rules pertaining to conventions, organized by key categories. ### 1. **Types of Conventions** - **Article VI, Section 2**: - The Republican Party of the State of Delaware holds **three types of conventions**: 1. **Organizational Conventions**: Held in **odd-numbered years** (e.g., 2025) to elect party officers (Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer) and conduct other business. 2. **General Conventions**: Held in **even-numbered years** (e.g., 2024) to endorse candidates for national and statewide offices and, in presidential election years, elect delegates to the Republican National Convention. 3. **Special Organizational Conventions**: Called for specific purposes, such as filling a vacancy in the Chairperson position or removing the Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson. ### 2. **Convention Districts** - **Article VI, Section 1** (referencing Article II): - Conventions are organized around **five Convention Districts** (Northern New Castle, Western New Castle, Colonial, Kent, Sussex), each encompassing specific Representative Districts. - These districts determine delegate allocation and representation. ### 3. **Calling and Scheduling Conventions** - **Article VI, Section 3**: - **Organizational and General Conventions**: - Called by the **State Chairperson** and **Secretary** at least **120 days** in advance (e.g., by February 7, 2025, for a June 7, 2025 convention). - The call is sent to all **Convention District Chairpersons**. - Published in **two newspapers of general statewide circulation** at least **30 days** prior to the convention (e.g., by May 8, 2025, for a June 7, 2025 convention). - Typically scheduled in **May** each year, unless the **Chairperson** and **Executive Committee** decide a different date is appropriate (e.g., June 7, 2025, as specified in prior queries). - **Special Organizational Conventions**: - Called at least **60 days** in advance, with the same notification and publication requirements. - Initiated by the **Chairperson**, **Vice-Chairperson** (in the Chairperson’s temporary absence), a **three-quarters vote** of the **Executive Committee**, or a **written request** by **two-thirds of the State Committee** (Article VI, Section 21). - **Article III, Section 8**: - For a **permanent vacancy in the Chairperson** position, the **Secretary** calls a Special Organizational Convention within **10 working days**, to be held within **60 calendar days**, unless the vacancy occurs post-general election but pre-Organizational Convention, in which case the Vice-Chairperson serves until the convention. ### 4. **Delegate Allocation and Apportionment** - **Article VI, Section 4**: - The **Executive Committee**, at its first meeting after a General Election or as soon as practicable, sets the number of **delegates** and **alternates** for each Convention District. - **Article VI, Section 5**: - All conventions consist of **341 delegates**, apportioned as follows: - **Base Delegates**: Each of the three counties (New Castle, Kent, Sussex) receives **9 base delegates**. In New Castle County, these are divided equally among its three Convention Districts (Northern, Western, Colonial), so each gets **3 delegates**. - **Representative District Delegates**: Each Convention District receives **4 delegates** for each Representative District within it. - **Proportional Delegates**: An additional **150 delegates** are distributed among Convention Districts based on **1.5 delegates per 1%** of the statewide Republican vote in the last two General Elections (calculated from votes for federal and state offices, including President/Vice-President). - **Article VI, Section 8**: - Each Convention District is allotted **3 alternates** for each Representative District. - **Article VI, Section 6**: - Delegates and alternates from the most recent convention remain in place for any **Special Organizational Convention**, with vacancies filled by the respective Convention District. - **Article II, Section 1** (11th Representative District): - For the 11th Representative District (crossing Kent and New Castle Counties), at least **25% of delegates** must reside in New Castle County, and at least **one of the four officers** of the Kent Convention District must reside in New Castle County. ### 5. **Delegate Qualifications and Election** - **Article VI, Section 7**: - Delegates and alternates must be **residents** and **qualified Republican voters** in their respective Convention Districts at the time of their election and during the convention. - **Article VI, Section 9**: - Delegate and alternate election is determined locally by each **Convention District**, with the following requirements: - Each **Representative District** must have at least **1 delegate** and **1 alternate**. - All **registered Republicans** eligible to vote in the next federal election in the district and attending the selection meeting can vote. - **No automatic delegates** based on position are allowed. - For conventions selecting national convention delegates, **public notice** in a newspaper of general circulation is required at least **15 days** prior to the election meeting. - Additional public notice may be required by the **Convention District Chairperson** or **district rules**. - **30 days’ notice** must be given to the **Executive Director** for any delegate election meeting (Article XIII, Section 2). - **Article VI, Section 10**: - Each Convention District submits a **list of delegates and alternates** (including name, address, representative district, and telephone number) to the **Secretary** at least **20 days** prior to the convention (e.g., by May 18, 2025, for a June 7, 2025 convention). ### 6. **Delegate Contests and Credentials** - **Article VI, Section 11**: - Notices of **delegate or alternate contests** must be filed in writing with the **Secretary**, stating the grounds, no later than **10 days** prior to the convention (e.g., by May 28, 2025, for a June 7, 2025 convention). - **Article VI, Section 12**: - The **Executive Committee** may appoint a **Temporary Credentials Committee** to hear and determine delegate/alternate contests. - The **Secretary** presents the certified delegate/alternate list to the Temporary Credentials Committee before the **evening preceding the convention** (e.g., June 6, 2025). - The final delegate/alternate list is filed with the **State Committee** by the evening prior to the convention. - **Article VI, Section 16**: - Prior to the convention, each **Representative District** at **Convention District Caucuses** elects: - **3 members** to the **Credentials Committee**. - **3 members** to the **Permanent Organization Committee** (if required). ### 7. **Convention Proceedings and Leadership** - **Article VI, Section 13** (superseded by Section 22): - The convention is called to order by the **State Chairperson** or, in their absence, the **State Vice-Chairperson**. - Delegates elect **temporary convention officers**, and the **Temporary Convention Chairperson** appoints a temporary **Parliamentarian** until permanent officers are chosen. - After accepting the **Credentials Committee** report, delegates elect **permanent convention officers**. - **Article VI, Section 22**: - By default, the **State Chairperson** and **Secretary** serve as the **Chair** and **Secretary** of the convention, and the **Permanent Organization Committee** does not meet to recommend officers. - However, if a **petition** signed by **15% of delegates** (with at least 5 delegates from three Convention Districts) is submitted **10 days** before the convention (e.g., by May 28, 2025), the **Executive Committee** selects a **temporary chair and secretary** **3 days** before the convention (e.g., by June 4, 2025). The **Permanent Organization Committee** then recommends a **permanent chair and secretary**, which delegates ratify or replace. - The **Parliamentarian** always serves as the convention’s parliamentarian. - **Article VI, Section 15**: - The **Chairperson** of each Convention District (or Vice-Chairperson in their absence) calls **caucuses** to organize for the convention. ### 8. **Functions of Conventions** - **Organizational Convention** (Article VI, Section 16): - **Primary Functions**: - Elect the **State Chairperson**, **Vice-Chairperson**, **Secretary**, and **Treasurer**. - Receive **annual reports** from officers, including National Republican Party updates, standing committees, and other committees, taking action as needed. - **Pre-Convention Activities**: - Each **Representative District** at Convention District Caucuses elects delegates/alternates and: - **3 members** to the **Credentials Committee**. - **3 members** to the **Permanent Organization Committee** (if required). - **General Convention** (Article VI, Section 18): - **Primary Functions**: - **Endorse candidates** for national and statewide offices, requiring **60% of votes cast** via roll call (or acclamation if one candidate). If no candidate achieves 60%, voting continues, with low-vote candidates (under 10% or lowest after multiple rounds) eliminated. After five rounds with two candidates, delegates may vote to end with no endorsement (60% required). - Party resources (e.g., GOTV mailers, office space) support endorsed candidates only, per campaign finance laws. - After a contested primary, officers must support primary winners and not endorse losers. - Receive **annual reports** from officers, standing committees, and other committees, taking action as needed. - **Pre-Convention Activities**: - Each **Representative District** at Convention District Caucuses elects: - **1 Honorary Convention Vice-Chairperson**. - **3 members** to the **Credentials Committee**. - **3 members** to the **Permanent Organization Committee** (if required). - **Post-Convention Endorsements**: - If no candidate was endorsed or an endorsed candidate withdraws, the **Executive Committee** may endorse a candidate with **60% of votes** after a meeting with **15 days’ notice** to regions and candidates, including three additional regional members per district. After five rounds, the committee may vote to not endorse (Article VI, Section 12). - **Special Organizational Convention** (Article VI, Sections 6, 8, 21): - Limited to specific purposes, such as electing a new **Chairperson** to fill a vacancy (Article III, Section 8) or removing the **Chairperson** or **Vice-Chairperson** (Article III, Section 9). - Uses delegates/alternates from the most recent convention, with vacancies filled by Convention Districts. ### 9. **National Convention Delegates** - **Article VI, Section 20**: - In presidential election years, **delegates and alternates** to the **Republican National Convention** are elected at the **General Convention** by a **majority vote** via roll call by Convention District. - The **Executive Committee** determines their distribution among Convention Districts and presents a slate for consideration. - If a delegate/alternate cannot attend, an alternate becomes a delegate, and the Executive Committee selects a replacement alternate, preferably from the same region. - **Article XI, Section 3** (Presidential Primaries): - If the party conducts a **presidential primary** (decided by the **Executive Committee** by November 1 of the preceding year), delegates/alternates vote for the primary winner on the **first ballot** at the National Convention, unless the candidate withdraws, dies, or releases delegates. Subsequent ballots allow free choice. - Presidential candidates cannot nominate delegates/alternates (Article XI, Section 4). ### 10. **Resolutions at Conventions** - **Article VI, Section 14** (referencing Article XII): - All resolutions must be filed per **Article XII**: - **Substantive resolutions** (policy or issue positions) are submitted to the **Resolutions Committee** at least **40 days** prior to the convention (e.g., by April 28, 2025, for a June 7, 2025 convention) (Article XII, Section 1). - **Non-substantive resolutions** (e.g., honors, condolences) are filed with the **Secretary** by the **evening preceding the convention** (e.g., June 6, 2025) (Article XII, Section 10). - Resolutions must embrace **one subject** and be submitted by a **State Committee member** or **duly elected delegate** (Article XII, Sections 2–3). - Only resolutions **favorably reported** by the Resolutions Committee (by majority vote) are considered at the convention (Article XII, Section 8). - The Resolutions Committee’s report is available to delegates the **night before the convention** (Article XII, Section 9). ### 11. **Other Procedural Rules** - **Quorum** (Article IV, Section 7): - A **majority of the State Committee** constitutes a quorum for convention-related meetings (e.g., the business meeting on the eve of the convention), with **no proxies** allowed. - **State Committee Business Meeting** (Article IV, Section 4, A): - A **business meeting** is held on the **eve of each convention** (e.g., June 6, 2025, for a June 7, 2025 convention) to handle preparatory matters, such as reviewing credentials or resolutions. - **Waivers** (Article V, Section 4, I): - The **Executive Committee** may grant **waivers** from time deadlines in the rules with a **two-thirds majority** vote if circumstances warrant. ### Summary: - **Types**: Three types of conventions: **Organizational** (odd years, officer elections), **General** (even years, candidate endorsements, national delegates), and **Special Organizational** (specific purposes like vacancies or removals). - **Scheduling**: Called **120 days** (Organizational/General) or **60 days** (Special) in advance, published in newspapers **30 days** prior, typically in May unless otherwise decided. - **Delegates**: **341 delegates** apportioned by county base (9 per county), Representative Districts (4 per district), and proportional vote share (150 delegates). **3 alternates** per Representative District. Elected locally, with qualifications and public notice requirements. - **Proceedings**: Led by the **Chairperson** and **Secretary** unless petitioned otherwise. Involve temporary/permanent officers, Credentials Committee reports, and roll call voting for elections/endorsements. - **Functions**: - **Organizational**: Elect officers, receive reports. - **General**: Endorse candidates (60% vote), elect national delegates, receive reports. - **Special**: Address vacancies or removals. - **Resolutions**: Substantive (40 days prior, Resolutions Committee) and non-substantive (eve of convention, Secretary), with strict procedural rules. - **National Delegates**: Elected in presidential years, bound to primary winners (if applicable) on the first ballot. If you have specific questions about conventions, need clarification on any provision, or require assistance with related actions (e.g., drafting resolutions or calculating delegate allocations), let me know!