SPECIAL RULES OF ORDER FOR CONVENTIONS
General
Several Convention rules are mandated by the Constitution of the Republican Party of Minnesota (the “State Party”) or the Constitution of the Third Congressional District Republican Party of Minnesota (“CD3”). Such rules appear bold face and cannot be amended.
1. The business to be conducted at each convention (a “Convention”) of CD3 must be listed in the Official Call of the Convention (the “Call”), subject to either a Two-Thirds Vote (defined below) or the discretion of the presiding chair of the Convention (the “Convention Chair”), who need not be an officer or resident within the bounds of Minnesota’s Third Congressional District (the “Convention Chair”).
2. The order of proceedings for each Convention initially will be (a) a call to order and presentation of the Call; (b) brief remarks from the CD3 Chair (if any); (c) identification of the Convention Chair; (d) identification and appointments of any other convention officers; (e) invocation & prayer (if any); (f) recital of the Pledge of Allegiance; (g) identification of convention committee membership; (h) an initial report of the Credentials Committee, (i) recognition of the seating of alternates in accordance with these special rules of order for conventions (these “Rules”); (j) a report of the Rules Committee; and (k) adoption of an agenda or order of business for the remainder of the Convention (collectively, the “Agenda”); and thereafter as listed in such Agenda, in each case subject to the discretion of the Convention Chair.
3. Each Convention shall be governed by, in order of precedence, applicable law, the State Party Constitution, any bylaws of the State Party then in effect, the Constitution of CD3, any bylaws of CD3 then in effect, the Call, and these Rules. All points not addressed by the foregoing shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, taking into account that each Convention shall be treated as a convention of an established society. Each term capitalized, but not defined in these Rules, shall have the meaning ascribed to it, if any, in the document having the highest precedence.
Registration
4. Registration for each Convention will open and end at such times as are specified in the Call for that Convention. If the Call does not state a time for registration, then registration will start no later than 9:00 a.m. and will end promptly at 11:00 a.m. Only delegates or alternates in line for registration at or before the end time will be entitled to register.
5. The Credentials Committee shall produce a new report promptly upon request of the Convention Chair.
Quorum
6. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the delegates registered and alternates registered and eligible to be seated to fill vacancies at the Convention (the “Body”) as given in the most recent preceding report of the Credentials Committee and shall be superseded by any subsequent report of the Credentials Committee. Once a quorum has been established, there shall be no further questions as to quorum and any such questions shall be out of order.
Convention Officers
7. The Executive Committee may appoint the Convention Chair for each Convention. If the Executive Committee does not take action on this matter before a Convention is called to order, then the CD3 Chair (or their designee) will serve as the Convention Chair.
8. The Executive Committee may designate a Parliamentarian and one or more Sergeants-at-Arms and Tellers (including a Chief Teller) for a Convention. If the Executive Committee does not take action on this matter before a Convention is called to order, then the Convention Chair, in their sole discretion, may appoint such positions for a Convention.
9. The Executive Committee may appoint the Secretary for each Convention. If the Executive Committee does not take action on this matter before a Convention is called to order, then the CD3 Secretary (or their designee) will serve as the Secretary. If the Executive Committee has not acted and the CD3 Secretary is absent or otherwise unable to serve or designate a Secretary, then the Convention Chair, in their sole discretion, may appoint a Secretary.
10. If any officer of a Convention, including the Chair of the Convention, is otherwise a member of the Body, then they will have the same voting right as any other member of the Body.
Delegation Leadership
11. Each Affiliate or basic political organizational unit (“BPOU”) delegation shall have a “Delegation Leader.” If no such Delegation Leader has been designated by the BPOU, then, (i) if present and a member of the Body, the Chair or designated Co-Chair, or if no such Chair or Co-Chair is present any Deputy Chair, of the Affiliate or BPOU shall automatically serve as the Delegation Leader; or (ii) if no such person is present and a member of the Body, then the registered and present delegates and seated alternates (collectively, “Seated Delegates”) from the applicable Affiliate or BPOU must designate (or in the absence of a consensus, elect by secret ballot) a temporary Delegation Leader with a term expiring upon the adjournment of the Convention.
Seating of Delegates & Alternates
12. The permanent roll of the Body shall be constituted as follows:
A. Delegates of each Affiliate or BPOU within Minnesota’s Third Congressional District who are registered and present, each of whom shall be seated automatically.[1]
B. If any delegate is not registered or not then present, then, provided that an initial report has been delivered by the Credentials Committee, an alternate of such Affiliate or BPOU shall be seated in their stead.
C. If no delegate or alternate is present, then that Affiliate or BPOU shall have no representation. If there are fewer delegates and alternates than delegates seats available to an Affiliate or BPOU, then that Affiliate or BPOU will not have a full delegation. There shall be no cross-seating among Affiliates or BPOUs.
D. When a registered delegate returns to the floor, then such delegate will immediately be seated in place of any alternate seated in their stead pursuant to Rule 12.B above.1
E. The order of seating of alternates will be as follows:
1. From the alternates in the rank order, if any, presented by the Affiliate or BPOU.
2. If no priority of alternates has been established by the Affiliate or BPOU, then the Delegation Leader shall determine the order of seating.
F. Notwithstanding the foregoing, only persons who (1) are residents of Minnesota’s Third Congressional District, (2) are or will be of voting age at the time of the next general election and (3) currently reside within the BPOU they propose to represent are eligible to be members of the Body.
Speaking & Debate
13. Only Seated Delegates may rise to address the Convention Chair, or the Body after recognition by the Convention Chair. A Seated Delegate wishing to speak shall rise, address the Convention Chair, and promptly state their name, the Affiliate or BPOU they represent, and the purpose for which they rise.
14. Debate on any motion or subject shall be limited to ten (10) minutes, with no more than one (1) minute for each speaker. No person shall be allowed to speak more than twice on the same motion or subject. No person shall be allowed to speak for a second time until all those desiring to speak have first had an opportunity to do so.
15. Before any vote shall occur on a motion to close debate or lay a matter on the table, if there has been no debate on the previous question, then the Convention Chair may, but shall not be obligated to, allow debate on the proposition for up to five (5) minutes with equal amounts of time available for those in favor and those in opposition to the proposition. If no speaker rises to debate in opposition to the proposition, then the Convention Chair may suspend further debate.
16. If there are more candidates for a position to be elected at the Convention than there are seats in that position (a “Contested Position”), then each candidate for that position will be entitled to address the Convention in advance of voting for a period not to exceed four (4) minutes solely with respect to candidates for CD3 Chair, and two (2) minutes for all other positions. All speeches in support of a candidate, including any seconding speeches, will count against the time limit.
17. Surrogate speakers are not permitted for candidates for National Delegate or Presidential Elector.
18. Nominating, seconding and candidate speeches for each candidate seeking endorsement shall not collectively exceed six (6) minutes. For contested endorsement votes, the order in which candidates will present will be determined by drawing lots in advance of each round of speeches.
19. The Convention Chair, at any time, may invite any office holder, candidate (including any candidate for a position to be elected at the Convention that is not a Contested Position) or distinguished guest to address the Convention for a period not to exceed three (3) minutes; provided, however, that no such person will be permitted to speak to the merits of an action item or candidate for any election, endorsement, or other action item identified in the Call or on the Agenda unless such item has already been considered and definitively addressed by the Convention.
20. The Convention Chair shall appoint a timekeeper for the purpose of timing discussion, debate, and speeches during the Convention. In the absence of a separate designee, the Secretary of the Convention shall fulfill that role.
21. Whether or not resulting from a contested election, any person elected to serve as CD3 Chair or CD3 Deputy Chair shall be entitled, but not required, to address the Body for up to five (5) minutes.
Voting
22. Unless otherwise specified:
A. All matters presented to a Convention will be determined by an affirmative vote of greater than half of the votes cast by persons legally entitled to vote on the matter after taking abstentions and blank votes into account (a “Majority Vote”).
B. Abstentions and blank ballots (including any ballots not cast due to absences from the floor) are not votes cast and must not be counted in the denominator for determining the outcome of any vote.
C. Any invalid or illegal ballot (including but not limited to ballots cast for an invalid candidate, illegible ballots, overvotes, and undervotes when bullet balloting is not permitted) that does not clearly indicate an intent to abstain, must be counted in the denominator for determining the outcome of a vote.
23. Unless otherwise specifically stated in these Rules, only persons who are members of the Body, and present at the time the vote is opened, will be permitted to vote on that matter.
24. A “Two-Thirds Vote” means an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes cast by persons legally entitled to vote on the matter after taking abstentions and blank votes into account.
25. The vote on all questions shall be by acclamation, subject to the following restrictions:
A. A rising vote must be taken if requested by any Seated Delegate or may be taken at the discretion of the Convention Chair.
B. A roll-call vote by Affiliate and BPOU must be taken if requested by five (5) or more BPOUs or at the discretion of the Convention Chair.
C. A secret ballot vote must be taken if requested by any Seated Delegate and approved by a Two-Thirds Vote or may be taken at the discretion of the Convention Chair.
D. A secret ballot vote must be taken for all contested elections.
26. No second shall be required to any motion submitted by a committee, including committee reports.
27. There shall be no voting by proxy or unit rule.
28. Bullet balloting is permitted. A ballot with fewer candidate selections than the number of positions to be filled will be valid.
29. Ballots that purport to vote for more candidates than the number of positions to be filled, or more than once for the same nominee shall be invalid.
30. The Convention Chair may finally determine any voting dispute and may request a new vote.
31. The Convention Chair shall appoint a Chief Teller to assist in counting votes and adjudicating disputes. The Chief Teller may appoint up to ten (10) Tellers to further assist in that role.
32. Each Delegation Leader will be responsible for promptly collecting and distributing ballots in accordance with any procedures established by the Chief Teller.
33. Voting by secret ballot will proceed until the Convention Chair rules balloting closed.
34. A motion to lay on the table shall require a Two-Thirds Vote.
35. Each candidate’s campaign will be allowed two people to be physically present to observe the counting of any ballots regarding that candidate’s endorsement. The candidate must provide the names of their observers to the Chief Teller before such persons will be granted access. Any such observers must not interact with the persons counting ballots. Any observer who physically contacts or attempts to record by video or photo any ballot or counting documentation, apparatus or process must be removed from the room immediately. Any questions or concerns should be raised directly to the Chief Teller, who may request that it be submitted in writing.
36. Only the Chief Teller may disclose the results of any round of balloting outside of the counting area, including to candidates or their campaigns. Any other person present in the room in which ballots are counted, including observers, must not disclose partial or final voting results (a) until the Chief Teller, the Convention Chair, or their designee has announced the results to the Convention, or (b) pursuant to a written authorization signed by the Chief Teller or the Convention Chair.
37. No action except adjournment shall be transacted by the Convention without an affirmative vote of at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the Seated Delegates as established by the most recent report of the Credentials Committee.
Elections[2]
38. Unless specifically specified in these Rules, nominations for election to any position on the day of the Convention (including nominations from the floor at or during the Convention) will not be permitted and will be out of order.
39. Regardless of the orders of speakers, the names of nominees for each position shall be presented in alphabetical order, by last name, then first name.
40. After all candidates for a Contested Position have been reported upon by the Nominating Committee, each person so nominated may address the Convention.
41. If the number of candidates for any office is less than or equal to the number of positions to be elected, then there will be no candidate speeches for that office, and the nominee(s) shall be voted on by acclamation voice vote.
42. In the event of a tie vote for any position, the winner shall be elected by coin toss called by the tied candidate with the last name appearing later in the alphabet.
43. A candidate for a position to be elected at the Convention must receive at least one vote before they can be elected to serve in such position.
Congressional District Officers
44. No person may stand for election as a Congressional District Executive Committee member unless the person (1) understands the duties and responsibilities of the position the person seeks; and (2) has appeared and has been interviewed before the Nominating/Search Committee (or equivalent body, in each case referred to as the “Nominating Committee”).
45. The Nominating Committee shall report the nomination of each person who has satisfied the criteria set forth in the governing documents identified in Rule 3 and by Rule 44 who seeks to stand for election as a Congressional District Chair, Deputy Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, or Vice Chair.
46. For all positions except for the Vice-Chairs, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected for each position available. For the Vice-Chair positions, the seven candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected.
National Convention Delegates and Alternates
47. Individuals wishing to be considered for the position of delegate (“National Delegate”) or alternate (“National Alternate”) to a convention of the Republican National Committee (the “RNC”) must comply with any reasonable requirements of the Nominating Committee and applicable rules of the RNC and the State Party. The Nominating Committee shall place in nomination only the persons that meet these requirements.
48. The Nominating Committee must report the nomination of each person who has satisfied the criteria set forth in the governing documents identified in Rule 3 who seeks to stand for election as a National Delegate or National Alternate.
49. There will be one election held at the Convention for National Delegates and National Alternates for each presidential candidate to which National Delegates and National Alternates are required by applicable law or State Party Rule to be bound.
50. Delegates elected to serve as National Alternates will be ranked in order of descending number of votes received.
51. The CD3 Chair will maintain an official record of the voting results for all candidates for National Delegate or National Alternate after the convention and at least until a new election is held for those positions. In the event that a person elected at the Convention to serve as a National Alternate is also elected at the State Party’s convention held in the same year to serve as a National Delegate, that person will automatically vacate their National Alternate seat and the resulting vacancy will automatically be filled by the candidate with the next highest vote total from the Convention where the former National Alternate was elected. If there is no remaining candidate, the position shall be left vacant.
Presidential Elector
52. If stated in the Call for the Convention, then, as established by the Constitution of the State Party, one (1) person may be elected at Convention to serve as CD3’s Congressional District Elector-Nominee (the “Presidential Elector”).
53. Individuals wishing to be considered for the position of Presidential Elector must comply with any reasonable requirements of the Nominating Committee and applicable law and rules of the State Party. The Nominating Committee shall place in nomination only the persons that meet these requirements.
54. The Nominating Committee must report the nomination of each person who has satisfied the criteria set forth in the governing documents identified in Rule 3 who seeks to stand for election as a Presidential Elector.
55. There will be one ballot for Presidential Elector. In accordance with the CD3 Constitution, the nominee receiving the highest number of votes from the valid ballots cast will be elected to serve as the Presidential Elector. The nominee receiving the next highest number of votes from the valid ballots cast will be designated as CD3’s substitute Congressional District Elector-Nominee.
Endorsement
56. If the consideration of endorsements is stated in the Call for a Convention, then the endorsement process will be conducted in accordance with Article V. Section 3, of the Constitution of the Republican Party of Minnesota. If the consideration of endorsements is not stated in the Call for a Convention, then any such motion shall be prohibited and will be out of order.
57. To initiate the endorsement process for an elected office, the Body must first determine by majority vote whether endorsement shall be considered for that office.
58. Voting on contested endorsement for an elected office must be conducted by secret ballot. When only one (1) candidate seeks endorsement for an office, by motion and second the Body may decide by a unanimous voice vote or two-thirds (2/3) affirmative rising vote to endorse the candidate. If the Body does not endorse by unanimous voice vote or two-thirds (2/3) standing vote, a secret ballot will be conducted.
59. Any candidate for any elective public office may be granted pre-primary endorsement by CD3 if they receive a 60% affirmative vote and if the 60% is greater than or equal to at least a majority of the Seated Delegates.
60. Individuals wishing to be considered for endorsement by the Convention are encouraged to comply with all requirements of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee must report for each known candidate for endorsement for a particular elected office: (1) the Committee’s determination regarding such candidate’s qualifications to serve if ultimately elected to the office and (2) the extent of such candidate’s compliance with the Committee’s requirements.
61. Only one candidate may be endorsed per seat for a particular office.
62. In the first round of balloting for any endorsement, votes may be cast for any person who by law is eligible for election to the office under consideration and who is eligible under the State Party Constitution to seek the endorsement, even though he or she has not been nominated or has withdrawn from nomination.
63. Ballots may be cast stating "no preference" or "undecided" or indicating no endorsement. Blank ballots or abstentions, unintelligible ballots, ballots marked only by a checkmark or “x,” or ballots cast for an ineligible person or a fictional character will not be included in determining the 60% vote necessary for endorsement.
64. No preprinted ballot for endorsement will be allowed unless an option for “no preference,” “undecided” or “no endorsement” is included.
65. In the first round of balloting for endorsement for any office, any person who receives ten percent (10%) or less of the vote on the first ballot will be eliminated from consideration and all further votes cast for that person in future round will be equivalent to a blank ballot.
66. In each subsequent round of balloting for endorsement after the first round in which there are greater than two (2) eligible persons remaining, the person who receives the least votes, if such amount of votes is less than or equal to 25% of the vote necessary for endorsement, will be eliminated from consideration and all further votes cast for that person in future rounds will be equivalent to a blank ballot.
67. On any round of balloting for endorsement, a motion of no endorsement will be considered adopted for the subject office if a majority of the ballots (excluding blanks) are cast for “no,” “none,” “no endorsement,” or otherwise clearly indicating no endorsement should occur.
68. There will be no speaking opportunity for candidates for an elected office between the first and second rounds of balloting with respect to endorsement for that elected office.
69. Before voting may commence on the third, or any later, round of balloting for endorsement for an elected office, each remaining candidate for that office will be given an opportunity, but will not be obligated, to address the Convention for not more than three (3) minutes.
70. If no Candidate has attained a vote of at least 50% after six (6) rounds of balloting, then the endorsement process for that office will terminate immediately and no person will be endorsed for that office at the Convention.
71. Upon written request received in advance of the Convention, a reasonable number of campaign personnel for any candidate will be permitted to enter the Convention venue, for the sole purpose of posting campaign materials, at least one hour in advance of the earliest of (i) commencement of ceremonies, (ii) commencement of any scheduled speeches, speakers or presentations, and (iii) the call to order of the Convention. When posting is complete, all campaign staff must exit the venue until it is open for delegates and alternates. Upon completion of the Convention, each candidate’s campaign will be responsible for the prompt removal of all posted materials relating to their campaign.
A. Campaigns may distribute handouts to Seated Delegates at any time except when another candidate or representative of a campaign has been recognized by the Convention Chair and is addressing the Convention.
B. To the extent permitted by any rules and space limitations of the Convention venue, each candidate will be provided with table space in the lobby (or equivalent) for campaign materials.
C. Candidates are encouraged to exercise appropriate restraint in posting materials in the lobby (or equivalent) and the room in which the Convention is held. Other than signs held by supporters of a candidate during such candidate’s speaking time, no signs for or against any campaign or potential action item, are permitted on the stage (or equivalent). No signs for or against any campaign or potential action item will be permitted in any other area, including but not limited to classrooms, hallways, doors, exterior of the building or outside grounds. Balloons, if permitted by the venue, must be pre-cleared by the CD3 Chair or their designee at least one day prior to the Convention.
D. When posting materials, campaigns must use temporary tape that is easily removable and leaves no residue. When removing materials, campaigns must use care not to damage the surface. Each candidate’s campaign is responsible for taking down and removing all of its posted material, including complete removal of tape from walls and fixtures. All costs incurred by CD3 for damage to surfaces or other parts of the venue will be assessed to the responsible candidate’s campaign or, if responsibility cannot be determined, pro rata to all candidates who posted materials during the Convention.
E. All materials distributed at a Convention must comply with all applicable laws and regulations and must contain the name of the organization or the name and address of the individual paying for said material.
F. All guests and members of a campaign who are not delegates or alternates to the Convention must satisfy all requirements applicable to guests and sign in before entering the Convention room or any auxiliary room other than the lobby (or equivalent). No one may be admitted to the Convention room during the Convention without a name tag.
Resolutions
72. Resolutions relating to the State Party’s platform may be considered by the Body at the first convention held during an even year or any other convention for which the Call specifically states that resolutions may be an item of business. Under all other circumstances, resolutions are not a proposed item of business for the Convention, and any such motion shall be prohibited and will be out of order.
73. The Resolutions Committee will prepare and present to the Convention a report identifying all resolutions passed at the most recent conventions held by the BPOU’s within CD3. The Resolutions Committee is encouraged to revise for grammar and clarity without changing the meaning of a resolution and to combine resolutions on the same topic or with substantially the same substance for efficiency. The Resolutions Committee is also encouraged to identify in its report any resolutions that are viewed to contradict each other.
74. Immediately following the report of the Resolutions Committee, the Convention must vote on whether to accept and approve all resolutions in accordance with the recommendations of the Resolutions Committee. Upon a majority vote to accept and approve all resolutions presented by the Resolutions Committee, such resolutions will be deemed approved, and no further debate will be permitted on any resolutions.
75. If the Convention does not vote to accept and approve all resolutions in accordance with the recommendation of the Resolutions Committee, then the chair of the Resolutions Committee will list each resolution individually and ask whether the convention seeks to debate the resolution. Resolutions may be debated only if (1) 15 or more Seated Delegates request that such resolution be debated, and (2) following such a request, the Convention agrees by majority vote to debate the resolution.
76. If there is debate on a resolution, then Rule 14 applies and approval of the subject resolution must be voted upon individually.
77. A resolution may be accepted from the floor of the Convention only after the Resolutions Committee’s report is complete and only upon a Two-Thirds Vote.
Guests; Press; Decorum
78. Entry into the Convention constitutes the attendee’s consent to be bound by all rules of decorum, Convention Rules, or the proposed rules until the Rules are adopted.
79. Only Seated Delegates and their guests under the age of 18 shall be allowed on the Convention floor.
80. All invited guests, uninvited guests and members of the press are required to register their attendance in writing by printing their name, residential address, telephone, and the entity (if any) they represent at the registration desk or another designated location. Members of the press shall confirm their registration by displaying any applicable credentials or, if no credentials exist photo identification, at the registration desk.
A. Guests, including media, shall at all times display a badge indicating their name and the entity, if any, they represent.
B. Guests shall not vote or speak during voting, and must refrain from making noise, attracting attention, or otherwise disrupting the Convention.
81. A participant to the Convention must not disrupt order and decorum and may be removed from the floor upon request by the Convention Chair for repeated interruptions that are out of order nor germane to the agenda. Any person or persons who disrupt the Convention are trespassers and may be ejected from the premises by any legal means.
82. Guests and members of the press are strictly prohibited from using recording devices or cameras in the Convention facility, except as may be permitted by the Convention Chair or the CD3 Executive Committee.
83. All cell phones, pagers, recorders, computers, cameras and any other such electronic device shall be turned off and inoperative, or rendered silent after the Convention is convened and until adjournment. If the use of such device disrupts proceedings the responsible person may be ejected at the sole discretion of the Convention Chair.
84. The Convention Chair may speak from the podium or via remote audio device as presiding officer at any time to provide the Convention with relevant procedural information and to discharge the duties as presiding officer of the Convention.
85. The Convention Chair may at any time appoint a Seated Delegate to serve as acting Chair for the Convention, should the Convention Chair choose to speak on behalf of or against an issue before the Body. The Convention Chair shall automatically reassume the position of presiding officer at any time on the Convention Chair’s own authority provided the issue before the Body has been resolved.
86. No Sergeants-at-Arms shall exhibit any outward sign of support for or engage in any activities on behalf of any candidates or issues.
87. Any and all materials distributed at the convention will contain a disclaimer containing the name and address of the organization or individual paying for the material. The Sergeant-at-arms will confiscate any material not having such a disclaimer and the person or persons distributing the material may be escorted from the convention, have their credentials revoked and be barred from the remainder of the Convention.
88. Any items determined to be a disruption of the Convention by the Convention Chair, or any Sergeant at Arms may be confiscated or removed from the convention floor.
Amendment or Suspension
89. These Rules, once adopted by a Convention, may only be amended or suspended by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Body as given in the most recent preceding report of the Credentials Committee.
90. No provision of the governing documents may be amended or suspended without first complying with all applicable procedures set forth therein.
Adjournment
91. A motion for adjournment will be out of order and may not be considered if the effect of the motion to adjourn, if adopted, would be to terminate a Convention before addressing all Pending Business with no provision for reconvening at a specified time, date, and location.
92. Provided there is no further Pending Business, the Chair may adjourn the Convention without requiring any vote.
93. “Pending Business” means any item listed on (i) an agenda or order of business (collectively, an “Agenda”) previously approved by the Convention or, (ii) in the absence of an approved Agenda, any business identified on the Call for such Convention, which item has not already been considered and definitively addressed by the Convention. Initial approval of an Agenda will constitute Pending Business until an Agenda has been approved.
[Adopted at Convention held on April 12, 2025]