Party Bylaws
Adopted in Convention April 30, 2011
- Purpose
- Statement of Principles
- Affiliation with the National Libertarian Party
- Membership
- Officers and Executive Committee
- Judicial Committee
- Convention Rules
- Nomination and Endorsement of Candidates
- Withdrawal of Nomination or Endorsement
- Affiliate Parties and Organizations
- Contact Data Usage Guidelines
- Campaign Laws
The purpose of the Libertarian Party of Minnesota shall be to function primarily as a political party to elect people to political office in order to achieve the values in the Statement of Principles. Its secondary purpose is educational work for the same goal.
We, the members of the Libertarian Party of Minnesota, hold that all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over their own lives, and oppose the initiation of force or fraud as a means of achieving political or social goals. We are dedicated to the right of all individuals to live in whatever manner they choose, as long as they do not forcibly interfere with the right of others to live as they choose. Governments throughout history, including our own, have operated on the principle that the state has the right to control the lives of individuals and confiscate the fruits of their labor. All other political parties in this country grant government these powers. We, however, hold that governments, when instituted, have only one legitimate function: to protect the rights of the individual.
We challenge the concept that governments have the right to become involved in any activity not directly related to the protection of individual rights. Governments should exist only to ensure the right to free speech and action, the right to own property, and the right to engage in voluntary contractual arrangements with other individuals. No individual should be forced by the State, or another person, to relinquish any portion of his or her life or property for the benefit of another person.
2.1. Conditional Existence: In recognition of the importance of the foregoing Statement of Principles the duration of the Libertarian Party of Minnesota shall be conditional upon its adherence to the Statement of Principle.
2.2. Change Approval: The Statement of Principles shall not be changed without the approval of more than 80% of the membership and 80% of the Executive Committee and if challenged, 80% of the Judicial Committee.
2.3. Platform: The Statement of Principle shall head the Libertarian Party of Minnesota platform and all planks in the platform must be consistent with it.
2.4 Changes to By Laws 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4 require an 80% vote of the registered delegates to the convention. Changes to all other By Laws require two-thirds of the vote of the registered delegates present and voting at the convention. This By Law does not abrogate any power of the Judicial Committee to review or amend any By Law.
3. Affiliation with the National Libertarian Party
The Libertarian Party of Minnesota shall remain affiliated with the National Libertarian Party and shall endorse their candidates as long as it and they remain consistent with the Statement of Principles.
Membership in the Libertarian Party of Minnesota shall be open to all who subscribe to and sign a membership application pledging to oppose the initiation of force or fraud (coercion) as a means of achieving political or social goals, and pay such dues as decided by the Executive Committee. Regular Members pay annual dues. Lifetime Members pay a one-time larger fee within any one year period, the payment schedule and amount to be determined by the Executive Committee.
4.1. Suspension or Termination of Membership: The Executive Committee may suspend or terminate the membership of any member who by action or advocacy, contradicts the Statement of Principle. The member may appeal his termination or suspension to the Judicial Committee.
5.Officers and Executive Committee
The Executive committee shall be comprised of:
5.1. The Chair; who shall preside at the meetings.
5.2. The Vice Chair; who shall preside in the absence of the Chair.
5.3. The Secretary; who shall keep record of the proceedings of the meetings. At each meeting the Secretary shall present the minutes of the previous meeting for approval.
5.4. The Treasurer; who shall receive all monies paid to the Libertarian Party of Minnesota and shall deposit same in such bank as shall have been designated by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall present a written report whenever at least two members of the Executive Committee so request; in addition, the Treasurer shall present a written report to the Executive Committee on at least a quarterly basis. Expenditure of funds shall be made only in accordance of the decisions of the Executive Committee.
5.5. Executive Committee Members Representing Affiliates: In addition to the Executive Committee members described elsewhere in this section, one member shall be eligible for Executive Committee membership from each registered affiliate as chosen by the affiliate.
a. To become registered, the affiliate shall express their intent to be affiliated with the Libertarian Party of Minnesota, and the Executive Committee shall agree to accept the affiliate by a majority vote.
b. To remain registered, the affiliate shall consist of at least three active members, shall hold at least one meeting or event per year, and shall send a representative to the annual convention or participate in at least four Executive Committee meetings per year. Afflilates which fail to do so shall lapse to unregistered status and thus lose their vote on the Executive Committee.
c. The registered affiliate’s member may participate in Executive Committee votes if they are present in person, or through remote interactive teleconferencing in a manner approved by the Executive Committee.
5.6. Executive Committee Members at Large: Up to eight voting members at Large are authorized to be elected in convention to the Executive Committee.
The rules of the Executive Committee are:
5.7. The Executive Committee may revise its quorum requirement and set its policy for voting by proxy, on specific issues and for appointing alternates. A minimum of five Executive Committee members are required for a quorum. If a majority is not required, then a quorum must require either the Chair or Vice Chair to be present.
5.8. The Meeting Dates and Agenda shall be decided by the Executive Committee. Executive Committee meetings shall be run according to Robert's Rules of Order. Meetings shall be open to Party members.
5.9. Vacancy and Succession on the Executive Committee shall be decided by the Executive Committee.
5.10. Term of Office: Executive Committee members shall be elected for a term of 2 years.
5.11. Nomination and Election: Executive Committee members shall be nominated from the floor at convention and shall be elected by majority vote of the delegates. The election of the Executive Committee shall be held in the odd numbered years. Voting will be by secret ballot. All candidates wishing to have their name placed in nomination, shall file notice of their intent by the time established by the convention committee. Candidates for Executive Committee shall be current members of the Libertarian Party of Minnesota. All candidates for Executive Committee shall be required to have been a member of the Libertarian Party of Minnesota at least 60 days prior to the convention.
5.12. When more than two candidates are on the ballot for Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary or Treasurer and if after two ballots none of the candidates has achieved the required votes for election, the candidate with the fewest votes will be removed from the ballot. In case of a tie, candidates with the fewest votes will draw straws to determine who is eliminated. This procedure will continue for all subsequent ballots.
5.13. Executive Committee Members at Large: Each delegate may cast up to eight votes on the first ballot, but no more than one vote for any one candidate. Any candidate achieving a majority on any ballot shall be elected. On subsequent ballots each delegate may cast as many votes as there are offices to fill, but no more than one vote for any one candidate.
5.14. If any Executive Committee Office has gone unfilled anytime after 10 ballots, any delegate may make a motion to end the balloting. If a majority of the delegates voting, vote to end balloting, balloting shall cease.
5.15. After balloting has ended, if the offices of the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and/or Treasurer are unfilled, the outgoing Executive Committee shall meet within ten days following the end of the convention and fill those offices that are vacant. If after balloting has ended, there are fewer than four Executive Committee Members at Large, the outgoing Executive Committee shall meet within ten days following the end of the convention and fill the number of offices required to bring the number ofExecutive Committee Members at Large to four.
5.16. Offices and functions may be combined.
5.17. The Executive Committee shall not go into debt in the name of the Libertarian Party of Minnesota.
5.18. The Executive Committee and its duly appointed subcommittees shall administrate the functions of the Libertarian Party of Minnesota to achieve its purpose.
5.19. The Executive Committee may, without notice, remove any of its members who misses two consecutive regularly scheduled meetings without notifying the Chair or Secretary. Failure to exercise this provision shall not limit the right of the Committee to exercise it in the future.
The Judicial Committee shall be comprised of the Life Members of the Libertarian Party of Minnesota, and shall conduct its business according to Robert's Rules of Order. Its purpose shall be to decide on any challenge to the Executive Committee's or Convention's ruling relative to consistency with the Statement of Principle. Any member of the Libertarian Party of Minnesota shall have the right to so challenge. It shall also decide on any candidate's appeal of the Executive Committee'swithdrawal of Libertarian Party of Minnesota nomination or endorsement for public office. The Judicial Committee shall have the right to decline to judge the challenge thus leaving the Executive Committee's ruling as final.
6.1. If the person whose action or position is being challenged is also a life member, they shall not be part of the Judicial Committee for the decision on that action or position.
6.2. The Judicial Committee shall have the power to impeach officers and members of the Executive Committee challenged for violation or action inconsistent with the statement of principles. Such impeachment shall require at least 80% committee approval.
The Party shall hold an annual convention each year between February 1 and July 31, performing such business as required herein.
7.1. The specific date, location and agenda of Libertarian Party of Minnesota conventions shall be set by the Executive Committee or a convention committee designated by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may designate platform, bylaws, and issues committees to prepare and prioritize items for convention consideration.
7.2. All members of the Libertarian Party of Minnesota shall be eligible to register to be delegates to the state convention. Unless renewing their membership, no one joining the party less 60 days before the convention may be a delegate until the next convention.
7.3. The convention shall be run by Robert's Rules of Order. The officers of the Party shall be the officers of each convention.
7.4. Additions and modifications to the Platform shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all registered delegates present and voting at the convention. Deletions of entire Platform planks require a majority vote of the registered delegates to the convention.
7.5. Changes to the Bylaws take effect at the close of convention business.
8. Nomination and Endorsement of Candidates
A candidate nominated by the Libertarian Party of Minnesota for public office shall be a member of the Libertarian Party of Minnesota, shall support its platform and shall be its official candidate for that office in that election. A candidate who is not a member of the Libertarian Party of Minnesota may be endorsed by it if it has not nominated a candidate for that office in that election. A candidate who is nominated shall have expressed a willingness to accept the nomination. A candidate who is nominated or endorsed shall be eligible to serve in that office.
8.1.Convention nomination or endorsement of candidates for federal or state offices may be made only at the annual convention held in the year of the corresponding general election.
8.2.The Executive Committee may nominate or endorse candidates under the following circumstances:
a. For any office having its general election in the current year, if the annual convention did not nominate or endorse a candidate for that office.
b. For any special election.
c. When the party's nominated or endorsed candidate dies or withdraws from the race.
d. When a candidate's nomination or endorsement is removed by the Executive Committee as provided for by the bylaws.
e. When all members of the Executive Committee have been provided with basic information on the candidate, which may include campaign literature, a campaign website, or a summary of their positions and principles, at least seven days prior to any vote.
8.3.Executive Committee nomination or endorsement requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those present and voting.
8.4.All candidates seeking nomination or endorsement, shall file notice of their intent by the time established by the convention committee.
8.5. Candidates will provide written information on their qualifications, background, campaign positions and any other information they deem relevant. The candidate will provide a minimum of 25 copies of this information. This information will be made available to the convention delegates. Candidates seeking nomination may be required to provide proof that they are members and a signed and dated written statement that they will support the platform.
8.6. Candidates or their designee shall have ten minutes to address the convention before balloting takes place. No vote to nominate or endorse shall be binding unless all members of the Executive Committee have been provided with basic information on the candidate, which may include campaign literature, a campaign website, or a summary of their positions and principles, at least seven days prior to the convention.
8.7.Delegates shall have ten minutes, or such longer time as the Chairman determines, to ask questions of the candidates prior to the first ballot.
8.8. An intermission period shall occur after the candidate(s) or designee(s) address to the convention and before the first ballot.
8.9. A paper ballot will be prepared for the offices for which candidates have filed a notice of intent.
8.10. None of the above (NOTA) shall automatically be an option on all ballots for public office. The convention may decline to nominate or endorse any candidate for public office, even if there are persons seeking nomination or endorsement for that office. Any candidate who sought endorsement at the convention and failed to achieve it, is ineligible to be nominated or endorsed by the Executive Committee, for that office in the current election cycle.
8.11. All nomination or endorsement votes shall be by secret ballot. To secure nomination or endorsement a candidate must receive the votes of 2/3 of the delegates voting for that office.
8.12. When more than two candidates are on the ballot for an office and if after two ballots none of the candidates (or NOTA) has achieved the required votes for nomination or endorsement, the candidate (other than NOTA) with the fewest votes will be removed from the ballot. In case of a tie, candidates with the fewest votes will draw straws to determine who is eliminated. This procedure will continue for all subsequent ballots, or until two candidates (other than NOTA) remain.
8.13. If no candidate (or NOTA) has achieved the required votes for nomination or endorsement anytime after 10 ballots, any delegate may make a motion to end the balloting. If a majority of the delegates voting, vote to end balloting, balloting shall cease.
8.14. Nomination or endorsement of candidates shall not be refused solely because a candidate accepts money from the Minnesota Political Contribution (PCR), the State Elections Campaign Fund, or matching funds.
9. Withdrawal of Nomination or Endorsement
9.1. A candidate's nomination or endorsement may be withdrawn by the Executive Committee. Withdrawal of nomination or endorsement requires a three-quarters (3/4) vote of those present and voting at a meeting. That candidate's nomination or endorsement shall then be declared null and void unless the candidate appeals the withdrawal to the Judicial Committee within seven days of receipt of notification of withdrawal. The resolution of withdrawal must state the specific reasons for withdrawal and must be signed by each member of the Executive Committee agreeing thereto. The Judicial Committee shall meet and act on this appeal within 30 days and before the election.
10. Affiliate Parties and Organizations
Those consistent with the Statement of Principles and goals of the Libertarian Party of Minnesota may be affiliated with the Libertarian Party of Minnesota at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
11. Contact Data Usage Guidelines
"Contact data" is defined to be personal information of state party members, persons contacted via public outreach activities, and persons inquiring with the Libertarian Party of Minnesota.
Contact data shall not be sold or shared with any person or organization, except as follows:
11.1. Contact data may be shared with the Executive Committee.
11.2. Relevant contact data may be shared with the leadership of registered affiliate organizations.
11.3. Relevant contact data may be shared with nominated candidates after separate approval by the Executive Committee.
11.4. Contact data shall not be shared with non-Libertarian candidates, even if they are endorsed.
11.5. General members may use relevant contact data for purposes benefiting the state party, affiliate organizations, or nominated candidates under supervision of at least one member of the Executive Committee, chair of the Website Committee, or chair of the Communication Committee.
12.1. The Party will accept money from the State Elections Campaign Fund (a.k.a. Minnesota Income Tax form $5 Check-off).
