ARTICLE I-NAME 

The name of this organization shall be the 3rd Legislative District Republican Party of North Dakota ("3RD District"). 

ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES 

The objectives of this organization shall be as follows: 

A. To educate each individual, (regardless of party affiliation) in the District, about the impact on their lives, property, and well-being of actions or inactions of government entities. 

B. To endorse for election Republican candidates for the State Legislature. 

C. To foster loyalty to the Republican Party and to promote its philosophy, purposes and State Party Platform. 

D. To work for and promote the election of the Republican Party's nominees and candidates who pledge to support the platform and planks adopted by the Republican Party, provided they are not in conflict with traditional religious and moral teachings. 

E. To identify and encourage the voting of Republican electors at all special and general elections. 

F. To represent the Republican voters of the 3RD District before the State Republican Party, its committees and conventions, to the fullest extent possible. 

G. To raise funds for the 3RD District. 

H. To organize in such a manner that the District is able to provide services to endorsed candidates running for office and assist those candidates once elected to office to communicate with the voters of the 3RD District. 

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

A. Membership shall be granted to any resident voter complying with the statutes of North Dakota and the 3rd District By-Laws. Members shall subscribe to the philosophy of the Republican Party as articulated in the adopted State Party Platform and the adopted resolutions of the 3RD District. Members must be in full compliance with Article XI herein.

B. Members should agree to the following:

As a member of the 3rd District Republican Party, I subscribe to and agree to support the following principles:

The strength of our nation lies with the individual and the traditional nuclear family. The most effective, responsible and responsive government is a government closest to the people.

Every American is entitled to equal rights; no one is entitled to special rights. Property rights are fundamental Constitutional rights and must be honored as such. All laws should be subject to regular review and formally repealed when no longer applicable.

All opportunity and economic growth are based on free enterprise and individual initiative.

Government spending is not and cannot ever be legitimate economic development - government provision of appropriate public infrastructure can and does generally facilitate private economic development.

All parents shall be given the greatest freedom, opportunity and protection so they can provide for their family and children in the manner they see fit.

True economic prosperity comes from ensuring individuals retain their earnings and are able to expend those earnings as they see fit.

Government, especially the Federal Government, must be strictly limited in their

activities to those explicitly granted in their Constitutions.

No one should be denied access to the Courts by requirements of exhausting

administrative remedies when seeking redress for government actions impacting his/her freedom of action, especially use of his/her property.

The best tools to meet the challenges of changing times are a steadfast application of the original principles enumerated by our founding Fathers and enumerated in the working of our Constitution.

The solution to societal problems lies, not in government programs or edicts, but rather in individuals being held fully responsible for their actions and failure to act.

C. Membership is subject to:

1. Completion of a Membership Application (either form attached as ATTACHMENT 1 or online on District website).

2. Tender of dues.

3. Approval by the Executive Committee of the 3rd District Republican Party of the completed application.

Upon approval by the Executive Committee the new member immediately obtains voting privileges subject to the provisions in Article V.B.1. and Article X.A. herein.

ARTICLE IV - LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND OFFICERS

A. The District Executive Committee of the Party shall consist of:

The District's nominees for and/or members of the Legislative Assembly. Elected officers of the District.

Individuals filling open seats, elected by the above members in accordance with Article VI.C.2. below, to bring the total Executive Committee membership to no more than eighteen (18).

The District Executive Committee of the Party shall be organized to coincide with the geographical boundary lines of the state senatorial district. In no event shall any person have more than one vote.

B. The District Chair shall be a legal voter in order to act upon, and be a member of, the State Committee of the North Dakota Republican Party.

C. The officers, consisting of District Chair, Vice-Chairman, Vice-Chairwoman, Secretary and Treasurer, shall be legal residents of the 3rd District, but need not be nominees for, or members of, the legislative assembly.

ARTICLE V - PARTY CAUCUS AND ORGANIZATION

A. Call to Caucus and Organization

1. On or before May fifteenth (15th) following the immediately preceding general election, a party caucus and organizational meeting shall be held at a site within, or reasonably close to, the district.

2. The District Chair shall issue the call to the members of the district and provide published notice in the official newspaper in circulation within the district at least seventeen (17) days prior to the time set for holding the caucus and the call shall contain the following:

Name of the Party

Date of caucus

Place of caucus

Hour of caucus

Stating the business to be conducted

Requirements of participation for members and potential candidates

The name of the District Chair issuing the call.

3. The District Chair shall also ensure that the meeting announcement appears on the NDGOP website seventeen (17) days in advance, in order to meet the requirements of NDGOP rule, Article VI, Section 2.

B. Participation and Voting at the Caucus and Organization meeting.

1. Only those persons who are qualified electors, have completed a membership application for district party membership (form attached as ATTACHMENT 1), have been accepted into membership, and have paid their current year dues at least 7 days prior to the meeting may vote or be elected as an officer at the caucus.

2. Only those persons who either voted or affiliated with the party at the last general election or intend to vote or affiliate with the party at the next general election may vote at the caucus.

3. In case anyone shall challenge the right of a person to participate in the caucus, the caucus shall decide the question of his/her right to participate by a vote of the whole caucus. A person so challenged may not vote on the question of his/her right to

participate in the caucus, and a two-thirds vote of the whole caucus shall be required to exclude a person from participation.

4. No person may vote or participate at more than one caucus in any one calendar year.

5. All those who wish to vote at the caucus shall enter their names and other information on the Sign-In Sheet upon arriving at the caucus election (Sign-In form is attached as ATTACHMENT 2).

6. The caucus will be organized on an at-large basis for the entire district, rather than by precinct in accordance with NDCC 16.1-03-01.2.

C. Caucus Business.

1. All questions concerning the manner in which a caucus is conducted or called that are not covered by State Law shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, unless otherwise governed by District By-Laws or District Rules.

ARTICLE VI - ORGANIZATION OF DISTRICT PARTY

A. In every odd-numbered year, the District Party shall meet within fifteen days following the caucuses as provided in Article V above. The sitting District Chair shall set the day, hour, and site.

B. The District Chair, at their discretion, may call the District organizing meeting to coincide with the Caucus. In such a case, the District organizing elections shall occur following the business of the caucus.

C. The District Committee shall organize by:

1. Selecting a Chair, Vice-Chairman, Vice-Chairwoman, Secretary, and Treasurer chosen by the District Party. The officers selected shall be voting members of the District 3 party.

2. Adopting rules and modes of procedures not in conflict with the law or these by-laws.

3. Selecting an Executive Committee consisting of from five (5) to eighteen (18) persons chosen from the District 3 Party. The District Chair, Vice-Chairman, Vice-Chairwoman, Secretary and Treasurer of the District Committee shall be members and officers of the Executive Committee. The Party's nominees for and members of the Legislative Assembly shall also be members of the Executive Committee. The eighteen (18) person membership limitation shall include the officers of the Executive Committee and the Party's nominees for and members of the Legislative Assembly.

4. The newly elected District Chair or his/her designee shall notify the County Auditor of the names of the party officers selected. If the office of Chair becomes vacant, the Vice-Chairman shall hold office until the next regular election for the office or until a new Chair is selected by the District Executive Committee for the balance of the term, whichever shall first occur.

ARTICLE VII - DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

A. The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the organization of the Legislative District Committee and of the Executive Committee and shall have general supervision of the work of the organization. The Chair shall be an ex-officio voting member of all committees.

B. The Vice-Chairman or Vice-Chairwoman, in the absence of the Chair, shall perform the duties of the Chair, as appointed by the Chair. In case of incapacitation or unavailability of the District Chair, the Executive Committee shall determine by a plurality of votes which shall perform the duties of the Chair.

C. The Secretary shall keep and read the minutes of all meetings and shall be the custodian for all records of the organization, including a current roster of the membership of the organization and the By-Laws of the organization. In addition, the Secretary shall be responsible to provide notice to all Executive Committee members of all meetings. Such notice may be in writing, via e-mail or text, or by telephone.

D. The Treasurer shall receive and be custodian of all funds of the organization and shall pay all bills upon a majority consent of the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall keep a recorded account of all monies received and disbursed and shall report in full at the annual meeting and at other meetings as requested by the Chair.

ARTICLE VIII - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

A. The 3rd District Executive Committee shall consist of the District Chair, Vice-Chairman, Vice-Chairwoman, Secretary, and Treasurer and the Party's nominees and the members of the Legislative Assembly, plus seven (7) members-at-large elected from the Legislative District who are members of the 3RD District in good standing.

B. The Executive Committee shall have authority to transact any necessary business between meetings, to make recommendations as to policies of the organization, to advise the Chair and to fill vacancies that occur between elections.

C. The District Chair may appoint special committees at their discretion or at the direction of the Executive Committee with such duties and terms as shall be designated with their appointment.

D. All committees shall report as ordered by the District Chair and shall be present at all regularly scheduled meetings or conventions.

ARTICLE IX - MEETINGS

A. Meetings of this organization shall be held as provided by these by-laws or by law.

B. Prior to the third Monday in January of each even-numbered year, and upon the call of the District Chair, the District Party shall meet in Convention at the place designated by the Chair to elect delegates to the State Party Convention to be held as provided by law. The number of delegates to the State Convention shall be up to the number allowed by State Party determination. Delegates shall be electors of the district and members of the 3RD District. If any delegate shall be unable to attend the convention, they shall designate in writing an alternate from the list of alternates selected at the District Convention to attend and represent and act for him.

C. Regular meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held at the call of the Chair.

ARTICLE X - LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT ENDORSING CONVENTIONS

A. An endorsing Convention shall be held on call of a majority of the Executive Committee at which time all District 3 Republicans who are qualified electors in good standing pursuant to Article III above, shall be entitled to attend. To participate in the endorsing convention all current-year dues must be paid at least seven (7) days prior the Convention. See Article XI herein.

B. Said Endorsing Convention shall endorse candidates for office from the Legislative District and thereby commit the Legislative District Party to support said endorsed candidate(s) and do such other business as may be proper.

C. The District Chair, with the Executive Committee of the 3RD District, shall issue the call for the endorsing convention at least 17 days before the endorsing convention, and the call shall contain the following:

Name of the Party

Date of endorsing Convention

Place of endorsing Convention

Hour or time of endorsing Convention

A statement of business to be conducted

Requirements of participation for members and potential candidates

Name of the District Chair

D. The District Chair shall provide seventeen (17) days published notice in the official newspaper in circulation within the district. The notice shall contain that information set forth in subsection C above. The District Chair shall also ensure that the meeting announcement appears on the NDGOP website seventeen (17) days in advance, in order to meet the requirements of NDGOP rule, Article VI, Section 2.

ARTICLE XI - DUES

Membership dues shall be ($10.00) dollars per year payable to the Treasurer. Dues shall be valid only for the calendar year for which they are paid.

ARTICLE XII - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS AT LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT ENDORSING CONVENTIONS

A. The District Chair shall appoint all committees and offices pursuant to recognized Rules of Parliamentary Procedure, or as adopted by this organization.

B. Balloting may be by voice vote if only one person is nominated for an office,

otherwise the balloting shall be by secret, written ballot. A majority of votes cast shall be required to elect.

C. The District Chair shall appoint an Election Committee of at least three (3) persons. This committee shall provide all election supplies and act as coordinators at the convection.

ARTICLE XIII - PROXIES

Proxies for Executive Committee meetings must be in writing and in the form prescribed in ATTACHMENT 3.

ARTICLE XIV - ABSENCES FROM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Any person serving on the Executive Committee in an official capacity shall be replaced by the District Chair, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, if that person, without valid excuse as determined by the discretion of the District Chair, misses two (2) consecutive meetings of the District Executive Committee and does not notify the District Chair or District Secretary prior to his or her absence.

ARTICLE XV - VACANCIES

The Executive Committee shall fill, by ballot, any vacancy that occurs by death, resignation or otherwise, of any officer of this organization, or endorsed candidate for office.

ARTICLE XVI - PROCEDURES

Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern all meetings and proceedings except where inconsistent with these By-Laws or State Law.

ARTICLE XVII - RATIFICATION

Upon ratification by the Executive Committee of the 3rd District, these by-laws are hereby adopted and any and all prior Constitutions and/or By-Laws of the 3rd District are null and void.

ARTICLE XVIII - AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members in good standing present at any called meeting of the 3RD District or at a 3RD District Convention, adjourned session thereof, or special meeting called for the purpose, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been given in writing to all 3RD District Committee members at least seventeen (17) days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE XIX - QUORUM

Executive Committee meetings require a quorum to act on official business. A quorum for purposes of transacting business at an Executive Committee meeting is a simple majority of the whole. Proxies shall constitute presence for the purpose of determining if a quorum has been reached. If a quorum is not reached those present for a called Executive Committee meeting may transact business and cover the agenda items. However, any action which requires a vote of the Executive Committee other than approving the regular reports of the officers and committee Chair's reports, shall be tabled until there is a quorum. A quorum may be achieved by a phone call to the Executive Committee members to have them cast a vote on issues requiring a vote.

ARTICLE XX - ELECTION DISPUTES

A. In case of an election dispute where the disputing sides are unable to agree on a remedy, the dispute shall be submitted to arbitration. The disputing sides shall each select an advocate who shall serve in such capacity for each disputing side during arbitration. The advocates shall mutually select a paid arbitrator. The chosen arbitrator shall then hear the dispute, determine the facts and decide the same consistent with these By-Laws and any applicable state laws. The arbitrator shall provide a written opinion outlining the fact determined and the decision rendered.

B. The arbitration shall take place no more than thirty (30) days following the date the dispute arose. The arbitrator shall arbitrate pursuant to the rules promulgated by the American Arbitration Association. The Arbitrator shall render a decision no more than fifteen (15) days following the close of the arbitration hearing. The decision shall be final.

C. The cost of the arbitration/mediation shall be paid equally by the parties to the dispute.

D. In no event shall any costs of arbitration be paid from the District Treasury.

DATE ADOPTED: 12/02/23

DISTRICT CHAIRMAN: Gregory J. Demme

REVISED: