# Secretary The "Rules of the Republican Party of the State of Delaware" outline specific provisions regarding the **Secretary** position, detailing the role’s election, duties, membership in party governance bodies, qualifications, vacancies, and related responsibilities. These provisions are primarily found in **Article III**, **Article IV**, **Article V**, and **Article VI**. Below is a comprehensive summary of the rules pertaining to the Secretary, organized by key categories. ### 1. **Election and Term of Office** - **Article III, Section 1**: - The Secretary is one of the **elected officers** of the Republican Party of the State of Delaware, alongside the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Treasurer. - **Article III, Section 2**: - The Secretary is **elected at the Organizational Convention**, held in **odd-numbered years** (e.g., 2025). - The term of office is **two years**, beginning upon the **final adjournment of the Organizational Convention** and ending at the next Organizational Convention. - **Article VI, Section 17**: - The election is conducted by **roll call** unless only one candidate is nominated, in which case it may be by **acclamation**. - Roll call may be by **Convention District** or **individual delegate**, and a Convention District caucus may authorize one member to cast its vote, but any delegate can request an individual roll call within their district. - A candidate must receive a **majority vote** of delegates present and voting, with voting continuing until a majority is achieved if necessary. ### 2. **Duties of the Secretary** - **Article III, Section 6**: - **Membership in Committees**: - Serves as the **Secretary of the State Committee** and the **Executive Committee**, responsible for record-keeping and documentation in both governing bodies. - **Assisting the Chairperson**: - Assists the **State Chairperson** in their enumerated duties, providing administrative and procedural support. - **Legal Compliance**: - Implements **all requirements of state and federal law** where applicable, ensuring the party adheres to legal obligations (e.g., election-related notices or filings). - **Delegate Rolls**: - Files the **Temporary Roll of Delegates and Alternates** elected by the respective Convention Districts with the **State Committee**. - **Calling Special Conventions**: - Calls a **Special Organizational Convention** when a **vacancy occurs in the office of the Chairperson** or in other cases as required (e.g., for removal proceedings). - **National Party Compliance**: - Complies with all **Rules of the Republican National Committee** as required. - **Minutes**: - Takes and maintains **minutes** of the **State Committee** and **Executive Committee** meetings, ensuring accurate records of proceedings. - **Article VI, Section 3**: - Co-issues the **call for Organizational and General Conventions** (with the Chairperson) at least **120 days** in advance and for **Special Organizational Conventions** at least **60 days** in advance, sent to all **Convention District Chairpersons**. - **Article VI, Section 10**: - Receives **lists of delegates and alternates** from each Convention District, including names, addresses, representative districts, and telephone numbers, no later than **20 days** prior to the convention. - **Article VI, Section 11**: - Receives **notices of delegate or alternate contests** in writing, stating the grounds, no later than **10 days** prior to the convention. - **Article VI, Section 12**: - Presents the **certified list of delegates and alternates** to the **Temporary Credentials Committee** before the evening preceding the convention, ensuring the final list is filed with the **State Committee** by that time. - **Article XII, Section 10**: - Receives **non-substantive resolutions** (e.g., honoring individuals or expressing condolences) in writing on or before the **evening preceding the convention**. ### 3. **Qualifications and Restrictions** - **Membership in the Party** (Article I, Section 1; Article IV, Section 6): - The Secretary must be a **registered Republican** on the voter registration lists of the respective Boards of Election in Delaware, as this is a requirement for party membership. - Must remain a **registered Republican** and a **resident of their Convention District** during their term of office. - **Prohibition on Dual Office Holding** (Article IV, Section 11): - The Secretary cannot hold another office within the Republican Party of the State of Delaware (e.g., Chairperson, National Committeeman, regional chair) or any other constituent part of the party, except they may serve as an officer of the **New Castle County Republican Committee**. - **Exception**: Publicly elected officials may hold the Secretary position concurrently with their elected office. - Accepting another party office (by election or appointment) is **deemed a resignation** of the Secretary position. - **Compensation** (Article IV, Section 11): - The Secretary may not receive **compensation** for their service but may receive **reimbursement of expenses**. ### 4. **Membership in Governing Bodies** - **State Committee** (Article IV, Section 2, A): - The Secretary is a **member of the State Committee**, the statewide governing body of the party, alongside other elected officers and representatives. - **Executive Committee** (Article V, Sections 1 and 2): - The Secretary is a **voting member** of the **Executive Committee**. - Serves as the **Secretary of the Executive Committee**, responsible for maintaining records and minutes of its meetings. ### 5. **Vacancies** - **Article III, Section 10**: - If a **permanent vacancy** occurs in the Secretary’s office, the **Executive Committee** appoints a successor to serve the **remainder of the unexpired term**. - **Article III, Section 8**: - The Secretary plays a key role in addressing a vacancy in the **Chairperson** position by calling a **Special Organizational Convention** within **10 working days** of the vacancy, to be held no later than **60 calendar days** after the vacancy. - **Article IV, Section 3**: - A permanent vacancy is deemed to exist upon **death**, **incapacity**, **change of registration**, **written resignation**, or if the Secretary is no longer a **resident of their Convention District**. Residency is determined by the address where the Secretary is registered and eligible to vote in a federal election. ### 6. **Role in Conventions** - **Article VI, Section 3**: - Co-issues the **convention call** with the Chairperson, ensuring it is sent to Convention District Chairpersons and published in two newspapers of general statewide circulation at least **30 days** prior to the convention. - **Article VI, Section 22**: - By default, the **Secretary** serves as the **Secretary of the Organizational Convention**, unless 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, for a June 7, 2025 convention). If petitioned, the **Executive Committee** selects a temporary secretary **3 days** before the convention (e.g., by June 4, 2025). - **Article VI, Sections 10–12**: - Manages delegate-related documentation, including receiving delegate lists, contest notices, and presenting the certified delegate list to the Credentials Committee. ### 7. **Other Relevant Provisions** - **Record-Keeping and Transparency** (Article III, Section 6, G): - The Secretary’s duty to maintain **minutes** ensures accurate documentation of party decisions, supporting transparency and accountability. - **Compliance with National Rules** (Article III, Section 6, F): - The Secretary ensures adherence to **Republican National Committee** rules, which may involve coordinating with national party structures. - **No Proxies at State Committee Meetings** (Article IV, Section 7): - The Secretary must personally attend **State Committee** meetings, as proxies are **not allowed**, ensuring direct participation in governance. - **Resolutions Handling** (Article XII, Section 10): - The Secretary’s role in receiving non-substantive resolutions supports the convention’s resolution process, ensuring timely submission and consideration. ### Summary: - **Election**: The Secretary is **elected** at the **Organizational Convention** in odd-numbered years for a **two-year term** by majority vote (roll call or acclamation). - **Duties**: Serves as Secretary of the **State Committee** and **Executive Committee**, assists the **Chairperson**, ensures **legal compliance**, files **delegate rolls**, calls **Special Organizational Conventions** for Chairperson vacancies, complies with **national party rules**, and maintains **minutes**. Also manages convention-related documentation (calls, delegate lists, contests). - **Qualifications**: Must be a **registered Republican**, reside in their Convention District, and cannot hold other party offices (except New Castle County roles or public offices). No compensation, but expenses may be reimbursed. - **Governance**: A **voting member** of the **State Committee** and **Executive Committee**, with a key role in record-keeping and procedural coordination. - **Vacancies**: Filled by **Executive Committee** appointment for the unexpired term, triggered by death, incapacity, resignation, change of registration, or loss of district residency. - **Convention Role**: Co-issues convention calls, serves as convention Secretary (unless petitioned otherwise), and handles delegate documentation.