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© 2023 Carter County Tennessee Democratic Party
CARTER COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY BYLAWS
Adopted on ________
Sent to TNDP on _________
ARTICLE I – NAME AND OBJECT
SECTION 1: The name of this organization shall be the Carter County Democratic Party, Tennessee, hereafter referred to in these bylaws as the County Party.
SECTION 2: The objective of this organization shall be to promote the ideals, principles, and values of the Democratic Party and to assist in the election of Democrats and Democratic nominees at every level of public office.
ARTICLE II – GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: Eligibility. All residents of the county who are registered to vote in this county and who believe in the ideals, principles, and values of the Democratic Party are eligible to become general members of the County Party. Membership dues may never be imposed.
SECTION 2: Nondiscrimination. Membership shall not be denied on the basis of sex, race, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, economic status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic origin, identity, or disability.
ARTICLE III – POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
SECTION 1: Governance. The governance and direction of the affairs of the County Party shall be vested in the County Party Executive Committee (the “Executive Committee”) and in the officers of the County Party, hereinafter as set forth in these bylaws, subject to the laws of the State of Tennessee and such rules as may be established by the Tennessee Democratic Party Executive Committee.
SECTION 2: Party Responsibilities. The County Party shall have the following responsibilities:
ARTICLE IV – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SECTION 1: Executive Committee Membership.
District representatives will be expected to lead efforts in their district to grow the party. For example, responsibilities may be fulfilled by identifying volunteer prospects, donors, organizations, influencers, and house party leads in their district; providing vote by mail information; conducting voter registration; identifying and reporting needs, concerns, barriers, and opportunities for outreach in their district to the Executive Committee in order to facilitate opportunities for Democratic engagement and responses in their district.
(check one)
_X__with full voting privileges.
____ without full voting privileges.
SECTION 2: Manner of Election. The district representatives to serve on the Executive Committee shall be elected during the County Convention called for the purpose of electing Executive Committee members at a date determined by the Executive Committee as per instructed by the Tennessee Democratic Party Executive Committee, and as defined in Article XV Section 3, for a two (2) year term or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
SECTION 3: Resignations. The resignation of any member of the Executive Committee shall be made in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein, or if no time is specified, then it shall take effect upon receipt of such resignation by the Chair or Secretary. The full executive committee shall receive notification of the vacancy within one week of the resignation. All resignations must be verified and documented in meeting minutes whether by letter or verbal.
SECTION 4: Vacancies. Provided that no less than one week notice of the vacancy has been given, the vacancy shall be filled by nomination from the Executive Committee. Any vacancies occurring in the Executive Committee may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Executive Committee members present at any regular meeting, even though less than a quorum of the Executive Committee exists. In the event of a vacancy, whether resulting from a resignation, expulsion, or failure to elect its Executive Committee members, the remaining members of the Executive Committee in attendance at any meeting may fill those Executive Committee positions.
A district representative vacancy must be filled with a member of the County Party who resides in that district and who meets the same requirements as prescribed in Article IV, Section 1. Officer vacancies must be filled by the Executive Committee with members of the County Party who meet the general membership requirements described in Article II Section 1.
SECTION 5: Attendance. In order to be an effective and productive Executive Committee, attendance at all meetings is expected. Irregular attendance will subject members to forfeiture of their position. See Article IV, Section 7.
SECTION 6: Manner of Acting. The act of a majority of the Executive Committee members present shall be the act of the Executive Committee, unless a greater number be required by law or by these bylaws. In the event of a tie, the Chair may cast a vote to determine the outcome. Under extraordinary circumstances, when it is necessary to conduct a vote of the Executive Committee to take an action or make an obligation of funds, the Executive Committee may be polled via email or phone so long as the vote of each member is reported in the minutes of the next Executive Committee meeting.
SECTION 7: Sanctions or Expulsions.
When such violations are brought to the attention of the Executive Committee, the Executive Committee shall immediately recognize the expulsion, note it in proper minutes, and be followed by notification sent to the expelled member.
ARTICLE V – OFFICERS
SECTION 1: Officers. The officers shall be chair, first, second, and third vice-chairs, secretary, and treasurer.
SECTION 2: Election of Officers. The election of officers shall be held at the Biennial County Reorganization Convention in accordance with Article XV Section 3 for a two (2) year term or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
SECTION 3. Officers Not Required to be Executive Committee Members. It is not required that persons nominated for officer positions be members of the Executive Committee. Any officer who is not an elected member of the Executive Committee shall, upon election as an officer, become a member of the Executive Committee.
SECTION 4: Resignations. The resignation of any officer of the Executive Committee shall be made in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein; if no time is specified, then it shall take effect upon receipt of such resignation by the Chair or Secretary. The full executive committee shall receive notification of the vacancy within one week of the resignation. All resignations must be verified and documented in meeting minutes whether by letter or verbal.
SECTION 5: Vacancies. Vacancies in any elected office for any reason shall be filled by the Executive Committee for the unexpired portion of the term. See Article IV, Section 4.
SECTION 6: Chair. The Chair shall serve as the spokesperson of the County Party. The Chair will supervise and manage the day-to-day business of the Party. The Chair shall preside over any convention which may be called and over the monthly meetings of the Executive Committee. The Chair shall perform all duties incident to the office of chair and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Executive Committee members from time to time. In addition to the Membership, Publicity, and Finance Committees, the Chair may establish other committees with the approval of the executive members. The Chair serves as ex-officio member of all committees.
SECTION 7a: First Vice-Chair. The First Vice-Chair is to assist and support the Chair. In the absence of the Chair or in the event of the Chair’s death or inability or refusal to act, the First Vice-Chair shall perform the duties of the chair, and in so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all restrictions on the Chair. The First Vice-Chair shall work closely with the Executive Committee members on increasing membership in the County Party and such other duties as may be assigned to them by the Chair or by the Executive Committee. Also
SECTION 7b: Second Vice-Chair. The Second Vice-Chair is to assist and support the Chair. In the absence of the Chair or the First Vice Chair, the Second Vice-Chair shall perform the duties of the chair, and in so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all restrictions on the Chair. The Second Vice-Chair shall work closely with the Executive Committee members on county party events and such other duties as may be assigned to them by the Chair or by the Executive Committee. Also,
SECTION 7c: Third Vice-Chair. The Third Vice-Chair is to assist and support the Chair. In the absence of the Chair and the First and Second Vice Chairs, the Third Vice-Chair shall perform the duties of the chair, and in so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all restrictions on the Chair. The Third Vice-Chair shall work closely with the Executive Committee members on county party publicity and such other duties as may be assigned to them by the Chair or by the Executive Committee. Also
SECTION 8: Secretary. The Secretary shall:
SECTION 9: Treasurer. The Treasurer shall:
SECTION 10: One Seat/One Vote. No person shall serve in more than one position on the Executive Committee. This rule applies to all members of the Executive Committee.
SECTION 11: Neutrality. The County Party shall not endorse or campaign for any specific Democratic Primary Candidate prior to or during a contested local, state, or national Democratic Primary Election. With the exception of the Chair, County Party Officers and Executive Committee members, acting apart from their party office, are encouraged to support and participate in campaigns for local, state, or national candidates of their choice in contested Democratic Primaries. All who seek to become Democratic National Convention Delegates must register in support of a specific Presidential Candidate prior to the delegate nominating procedure. Should the County Party Chair seek to become a delegate, the Chair may declare personal support for a specific Presidential candidate.
SECTION 12: Must Support Nominees of the Democratic Party. No person shall be an officer or Executive Committee member if they shall not support nominees of the Democratic Party. Failure to support the nominees of the Democratic Party is cause for Automatic Expulsion. Violators will be removed under Article IV Section 7.
ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS
SECTION 1: General. All meetings of the County Democratic Party shall be publicized no less than seven (7) days prior to the date of the meeting. All meetings shall be held at convenient times and locations and shall be open to the general public and media representatives (excepting executive sessions or where legal counsel otherwise indicates).
SECTION 2: Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held monthly.
SECTION 3: Special Called Meetings.
SECTION 4: Quorum. 40% of the members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of the Executive Committee. If less than a quorum is present at a meeting of the Executive Committee, a majority of the members present may adjourn the meeting.
SECTION 5: Convention Meeting. A meeting of the Executive Committee may be held without other notice than this bylaw immediately after, and at the same place as, the County Party Reorganization Convention.
ARTICLE VII – PROXIES
SECTION 1: No Proxies Allowed. No proxy shall be allowed at any meeting of the County Party.
SECTION 2: Unit Rule. No voting by the unit rule shall be allowed at any meeting of the County Party.
SECTION 3: Open Voting. All votes shall be public and shall not be by secret ballot.
SECTION 4: No Absentee Voting. No absentee voting shall be allowed at any meeting of the County Party.
ARTICLE VIII – COMMITTEES
SECTION 1: Committees Appointed By The Chair. The Chair may establish committees with the approval of the executive committee. The Chair will appoint all Committee Chairs and committee members. Committees may be composed solely of Executive Committee members or partly Executive Committee members and partly general members, as deemed appropriate to fulfill the objective of this organization outlined in Article I, Section A. The Chair is an Ex-Officio member of all committees.
SECTION 2: Term of Office. Each member of a committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Chair, but no longer than until the next County Party Reorganization Convention or until the committee is terminated.
SECTION 3: Removal of any Member of the Committee. Any member of any committee may be removed by the Chair whenever, in their judgment, the best interest of the County Party shall be served by the removal.
SECTION 4: Standing Committees. The County Party may establish standing committees. Membership of standing committees will follow the same rules and process as above.
ARTICLE IX – BUSINESS AT MEETINGS
The regular order of business at Executive Committee meetings shall be as follows:
ARTICLE X – RESOLUTIONS
All proposed resolutions must be submitted to the Executive Committee for consideration at least one (1) week prior to a meeting. Emergency resolutions may be brought before the body by consent of a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those present. Resolutions may be adopted by a majority vote of the Executive Committee present and voting in favor.
ARTICLE XI – CONTRACTS AND EXPENDITURES
SECTION 2: Annual Financial Review Committee. An Annual Financial Review Committee shall be designated by the Chair to perform an annual financial review, The Treasurer shall serve as a nonvoting member of the committee, but shall not serve as the Chair of the committee. The committee shall examine the financial records and accounts of the County Party and shall certify to the Executive Committee the annual balances and accuracy of records. A report for the previous year from the Annual Financial Review Committee shall be presented to the Executive Committee for approval.
ARTICLE XII – PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES
The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern meetings of the Executive Committee in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the bylaws and any special rules of order which may be adopted.
ARTICLE XIII – AMENDMENTS
Any proposed amendments or substitutions to these bylaws must be submitted to the Chair of the TNDP County Party Development Committee for review and approval prior to a vote by the County Party Executive Committee for adoption. An approved amendment or substitution may be adopted with a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the total elected membership of the Executive Committee. This action must only take place at a meeting of the Executive Committee called for the purpose of amending these bylaws.
ARTICLE XIV – RULES
The County Party is a constituent party of the Tennessee Democratic Party, created by the Tennessee Democratic Party Executive Committee, and with the Tennessee Democratic Party Executive Committee having full authority in all matters over the County Party including the establishment of minimum standards. Any conflict between the county party bylaws and the bylaws of the Tennessee Democratic Party, the bylaws of the Tennessee Democratic Party prevail.
ARTICLE XV – CONDUCT OF BIENNIAL COUNTY REORGANIZATION CONVENTION
SECTION 1: Biennial Reorganization Convention
SECTION 2: Prepare for the Reorganization Convention:
SECTION 3: Holding Reorganization Convention. The provisions for the holding of the Biennial County Reorganization Convention shall be as follows:
(check one)
_____ Option 1 _____ Option 2 _____ Option 3 __X___ Option 4
Option 1 for Elections
The Reorganization Convention shall divide into caucuses by district.
In each caucus, a chair and a secretary shall be selected. The Chair shall lead the caucus meeting and the Secretary shall keep records of the caucus meeting. The Chair shall then call for nominations for each of the two (2) District Representative Executive Committee positions. Separate elections shall be held for each position, demonstrating gender equity. After the nominations cease, the ballot is closed and the elections shall commence. A majority shall prevail for each election. In the case where a majority is not reached, the low vote getter is dropped, and voting proceeds with the remaining candidates. In the case of a tie, a runoff between those tied shall be held to decide the winner. If a tie results after three attempts, the incumbent County Party Chair will cast the deciding vote.
Upon the completion of the elections of the District Representatives, the convention shall reassemble and each district shall report the results of their elections and the Caucus Secretary shall provide the results in writing to the Secretary of the County Party.
The Reorganization Convention shall then adjourn, as its business has been completed. A meeting of the newly elected Executive Committee will follow, for the purposes of electing officers.
The Oath of office shall be administered to the newly elected Executive Committee.
Option 2 for Elections
The Chair shall call for nominations from the floor for each of the Party Officers. Separate elections shall be held for each position. After the nominations cease, the ballot is closed and the elections shall commence. A majority shall prevail for each election. In the case where a majority is not reached, the low vote getter is dropped, and voting proceeds with the remaining candidates. In the case of a tie, a runoff between those tied shall be held to decide the winner. If a tie results after three attempts, the incumbent County Party Chair will cast the deciding vote.
The Reorganization Convention shall then divide into caucuses by district.
In each caucus, a chair and a secretary shall be selected. The Chair shall lead the caucus meeting and the Secretary shall keep records of the caucus meeting. The Chair shall then call for nominations for each of the two (2) District Representative Executive Committee positions. Separate elections shall be held for each position, demonstrating gender equity. After the nominations cease, the ballot is closed and the elections shall commence. A majority shall prevail for each election. In the case where a majority is not reached, the low vote getter is dropped, and voting proceeds with the remaining candidates. In the case of a tie, a runoff between those tied shall be held to decide the winner. If a tie results after three attempts, the incumbent County Party Chair will cast the deciding vote.
The Oath of office shall be administered to the newly elected Executive Committee.
The Reorganization Convention shall then adjourn, as its business has been completed. A meeting of the newly elected Executive Committee may follow without additionalo notification other than these bylaws.
Option 3 for Elections
The Reorganization Convention shall divide into caucuses by district.
In each caucus, a chair and a secretary shall be selected. The Chair shall lead the caucus meeting and the Secretary shall keep records of the caucus meeting. The Chair shall then call for nominations for each of the two (2) District Representative Executive Committee positions. Separate elections shall be held for each position, demonstrating gender equity. After the nominations cease, the ballot is closed and the elections shall commence. A majority shall prevail for each election. In the case where a majority is not reached, the low vote getter is dropped, and voting proceeds with the remaining candidates. In the case of a tie, a runoff between those tied shall be held to decide the winner. If a tie results after three attempts, the incumbent County Party Chair will cast the deciding vote.
The Chair shall call for nominations from the floor for each of the Party Officers. Separate elections shall be held for each position. After the nominations cease, the ballot is closed and the elections shall commence. A majority shall prevail for each election. In the case where a majority is not reached, the low vote getter is dropped, and voting proceeds with the remaining candidates. In the case of a tie, a runoff between those tied shall be held to decide the winner. If a tie results after three attempts, the incumbent County Party Chair will cast the deciding vote.
The Oath of office shall be administered to the newly elected Executive Committee.
The Reorganization Convention shall then adjourn, as its business has been completed. A meeting of the newly elected Executive Committee may follow without additional notification other than these bylaws.
Option 4 for Elections
The Chair shall call for nominations from the floor for each of the Party Officers. Separate elections shall be held for each position. After the nominations cease, the ballot is closed and the elections shall commence. A majority shall prevail for each election. In the case where a majority is not reached, the low vote getter is dropped, and voting proceeds with the remaining candidates. In the case of a tie, a runoff between those tied shall be held to decide the winner. If a tie results after three attempts, the incumbent County Party Chair will cast the deciding vote.
The Chair shall then call for nominations for each of the two (2) District Representative Executive Committee positions. Separate elections shall be held for each position, demonstrating gender equity. After the nominations cease, the ballot is closed and the elections shall commence. A majority shall prevail for each election. In the case where a majority is not reached, the low vote getter is dropped, and voting proceeds with the remaining candidates. In the case of a tie, a runoff between those tied shall be held to decide the winner. If a tie results after three attempts, the incumbent County Party Chair will cast the deciding vote.
The Oath of office shall be administered to the newly elected Executive Committee.
The Reorganization Convention shall then adjourn, as its business has been completed. A meeting of the newly elected Executive Committee may follow without additional notification other than these bylaws.
OATH OF OFFICE – All Executive Committee members are required to take the Oath of Office
I (name) do hereby solemnly promise, before my fellow Democrats, to fulfill the duties of the office to which I have been elected, to the best of my ability. I also promise to support the nominees of the Democratic Party. I further promise that if for any reason I cannot perform these duties I shall resign so that a replacement may be obtained. I also understand that a violation of this oath can result in removal from office.
Adopted on ____________________________
Total Composition of the Carter County Party Executive Committee
Possible # of positions for | # Possible | # Filled | # Vacant |
Officers (Chair, Vice Chair(s), Secretary, Treasurer) | 6 | ||
District Representatives: # of Commission Districts x 2 | 16 | ||
TN Federation of Democratic Women | 1 | ||
TN Young Democrats Chapter | |||
TN College Democrats Chapters | |||
Immediate Past Chair |