CONSTITUTION OF THE
REPUBLICAN STATE EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE OF FLORIDA
AS APPROVED BY THE STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, JANUARY 6, 2023
CONSTITUTION
CONSTITUTION of the REPUBLICAN STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF FLORIDA
The Republican State Executive Committee of Florida, duly elected by the Republican voters of Florida, does with the authority vested in it by the Florida Statutes, hereby make, ordain, and establish this as its Constitution.
With respect to this document, whenever the singular or plural number or masculine or feminine or neuter gender is used herein it shall equally include the others as the context may require.
The Republican State Executive Committee of Florida, duly elected by the Republican voters of Florida, does with the authority vested in it by the Florida Statutes, hereby make, ordain, and establish this as its Constitution.
With respect to this document, whenever the singular or plural number or masculine or feminine or neuter gender is used herein it shall equally include the others as the context may require.
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of the organization shall be the Republican Party of Florida and shall hereinafter be referred to as the “State Committee.”
ARTICLE II
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this State Committee shall be:
A. To develop a strong, effective, and informed Republican Party in Florida.
B. To support the principles, objectives, and platforms of the Republican Party and to secure the election of all duly nominated Republican candidates.
C. To encourage able and qualified Republicans to seek office at all levels of government.
D. To regulate the use of party name and symbols. In order to use the name Republican, all clubs or organizations shall apply for and be granted a charter with each incoming State Chairman of the State Committee according to the Rules of Procedure as adopted as provided herein. This provision shall not apply to clubs associated with the Florida Federation of Young Republicans or the Florida Federation of Republican Women.
A. To develop a strong, effective, and informed Republican Party in Florida.
B. To support the principles, objectives, and platforms of the Republican Party and to secure the election of all duly nominated Republican candidates.
C. To encourage able and qualified Republicans to seek office at all levels of government.
D. To regulate the use of party name and symbols. In order to use the name Republican, all clubs or organizations shall apply for and be granted a charter with each incoming State Chairman of the State Committee according to the Rules of Procedure as adopted as provided herein. This provision shall not apply to clubs associated with the Florida Federation of Young Republicans or the Florida Federation of Republican Women.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP-EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES
Section 1
MEMBERSHIP
The State Committee shall consist of the National Committeeman and National Committeewoman of Florida, a State Committeeman and State Committeewoman elected from each county, and the County Chairman elected from each county, as provided by Party rule. In addition to the foregoing, the State Executive Committee shall include those members as provided by state law.
The State Committee shall organize itself in accordance with Party rule and shall have all of the privileges and rights and shall perform all of the duties and obligations afforded by or required by Florida Statutes.
Section 2
COUNTY MEMBERSHIP
All State Committeemen and State Committeewomen shall serve as voting members at large of their respective county executive committees, and shall be seated at the same time as other precinct committeemen and committeewomen.
Section 3
STATE CHAIRMAN'S ALTERNATE STATE COMMITTEE MEMBER
The State Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida who is a State Committeeman or State Committeewoman, may appoint from his county a Republican to perform the duties of that office at the county level. If the State Chairman is a County Chairman, the county executive committee may elect an “Acting County Chairman” to serve as County Chairman at the county level.
Section 4
EX OFFICIO MEMBERS
The Executive Committee shall have as Ex Officio members, without vote, the Young Republican National Committeeman and National Committeewoman from Florida, the Chairman of the Florida Federation of Teenage Republicans, the Chairman of the Florida Federation of Young Republicans, and the President of the Florida Federation of Republican Women.
MEMBERSHIP
The State Committee shall consist of the National Committeeman and National Committeewoman of Florida, a State Committeeman and State Committeewoman elected from each county, and the County Chairman elected from each county, as provided by Party rule. In addition to the foregoing, the State Executive Committee shall include those members as provided by state law.
The State Committee shall organize itself in accordance with Party rule and shall have all of the privileges and rights and shall perform all of the duties and obligations afforded by or required by Florida Statutes.
Section 2
COUNTY MEMBERSHIP
All State Committeemen and State Committeewomen shall serve as voting members at large of their respective county executive committees, and shall be seated at the same time as other precinct committeemen and committeewomen.
Section 3
STATE CHAIRMAN'S ALTERNATE STATE COMMITTEE MEMBER
The State Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida who is a State Committeeman or State Committeewoman, may appoint from his county a Republican to perform the duties of that office at the county level. If the State Chairman is a County Chairman, the county executive committee may elect an “Acting County Chairman” to serve as County Chairman at the county level.
Section 4
EX OFFICIO MEMBERS
The Executive Committee shall have as Ex Officio members, without vote, the Young Republican National Committeeman and National Committeewoman from Florida, the Chairman of the Florida Federation of Teenage Republicans, the Chairman of the Florida Federation of Young Republicans, and the President of the Florida Federation of Republican Women.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 1
OFFICERS
The officers of the State Committee shall be members of the State Committee and shall consist of a State Chairman, a Vice Chairman, a Secretary, a Treasurer, an Assistant Secretary, and an Assistant Treasurer.
Section 2
DUTIES
A. The State Chairman shall preside at all organizational, annual, or special meetings of the State Committee and of the Executive Board; he shall have general supervision over the affairs of the State Committee and over the other officers; he shall perform all such other duties and shall have all such other rights as are conferred or imposed upon him from time to time by Florida Statutes.
B. The Vice Chairman shall perform the duties of the State Chairman in the absence or disability of the State Chairman. In the event the State Chairman is no longer able to perform his duties, either through death, disability, or through resignation, the Vice Chairman shall temporarily assume the duties of the State Chairman. An election shall be called by the Vice Chairman for the purpose of electing a new State Chairman and said election shall be held within sixty days of the date the vacancy occurs. In the event there be no Vice Chairman, then the Secretary shall assume the duties of State Chairman and shall have the responsibility to call an election within the time frames specified herein. If the Vice Chairman and the Secretary are unable to perform the duties described herein then the Treasurer, and if he is unable, then the Assistant Secretary, and if he is unable, then the Assistant Treasurer shall call a meeting of the Executive Board within the time frames specified herein for the purpose of electing a new State Chairman and for filling any other vacancies that might exist.
C. The Secretary shall issue notices of all meetings of the State Committee and the Executive Board and shall attend and keep minutes of the same; and shall have charge of the State Committee’s books, records, and papers, and shall perform all such duties as are incident to his office or imposed or conferred upon him by Florida Statutes. The Assistant Secretary shall assist or assume duties as required.
D. The Treasurer shall have custody of all monies and securities of the State Committee and shall give bond in such amount and with such sureties as the Executive Board may from time to time require, conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of his office. He shall keep regular books of account and shall submit them together with all his vouchers, receipts, records, and other papers to the Executive Board and State Committee for their examination and approval as often as they may require. He shall perform all such other duties as are incident to his office or imposed or conferred upon him by Florida Statutes. The Assistant Treasurer shall assist or assume duties as required.
Section 3
TERM OF OFFICE
All officers of the State Committee and Congressional District Chairmen shall hold office for a term of two years or until their successors are elected. Elections of officers shall take place at the organizational meeting as provided in Party rule on a biennial basis.
OFFICERS
The officers of the State Committee shall be members of the State Committee and shall consist of a State Chairman, a Vice Chairman, a Secretary, a Treasurer, an Assistant Secretary, and an Assistant Treasurer.
Section 2
DUTIES
A. The State Chairman shall preside at all organizational, annual, or special meetings of the State Committee and of the Executive Board; he shall have general supervision over the affairs of the State Committee and over the other officers; he shall perform all such other duties and shall have all such other rights as are conferred or imposed upon him from time to time by Florida Statutes.
B. The Vice Chairman shall perform the duties of the State Chairman in the absence or disability of the State Chairman. In the event the State Chairman is no longer able to perform his duties, either through death, disability, or through resignation, the Vice Chairman shall temporarily assume the duties of the State Chairman. An election shall be called by the Vice Chairman for the purpose of electing a new State Chairman and said election shall be held within sixty days of the date the vacancy occurs. In the event there be no Vice Chairman, then the Secretary shall assume the duties of State Chairman and shall have the responsibility to call an election within the time frames specified herein. If the Vice Chairman and the Secretary are unable to perform the duties described herein then the Treasurer, and if he is unable, then the Assistant Secretary, and if he is unable, then the Assistant Treasurer shall call a meeting of the Executive Board within the time frames specified herein for the purpose of electing a new State Chairman and for filling any other vacancies that might exist.
C. The Secretary shall issue notices of all meetings of the State Committee and the Executive Board and shall attend and keep minutes of the same; and shall have charge of the State Committee’s books, records, and papers, and shall perform all such duties as are incident to his office or imposed or conferred upon him by Florida Statutes. The Assistant Secretary shall assist or assume duties as required.
D. The Treasurer shall have custody of all monies and securities of the State Committee and shall give bond in such amount and with such sureties as the Executive Board may from time to time require, conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of his office. He shall keep regular books of account and shall submit them together with all his vouchers, receipts, records, and other papers to the Executive Board and State Committee for their examination and approval as often as they may require. He shall perform all such other duties as are incident to his office or imposed or conferred upon him by Florida Statutes. The Assistant Treasurer shall assist or assume duties as required.
Section 3
TERM OF OFFICE
All officers of the State Committee and Congressional District Chairmen shall hold office for a term of two years or until their successors are elected. Elections of officers shall take place at the organizational meeting as provided in Party rule on a biennial basis.
ARTICLE V
VACANCIES
Section 1
STATE COMMITTEE OFFICERS
Vacancies in the offices of the State Committee, other than the Chairman, shall be filled by the Executive Board until the next annual meeting of the State Committee at which annual meeting an election shall be held to fill such vacancy.
Section 2
STATE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Vacancies in membership of the State Committee shall, where possible, be filled by the County Executive Committee of the county wherein the vacancy occurred in the manner as provided from time to time by Party rule. In the event a vacancy in membership shall occur from a county where no County Executive Committee is organized, or if a County Executive Committee be organized but refuse to elect a person to fill the vacancy, then, and in either event, the Executive Board shall fill the vacancy after giving sixty days notice to Chairman of the County Executive Committee if such a committee exists.
Section 3
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CHAIRMAN
In the event the Congressional District Chairman is no longer able to perform his duties, either through death, disability, or through resignation, the alternate Congressional District Chairman shall temporarily assume the duties of the Congressional District Chairman. The State Chairman shall within twenty (20) days call a caucus which shall be held within ninety (90) days for the purpose of electing a new Congressional District Chairman.
STATE COMMITTEE OFFICERS
Vacancies in the offices of the State Committee, other than the Chairman, shall be filled by the Executive Board until the next annual meeting of the State Committee at which annual meeting an election shall be held to fill such vacancy.
Section 2
STATE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Vacancies in membership of the State Committee shall, where possible, be filled by the County Executive Committee of the county wherein the vacancy occurred in the manner as provided from time to time by Party rule. In the event a vacancy in membership shall occur from a county where no County Executive Committee is organized, or if a County Executive Committee be organized but refuse to elect a person to fill the vacancy, then, and in either event, the Executive Board shall fill the vacancy after giving sixty days notice to Chairman of the County Executive Committee if such a committee exists.
Section 3
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CHAIRMAN
In the event the Congressional District Chairman is no longer able to perform his duties, either through death, disability, or through resignation, the alternate Congressional District Chairman shall temporarily assume the duties of the Congressional District Chairman. The State Chairman shall within twenty (20) days call a caucus which shall be held within ninety (90) days for the purpose of electing a new Congressional District Chairman.
ARTICLE VI
MEMBERSHIP - EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1
MEMBERS
The Executive Board of the Republican Party of Florida shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Executive Board” and its members shall consist of the State Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary, Assistant Treasurer, State Finance Chairman, all Congressional District Chairmen, the National Committeeman and the National Committeewoman from Florida, Chairman of the County Chairman’s Caucus, Chairman of the State Committeemen and Committeewomen’s Caucus, Chairman of the Appointee Caucus, and the immediate past State Chairman of the Party, if said person remains in good standing.
Section 2
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CHAIRMAN
The members of the State Committee representing counties in each Congressional District shall caucus at the organizational meeting of the State Committee and select a State Committeeman, State Committeewoman, or Chairman as the candidate for Congressional District Chairman from their Congressional District. The candidate thus selected shall be the caucus nominee for election of the Congressional District Chairman from that Congressional District by the State Committee. Wherever possible, a candidate must reside within the boundaries of the Congressional District represented as Congressional District Chairman. If no state committee member resides within a district, the State Committeeman, State Committeewoman, or Chairman from the intersected county residing nearest the district will serve as the Congressional District Chairman. The district caucus shall also select a candidate for an Alternate Congressional District Chairman to serve and vote for the Congressional District Chairman in his or her absence.
In any county where more than one entire congressional district lies within the geographical boundaries of that county, the Congressional District Chairman’s alternate need not be a member of the State Committee but must be a member of the County Executive Committee. In a congressional district where there is no alternate available, the Congressional District Chairman’s Alternate is elected from a caucus consisting of the State Committeeman and State Committeewoman and County Chairman from each county within the congressional district.
A Congressional District Chairman’s Alternate who is not a member of the State Committee may assume the responsibilities of the Congressional District Chairman for a time not to exceed the time set forth under Vacancies in Article V.
Except as provided above, the Congressional District Chairman must be a member of the State Committee.
Section 3
AUTHORITY
The Executive Board is vested with all rights of the State Committee and is authorized to act fully and completely in its stead and on its behalf in all matters that may be brought before it between meetings of the State Committee. Furthermore, the Executive Board shall be considered a competent tribunal as specified in Section 103.131(7), Florida Statutes, for the express purpose of considering any member or officer for removal by declaring void his or her election or appointment. The Executive Board is fully empowered to take any actions appropriate for censure or discipline of any officer or member for cause, including removal from office or expulsion from the party, in accordance with the procedures set forth in Robert’s Rules of Order, for a necessary finding of cause and determination of accountability while in session as a competent tribunal. The Executive Board shall keep minutes of its proceedings and such minutes shall be available to every member of the State Committee.
Section 4
MEETINGS
The Executive Board shall hold at least four meetings each year upon call of the State Chairman by ten days written notice. A quorum for the transaction of business at any regular or special meeting of the Executive Board shall consist of a majority of the members of the Board, but a minority of those present at any regular or special meeting, though less than a quorum, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting to a future time. The vote required on any question coming before the Executive Board shall be a majority of the quorum present. Proxy voting is not permissible at meetings of the Executive Board.
Section 5
PARTY RULES
The Executive Board shall be responsible for adopting all Party Rules that affect the operations of the Republican Party of Florida. All such rules shall be announced to the State Committee at the next regular or special meeting of the State Committee and shall be subject to change or deletion by the full Committee.
MEMBERS
The Executive Board of the Republican Party of Florida shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Executive Board” and its members shall consist of the State Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary, Assistant Treasurer, State Finance Chairman, all Congressional District Chairmen, the National Committeeman and the National Committeewoman from Florida, Chairman of the County Chairman’s Caucus, Chairman of the State Committeemen and Committeewomen’s Caucus, Chairman of the Appointee Caucus, and the immediate past State Chairman of the Party, if said person remains in good standing.
Section 2
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CHAIRMAN
The members of the State Committee representing counties in each Congressional District shall caucus at the organizational meeting of the State Committee and select a State Committeeman, State Committeewoman, or Chairman as the candidate for Congressional District Chairman from their Congressional District. The candidate thus selected shall be the caucus nominee for election of the Congressional District Chairman from that Congressional District by the State Committee. Wherever possible, a candidate must reside within the boundaries of the Congressional District represented as Congressional District Chairman. If no state committee member resides within a district, the State Committeeman, State Committeewoman, or Chairman from the intersected county residing nearest the district will serve as the Congressional District Chairman. The district caucus shall also select a candidate for an Alternate Congressional District Chairman to serve and vote for the Congressional District Chairman in his or her absence.
In any county where more than one entire congressional district lies within the geographical boundaries of that county, the Congressional District Chairman’s alternate need not be a member of the State Committee but must be a member of the County Executive Committee. In a congressional district where there is no alternate available, the Congressional District Chairman’s Alternate is elected from a caucus consisting of the State Committeeman and State Committeewoman and County Chairman from each county within the congressional district.
A Congressional District Chairman’s Alternate who is not a member of the State Committee may assume the responsibilities of the Congressional District Chairman for a time not to exceed the time set forth under Vacancies in Article V.
Except as provided above, the Congressional District Chairman must be a member of the State Committee.
Section 3
AUTHORITY
The Executive Board is vested with all rights of the State Committee and is authorized to act fully and completely in its stead and on its behalf in all matters that may be brought before it between meetings of the State Committee. Furthermore, the Executive Board shall be considered a competent tribunal as specified in Section 103.131(7), Florida Statutes, for the express purpose of considering any member or officer for removal by declaring void his or her election or appointment. The Executive Board is fully empowered to take any actions appropriate for censure or discipline of any officer or member for cause, including removal from office or expulsion from the party, in accordance with the procedures set forth in Robert’s Rules of Order, for a necessary finding of cause and determination of accountability while in session as a competent tribunal. The Executive Board shall keep minutes of its proceedings and such minutes shall be available to every member of the State Committee.
Section 4
MEETINGS
The Executive Board shall hold at least four meetings each year upon call of the State Chairman by ten days written notice. A quorum for the transaction of business at any regular or special meeting of the Executive Board shall consist of a majority of the members of the Board, but a minority of those present at any regular or special meeting, though less than a quorum, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting to a future time. The vote required on any question coming before the Executive Board shall be a majority of the quorum present. Proxy voting is not permissible at meetings of the Executive Board.
Section 5
PARTY RULES
The Executive Board shall be responsible for adopting all Party Rules that affect the operations of the Republican Party of Florida. All such rules shall be announced to the State Committee at the next regular or special meeting of the State Committee and shall be subject to change or deletion by the full Committee.
ARTICLE VII
PARTY AUTHORITY
Final authority in all Republican Party matters and in Party organization and/or government not specified or otherwise delegated by Florida Statutes shall be vested in the State Committee.
ARTICLE VIII
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING - STATE COMMITTEE
The organizational meeting of the State Committee shall be called as required by Florida Statutes and party rules and the first order of business of such meeting shall be the adoption of the Rules of Procedure for such meeting. The preceding State Chairman shall chair such meeting.
ARTICLE IX
MEETINGS OF THE STATE COMMITTEE
Section 1
ANNUAL MEETING
There shall be an annual meeting of the State Committee held at such time and at such place as the State Chairman may determine.
Section 2
SPECIAL MEETING
A special meeting of the State Committee may be called at any time by the State Chairman or shall be called upon written request of thirty (30) members of the State Committee, which request shall state the purpose of the call for a special meeting. The State Chairman shall issue a call for a special meeting detailing the specific purpose for such meeting to each member of the State Committee to be held within thirty (30) days. Fifteen (15) days notice shall be given to each member of the State Committee by the Secretary for special meetings of the State Committee.
Section 3
NOTICE
Notice of the time and place of all annual or special meetings of the State Committee shall be mailed by the Secretary to each member at least twenty (20) days before the date thereof.
Section 4
VOTE
At each organizational, annual, or special meeting of the State Committee subsequent to the 1997 Annual Meeting, proxy voting is not permitted except for purposes of amending the Constitution of the Republican Party of Florida. When proxy voting is permitted, each member shall be entitled to cast one vote in person or by proxy. A member may also hold and vote a proxy for other members of the State Committee. A proxy shall be in writing, dated, and witnessed and shall specify the meeting for which the proxy is given. All proxies shall be filed with the Secretary and entered in the minutes of the meeting for which they are granted.
Section 5
QUORUM
A quorum for the transaction of business at any organizational, annual, or special meeting of the State Committee shall consist of a majority of the total members of the State Committee but the members present at any meeting, though less than a quorum, may adjourn the meeting to a future time. The vote required on any question coming before the State Committee shall be a majority of the quorum present except where otherwise provided in this Constitution.
ANNUAL MEETING
There shall be an annual meeting of the State Committee held at such time and at such place as the State Chairman may determine.
Section 2
SPECIAL MEETING
A special meeting of the State Committee may be called at any time by the State Chairman or shall be called upon written request of thirty (30) members of the State Committee, which request shall state the purpose of the call for a special meeting. The State Chairman shall issue a call for a special meeting detailing the specific purpose for such meeting to each member of the State Committee to be held within thirty (30) days. Fifteen (15) days notice shall be given to each member of the State Committee by the Secretary for special meetings of the State Committee.
Section 3
NOTICE
Notice of the time and place of all annual or special meetings of the State Committee shall be mailed by the Secretary to each member at least twenty (20) days before the date thereof.
Section 4
VOTE
At each organizational, annual, or special meeting of the State Committee subsequent to the 1997 Annual Meeting, proxy voting is not permitted except for purposes of amending the Constitution of the Republican Party of Florida. When proxy voting is permitted, each member shall be entitled to cast one vote in person or by proxy. A member may also hold and vote a proxy for other members of the State Committee. A proxy shall be in writing, dated, and witnessed and shall specify the meeting for which the proxy is given. All proxies shall be filed with the Secretary and entered in the minutes of the meeting for which they are granted.
Section 5
QUORUM
A quorum for the transaction of business at any organizational, annual, or special meeting of the State Committee shall consist of a majority of the total members of the State Committee but the members present at any meeting, though less than a quorum, may adjourn the meeting to a future time. The vote required on any question coming before the State Committee shall be a majority of the quorum present except where otherwise provided in this Constitution.
ARTICLE X
FINANCE AND REVENUES
Section 1
ACCOUNT SIGNATURES
The State Chairman or Vice Chairman and Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, signing jointly, shall be the authorized signatures on the bank account of the State Committee. A copy of a resolution authorizing such account, certified to by the Secretary of the State Committee, shall be sufficient authority to any such bank or savings institution for the establishment of such account and for the authority of the above named officers to sign thereon.
Section 2
COMMITTEES
Any committees or subcommittees of the State Committee desiring to establish a special account or accounts shall do so only upon its recommendation to and approval by the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall, by resolution, authorize the establishment of such account or accounts and determine therein the officers or other persons authorized to sign on such accounts.
ACCOUNT SIGNATURES
The State Chairman or Vice Chairman and Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, signing jointly, shall be the authorized signatures on the bank account of the State Committee. A copy of a resolution authorizing such account, certified to by the Secretary of the State Committee, shall be sufficient authority to any such bank or savings institution for the establishment of such account and for the authority of the above named officers to sign thereon.
Section 2
COMMITTEES
Any committees or subcommittees of the State Committee desiring to establish a special account or accounts shall do so only upon its recommendation to and approval by the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall, by resolution, authorize the establishment of such account or accounts and determine therein the officers or other persons authorized to sign on such accounts.
ARTICLE XI
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in “Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised” shall govern the State Committee in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with this Constitution of the State Committee.
ARTICLE XII
COMMITTEES
The State Chairman shall appoint such standing Committees as he shall deem necessary with the approval of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE XIII
AMENTMENTS
This Constitution may be amended at any meeting of the State Committee by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the full membership thereof. Any proposed amendment shall be furnished in writing to the State Chairman and General Counsel of the State Committee and circulated to all members at least twenty (20) days prior to the meeting at which such proposed amendments are to be considered.
ARTICLE XIV
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Constitution shall take effect at the time of adoption and continue until it is amended in accordance with Article XIII.
