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Rules and By-Laws

Marion County Republican Committee


PREAMBLE


Declaration


The express purpose of these rules is to provide for the free and unhampered right of the individual electors of Marion County to participate in the nominations of their choice.


Party Objectives


The Republican Party of Marion County declares its objectives to be:


1. The election of qualified Republican candidates to every public office.


2. The fulfillment of the needs of the citizens of Arkansas in a manner consistent with the

 beliefs and principles of the Republican Party.

Party Principles


Republicans believe:

1. America was founded and has prospered with a strong faith in God; endowed by our Creator, one Nation under God.

The government should support freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.


2. That the individual citizens are willing and capable of managing their own affairs without undue governmental intervention.


3. That the local, state and national governments must pursue policies designed to encourage individual initiative and

induce people to be responsible for their own economic, political, and social well-being.


4. That the basic function of government is to protect the life, common liberty and property of the governed, to prevent fraud and misinterpretation, and to invoke a common justice.


5. That when a function is undertaken by government, it should be performed by that level of government

closest to the people which will provide as much direct control by those affected and consistent with the capacity

of such level of government to perform such function.


6. Along with the freedom we enjoy as Americans comes responsibility as good citizens to be willing to serve our

community, state and nation; to participate in our political process, and to work to preserve our heritage as free Americans.


7. The traditional family unit is the foundation upon which the continued existence of our society and

culture depend. It should be encouraged, supported and protected.


8. The Marion County Republican Committee supports the right to life.


9. The Marion County Republican Committee supports the right to keep and bear arms.


10. The MCRC support Constitution of the United States as written by the founding fathers. 

Sections


1. General Provisions

2. Membership and Authority

3. Organization

4. Standing Committees

5. Meetings

6. Order of Business

7. Duties of County Committeemen/women

8. Duties of County Committee

9. Duties of County Officers

10. Election of Officers

11. Vacancies

12. Removal

13. County Convention

14. Primary Elections

15. Filing Fees

16. Parliamentary Procedure

17. Rules of the County Committee

18. Rules Review Committee

19. Amendments

20. Proxies

21. Suspension of Rules

Section 1 – General Provisions


A. No rules shall be established by the Marion County Committee which are contrary to the rules of the

Republican National Committee, the Arkansas Republican State Committee, the laws of Arkansas or the

laws of the United States of America. Any existing rules of the Marion County Committee which are in

conflict with Federal or State laws or National or State Republican Party rules shall be null and void.


B. The organization name shall be the Marion County Republican Committee (MCRC), also referred

to as the “County Committee.”


C. The purpose of this organization is to assist in the election of qualified Republican candidates to

public office and to fulfill the needs of the citizens of Marion County and the State of Arkansas in a manner

consistent with the beliefs and principles of The Republican Party.


D. Meeting notices to members of the County Committee may be transmitted by facsimile, email or other

electronic means if the member has provided an email address or fax number for this purpose to the

Secretary of the County Committee. All members who have not provided such information shall

receive meeting notices by U.S. Mail.

Section 2 – Membership and Authority


A. Membership in the Marion County Republican Committee shall be open to all qualified electors.

No oath or pledge shall ever be required as a condition.


B. County Committee Members of the Marion County Republican Committee shall be elected through the

Republican primary elections held in even-numbered years and shall be composed of one (1) member from

each precinct in Marion County as established by the County Board of Election Commissioners and

one (1) additional member from each precinct for each 50 votes or major fraction thereof cast in that

precinct for Republican nominee for governor in the last gubernatorial election preceding the primary

election of the County Committee.. Members of the Arkansas General Assembly, State Constitutional Officers, U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives who are members of a County Committee shall be ex-officio members of the County Committee. 


C. The final authority shall be the Biennial County Convention and the Biennial State Convention.

The County Convention is deemed to have delegated interim authority to the County Committee

necessary to achieve the purpose and objectives of the Marion County Republican Committee and the

Republican Party of Arkansas.


D.    If a County Committee Member misses three or more regular consecutive meetings without sending a proxy, that member shall be deemed “inactive” and will not count against quorum while the member is inactive. The inactive member may not issue a proxy pursuant to Article 1 Section 9 and may not serve as a voting member of the County Executive Committee. The member will no longer be considered “inactive” and will be reinstated to active membership upon attending a second consecutive County Committee meeting. If a County Committee Member misses four or more regular consecutive meetings without sending a proxy, the inactive member status shall be referred to the County Executive Committee for recommendations to the County Committee for action up to and including removal from County Committee Membership. Recommendations from the County Executive Committee may be approved by two thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a regular meeting of the County Committee.

Section 3 – Organization


A. The Marion County Republican Committee shall be organized at the first meeting of the committee

immediately following the Biennial County Convention. In addition to the Order of Business (Section 6)

the Committee shall elect a District Committeeman, District Committeewoman and members of the

District Committee. District Committee Members shall be elected based on the formula of one (1)

District Committee Member for each 2000 votes, or major fraction thereof, cast for the Republican

nominee for Governor in the last preceding gubernatorial general election.


B. The Marion County Republican Committee shall consist of the following bodies:


1. County Committee

2. Executive Committee

3. Required Standing Committee (s)

4. Optional Standing Committees (as established by the County Committee)

5. Ad-hoc Committees (as established by the County Committee)

Executive Committee


A. The Executive Committee shall consist of:

1. Chairman of the County Committee

2. First Vice-Chairman of the County Committee

3. Second Vice-Chairman of the County Committee

4. Secretary of the County Committee

5. Treasurer of the County Committee

6. State Committeeman (Optional)

7. State Committeewoman (Optional)


B. The Executive Committee shall meet at such times as the County Chairman or a majority of the

members thereof may deem appropriate or necessary.

C. At least one-half (1/2) of the members of the Executive Committee shall be required to constitute a quorum.

D. Minutes of the meetings of the Executive Committee shall be recorded by the Secretary of the Committee.

E. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the plans and operations of the County Committee;

shall evaluate and recruit qualified Republican candidates for the County, Township and City offices;

and shall perform such other duties as the County Committee may delegate.

Section 4 - Standing Committees


The County Chairman shall appoint the Chairman and members of all Standing Committees, with approval

of the County Committee, within sixty (60) days following the election of County Committee Officers.

Finance Committee


A. The Finance Committee shall consist of:

1. The Treasurer of the County Committee.

2. The Chairman of the County Committee.

3. The Finance Committee Chairman and additional County Committee members, appointed by the

County Chairman and approved by the County Committee.

B. The Finance Committee shall develop a budget for the activities and duties of the County Committee

as prescribed in the Rules of the Republican Party of Arkansas.

C. Proposed expenditures, unless budgeted or recommended by the Finance Committee, shall require a

two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a meeting of the County Committee.

D. The budget for the calendar year shall be presented at the February meeting for approval by the

County Committee.

E. The Finance Committee shall have the authority to adopt prudent and reasonable controls, policies

and procedures for the establishment, approval and expenditure of all special funds and bank accounts

of the County Committee in compliance with applicable state and federal laws and these bylaws. These

provisions extend to any account that bears the County Committee’s federal ID number or requires that

the County Committee assume any liability or fiduciary responsibility (hereinafter “bank accounts(s)”.

Use of a mechanical signature (digital, stamped, etc.) on any check, bank document,

tax document or FEC report is prohibited.

F. Any proposed financial transaction between the Marion County Republican Committee and any entity

owned, operated, or represented by an elected officer of the Committee, a member of the Executive Committee,

Budget Committee or Audit Committee must be approved by the County Committee before the transaction is consummated.

Audit Committee 


A. The financial books of the County Committee shall be closed at the end of December of even numbered

years and audited within thirty (30) days following the election of County Committee Officers by a competent

person approved by the Executive Committee.

B. The Audit Committee shall consist of a member of the Executive Committee, who shall serve as Committee Chair,

the incoming County Committee Treasurer and one (1) member of the county committee, appointed by the County Chairman.

C. The Audit Committee shall establish an appropriate system of financial controls, monitor the effectiveness

of such controls, conduct an audit, report to the Executive Committee the results of the audit and compliance

with any policy and procedures established by this Committee. The Audit Committee shall report to the

County Committee the actions of any officer, employee, or agent of the County Committee which, in its opinion,

is in violation of these controls and practices, bylaws or the policies and procedures established by the committee.

D. The committee shall also perform other duties as the County Committee or the Executive Committee may assign.

General Financial Procedures:


1. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) shall be employed by the County Committee in all

daily accounting and bookkeeping functions.

2. No one is empowered to incur indebtedness or financial obligation on the part of the Marion County

Republican Committee unless budgeted and expressly authorized by the County Committee, and approved

by the Executive Committee.

3. The Executive Committee may employ a qualified bookkeeper to assist the Treasurer in the preparation of

budgets, financial reports and in maintaining all bank accounts of the County Committee, the campaign

disclosure reports, and any other reports required by law. The bookkeeper shall have formal training in

compliance procedures and reporting procedures.

4. Any member of the Executive Committee, the Finance Committee, or the Audit Committee shall have full

access to the financial records of the County Committee during regular business hours. Documents and records

may not be removed from the office(s) of the County Committee or its designee with the exception that the

Chairman of the Audit Committee may make copies of financial records for use by the Audit Committee.

5. Any County Committee Member may review the Treasurer’s reports during regular committee meetings.

Section 5 – Meetings


A. The Marion County Republican Committee County shall meet monthly on the second Thursday of the

month at 6 pm in the County Courthouse, unless circumstances necessitate the changes, which shall be

approved by the Committee. A minimum of nine (9) meetings shall be conducted each year.

B. One-fourth (1/4) of the total number of members of the County Committee shall constitute a quorum for

regularly scheduled meetings. A quorum is required for the transaction of business requiring a vote of the members.

C. Special meetings may be called by one-fourth (1/4) of the total number of members of the committee,

provided that in no instance shall any special meeting be called by less than five (5) members.

Written notice of the time, place, date and purpose shall be transmitted to each member of the committee

at least ten (10) days in advance, unless the total membership of the committee is present at the meeting.

Written notice may be transmitted by facsimile, email or other electronic means if the member has provided

an email address or fax number to the Secretary of the County Committee for this purpose. All members

who have not provided such information shall receive the notice by U.S. Mail. One third (1/3) of the total

number of members of the committee shall constitute a quorum at all special meetings.

D. No action shall be taken by the County Committee on proposal to fill vacancies, adopt or amend rules,

or elect any officers or assess filing fees unless the proposal shall have been set forth in the written notice

calling the meeting. The notice shall be mailed to each member at least (10) days before the meeting date.

Electronic means may be employed for notification if a member has provided an email address or fax number

to the Secretary of the County Committee for this purpose

E. Any member of the County Committee may issue a written proxy for any meeting of the County Committee.

This proxy must be presented to the Secretary of the Committee by a registered voter from within the county.

No person shall present more than two (2) proxies. No person, including persons holding proxies, may cast

more than one (1) vote on any issue or election. At any meeting proxies shall be counted for quorum purposes.

Section 6 – Order of Business


The order of business in all committee meetings shall generally proceed as follows:

1. Establish quorum

2. Call to Order (Prayer and Pledge)

3. Recognition of visitors

4. Reading, correcting, and approval of minutes

5. Treasurer’s Report

6. Reports of Committees

7. Unfinished business

8. New business

9. Inquiries on all matters of interest to the Republican Committee

10. General Discussion

Section 7 – Duties of County Committeemen/women


Committee members shall be responsible for canvassing and organizing their respective precincts,

appointing precinct captains, procuring qualified Republican candidates, raising party funds, identifying

qualified election judges and clerks, assisting the officers of the County Committee, and supporting and

working to elect Republican candidates.

Section 8 – Duties of County Committee


The County Committee shall make every reasonable effort to accomplish the objectives of the Republican

Party of Arkansas, maintain sufficient funds to conduct party activities, procure and elect qualified

Republican candidates, and conduct the affairs of the County Committee in such a manner as will result

in respect by the electorate.

Section 9 – Duties of County Officers


A. County Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the County Committee and the County Executive

Committee, shall coordinate the political activities of the county, shall assist Republican candidates in

organizing, planning, and conducting their respective campaigns in the county. The County Chairman may

take filings in election years in the absence of the Secretary. The County Chairman shall appoint Finance

Committee Members and shall serve on the Finance Committee. The County Chairman shall appoint all

chairpersons and members to serve on all standing and ad-hoc committees. The Chairman has a $50

discretionary fund per month for incidental Committee related expenses.

B. First Vice-Chairman shall assume the duties of the County Chairman in presiding over meetings in

the absence of the Chairman; shall chair one of the Standing Committees, as well as coordinate the activities

of all the standing committees and any other such committees as the Chairman might establish, assist the

Chairman in the selection of effective committee chairmen; assure that the committees are performing their

activities and keep the County Chairman informed on activities of the various committees.

The First Vice- Chair shall be the opposite gender of the Second Vice-Chair.

C. Second Vice-Chairman shall assume the duties of the County Chairman in the absence of the

Chairman and First Vice-Chairman. The Second Vice-Chairman shall chair one of the Standing Committees

as well as coordinate the activities of the county committee members, assist the Chairman in the selection of

interested and qualified Republicans to fill vacant positions as officers and precinct committeemen, and

assist the Chairman in assuring that the Rules of the Republican Party of Arkansas and these rules are observed.

The Second Vice-Chair shall be the opposite gender of the First Vice-Chair.

D. The Secretary shall serve as the chief clerical officer of the County Committee and County Executive Committee.

A primary duty is certification to the Secretary of the State of Arkansas the election of the County Chairman and

Election Commissioner within ten (10) days of the meeting at which they were elected and reporting the same

to the State Republican Committee. Other duties include maintaining mailing lists, sending notices of meetings,

agendas for meetings, and recording minutes of the official meetings. The Secretary shall notify the

State Party of the roll of delegates/alternates to the State Convention within ten (10) days following their

election at the Biannual County Convention. Minutes of the immediate past meeting of the County Committee

shall be read and approved at each meeting of the County Committee. Minutes of any committee meeting

shall be available for viewing by any member of the County Committee at any regular meeting of the County Committee.

The Secretary is also responsible for keeping a current roster of members of the District Committee, and to

notify the Secretary of the State Committee, the District Chairman and the District Secretary within ten (10) days

after their election to the District Committee. The Secretary receives filing fees from Republican candidates for county committeeman/committeewoman, municipal, county, and other offices in accordance with the laws of the

State of Arkansas and the Rules of the Republican Party of Arkansas.

F. The Treasurer shall receive and account for all funds paid into the county committee treasury, issue an

official receipt to each contributor, keep a permanent record of all receipts and disbursements and report the

financial condition to the County Chairman and County Committee. The Treasurer shall serve as a member of the

Finance Committee. The Treasurer shall submit to the Executive Committee, the Finance Committee and the

County Committee a monthly report of actual revenue and expenditures by line item. The Treasurer shall prepare

other written reports that the Executive Committee or the Finance Committee may require. The Treasurer shall

cause to be prepared and filed all financial reports required by federal, state and local laws, including payroll

tax returns, income tax returns and campaign finance disclosure

reports and shall be responsible to assure the accuracy of such reports. The Treasurer shall monitor and supervise

the preparation of such reports and shall sign reports as a duty of that position. The Treasurer shall have a

$50 discretionary fund per month for incidental Committee related expenses.

G. The District Committeeman/Committeewoman and District Committee Members shall

attend the District meetings and appropriate political functions, vote on party policy matters and election of

District officers, reflecting the will and interest of the County Committee, and inform the County Committee

on actions and decisions adopted by the District Committee.

H. The State Committeeman/Committeewoman shall attend State Committee meetings and appropriate

political functions, vote on party policy matters and election of state officers, reflecting the will and interests of

the County Committee, and inform the County Committee on actions and decisions adopted by the State Committee.

I. The Finance Committee shall arrange county Republican fund-raising events, solicit financial contributions

for County Committee operation expenses. The Finance Committee is responsible for preparing the annual

budget and to submit for approval by the Executive Committee and County Committee.

Section 10 – Election of Officers


A. County Committees shall meet in January of odd numbered years to elect a County Chairman,

First Vice-Chairman, Second Vice-Chairman who must be of the opposite sex, Secretary, Treasurer,

Election Commissioner and such other offices as the county rules specify. The meeting at which

County Committee Officers are elected may be a regular meeting or a special meeting, called by the Chairman,

for the purpose of election of officers. Written notice of the time, place and purpose of the regular or called

special meeting shall be mailed to each member of the Committee at least ten (10) days in advance of the

meeting date. Electronic means may be employed for notification if a member has provided an email address

or fax number to the Secretary of the County Committee for this purpose. The Secretary of the County Committee

shall certify the election of the County Chairman and appointment/election of Election Commissioner to the

Arkansas Secretary of State within ten (10) days after the election and to the Secretary of the State Committee.

B. Any officer of the County Committee shall not serve as a member of the county board of election commissioners

effective no later than January 1, 2012. Exceptions may be granted by the applicable District Chairman on a

case-by-case basis after ensuring any county officer understands that Arkansas voting law prohibits an election

commissioner from participating in any person’s campaign listed on a county’s ballot (A.C.A. §7-4-109©(2)(A).

Within ten (10) days of the date of election to the county board of election commissioners, the chair or secretary

of each county committee shall notify the county clerk in writing of the names and addresses of those selected to

serve on the county board. [AR Code 7-4-102(b) (2)]

C. If the County Chairman dies, resigns, is removed, or otherwise vacates the position, the 1st Vice-Chairman

shall serve as Chairman and 1st Vice-Chairman and assume the duties of both until a new Chairman is elected

at a meeting of the Committee held within 75 days of the occurrence of the vacancy. Written notice of the time,

place and purpose of the meeting, called by the 1st Vice-Chairman, shall be mailed to each member of the committee

at least fourteen (14) days in advance of said meeting. Electronic means may be employed for notification if a

member has provided an email address or fax number to the Secretary of the County Committee for this purpose.

D. If the 1st Vice-Chairman dies, resigns, is removed, or otherwise vacates the position, the 2nd Vice-Chairman

shall serve as 1st Vice Chairman and 2nd Vice Chairman until that position is filled in the same manner as the

filling of the vacancy of the county chairman position.

E. Tenure in office – County Chairman currently serving, or elected in the future shall be limited to four (4)

consecutive two (2) year terms from the time of their initial election.

Section 11 – Vacancies


A. Vacancies existing on the County Committee shall be filled according to the Rules of the

Republican Party of Arkansas.

B. A vacancy in the membership of the County Committee shall be deemed to exist under

any of the following:

1. When a member tenders his/her resignation in writing to either the Secretary or

Chairman of the Committee.

2. When a member tenders his/her resignation orally before the County Committee.

3. In the event of death of a member or permanent change of residence from the political subdivision

of the position held.

4. If the member is removed in accordance with the Rules of the Republican Party of Arkansas.

5. If the election of a prospective member would not exceed the total numbers of members authorized

for the County Committee.

C. Nominations to fill vacancies in the Marion County Republican Committee may be made at any

regular meeting and shall be voted on at the next regular County Committee meeting at which the

nominee is present, unless the Committee takes action to defer to a later meeting due to incomplete

membership information or forms.

D. Nominees must be presented in person to the members of the County Committee at the time of

nomination and shall pay a fee equal to the filing fee. The filing fee may be prorated if a member is

nominated twelve or more months following the date of the last biennial county convention.

E. If a candidate is nominated for committee membership for a precinct for which the authorized

precinct membership was not filled in the primary election, the last elected “at-large” committee member

shall be dropped if the authorized total county membership would be exceeded by the election of the

precinct candidate. The new precinct candidate shall be seated on the committee to fill a vacancy in the

precinct in which he/she resides.

F. Nominees for membership on the County Committee must affirm their concurrence with the Party

Objectives and Principles as stated in the “Preamble” to these Rules.

Section 12 – Removal


A. Any member of the County Committee may be removed for any one of the following reasons:

1. Failing to qualify as an elector.

2. Willful violation of these rules or working against the interest of the Republican Party.

3. Inactivity, neglect, or refusal to perform the duties of the office.

B. An Election Commissioner may be removed for the reasons stated in Section 12(A) and/or for failing

to perform duties as specified in the State Board of Election Commissioners (SBEC) Procedures Manual

for County Boards of Election Commissioners, or being cited following a SBEC investigation for

significant violations of Arkansas voting law.

C. Charges against any member or officer, except the chairman, shall be made to the County Chairman,

who shall within ten (10) days appoint three (3) qualified Republican electors within the county to investigate

the charges. Within ten (10) days following the appointment, the Investigation Committee shall furnish to

the person charged a copy of all charges, setting a time and place for the person charged to be heard.

The Investigation Committee shall make a written report of its findings to the County Chairman, who shall,

in the event of removal, notify the person removed in writing. An appeal of the chairman’s decision may be

made by filing a written notice with the County Secretary within thirty (30) days, upon receipt of which the

Secretary shall place the matter on the agenda for the next meeting of the County Committee for final determination.

D. The County Chairman may be removed by the County Committee in a meeting called for that purpose

by a least one-third (1/3) of the committee membership. The County Chairman shall be removed by a vote of not

less than two-thirds (2/3) of the membership present and voting of the County Committee. In case a meeting

is called for this purpose, the County Chairman shall be given at least ten (10) days written notice of the charges

and the time and place of the meeting and shall be entitled to be heard.

E. The Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Arkansas may remove a County Chairman for inactivity,

neglect or refusal to perform the duties of the office by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Committee present and

voting by secret ballot in the following circumstances: (1) Where there is no operational County Chairman;

or (2) when a County Chairman is not functioning or cannot be located.

Section 13 – County Convention


A. Delegates to the County Convention shall be elected in the Republican primary election held in

even-numbered years pursuant to Section 2.B. The number of delegate positions shall be on the same basis as

members of the County Committee.

B. Notice of the County Convention shall be mailed to delegates, via U.S. Mail, by the County Chairman

at least two (2) weeks prior to the date of the convention. Electronic means may be employed for

notification if a member has provided an email address or fax number to the Secretary of the County Committee

for that purpose. At least two (2) weeks prior to the convention the County Chairman shall advertise or

publish in a county newspaper of general circulation, the time, date, and location of the County Convention.

C. Vacancies existing or occurring in the delegations to the County Convention after the primary is closed

may be filled by the County Committee.

D. The State Committeeman and State Committeewoman shall be elected by the County Convention and

ratified by the State Convention.

E. Delegates and alternates to the State Convention shall be elected at the County Convention based upon

the following formula:


1. Three (3) delegates from each county

2. One (1) delegate for each one thousand (1000) votes or major fraction thereof cast for the Republican

candidate for Governor in the immediately preceding gubernatorial election

3. One (1) delegate for each Republican holding countywide office

4. One (1) delegate for each Republican holding the office of Justice of the Peace.

5. Each county shall be entitled to one (1) alternate delegate for each delegate. In the absence of any delegate,

the roll of alternates shall be called in the order in which the names are placed upon the roll of the convention.

F. In the event the County Chairman fails to act in compliance with A, B, C, D, or E, the State Chairman

of the Republican Party of Arkansas shall initiate action to assure compliance with those provisions.


G. The Agenda for the County Convention will be as follows:


County Chairman calls convention to order.

County Secretary calls roll of Delegates to the County Convention who were elected in the Republican

Primary Election or elected following the primary election by the County Committee.

County Chair asks for vote on the adoption of the Official Roll of Delegate.

County Secretary reads CALL TO CONVENTION.

Chair asks for nominations for Temporary Chair of the convention of delegates.

Chair calls for vote for Temporary Chair and Temporary Chair presides.

Temporary Chair asks for nominations for Temporary Secretary. After election the Temporary

Secretary assumes duties.

Temporary Chair then introduces any guest speaker, candidate or honored guests.

Temporary Chair asks for nominations for Permanent Chair. After his/her election the

Permanent Chair presides and asks for nominations for Permanent Secretary. Vote for Permanent

Secretary is taken. After being elected the Permanent Secretary assumes the duties of Secretary.


The Permanent Chair or Permanent Secretary reads the list of persons elected as nominees

for county, township and municipal offices and lists all candidates for County Committee Members.

The Chair then asks for a motion that they be declared winners, having been elected, either opposed or unopposed.

Chair asks for nominations for State Committeeman and calls for vote.

Chair asks for nominations for State Committeewoman and calls for vote.

Chair asks for nominations for Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the State Convention and calls for vote.

Proposed changes to the Rules of the County Committee (if any) are presented to the Convention.

Rules changes may be approved according to procedures prescribed in the current Rules of the County

Committee and/or the current Rules of the Republican Party of Arkansas.

Chair announces that the meeting of the new County Committee will be held immediately

following adjournment of the County Convention or announces date of first meeting.

The County Convention is adjourned.

Section 14 - Primary Elections:

A. The Marion County Republican Committee (MCRC) shall hold a primary election in

every even-numbered year in accordance with the election laws of Arkansas.

B. Except support for candidates in a presidential preferential primary, the County Chairman,

County Election Commissioner or County Committee shall not endorse or otherwise publicly show

favoritism to one candidate over another in a contested Republican primary. The County Committee,

by a 9/10 (90%) vote of the members present at any regular or duly announced special meeting,

with a quorum of such committee in attendance, may vote that a particular candidate is not a recommended candidate.

C. If any Executive Officers or Republican Election Commissioners should become a candidate in a

contested Party Primary election, he or she shall, within one (1) business day, either resign the Party

Office or withdraw from the candidacy.

D. The County Committee shall be responsible for determining the qualifications of candidates

seeking nomination by the Republican Party. Candidates shall possess those qualifications required

by the laws of Arkansas and the United States of America shall affirm their concurrence with the principles

and objectives of the Republican Party of Arkansas and pay the prescribed filing fees.

E. The County Chairman and County Secretary are charged with the responsibility to provide candidates

all necessary information about the filing process, filing forms and filing fees, receive and process the filing

forms and determine the order of the ballot, in accordance with state law. Within each county, the political

party primary elections shall be conducted by the county board of election commissioners.

[AR Code 7-7-201(b)(1)] The county board of election commissioners shall certify the nomination of all

county, township, and municipal officers to the county committee of the political party, state committee

of the political party and county clerk. [AR Code 7-7-401(a)

F. The Chairman of the County Committee shall cause to be published once a week for two (2)

consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the county, not earlier than forty-five (45)

days and not later than fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the preferential primary filing period, notice

of the name and contact information for the Secretary of the County Committee with whom all persons

desiring to be Republican candidates for public office or County Committeeman/woman and delegates

to the County Convention shall pay their filing fees, such notice to state the last day and hour which such

candidates may legally qualify.

G. Republican candidates filing for County Committeeman/woman and delegate to the County Convention

may file “at large” if their precinct allocation is filled. The number of candidates permitted to file “at large” in

any precinct is limited to a number equal to the number of members allocated to that precinct by the formula

in Section 2.B or 2.C. The total number of candidates filed for County Committeeman/woman and delegate

to the County Convention may not exceed the authorized county membership based on the formula in Section 2.B or 2.C.

H. For those counties that do not include Early and Absentee Votes in each precinct total, the Early

and Absentee Votes cast may be allocated back to the precincts on the basis of votes cast in a precinct vs.

total votes cast in all precincts (excluding Early and Absentee Votes). The new precinct totals may be used

in the calculation of the number of members allocated to each precinct.

Section 15 – Filing Fees


The County Committee for each county shall set the filing fees to be required of Republican candidates

for county, township, and municipal offices, for County Committeemen/ delegates to the County Conventions,

no sooner than the second Monday in January of each even-numbered year and not later than the

second Monday in February. The County Secretary shall promptly advise the Chairman and the

Secretary of the State Republican Party of each action. In the event of the failure of the County Committee to set

filing fees within the time specified, the filing fees established or in effect for the previous election shall apply.

Payment of the filing fee and application shall be endorsed to: Marion County Republican Committee

(MCRC) and received by the Secretary or Chairman of the County Committee.

The current filing fees are:


County Judge …………………………………. $750.00

County Sheriff …………………………………. $750.00

Constable …………………………………. $400.00

County Clerk …………………………………. $350.00

County Assessor…………………………………. $350.00

County Treasurer…………………………………. $350.00

County Collector…………………………………. $350.00

County Surveyor……………………………….…...$ 35.00

Justice of the Peace………………………………..$100.00

County Coroner ………………………………………$ 35.00

County Republican Committee..................$ 15.00

Delegates to the County Convention............None

Section 16 – Parliamentary Procedure


Robert’s Rules of Order “Newly Revised” shall apply in all cases not specifically covered by these Rules,

and in the event of a conflict between these Rules and Robert’s Rules of Order, these Rules shall apply.

Section 17 – Rules of the County Committee


A. No rules shall be established by a County Committee, which are contrary to the rules of

the Republican National Committee (RNC) or the Republican Party of Arkansas (RPA), laws of the

State of Arkansas, or laws of the United States of America. Any existing rules of any County Committee

which are in conflict with federal or state law, RNC Rules or RPA Rules shall be null and void.

B. These rules may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a regular

meeting of the county committee, or by simple majority at a County Convention, provided that ten (10) days

written notice shall have been given of any proposed amendment, and provided the amendment is

not contrary to National or State Rules or Federal and State laws.

C. Any rule may be suspended during any meeting of the county committee by a nine-tenths

(9/10) vote of the members present.

D. The Secretary of the County Committee shall forward to the Secretary of the State Committee,

on or before the first day of October of each even numbered year, a copy of the current rules of the County Committee.

Section 18 – Rules Review Committee


A. County Committee Members may file a “Request for Review” with the State Chairman if there is

evidence of a failure, within the County Committee, to observe RPA Rules and/or Rules of the

County Committee. A “Request for Review” may be filed if signed by not less than one-fifth (1/5)

of the total membership of the County Committee, provided that in no instance shall a “Request for Review”

be filed by less than five (5) members.

B. The “Request for Review” shall be filed, in writing, with the State Party Chairman by U.S. Mail,

email or facsimile. The State Party Chairman shall appoint a Review Committee within 15 days of

receipt of the “Request for Review” to include the following:


1. The District Chairman for the district in which the County from which the request was received is located.

The District Chairman shall serve as Chairman of the Review Committee.

2. The District Representative to the State Executive Committee representing the district in which

the County from which the request was received is located.

3. The President of the County Chairman’s Association or an additional member of the

State Executive Committee who resides in the district in which the County from which the

request was received is located.

4. A RPA Staff Member may be appointed to the Review Committee at the discretion

of the State Chairman.


C. The Review Committee shall investigate the matter referred, review appropriate documents,

receive and review written representations from the parties involved in the dispute.

The Review Committee shall hold hearings with member of the County Committee, if it deems

necessary, within thirty (30) days of the appointment of the Review Committee. Any hearing should

be held at the regular meeting place of the County Committee or at a convenient meeting place

within the county at a time that would permit interested parties to attend.

D. The Review Committee shall make a written report to members of the State Executive Committee,

with findings and recommendations, within twenty (20) days after the date of the hearings with

members of the County Committee or within forty-five (45) days after the date of the appointment

of the Review Committee if no hearing is held.

E. At the next meeting of the State Executive Committee, following receipt of the Review

Committee Report, the Chairman of the Review Committee shall make a verbal report to the

State Executive Committee. A representative from each side of the issue(s) considered by the

Review Committee will be permitted to make a five (5) minute presentation to the State Executive

Committee. Representatives may provide a written summary prior to the convening of the

State Executive Committee Meeting.

F. The State Executive Committee shall consider all reports and presentations and take

appropriate action. The decision of the State Executive Committee shall be final.


Note: A County Chairman may submit a written “Request for Variance” from these Rules to the Chairman,

RPA Rules Committee. The “Request for Variance” will be considered by the Rules Committee

within 45 days from the receipt of the Request. The “Request for Variance” will be acted upon

unless the request would violate RPA Rules. Any approved “Request for Variance would apply to all

County Committees with equal or fewer authorized members.

19. Amendments


These rules may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the delegates present at the County Convention,

provided the proposed changes be stated in the call of the County Convention, and provided that the

proposed changes do not violate state or national law or state or national Republican Party rules.


20. Proxies


Any member of any committee governed by these rules may issue a written proxy for any

County Committee meeting. This proxy must be presented to the Chairman of the Committee by a

qualified voter from the same committee as the person giving the proxy. No person shall present

more than two (2) proxies. No person may cast more than one vote on any issue or election.

At any meeting proxies shall be counted for quorum purposes.


21. Suspension of rules


Any of these rules may be suspended during any meeting of the County Committee by a

nine-tenths vote of the members present.

These rules have been adopted by the Marion County Republican Committee.

June 13, 2019


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