Approved by Body on March 30, 2019 at the Oklahoma Libertarian Party State Convention, Midwest City, OK
These articles shall govern the association known as the “Oklahoma Libertarian Party”, “Libertarian Party of Oklahoma”, hereafter referred to ask OKLP.
The OKLP is organized to promote individual liberty and eliminate intervention of government in moral, social, and economic affairs by; functioning as a State level libertarian political entity in association with the Libertarian Party, moving public policy in a libertarian direction by building a political party that elects Libertarians to public office; chartering affiliates throughout Oklahoma and promoting their growth and activities; and entering into public information and education activities.
Section 1. The OKLP affirms the following principles:
- A) That all people possess certain unalienable natural rights, and that among these are the rights to life, liberty, justly acquired property, and self-governance.
- B) That the only moral basis for government is the preservation and protection of unalienable natural rights.
- C) That no person or institution, public or private, has the right to initiate the use of physical force or fraud against another person, and that all people are bound, without contract, to abstain from infringing upon the natural rights of other people.
- D) That all people are entitled to choose their own lifestyles, as long as they do not forcibly impose those values on others.
- E) That the voluntary and unrestricted exchange of goods and services is fundamental to peaceful and harmonious society.
Section 1. All qualified voters of this state who are registered Libertarians in good standing are members of the Oklahoma Libertarian Party, and shall have the right to participate in the official affairs and governance of the Libertarian Party in accordance with these bylaws as set forth herein. Such right shall be sacred and inviolate, and the willful disregard or abridgement of such right by an officer or member of any committee of the Party shall be deemed sufficient cause for the removal of such officer or committee member.
Section 2. To be considered a member in good standing and eligible to be a duly qualified delegate at the State Convention:
- A) The member must remit dues to the Oklahoma Libertarian Party, no later than 10 days prior to the start of the annual business meeting, an amount to be determined by the State Executive Committee.
- Payment of this contribution constitutes support for the Statement of Principles of the OKLP and/or the Statement of Principles of the national Libertarian Party.
- B) Members of the Oklahoma Libertarian Party that have a Lifetime Membership with the national Libertarian Party or the OKLP shall be considered Members in Perpetuity so long as their Oklahoma voter registration and lifetime membership are maintained.
- The amount for a Lifetime Membership with the OKLP shall be set at an amount not to exceed $250.
- C) Excepting Lifetime Memberships, membership in the OKLP is annual, and expires on the three hundred sixty-sixth (366th) day following the date of receipt of the member’s prior qualifying contribution.
- D) Membership Suspension. The State Executive Committee shall have the authority to suspend, terminate or refuse any membership in the OKLP by a three-fourths (3/4) vote. The State Executive Committee shall immediately notify the individual by certified mail of the suspension, termination, or refusal, and the reasons for such, affording the individual the right to appeal to the State Executive Committee at one of its next two meetings, or to appeal to the delegation-at-large during the Annual Business Meeting at the State Convention. Upon such appeal, the State Executive Committee or the Annual Business Meeting, as the case may be, may by majority vote to reverse the suspension, termination or refusal of membership. Otherwise, the membership shall remain voided for a period of one year from the original three-fourths (3/4) vote, after which time the individual may re-apply for membership in the OKLP.
Section 1. The permanent organization of the OKLP shall consist of the following committees:
A) Libertarian County Committees
B) Libertarian Regional Committees
C) Libertarian State Executive Committee
Section 2. Libertarian County Committees
A) Purpose. The purpose of a County Committee is to promote Libertarian policy, activities, voter registration, and campaigns; and to control and manage all of the affairs and properties of the Libertarian County Committee between County Conventions.
B) Organizational Structure. County Committees shall have the liberty to organize their own County Committee structures that are not inconsistent with these bylaws; subject to the approval of the State Executive Committee through the Chartering process.
C) Regional Committee Member. Each County Committee shall designate a person to represent the County Committee in their Regional Committee.
Section 3. Libertarian Regional Committees
A) Purpose. The purpose of a Regional Committee is to promote Libertarian policy, activities, voter registration, campaigns and to help form and encourage maintenance of County Committees; and to control and manage all of the affairs and properties of the Libertarian Regional Committee between Regional Conventions.
B) Organizational Structure. Regional Committees shall have the liberty to organize their own Regional Committee structures that are not inconsistent with these bylaws; subject to the approval of the State committee through the Chartering process.
C) State Committee Member. Each Regional Committee shall designate a person to represent the Regional Committee on the State Executive Committee.
D) Regions of the Oklahoma Libertarian Party shall be as follows:
1. Northwest Region: Cimarron, Texas, Beaver, Harper, Woods, Ellis, Woodward, Dewey, Roger Mills, Custer, and Blaine counties.
2. North Central Region: Alfalfa, Grant, Kay, Major, Garfield, Noble, Pawnee, Kingfisher, Logan, and Payne counties.
3. Northeast Region: Osage, Washington, Nowata, Craig, Ottawa, Rogers, Mayes, Delaware, Creek, Tulsa, and Wagoner counties.
4. East Central Region: Cherokee, Adair, Okmulgee, Muskogee, Sequoyah, Okfuskee, McIntosh, Hughes, Haskell, Pittsburg, and Latimer counties.
5. Southeast Region: Garvin, Pontotoc, Coal, Atoka, Pushmataha, McCurtain, Choctaw, Bryan, Johnston, Marshall, Love, Carter, LeFlore, and Murray counties.
6. Southwest Region: Beckham, Washita, Caddo, Greer, Kiowa, Harmon, Jackson, Comanche, Tillman, Cotton, Stephens, and Jefferson counties.
7. Central Region: Canadian, Oklahoma, Lincoln, Grady, Cleveland, Pottawatomie, Seminole, and McClain counties.
E) Temporary Regional Committee Officers. To secure a contact person around whom a Regional Committee may be formed, the State Committee may appoint one Member of the OKLP inhabiting a Region which does not have a Regional Committee to take the position of Temporary Regional Chairperson of the region. The State Executive Committee may appoint, replace or dismiss any Temporary Chairperson by majority vote. The temporary regional chairperson will organize and conduct an organizing convention as allowed by these bylaws and standing rules.
Section 4. Libertarian State Executive Committee
A) Composition. The State Executive Committee shall comprise of four (4) elected State Officers; each Regional Chairperson, or their substitute as designated by their respective Regional Committee; and any appointed Regional Coordinators who have been approved by a majority of the State Executive Committee .
B) Purpose. The purpose of the State Executive Committee is to control and manage all of the affairs and properties of the OKLP between State Conventions, consistent with these by-laws and the policies established at the Annual Business Meeting at the State Convention. The State Executive Committee shall have the authority, by majority vote, except as otherwise provided herein, to perform all function which the State Convention might perform under these Bylaws except:
1. The State Executive Committee shall have no authority to amend, alter, or repeal any substantive part of the Bylaws.
C) Responsibility. The State Executive Committee shall have the sole responsibility for:
1. Chartering County and Regional Committees;
2. Approving applications for membership in the OKLP;
3. Arranging, promoting and producing an annual State Convention;
4. Resolving matters of succession of officers in cases of vacancy;
5. Taking appropriate punitive action against members, Oklahoma Libertarian Party Committees, and Affiliates who are not true to the principles enumerated herein; and
6. Producing and approving an annual budget, fixed to the calendar year, and made available to any member upon request.
D) Election of Officers. During odd-numbered years the Officers of the State Executive Committee shall be elected at the Annual Business Meeting at the State Convention. The Officer candidate who receives the most votes in each race shall be elected. Officers shall be selected by secret ballot unless there is only one nomination for the office, in which case election may be made by acclamation. Officers shall take office upon the close of the State Convention and serve thereafter until the final adjournment of the next State Convention held during an odd-numbered year.
E) Officers. The Officers of the OKLP shall be a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. No offices shall be combined.
1. State Chairperson – The Chairperson is the chief executive officer of the Oklahoma Libertarian Party and shall coordinate the activities of the Oklahoma Libertarian Party and Party members in achieving the objectives and goals of the OKLP.
(a) The Chairperson shall be responsible for the enforcement of these Bylaws and carrying out the directions and resolutions of the State Executive Committee and the State Convention in accordance with these Bylaws.
(b) The Chairperson shall preside over all meetings of the State Executive Committee.
(c) The Chairperson shall be the primary spokesperson for the State Party, but may delegate this function to any other member(s) in good standing.
(d) The Chairperson shall insure that all Federal, State, and Local laws pertaining to political parties are complied with.
2. State Vice Chairperson
(a) The Vice Chairperson shall act as assistant to the State Chairperson and shall perform such duties as the Chairperson
(b) The Vice Chairperson shall assign, and perform the duties of the State Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson and/or until a successor is chosen by the State Executive Committee in case of a vacancy.
(c) The Vice Chairperson shall oversee the planning and facilitation of the State Convention.
(d) The Vice Chairperson shall arrange facilities and equipment for State Executive Committee meetings.
3. State Secretary
(a) The Secretary shall be the recording officer at all State Executive Committee meetings and State Conventions.
(b) The Secretary shall maintain such records for future use and be responsible for all correspondence of the State Executive Committee.
(c) At the end of the Secretary’s term of office, the Secretary shall deliver to that person’s successor all property, books, and records of the State Executive Committee and State Party maintained by that person or in that person’s possession.
4. State Treasurer
(a) The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all State Party funds and shall oversee the disbursement of the same by authorized persons in accordance with the decisions and direction of the State Executive Committee.
(b) The Treasurer shall keep account of all receipts and disbursements, with appropriate information regarding, from who received and to whom disbursed, and the purpose thereof.
(c) The State Party accounts shall be accessible to any member of the State Executive Committee or to any County Committee member in good standing with reasonable notice, usually at least 24 hours advance notice.
(d) The Treasurer shall report at such time or times as requested by the State Executive Committee in such form as will provide all necessary information relative to the amount of receipts, disbursements, and cash balance, together with expenditures charged to each item of the budget and unexpended balance of the budget items.
(e) At the end of the Treasurer’s term of office, the Treasurer shall deliver to that person’s successor (within 10 business days) all monies, property, books, and records of the State Executive Committee and State Party maintained by that person or in that person’s possession.
i. At the end of the Treasurer’s term of office, he/she shall, within 7 days, amend the Statement of Organization with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission and the Federal Ethics Commission as required by applicable law.
(f) The State Party authorizes the duly elected Treasurer to be the signatory on all accounts.
i. The Treasurer shall follow the rules and standards set by the institution where signatory authorization is required including, but not limited, to the transfer of custody and withdrawal of assets.
F) Subordinate only to the authority of a duly called and convened Convention of the State Party, the State Executive Committee is the supreme authority of the Oklahoma Libertarian Party under these Bylaws.
G) The State Executive Committee shall meet at least once during every Quarter at a time and place announced. More frequent meetings may be scheduled, so long as they are publicized in advance to the members.
Section 1. Budget.
- A) The Party shall have an annual budget, fixed to the calendar year, which shall be approved by the Executive Committee and available to any Party member upon request.
Section 2. Expenses.
- A) All expenses must be approved by the Executive Committee.
- Expenses outlined in an annual budget and approved by the State Executive Committee shall be considered approved expenses, provided that actual costs are at or lower than the budgeted amount.
- All expenses not outlined in the budget or expenses in excess of the budgeted amount shall require a majority vote of the State Executive Committee for approval.
Section 1. The Delegates from Oklahoma to the Libertarian National Convention shall be chosen at the Annual State Convention held in even numbered years.
Section 2. Number of Delegates.
- A) The total number of delegates to the national convention shall be that number assigned by the National Executive Committee in their call to the Convention.
Section 3. All Candidates for Delegate seats shall make a written request to the OKLP Secretary. The Secretary will print Ballots with Delegate Candidate names and ages including enough blank lines to fill the number of unfilled Delegate seats, at their latest convenience prior to the Convention. The blank lines are for Delegate requests made after the printing of the Ballot. All requests should be made at least seven(7) days prior to the Convention but no earlier than ninety(90) days prior, to assure their name is printed on the Ballot. Delegate requests made after printing of the Ballot shall be clearly publicized at the Convention.
- A) This process shall not prohibit the nomination of delegates from a call of the floor during the Annual Business Meeting.
Section 4. Voting for Delegates
- A) Each qualified delegate to the State Convention shall cast votes for no more than the number of available Delegate seats allotted to the OKLP. The Candidates receiving the highest number of votes will fill the first available seats. The remaining Candidates will fill any remaining seats or be placed on the Alternate list should all seats be filled, in the order of the number of votes cast for each. Any remaining requests received after the voting will be placed on the Delegate list subsequent to the Delegates and Alternates that were chosen during the meeting, in the order they are received.
- B) At the National Convention such alternates shall serve in the same order of precedence as their vote ranking in the absence of delegates, except as may be provided otherwise by the rules of the National Party
- C) Qualified Delegates must be residents of Oklahoma for at least 30 days prior to state convention and a member of the OKLP for at least 30 days prior to state convention and a member in good standing of the national libertarian party. Delegates must sign the affirmation. Out of state delegates may be seated with a majority vote of duly elected state delegates and may be removed at any time by a 2/3 vote of duly elected delegates.
Section 5. Selection by State Executive Committee
- A) If National Party rules should require election of delegates to a national convention at a time when it would not be possible for a state convention to do so, such delegates shall be chosen by an open meeting of the State Executive Committee.
- B) If reasonably possible, at least 60 days prior public notice of this meeting shall be given including publication in a state Party newsletter or other form of written notice.
- C) Any Voting Member may appear before the State Executive Committee at this meeting for a reasonable time to present arguments for the election of himself or herself or any other Voting Member to be a delegate.
Section 1. The State Convention in a Presidential election year shall elect a number of Presidential Elector candidates equal to the total number of United States Senators and Representatives to which the state is at that time entitled under law.
Section 2. Any Voting Member of the Party who does not hold any office of profit or trust under the United States shall be eligible to be a Presidential Elector candidate.
Section 3. If for any reason the State Convention cannot or does not select Presidential Elector candidates, Presidential Elector candidates shall be chosen by the State Executive Committee.
Section 1. Meetings. The State Executive Committee shall meet at such date, time and location as directed by the Chairperson, or by request of one-third (1/3) of the members of the State Executive Committee, but in any event at least one business meeting will be held within forty-five (45) days after the State Convention and at least once each quarter.
Section 2. Electronic Meetings. The State Executive Committee may conduct business by electronic means when scheduled by the Chair, or by request of three committee members.. Quorum shall be 50% of the seated State Executive Committee members. Roll call voting may be used. Should roll call votes not meet the minimum number of votes required an email vote request of the absent State Executive Committee members may be conducted in the following manner:
- A) The Secretary, or acting Secretary from the electronic meeting, shall e-mail motions made during the electronic meeting within 24 hours, to all absent State Executive Committee members.
- B) A response of aye, nay or abstain will be accepted.
- C) The period for voting on a motion shall remain open for a minimum of seven days or until votes cast determine the pass/fail status.
Section 3. Notice of Meetings. Notice of quarterly meeting dates, times and locations shall be posted on the official OKLP webpage and be e-mailed to all Regional Chairs and State Executive Committee members whose email addresses are known no less than 30 days prior to each quarterly meeting date. All meetings of the State Executive Committee shall be open to observation by Members of the OKLP. All other meetings of the State Executive Committee shall provide no less than two business days notice in the same fashion as quarterly meetings.
- A) Emergency Meetings: An emergency meeting may suspend the notice period to four hours and can be called by any member of the state executive committee to only address the following issues: major media event response, time sensitive financial concerns, or ethics violations. Quorum will consist of those members present in the meeting.
Section 4. Quorum. Quorum shall consist of a majority of the filled positions of the State Executive Committee, with at least two of those present being Officers. Once quorum is met at quarterly meetings with in-person attendance, additional State Executive Committee members may participate via electronic means defined in the rules as if present and in-person.
Section 5. Stand-In Proxy. A Regional State Committee Member, but not an Officer or appointed Committee member, of the State Executive Committee may appoint a Stand-In Proxy to attend, participate and vote on such Regional Member’s behalf at a State Executive Committee meeting, provided that the Chairperson of the OKLP is given advance notice of such appointment prior to the meeting’s Call to Order and provided that such Stand-In Proxy is an OKLP member from the Region who is not a member of the State Executive Committee.
Section 6. Majority Vote. A majority vote of the members of the State Executive Committee shall prevail in all questions before it except those otherwise specified herein. In the event of tie votes the State Chairperson may decide the outcome.
Section 1. Notice. The State Committee shall publish to all Members of the OKLP the dates of the Annual Business Meeting and State Convention no later than the State Executive Committee meeting that is held in the third quarter of the preceding year, and the times, locations, and proposed agenda of the Annual Business Meeting at the State Convention at least forty-five (45) days before the date of the State Convention, and shall be responsible to plan and produce the State Convention.
Section 2. Credentials Committee. The State Committee shall appoint a Credentials Committee to verify the membership of all Members of the OKLP attending the Annual Business Meeting at the State Convention and of all Delegates at said Annual Business Meeting.
The Standing Rules of the OKLP shall be in harmony with these by-laws, shall be written, and shall be made available for general use. Standing rules may be adopted by two-thirds (⅔) vote of the State Executive Committee, or by majority vote at convention. Standing Rules may be repealed by three-fourths (¾) vote of the State Executive Committee, or by a two-thirds (⅔) vote at convention.
Section 1. Standing Committees of the OKLP shall include the following:
A) Platform Committee
B) Rules Committee
C) Judicial Committee
Section 2. Committee Chairs of the Standing Committees shall be appointed by the Chair
of the OKLP with the approval of the Executive Committee, unless
otherwise provided in these Bylaws. Each Committee
shall consist of at least three members of the party (disregarding
ex-officio members) of which a majority must not be current State Executive
Committee members. Appointment terms shall be the lessor of one year or until the committee member is
removed or replaced, unless otherwise provided in the Bylaws.
A) Removal of persons on a committee shall need the approval of the State Executive Committee.
B) Actions of all Committees shall be reported to the State Executive Committee at regular intervals.
C) Special committees created by the State Executive Committee shall also follow these requirements unless otherwise provided upon their creation.
Section 3. Platform Committee
A) The Platform Committee shall present a combined document of proposed changes and additions to the Party Platform at the Annual Business Meeting.
Section 4. Rules Committee
A) The Rules Committee will be composed of the OKLP Chair, OKLP Secretary, and three (3) other members of the party not on the State Executive Committee, elected by the delegates at the Annual Business Meeting to serve a one-year term. The member elected with the highest vote total shall become Chair of the Rules Committee. Vacancies on this committee occurring after the Annual Business Meeting shall be appointed by the OKLP Chair with the approval of the
State Executive Committee. The Rules Committee shall be responsible for interpreting the OKLP Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules based on current Oklahoma Statutes and may prepare and submit amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws for a vote by the delegates at the Annual Business Meeting.
B) The Rules Committee shall be responsible for the codification of all Standing Rules
Section 5. Judicial Committee
A) The Judicial Committee shall be composed of five (5) Party members elected at each Annual Business Meeting in even-numbered years, and any three members shall constitute a quorum. No member of the State Executive Committee may be a member of the Judicial Committee. The members of the Judicial Committee shall select the Chair of the Judicial Committee. The Judicial Committee shall take office immediately upon the close of the State Convention at which elected and shall serve until the final adjournment of the next State Convention in an even-numbered year. All Judicial Committee members shall have been Party members at least two years and attended at least two state conventions at the time of their selection.
B) In the case of a vacancy, the remaining members of the Judicial Committee shall appoint new members, such appointees to serve until the final adjournment of the next Annual Business Meeting.
1. If a vacancy occurs after a newly elected Judicial Committee is seated, the appointee shall serve for a period until the next Annual Business Meeting, at which time a Special Election shall be held to fill such vacancy.
2. If a vacancy occurs in an odd-numbered year, the appointee shall serve the remainder of the term.
C) The subject matter jurisdiction of the Judicial Committee is limited to consideration of only those matters expressly identified as follows:
- Suspension of affiliate parties;
- Suspension of officers;
- Suspension of Regional or County Chairs;
- Voiding of State Executive Committee decisions and actions;
- Challenges to platform planks; and
- Challenges to Resolutions.
D) The Judicial Committee shall act as the primary appeals authority in matters involving punitive action against a member, an officer, a candidate, or an affiliate.
E) Decisions of the Judicial Committee shall be by at least a three-fifths (⅗) affirmative vote. Each member may submit in writing to the Secretary of the Party for preservation their reasons for their vote in the affirmative or negative on any matter brought before the Committee.
F) Decisions of the Judicial Committee on Platform Planks and resolutions may be overridden by ¾ vote at future state convention.
G) Petition of Judicial Committee
- The judicial committee must be petitioned in writing
- Upon Petition, members of the committee will make contact with both the State Executive Committee and all individuals involved in order to schedule a hearing (either in person or electronic) no later than 30 days from the time they receive the petition
- Any individual tied to the haering may petition for an additional 30 day extension which will be voted on by the judicial committee
Section 6. Convention Committee
A) Officers shall appoint a convention committee for the purposes of planning state convention no later than their second regularly scheduled State Executive Committee Meeting.
No one shall have the authority to contract for goods or services on behalf of the OKLP without prior written approval of the State Executive Committee.
Robert’s Rules of Order as most recently revised shall be the parliamentary authority for the State Executive Committee in all matters not covered by these by-laws.
