REPUBLICAN PARTY OF MINNESOTA SENATE DISTRICT 38 CONSTITUTION

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1 0 0 Preamble: The Republican Party of Minnesota welcomes into its party all Minnesotans who are concerned with the implementation of honest, efficient, responsive government. The party believes in these principles as stated in the 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 preservation of the rights of each individual. It is the purpose of this constitution to ensure that the party 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, social or economic status. ARTICLE I. NAME, OBJECTIVES and MEMBERSHIP Section Name: The name of this organization shall be The Republican Party of Minnesota Senate District ; also referred to as MN SD or The BPOU, or The Senate District. Section Objectives: The primary objectives of MN SD shall be to elect endorsed Republicans to public office and to promote Republican philosophy. Section Membership: General membership of MN SD shall consist of all citizens eligible to vote in MN Senate District who wish to be affiliated with the Republican Party and who support the purposes and objectives of the Republican Party. ARTICLE II. FULL COMMITTEE Section Membership: Membership of the Full Committee shall consist of the following residents of this Senate District: A. Each Precinct's Ranking Officer or designee B. Senate District Officers C. State Central Delegates and Alternates D. Current MN House District A and B State Representatives and MN Senate District Senator if elected as a Republican E. Former MN House District State Representatives and MN Senate District Senators, if elected as Republicans and residing within MN SD F. Any other meeting attendees in general membership with the BPOU. Section Duties: It shall be the duty of the Full Committee: A. To manage the affairs and carry out the programs of the Republican Party within MN SD, pursuant to the State Constitution of said party, the MN Fourth and Sixth District Constitutions of said party, this Constitution and in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota. B. To organize the Senate District, House Districts, Precincts, and other voting units within its boundaries. Page of

2 0 0 C. To assist in the campaign to elect the endorsed Republican candidate for the office of MN State Senator from this Legislative District. D. To assist in the campaigns and election of the endorsed Republican candidates for the offices of State Representative for MN House District A and MN House District B. E. To assist in the campaign of all other endorsed Republican candidates for public office when the electorate resides partially within MN Senate District. Section Voting: Each member of the Full Committee in attendance shall have one vote. Section Quorum: A quorum, consisting of seven () members of the Full Committee, shall be required to transact business at a Full Committee meeting. A. Of the full committee members, three () shall be Senate District officers. Section Meetings: The Full Committee shall meet at least twice each year. If a change to the time or place of the meeting occurs, members are entitled a minimum twenty-four () hour notice submitted electronically, or orally stating the changes. ARTICLE III. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Section Membership: Membership of the Senate District Executive Committee shall consist of the following residents of this Senate District: A. Senate District Officers B. State Central Delegates C. Congressional District Full Committee Members Section Senate District Officers: The Officers of MN SD shall be: Chair, Deputy Chair, Secretary, Treasurer; with at least one () of these from MN House District A and one () from MN House District B; four () to eight () Vice Chairs with at least two () from MN HDA and two () from MN HDB. The Chair and Deputy Chair shall be named deputy treasurers. A. Election:. Officers and State Central Delegates and Alternates shall be elected at the MN SD Convention held in odd numbered years.. The Officers term shall be two years with no person holding the same office for more than two consecutive terms, with the exception of the Treasurer who will have no limit on terms. B. Vacancies: Any vacancy shall be filled by election within forty-five () days by the Full Committee.. If the BPOU Full Committee does not act within that time, then the BPOU Executive Committee shall fill the vacancy.. Approval to fill vacant position(s) requires a simple majority vote.. Notice of a meeting to fill a vacancy, shall be transmitted electronically or on paper to all members not less than ten (0) days in advance of the meeting. A meeting to fill a vacancy shall convene not more than Page of

3 0 0 thirty () days after the vacancy occurs. (This may be at the regular monthly meeting.) C. Duties: It shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee to:. Administer the affairs of the party within this Senate District.. Elect endorsed Republicans to public office.. Consult and advise the Precinct Officers.. Assist Precinct Officers as needed in recruiting and training Delegates and Alternates and to accomplish such other tasks as may be assigned to them.. Attend MN Fourth/Sixth District training sessions.. Fulfill the responsibilities as required by the MN Fourth/Sixth Congressional District constitutions.. Call and set the agenda for Executive and Full Committee meetings.. Maintain an accurate voter database and any other database deemed necessary by The Full Committee.. Require the Chair, Deputy Chair or designated Vice Chair to preside at all Full and Executive Committee meetings. 0. Designate four () people to represent this Senate District on the MN Fourth Congressional District Full Committee as follows: a. They shall designate four () members of the Executive Committee that reside in the th District and forward the names, addresses and to the th District. b. If there are not four () members of the Executive Committee that reside in the th District, they shall designate Delegates or Alternates to the th District as representatives to the th District Full Committee. c. Once the CD Full Committee is established, any member that is unable to attend a CD Full Committee meeting may designate any member of the BPOU s Executive Committee who resides in CD or a Delegate or Alternate to the th District to attend in their place.. Designate two () people to represent this Senate District on the MN Sixth Congressional District Full Committee as follows: a. They shall designate two () members of the Executive Committee that reside in the th District and forward the names, addresses and to the th District. b. If there are not two () members of the Executive Committee that reside in the th District, they shall designate Delegates or Alternates to the th District as representatives to the th District Full Committee. c. Once the CD Full Committee is established, any member that is unable to attend a CD Full Committee meeting may designate any member of the BPOU s Executive Committee who resides in CD or a Delegate or Alternate to the th District to attend in their place. Page of

4 0 0. Require the Secretary to keep and maintain the minutes of the proceedings of all Committee meetings.. Require the Treasurer to be responsible for the financial matters of MN Senate District. It shall be the responsibility of the Treasurer to file financial reports required within State Statute. Section Voting: Each member of the Executive Committee in attendance shall have one vote. Section Quorum: A quorum, consisting of five () members of the Executive Committee, shall be required to transact business at an Executive Committee meeting. Section Meetings: The Executive Committee shall meet when deemed necessary to maintain organized operation of the BPOU. If a change to the time or place of the meeting occurs, members are entitled a minimum twenty-four () hour notice submitted electronically, or orally stating the changes. Section Removal: Any MN SD Executive Committee Officer or any member of the Executive Committee may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a properly noticed meeting of the full committee. A. Reasons for considering removal to be:. Failing to perform the duties or tasks required of their position.. Actions that are not in line with the MN SD constitution.. Actions that don t coincide with the Republican Party Platform. B. After specific reasons for removal are presented, the member in question will be given the opportunity to appeal in person their removal. C. Executive committee members in attendance will make up the voting strength. ARTICLE IV. STANDING COMMITTEES Immediately following the Senate District convention in the odd numbered years, the Senate District Chair, with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee, may appoint standing committees such as: Candidate Search, Voter Identification, Research, Publicity, Training and any others as deemed necessary. Committees shall meet at the call of the Committee Chair or of the Senate District Chair. ARTICLE V. PRECINCT ORGANIZATION Section Election of Precinct Officers: There shall be in each Precinct a Committee, consisting of a Chair, Deputy Chair, and such other Officers as the Precinct may prescribe, all of whom shall be elected at the Precinct caucuses held in even numbered years. Section Duties: It shall be the responsibility of the Precinct Officers to: A. Improve the organization of the Precinct. B. Recruit and inform Delegates/Alternates. C. Conduct training sessions. Page of

5 0 0 D. Complete voter surveys. E. Conduct voter registration programs. F. Conduct MN SD Republican authorized finance drives. G. Participate in the "Get-out-the-Vote" campaign. H. Accomplish such other legitimate tasks as may be assigned to them by the Full Committee. Section Vacancies: Any vacancy in a Precinct Office shall be filled by election within forty-five () days from the date the vacancy occurs. If the Precinct fails to act, The Full Committee shall fill the vacancy within forty-five () days. Section Official Precinct Caucus and Statutory Procedure: The official Precinct caucus shall be called and conducted as provided by the laws of the State of Minnesota. ARTICLE VI. CONVENTIONS Section Composition: The Senate District convention shall be composed of the following residents of the BPOU: Delegates elected at the precinct caucuses that are held in each precinct every general election year as required by Minnesota statutes. The number of Delegates and Alternates at each convention and the basis of their apportionment shall be determined by the Senate District committee, provided that such basis shall be uniform throughout the Senate District and shall be based on the vote cast for the Republican candidate for Governor in the past preceding statewide general election; or if such election were a presidential election, the vote cast for the Republican candidate for President. Special caucuses for one or more precincts may be called by the Senate District committee in the manner prescribed by statute for biennial precinct caucuses for the sole purpose of filling vacancies in precincts where such exist at the time of notice. Section Time and Purpose: Senate District Conventions shall be held annually at the call of the MN State Executive Committee, the State Central Committee, the MN Fourth or Sixth Congressional District Committees, or the Senate District Committee. This convention shall precede the Congressional District and State Conventions. Special Senate District Conventions may be held at the call of the MN State Executive Committee, the State Central Committee, the MN Fourth or Sixth Congressional District Committees, or the Senate District Committee at such time and for such purpose as the committee calling the same may determine. The Senate District Conventions shall be held at a place determined by the respective committees. Notice shall be mailed or issued at least ten (0) days prior to the date of the convention, except that for an endorsing convention for a special election or for a post-primary endorsing convention, the call shall be issued at least five () days prior to the convention. Convention calls and reports required to be mailed prior to a convention may be issued electronically by . Section Registration: A. Registration fees may be assessed Delegates and Alternates attending a convention. Page of

6 0 0 B. Once a Delegate or a seated Alternate has registered for the convention he/she remains part of the voting strength of the convention even if he/she leaves the convention prior to the convention s official adjournment. C. A convention may close registration of Delegates and Alternates only if the convention call states the time at which registration will close. If the call states a registration closing time the convention may permit a later closing time for registration. Section Delegates and Alternates: Delegates and Alternates to the Congressional Districts and to state conventions shall be elected at the Senate District conventions in even numbered years. The Senate District may elect up to twice as many Alternates as the number of Delegates allotted, provided that the Senate District convention or constitution specifies a method for the orderly seating of said Alternates to fill vacancies in the delegation. The qualifications to be elected a Delegate or Alternate are residence in the electing unit and being a legal and qualified voter in the next general election. All disputes concerning the seating of Alternates shall be settled according to the Senate District constitution or bylaws. A. Eligible voters at the Senate District Convention shall be the Delegates and seated Alternates elected at the last Precinct caucus. B. If any duly elected Delegate to this convention is absent, then a duly elected Alternate from the Precinct elected at the Precinct Caucus held in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota shall be seated in his or her stead. The order of seating of Alternates shall be by order of vote received at the Precinct caucus. If no duly elected Delegates or Alternates are present, no representation of the Precinct is allowable.. Should any precinct fail to fill its delegation, empty seats may be filled by unseated alternates from any other precinct within the same congressional district. Seating is to be determined by alternate rank and by lot. If alternates of the same rank are in line to fill an open seat, a coin toss shall be used to determine priority. Section Pre-Convention Committees: Prior to each convention, the Executive Committee shall establish such committees as Rules, Credentials, Nominations, Arrangements, Constitution and any other committees necessary to conduct the business of the convention. Membership of each committee shall consist of at least two () Delegates or Alternates to the Senate District Convention. The Chair of each committee shall be selected by the Senate District Chair with the advice of the Executive Committee. Section Special Conventions: Special conventions may be held at such time and for such purposes as the Senate District Executive Committee calling the same may determine such as: A. Endorsing Conventions:. When it is desired to endorse candidates for public office, a convention may be called pursuant to the MN State and MN Fourth/Sixth Congressional District Conventions. Only those Delegates and Alternates residing within the geographic area of the office for which the endorsing convention was called shall receive the call. Page of

7 0 0. Any candidate for public office may be granted pre-primary endorsement by the authorized convention if he or she receives 0% of the voting strength of the convention as established by the last report of the Credentials committee preceding the vote. If the public office sought is legally partisan, then the candidate, prior to being considered for preendorsement, must agree that if he or she receives the endorsement, to seek the office as a Republican. B. Special Precinct Caucuses: A caucus for one or more Precincts may be called by the Senate District Chair with the approval of the Executive Committee in the manner prescribed by statute for biennial Precinct caucuses for purposes such as filling vacancies in the Precincts where such exist at the time of notice. Section Rules: Senate District Conventions shall be governed by the Constitution of the Republican Party of Minnesota, the MN Fourth and Sixth Congressional District Constitutions, this Constitution and By-Laws, if any, and Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised. The Senate District Convention may not adopt rules inconsistent with the preceding. Section Presiding Officer: The presiding officer of MN SD or his/her designee may be the Chair. Section Business: The Senate District Convention shall transact such business as is specified in the call of the convention, and may transact such other business as may properly come before it. Section 0 Election of Delegates and Alternates to MN State and MN Fourth/Sixth Congressional District Conventions: Delegates and Alternates to the MN Fourth/Sixth Congressional District and MN State Conventions allocated to the Senate District shall be elected at the Senate District Convention held in even numbered years. The number of Alternates elected by the Convention may be twice the number of Delegates allocated to the Senate District. Alternates elected by the Convention shall be seated in rank order of their election. The order of ranking Alternates shall be in the order of votes received at the Convention. If any duly elected Delegate to the MN State Convention or MN CD/CD Convention is absent then a duly elected Alternate shall be seated in his/her stead. Section Election of State Central Delegates and Alternates: Delegates and Alternates shall be elected in odd numbered years determined under provisions of the MN Fourth/Sixth Congressional District Constitutions. The number of Alternates to the State Central Committee may be three times the number of Delegates allocated to the State Central Committee. Alternates elected to the State Central Committee shall be seated in the rank order of their election. Section Election of Senate District Officers: The Officers of this Senate District shall be elected at large at the Convention held in odd numbered years. Page of

8 0 0 Section Quorum: A. The quorum for convening the Senate District Convention shall be twenty percent (0%) of the total number of Delegates elected at the last Precinct Caucus. B. The quorum for conducting the business of the Senate District Convention shall be fifty percent (0%) of the total number of registered Delegates and seated Alternates at the convention. ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION This constitution may be amended at any MN SD Convention by two-thirds (/) vote of the Delegates and seated Alternates provided that any proposal for amendment shall be referred to the Constitution Committee for consideration and recommendation before it shall be voted upon by the Convention, and shall become effective immediately upon passage. ARTICLE VIII. FOURTH AND SIXTH DISTRICT CONSTITUTIONS Should any portion of the MN Fourth or Sixth Congressional District Constitutions pertaining to this House District be in conflict, then that portion shall be governed by the MN State Republican Party Constitution. ARTICLE IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS The Full Committee is authorized and empowered to adopt By-Laws that are consistent with the Constitution. Proposed By-Laws or amendments to the By-Laws shall be submitted in writing and adopted by majority of the membership in attendance. Copies of all proposed By-Laws and amendments shall be transmitted electronically or on paper to all Full Committee members not less than ten days prior to the meeting that said By- Laws or amendments are to be voted upon. ARTICLE X. DISSOLUTION AND REORGANIZATION In the event the State Legislative lines are redrawn, the Executive Committee shall have the power to dissolve this Senate District BPOU by a two-thirds (/) majority vote. Additionally, Senate District BPOU may choose to reorganize as House District BPOUs. This reorganization would require a simple majority (0% plus ) of delegates at a special convention or a regularly scheduled convention. Adopted at MN SD Convention March, 0 Ammended at MN SD Convention Page of