# Convention Timeline Timeline of notifications and deadlines for an **Organizational Convention** scheduled for **Saturday, June 7, 2025**, as required by the "Rules of the Republican Party of the State of Delaware" calculated backward from the convention date. ### Key Assumptions: - The convention is confirmed for **June 7, 2025**, which deviates from the typical May schedule (Article VI, Section 3). This is permissible if the **State Chairperson** and **Executive Committee** decide a different date is appropriate. - All deadlines are calculated using **calendar days** unless specified otherwise (e.g., "working days" for certain vacancy notifications). - The rules do not clarify handling of weekends or holidays for deadlines, so exact dates are provided, but adjustments may be needed if the party interprets deadlines to fall on business days. ### Timeline of Notifications and Deadlines (in Chronological Order): 1. **February 7, 2025** (120 days before convention): - **Requirement**: **Call for the Organizational Convention** (Article VI, Section 3). - **Details**: The **State Chairperson** and **Secretary** must issue a call for the Organizational Convention, sent to all **Convention District Chairpersons**. - **Purpose**: Notifies the party of the convention’s date, time, and place, initiating preparations. 2. **March 24, 2025** (75 days before convention): - **Requirement**: **Submission of Proposed Rule Amendments to the Rules Committee** (Article VIII, Section 2). - **Details**: Proposed amendments to the party rules must be submitted in writing to the **Rules Committee** by an **Originating Authority** (e.g., petition of 30 State Committee members, majority vote of the State Committee, Rules Committee, or a Convention District). - **Purpose**: Allows the Rules Committee to prepare amendments for consideration at the convention. 3. **April 28, 2025** (40 days before convention): - **Requirement**: **Submission of Substantive Resolutions to the Resolutions Committee** (Article XII, Section 1). - **Details**: Substantive resolutions (those advocating a policy or position) must be submitted in writing to the **Chair of the Resolutions Committee** by a **State Committee member** or **duly elected delegate**. - **Purpose**: Allows the Resolutions Committee to review and prepare resolutions for convention consideration. 4. **April 28, 2025 (example date)** (30 days before delegate election meetings): - **Requirement**: **Notice of Convention District Meetings for Delegate Elections** (Article XIII, Section 2). - **Details**: Each **Convention District** must provide at least **30 days’ written notice** to the **Executive Director** of any meeting where delegates to the convention are elected (e.g., if a meeting is held on May 28, 2025, notice is due by April 28, 2025). - **Purpose**: Ensures compliance with public notice requirements and facilitates coordination for delegate selection. - **Note**: The exact date varies depending on when each Convention District schedules its delegate election meeting. 5. **May 5–10, 2025 (example range)** (After April 28, 2025): - **Requirement**: **Resolutions Committee Meetings** (Article XII, Section 5). - **Details**: The **Resolutions Committee** must meet **at least twice** prior to the convention, with at least **5 days’ notice** to committee members, the chair of each region, and the State Chairperson. A **60% quorum** is required to conduct business, and the committee may invite resolution sponsors or others to discuss proposals. For example, the first meeting could occur around May 5–10, 2025, with notice by April 30–May 5, 2025. - **Purpose**: To review, modify, and report on resolutions for the convention. - **Note**: Exact dates are flexible but must occur between April 28, 2025 (after resolutions are submitted) and June 6, 2025. 6. **May 8, 2025** (30 days before convention): - **Requirement**: **Publication of the Convention Call** (Article VI, Section 3). - **Details**: The convention call must be **published in two (2) newspapers of general statewide circulation**. - **Purpose**: Ensures public awareness and transparency of the convention. 7. **May 8, 2025** (30 days before convention): - **Requirement**: **Rules Committee Report on Proposed Amendments** (Article VIII, Section 3). - **Details**: The **Rules Committee** must send its report, including proposed amendments, to the **Convention District Chairpersons**. - **Purpose**: Ensures Convention Districts are informed of proposed rule changes in advance of the convention. 8. **May 17, 2025** (20 days before business meeting, assuming business meeting on June 6, 2025): - **Requirement**: **Submission of State Committee Member Names** (Article IV, Section 2, G). - **Details**: The **Chairperson** of each Convention District must submit the names, addresses, phone numbers, and representative districts of the two members per Representative District selected for the **State Committee** to the **Secretary**. - **Purpose**: Updates the State Committee membership roster for the term beginning at the business meeting. 9. **May 18, 2025** (20 days before convention): - **Requirement**: **Submission of Delegate and Alternate Lists** (Article VI, Section 10). - **Details**: Each **Convention District** must file a list of delegates and alternates (including name, address, representative district, and telephone number) with the **Secretary**. - **Purpose**: Ensures the party has an accurate roster of convention participants. 10. **May 25–30, 2025 (example range)** (Before June 6, 2025): - **Requirement**: **Resolutions Committee Meetings (Second Meeting)** (Article XII, Section 5). - **Details**: The second required meeting of the **Resolutions Committee** could occur closer to the convention, e.g., May 25–30, 2025, with notice by May 20–25, 2025. - **Purpose**: To finalize the review and reporting of resolutions. - **Note**: Exact dates depend on the committee’s schedule but must occur before June 7, 2025. 11. **May 28, 2025** (10 days before convention): - **Requirement**: **Notice of Delegate or Alternate Contests** (Article VI, Section 11). - **Details**: Any contests regarding the qualifications of delegates or alternates must be filed in writing with the **Secretary**, stating the grounds for the contest. - **Purpose**: Allows resolution of disputes before the convention begins. 12. **May 28, 2025** (10 days before convention): - **Requirement**: **Petition for Temporary Convention Officers** (Article VI, Section 22). - **Details**: A petition signed by at least **15% of the delegates** scheduled to attend, including at least **5 delegates from three Convention Districts**, must be presented to the **State Chairperson**, **Secretary**, and **Parliamentarian** to request a **temporary chair and secretary** other than the Party Chair and Secretary. - **Purpose**: Allows delegates to challenge the default leadership of the convention if desired. 13. **June 4, 2025** (3 days before convention): - **Requirement**: **Executive Committee Selection of Temporary Officers (if Petitioned)** (Article VI, Section 22). - **Details**: If a valid petition is received by May 28, 2025, the **Executive Committee** must select a **temporary chair and temporary secretary** for the convention. - **Purpose**: Ensures alternative leadership is in place if delegates request it. 14. **June 6, 2025** (1 day before convention, eve of convention): - **Requirement**: **State Committee Business Meeting** (Article IV, Section 4, A). - **Details**: The **State Committee** must conduct a business meeting to handle preparatory matters for the convention (e.g., reviewing credentials or resolutions). - **Purpose**: Ensures administrative tasks are completed before the convention opens. 15. **June 6, 2025** (1 day before convention): - **Requirement**: **Resolutions Committee Report** (Article XII, Section 9). - **Details**: The **Resolutions Committee** must prepare a written report identifying all resolutions received and whether they were favorably or unfavorably reported, making it available to delegates. - **Purpose**: Informs delegates of resolutions to be considered, ensuring transparency. 16. **June 6, 2025** (1 day before convention): - **Requirement**: **Submission of Non-Substantive Resolutions** (Article XII, Section 10). - **Details**: Non-substantive resolutions (e.g., honoring individuals or expressing condolences) must be filed in writing with the **Secretary**. - **Purpose**: Allows last-minute submissions for resolutions that do not involve policy positions. 17. **June 6, 2025** (1 day before convention): - **Requirement**: **Credentials Committee Review of Delegate Lists** (Article VI, Section 12). - **Details**: The **Secretary** must present the certified list of delegates and alternates to the **Temporary Credentials Committee**, which hears and determines any contests. The final list is filed with the **State Committee** by this date. - **Purpose**: Finalizes the delegate roster for the convention. ### Summary Table of Key Deadlines (Chronological): | **Deadline Date** | **Days Before Convention** | **Requirement** | **Article Reference** | |-------------------|----------------------------|-----------------|-----------------------| | February 7, 2025 | 120 days | Call for convention issued to Convention District Chairpersons | VI, Section 3 | | March 24, 2025 | 75 days | Proposed rule amendments submitted to Rules Committee | VIII, Section 2 | | April 28, 2025 | 40 days | Substantive resolutions submitted to Resolutions Committee | XII, Section 1 | | April 28, 2025 (example) | 30 days (before delegate election meeting) | Notice of Convention District meetings for delegate elections | XIII, Section 2 | | May 5–10, 2025 (example) | ~28–33 days | Resolutions Committee first meeting (with 5 days’ notice) | XII, Section 5 | | May 8, 2025 | 30 days | Convention call published in two newspapers | VI, Section 3 | | May 8, 2025 | 30 days | Rules Committee report sent to Convention District Chairpersons | VIII, Section 3 | | May 17, 2025 | 20 days (before business meeting) | State Committee member names submitted to Secretary | IV, Section 2, G | | May 18, 2025 | 20 days | Delegate and alternate lists filed with Secretary | VI, Section 10 | | May 25–30, 2025 (example) | ~8–13 days | Resolutions Committee second meeting (with 5 days’ notice) | XII, Section 5 | | May 28, 2025 | 10 days | Delegate/alternate contests filed | VI, Section 11 | | May 28, 2025 | 10 days | Petition for temporary convention officers | VI, Section 22 | | June 4, 2025 | 3 days | Executive Committee selects temporary officers (if petitioned) | VI, Section 22 | | June 6, 2025 | 1 day (eve) | State Committee business meeting | IV, Section 4, A | | June 6, 2025 | 1 day | Resolutions Committee report available | XII, Section 9 | | June 6, 2025 | 1 day | Non-substantive resolutions filed | XII, Section 10 | | June 6, 2025 | 1 day | Credentials Committee finalizes delegate list | VI, Section 12 | ### Additional Notes: - **Convention District Delegate Elections**: The rules allow Convention Districts to determine the process for electing delegates (Article VI, Section 9). Public notice for national convention delegate elections (if applicable) requires **15 days’ notice** in a newspaper (Article VI, Section 9, v), but this may not apply to a 2025 Organizational Convention unless national delegates are involved. The **30-day notice** to the Executive Director (Article XIII, Section 2) ensures coordination. - **June 7 Date**: The convention date suggests the Chairperson and Executive Committee exercised discretion to deviate from the typical May schedule (Article VI, Section 3). Deadlines are tied to this confirmed date. - **Weekend/Holiday Adjustments**: Deadlines like May 17, 2025 (a Saturday) or May 18, 2025 (a Sunday) may be interpreted to fall on the preceding business day if the party follows such a practice, as the rules do not clarify this. Confirmation with party leadership may be needed. - **Resolutions Committee Meetings**: Exact dates are flexible but must occur after April 28, 2025 (when resolutions are submitted) and before June 7, 2025, with proper notice. The example ranges (May 5–10 and May 25–30) illustrate possible scheduling. - **Delegate Election Meeting Dates**: The notice for delegate election meetings (Article XIII, Section 2) is tied to the meeting date, not the convention. The example date (April 28 for a May 28 meeting) assumes a plausible schedule, but actual dates depend on each Convention District’s plans.