JOIN US
DONATE

BYLAWS

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Article I:  Name 3

Article II:  Objectives 3

Article III:  Definitions 3

Article IV:  Policies 3-4

  1.   Financial Policy 3-4
  2.   Endorsement Policy 4
  3.   Advocacy 4
  4.   Associations 4
  5.   Conflicts in Bylaws 4
  6.   Bylaws Distribution 4

Article V:  Membership 4

  1.   Eligibility 4
  2.   Application 4
  3.   Dues 5

Article VI:  Executive Committee               5-7

  1.   Purpose 5
  2.   Composition 5
  3.   Term of Office 5
  4.   Duties 5
  5.   Meetings 5-6

Article VII:  Elected Officers and Their Duties 6-9

  1. Elected Officers 6
  2. Election 6
  1.   Duties of Officers 6-8
  2. Chair 6-7
  3. Vice Chair 7
  4. State Executive Committee Person 7
  5. Secretary 8
  6. Treasurer 8
  7. Vacancy, resignations 8
  8. Removal from Office 8-9
  9.   Records, files, properties 9

Article VIII:  Committees 9

  1. Special Committees 9
  2. Standing Committees 9
  3. Bylaws and Resolutions Committee 9
  4. Nominating Committee 9
  5. Resolutions Committee 9-10

Article IX:  Nominations and Elections 10

  1. Nominations 10
  2. Elections 10

Article X:     Proxies 10

Article XI:    Quorum 11

Article XII:   Amendments 11

Article XIII:  Parliamentary Authority 11

Article XIV:  Severability 11

The Bylaws of the York County Republican Party

 

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be York County Republican Party (YCGOP), hereinafter referred to as the Party.  This Party is an affiliate of the South Carolina Republican Party (SCGOP).

ARTICLE II:  MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

 

  1. Mission:  Promote the South Carolina Republican Platform in effect April 17, 2024, notwithstanding any future South Carolina State Republican Platforms which may be adopted by the state, and support candidates who will uphold our Platform.    

 

  1.  Objectives:

  1. Encourage civic and community engagement that aligns with the SCGOP platform 
  2. Support the objectives and the platform of the SCGOP
  3. Disseminate information to all members 
  4. Inform the public through political education and activity
  5. Recruit and work for Republican candidates
  6. Raise funds for Republican candidates
  7. Perform any lawful activity consistent with the foregoing

 

ARTICLE III:  SCGOP DEFINITIONS

                               

  1. SCGOP Rules shall mean the rules of the South Carolina Republican Party as adopted by the 1962 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention and all subsequent amendments.  
  2. Party shall mean the York County Republican Party.
  3. Officer shall mean those Officers of the Party (hence the “Board”) at the county level, duly elected or approved. 
  4. County Precinct Executive Committee (hence “EC”) shall mean the governing body of the County Party, authorized to exercise those powers and fulfill those duties prescribed by the state and/or federal statues, the SCGOP Party Rules, these Bylaws and any Standing Rules adopted herein
  5. The Chair, as elected by the York County GOP delegates, shall serve as Chair of the Party and as presiding officer of the Executive Committee.  
  6. State Executive Committee person (hence “SEC”) shall mean the duly elected person representing the Party at SCGOP Executive Committee meetings
  7. County Precinct Executive Committee person (hence “PEC”) shall mean the duly elected committee person from each precinct to the Party Executive Committee..

 

ARTICLE IV:  POLICIES

 

  1.   Financial Policy 
  1. The fiscal year of the Party shall be from January 1 through December 31.
  2. The Treasurer shall present a budget for the following fiscal year to the Executive Committee at the last meeting of the year for adoption by the Executive Committee. 
  3. Expenditures:
  1. All expenditures exceeding the budget by five percent (5%) per line item shall be approved by the Executive Committee.
  2. The Chair and the Treasurer of the Party jointly shall be authorized to spend up to One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) per year for unbudgeted items without requiring the approval of the Executive Committee.
  3. All donations to campaign candidates shall be approved by the Executive Committee.

 

  1. Endorsement Policy:  The Party shall be able to endorse any candidate(s) for public office who (i) supports the South Carolina State Republican Platform, and (ii) the endorsement is approved by two-thirds (2/3) of the Executive Committee persons present at a called meeting in person, by email, or by Zoom.

 

  1. Advocacy:  Neither the Party nor Officers shall advocate for a candidate on an opposition ticket or act against the SCGOP rules.
  1. Associations :  The Party may :
  2. Associate with other political or nonpolitical organizations, provided that such association, or 

     any activity described in this section, is consistent with and furthers the Party’s objectives 

     described in Article II;

  1. Co-bill or co-host events with other political or nonpolitical organizations;
  2. Inform Party members of events hosted by other political or nonpolitical organizations.
  3. Conflicts in Bylaws:   Should any conflict exist or develop between these Bylaws and the state of South Carolina election law, the latter shall govern.   In matters or areas not covered by these Bylaws, the Rules of the South Carolina GOP (hereinafter SCGOP) shall be followed as a guide
  4. Bylaws Distribution:   The YCGOP Bylaws shall be posted on the YCGOP website as public information.

 

  

ARTICLE V:  MEMBERSHIP

  1. Eligibility:  Any resident of York County, South Carolina who believes in the platform of the Republican Party and supports the objectives of this organization and is registered to vote in South Carolina shall be eligible for membership.   
  2. Application:  Any eligible individual shall complete a Membership Application form and pay the required dues.   To be a member in good standing, a member shall be current in dues payment and maintain behavior that preserves the Party’s integrity and public image.  The process to remove a member shall be decided by the Executive Committee.  
  1.   Dues:   The Executive Committee shall determine the dues at the next to last meeting each year.   Membership dues are payable annually and renewable every twelve (12) months.  Dues will be considered delinquent if not paid two (2) months after renewal date. Delinquency results in removal from membership roster.    Dues are not refundable.

 

ARTICLE VI: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

  1. Purpose

  1.    To act as the governing body of the Republican Party of the County and exercise those powers and fulfill those duties and responsibilities conferred upon the EC by state and/or federal statutes, the SCGOP Rules, these Bylaws and any Standing Rules adopted herein; 
  2.    To establish general policy for the Republican Party in the County, subject to the direction of the State GOP Rules.  
  1. Composition:  The Executive Committee shall be composed of the (i) County Party Officers (i.e., the Board) and (ii) the Executive Committee Person representing each Precinct.  

 

  1. Term of Office:  The tenure of the office of the PEC shall be until the convening of the next York County GOP Convention.  The Executive Committee may declare vacant the office of a PEC who is absent from three (3) consecutive Executive Committee meetings.   A valid proxy shall not result in an absence for a PEC.  Before such committee person’s office shall have been declared vacant, he or she shall be notified by certified mail by the Chair and given opportunity to show cause before the Executive Committee why the person should not be removed from office.  Vacancies at the precinct level shall be filled in accordance with SCGOP Rule 4

 

  1.  Duties  

 

  1.  At the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Executive Committee after the Party convention, the newly elected Executive Committee shall organize itself by installing the officers elected at the Party convention and by approving such other officials appointed by the Chair.
  2. To approve the annual budget.   

 

  1. Meetings:  The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the Chair, at such time and place as the Chair shall designate, but no meeting shall be held without each member of the Executive Committee having been given at least twenty four hours (24 hours) notice.  

 

  1. Statutory meetings.  Meetings prescribed by the South Carolina Election Code shall be duly

called by the Chair, or in the Chair’s absence by the Vice Chair, for the purpose so designated by 

law; no other business may be transacted unless notice of such other business has been 

included in the call.

 

  1. Regular meetings.  The Executive Committee shall meet no less than quarterly for the conducing of business necessary to fulfill its objectives and purposes.  A statutory meeting is not precluded as being designated as a quarterly meeting.  In even numbered years, the fourth quarter meeting shall be held after the November general election.

 

  1. Organizational meetings.  One or more organizational meetings of the newly elected Executive Committee shall be held within thirty (30) days following its election for the purpose of organizing the Executive Committee, the election of a Secretary, if desired.

 

  1. The Chair or presiding officer or the Executive Committee may declare an executive session for the purpose of considering confidential matters.

 

  1. Notice.  Written notice at least three (3) business days prior to the date of the scheduled meeting shall be sufficient compliance with this requirement. 

 

  1. Written notice shall be defined as electronic mail.

 

  1. Written notice of all regular meetings of the Executive Committee shall include an

agenda for the meeting being called.  Such agenda shall not preclude the discussion

and transaction of any other business. Notice of special meetings called for an express               purpose need not include an agenda.

 

  1. Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by the Chair or upon written 

request by ten percent (10%) of the members of the Executive Committee and require twenty f            our hours (24 hours) written notice.  The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call and no other business shall be transacted.

 

  1. Executive Committee meetings are open only to Executive Committee members to conduct 

Party business.  Precinct Presidents can be invited as observers.  Visitors may be invited by the 

Chair as observers only.   



ARTICLE VII:  ELECTED OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

 

  1. Elected Officers:  The elected officers of the Party shall be a Chair, Vice Chair, State Executive Committee person (SEC), Secretary, and Treasurer.

 

  1.   Election:  The Officers shall be elected at the Party County Convention held in odd numbered years and shall serve a term of two consecutive years. 
  2.   Duties of Officers
  1. The Chair shall comply with and discharge those duties in accordance with these Bylaws, SCGOP Rules, state and federal laws, and the County Chair’s Guide insomuch as it complies with the aforementioned bylaws.  The Chair will ensure compliance with those directives by all Party Officers.  The Chair shall:
  1. Chair all meetings of the Party and Party Executive Committee but shall have no vote except in case of a tie;
  2. Serve as ex-officio member of all standing committees, except the Nominating Committee;
  3. As needed, appoint a parliamentarian.  
  4. Be the sole official public spokesperson of the Party;
  5. By virtue of election as Chair of the Convention, participate as a member of the State Executive Committee, in accordance with SCGOP rules, the Congressional District Executive Committee, a delegate to all local, district and state conventions, and the chair of the delegation representing the Party at those conventions;
  6. Issue the “call” for meetings and conventions;
  7. At the Party Convention, issue the call to order, conduct the election of convention officers (i.e., the temporary chair and temporary secretary);
  8. Under both the State Party rules and South Carolina law, perform certain functions relating to the nomination of candidates;
  9. Certify to the State Elections Commission the names of qualified candidate who properly file for the Republican primary;
  10. According to South Carolina law, designate the names of poll watchers in writing to the proper election official in order for election officials to admit them to the polling places;
  11. Be responsible for coordinating and organizing volunteer activities for the Republican ticket in York County;
  12. Prepare an agenda for all meetings of the Party and Executive Committee;
  13. Convene meetings of the Executive Committee and other special meetings of the Executive Committee when conditions warrant such meetings;
  14. Remand all funds to the Treasurer within five (5) business days;
  15. Jointly share signature authority with the Treasurer on the Party checking account;
  16. Act as a standing delegate to the SCGOP convention;
  17. Perform such other duties as may be directed by the Executive Committee;
  18. Be in possession and Have access to at all times all intellectual property of the Party, both physical and digital;
  19. Be available to campaign for all Republican candidates during a primary or general election.

 

  1. The Vice Chair shall:
  1. Assist the Party Chair in solving Party problems;
  2. Assist the Party Chair in Executive Committee and monthly meetings;
  3. Manage, plan and co-ordinate speakers for monthly Party meetings and special meetings with the approval of the Chair;
  4. Ensure that a copy of the Party rules and a copy of the rules of the SCGOP are present at each legally constituted meeting of the Executive Committee;
  5. Preside at meetings of the Party and the Executive Committee in the absence of, or at the request of, the Chair;
  6. Act as a standing delegate to the SCGOP convention;
  7.  Perform other duties as directed by the Chair.
  8. In the permanent absence of the Party Chair, the Vice Chair shall serve as Interim Chair until the Executive Committee elects a new Party Chair. 
     
  1. State Executive Committee person is the elected Officer designated to represent the Party on the State Executive Committee. The State Executive Committee person shall:

 

  1. Brief the Party and Party Executive Committee on all matters concerning the Party that were discussed at the most recent meeting of the State Executive Committee;
  2. Act as a standing delegate to the SCGOP convention.

 

  1.  The Secretary is the elected officer designated to keep minutes and maintain the records for the Party.  Records shall be kept for a minimum of seven (7) years.  The Secretary shall:

 

  1. Serve as the Secretary of the Party Executive Committee;
  2. Be responsible for keeping minutes of all proceedings of the Party Executive Committee;
  3. Keep an up-to-date listing of membership, all appointed committee members, elected Party officers, and the Party precinct executive committee persons;
  4. Distribute minutes as directed by the Chair;
  5. Act as a standing delegate to the SCGOP convention.
  6. Record attendance at Executive Committee meetings.

  1. The Treasurer is the elected officer designated to receive all funds and disburse any funds to satisfy the necessary and reasonable financial obligations of the Party.  The Treasurer shall:

 

  1. Report on the finances of the Party at every regularly scheduled general meeting and at each Executive Committee meeting.  The financial statements to be provided and their format shall be specified by the Executive Committee;
  2. Jointly share signature authority with the Chair on the Party checking account;
  3. Ensure strict compliance with the FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES & REPORTING: State 
    1. Election laws pursuant to the County Chair’s Manual published by the South Carolina Republican Party;
  4. Issue a dues invoice to each member at least thirty (30) days prior to due date;
  5. Issue a delinquency report to the Secretary as set forth in Article V Section 3;
  6. Act as a standing delegate to the SCGOP convention.



  1.  Vacancy, Resignations
  1. Resignation by any County officer shall include notification in writing to the Party Chair and Party Secretary.  
  2. Should the office of the Chair be vacated for any reason, then the Vice Chair shall (1) assume the role of Interim Chair, (2) schedule a called meeting of the Executive Committee for the stated purpose of electing a new Chair,  and (3) preside over the Executive Committee meeting to elect the new Chair.  This called meeting of the Executive Committee shall occur within thirty (30) days  of vacancy. The office of Interim Chair shall automatically terminate upon election of a new Chair by the Executive Committee.  Election of a new Chair shall be by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.  
  3. Vacancies in all other elected County level officers shall be filled by a majority vote of the Executive Committee at the next scheduled or special meeting (as determined by the Chair).  
  4. If any other Officer cannot act or serve for any reason, the Chair shall notify the officer, upon a majority vote of the Executive Committee, that the office will be vacant effective immediately on the date of the notice.  
  5. A vacancy shall occur immediately if any member of the Executive Committee moves his or her residence outside York County.  

 

  1. Removal from Office:  A super majority (2/3) of the County Precinct Executive Committee (“PEC”), with a quorum of over 50% present at the meeting, may vote to remove an officer.  A replacement officer shall be nominated at the same meeting and must be elected by a majority of the PEC.    

 

  1. Records, Files, Properties  
  1. All Officers and all committee chairs shall deliver all records, files and properties of the Party in their possession to their successors upon retiring from office. 
  2. All financial and business records shall be kept by the appropriate Officer no less than seven (7) years from the date of creation in either hard copy or digital format accessible to all of the Officers. 

 

ARTICLE VIII:  COMMITTEES

 

  1. Special Committees:  The Chair may appoint all adjunct committees and any other positions required to conduct the business of the Party. The Chair may appoint Special Committees without the approval of the Executive Committee.  All adjunct committees shall expire at the conclusion of the York County GOP convention or sooner at the discretion of the Chair.                                                                                                                                                                

  

  1. Standing Committees:  Standing Committees of the Party shall include Bylaws Committee, a Resolutions Committee, and a Nominating Committee.

 

  1.   The Bylaws and Resolutions Committees shall consist of not less than five (5)

members, the exact number to be determined by the Chair, and shall be organized at the first meeting of the Executive Committee following the Party Convention as follows:

 

  1. The Chair shall appoint the committee Chair and one half of its members; the remaining members shall be elected by the members of the Executive Committee in attendance at such meeting. 
  2. In a multi-candidate race, the highest vote winners among the candidates nominated shall be named to the Committees.

 

  1. A Nominating Committee of seven (7) members shall be organized no later than the fourth       quarter of the year preceding a Party convention by the Executive Committee.

 

a).  The Nominating Committee Chair shall be appointed by the County Chair.   

b).  The other six (6) members of  the Nominating Committee shall be nominated by the 

                           Executive Committee and are not required to be members of the Executive Committee. 

They should be well acquainted with the membership, be informed of the duties of the offices to be filled, understand the purposes and mission of the Party, and be willing to plan for its future progress by seeking out the best possible nominees. 

 

  1.   The Resolutions Committee oversees the call for resolutions to the Party convention and 

facilitates the resolutions process at Executive Committee meetings. 

 

  1. The Resolutions Committee writes and/or screens all proposed resolutions to see that they are in line with the South Carolina Republican Party platform and checks for duplication. 
  2. Any motion coming to the body in the name of the Resolutions Committee must be approved by a majority of the Resolutions Committee members.  It then is submitted to the Executive Committee as a seconded motion in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.   
  3. Resolutions are passed by a majority vote plus one.  All resolutions that do not follow this procedure are null and void.
  4. Any resolution to censure a party or elected official shall be automatically assigned to the Resolutions Committee who shall review and return with a recommendation and/or a seconded motion.  
  5. The Resolutions Committee shall report their recommendation for any resolution submitted to them within 45 days or the succeeding scheduled EC meeting, whichever is later. 

 

 

ARTICLE IX:   NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

  

  1.   Nominations 
  1. Nominations must be submitted to the Secretary at least seven (7) days prior to the Executive Committee meeting to be voted on by the Executive Committee.  The six (6) candidates who receive the most votes shall constitute the Nominating Committee.
  2. The Nomination Committee shall report a slate of at least one (1) nominee for each office at the party convention held in odd numbered years.  
  3. All nominees for officer positions must have agreed in writing (submitted by mail or in electronic format to the nominating committee) to serve. 
  4. All such documents or communications are strictly confidential.   All proceedings and nominees shall be confidential until released by the Committee Chair.
  5. To be eligible, a nominee :
  1. Must be registered to vote in York County :
  2. Must be a member of the York County Republican Party in good standing ;
  3. Shall disclose in advance of candidacy for elected office any familial relations to any candidate on any election ballot.
  1. Elections :   Elections shall be by ballot.  In a competitive election, a majority of all votes cast shall constitute winning an election.   When there is only one candidate for an office, election may be by acclamation.

 

ARTICLE X: PROXIES

If a Precinct Executive Committee person does not attend a scheduled meeting, the Precinct President shall be considered as automatic proxy at such meeting.   If any other member of the precinct is to represent the precinct at a meeting when neither President nor the Precinct Exectutive Committee person can attend, a written proxy from the Precinct Executive Committee person is required to appoint that person as a representative.   The holder of the proxy must be someone who is not already a voting member (no one person may cast more than one (1) vote at a meeting).  In addition, the proxy holder must reside in the same precinct.   Proxies are only permitted for Executive Committee meetings.

  1. shall be by ballot.  In a competitive election, a majority of all votes cast shall constitute winning an election. When there is only one



 ARTICLE XI :   QUORUM

  1. Other than for the purposes of electing individuals to fill vacancies for Party offices, the quorum for all business of the County Executive Committee shall be one third (1/3) of all organized precincts, including the Chair.
  2. For electing an individual or individuals to fill vacancies occurring in Party offices, a quorum shall be a majority of the membership of the County Executive Committee.  A quorum at all county conventions of the Party shall be a majority of the registered delegates.  A quorum of all standing committees shall be a majority of all its members.
  3. For the entity that has two (2) consecutive inquorate meetings, for which notice has               been properly provided, the quorum at all meetings of such entity shall be the members present until the succeeding reorganization.

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws, having been ratified by the Executive Committee, shall be amended by recommendation of the Bylaws Committee and a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Committee. Notice of any proposed amendments recommended by the Bylaws Committee shall be given in writing to all members of the Executive Committee at least ten (10) days prior to their consideration at the next Executive Committee meeting.

 

ARTICLE XIII: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The proceedings of all business, organizational, reorganizational and committee meetings and conventions, not covered by these Bylaws, shall be governed by the following in order of precedent:

  1. South Carolina Law
  2. SCGOP 
  3. Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised

 

ARTICLE XIV:   SEVERABILITY

 

If any provision or provisions of these Bylaws shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of these Bylaws (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of these Bylaws containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law or State rule without further action by the Executive Committee.