Idaho Republican Party

IDAHO REPUBLICAN PLATFORM

ADOPTED JUNE 17, 2006, IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO

PREAMBLE

WE ARE REPUBLICANS BECAUSE:

We believe the strength of our nation lies with our faith and reliance on God our Creator, the individual, and the family; and that each person's dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored.

We believe the United States Constitution is the greatest and most inspired document ever devised by Man, and that the republican form of government which it gives us is the best guarantor of freedom in history.

We believe in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.

We believe free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this Nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.

We believe government must practice fiscal responsibility, and that taxpayers shall allow the government only the money necessary to provide appropriate functions.

We believe the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations.

We believe the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people. That government is best that governs least.

We believe Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong, while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.

We believe Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to promote peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.

We believe that the rights of individuals can only be maintained by exercising personal responsibility for behavior.

We believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government.

We therefore adopt the following Platform:

I. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT

Financing government: The Idaho Republican Party recognizes that government is financed only from taxing its citizens. We believe the size and cost of government, as well as the national debt, must be reduced. We believe Social Security should be stabilized, diversified, and privatized to expand individual retirement options. We commend our entire Republican delegation for strong support of a balanced budget.

Taxation: We do not support additional federal taxation. The problem is not lack of revenue - rather, it is excessive expenditures. We urge our Republican federal officeholders to work to reduce federal expenditures, control federal expansion, and limit the size and scope of government. We will spare no lawful effort to retain an all-Republican congressional delegation.

Legislature: Our State Legislature, which has been directed by Republicans for more than three decades, is a model of fiscal responsibility. Our governors, senators, and representatives deserve credit for balancing the state budget and working to improve Idaho's economy. We can attain growth in a sound, responsible manner by holding taxes down, granting business incentives, and refusing to grant excessive demands for spending. We support reduction of Idaho’s income tax rates and, where possible, a reduction in property tax rates by local government. We must strongly support all Republican legislative candidates in order to retain our substantial majority in Idaho's House and Senate.

State Tax System: Idahoans deserve a tax system that is predictable, fair, and balanced. Our income, sales, and property taxes provide for a stable and dependable source of income for our governmental needs. We believe Idaho's tax structure should remain friendly to businesses and families, as jobs and income are absolutely essential to adequate funding of schools and other government obligations.

Local Government: Effective and efficient operation of our local government offices is of vital importance to Idaho. We must elect Republicans to county and local offices to deal with the reality of limited income.

II. BALANCED BUDGET

The Idaho Republican Party commends efforts of Republican Congressional leaders to balance the federal budget. The Idaho Republican Party demands that the budget be balanced, and that a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution be secured.

On the state level, we support zero-based budgeting for Idaho. Each governmental entity must justify its expenditures before its budget request is approved.

III. NATIONAL LEADERSHIP

The Idaho Republican Party has led America in the fight to reduce the growth of government bureaucracy. We have promoted private enterprise and individual initiative in the marketplace as the real solutions to U.S. domestic policy challenges. The national Republican Party must retain the Presidency and its majorities in the U. S. Senate and House. Elected officials must review all executive orders, and work to eliminate those which adversely affect states’ rights.

IV. EDUCATION

The Idaho Republican Party recognizes that the future of this great state lies with our faith and reliance on God our Creator, in our strong efforts to uphold family values, and in the quality of education provided for its citizens. We believe that successful education is a joint responsibility of the individual, the family, and the community. As with government in general, we believe the most effective, responsible and responsive educational system is that system closest to the people.

We support efforts to strengthen our public school system.

We believe in improving the quality of education for every child by maximizing parental choice through expanded support for public charter schools, public virtual charter schools, school choice programs, and accountable public school systems. We believe all public school students are entitled to our support, and to fair and equitable funding.

We believe that educational priorities must focus on early childhood reading development, teaching basic academic skills, providing additional opportunities for students to excel, and graduating students with employable skills.

We believe Idaho's public school system should provide quality education in a disciplined and safe environment. This system should provide the basic skills that permit our children to function as literate citizens.

We strongly support vocational programs and continuing education programs that recognize the need to provide good alternatives to college educational programs.

We recognize the importance of Idaho's higher education system in continuing the education of our citizens. The education and research that occurs at our institutions of higher learning contributes substantially to a vigorous economy, heightened competition and a vibrant participatory government.

We are proud of our many dedicated, professional teachers and educators who have committed their lives to educating Idaho's children. We value the contribution our teachers make to our society.

We believe that in order for public education to be successful, schools and families should work together with mutual respect and cooperation.

We call for responsible management, focused goals and direction, and increased accountability from our public school system.

We recognize the increasing role of technology in society. We encourage policymakers and educators to be leaders in promoting such new opportunities.

We believe competition produces excellence in education, and that parents have the right to choose which schools their children attend. We support the right of parents to pursue private parochial and home school options. Tax credits for non-use of public schools and other forms of parental choice should be encouraged as competitive options for educating children.

We value the important role played by our private, independent, and parochial schools, colleges and universities.

V. GOVERNMENT AND FISCAL AFFAIRS

The Idaho Republican Party recognizes that local initiative, knowledge and individual responsibility are effective resources for solving local problems.

We recommend that present federal programs which have been found to be non-productive, not cost-effective, or that have outlived their usefulness should be terminated. State and federal programs which could be better managed at the local level should be transferred to local units of government or private enterprise wherever and whenever possible.

The level of government requiring the mandate must fund programs mandated by Federal and State governments.

We endorse fiscal responsibility in government including balanced budgets, limited government spending, management by objective, and forward planning at all levels. Unnecessary growth of state and local government has a negative impact on both the conduct of business and on our individual lives. We endorse the review of all government-sponsored programs, and their assumption by private enterprise where appropriate and workable.

The Idaho Republican Party believes the State of Idaho should strongly assert its sovereignty under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The Idaho Republican Party supporting the right of every citizen to seek elective office, affirming the right of voters to vote for the candidate of choice, recognizing the need for experience and institutional memory in elective office, and recognizing the difficulty of filling important offices in smaller cities and counties, opposes the re-imposition of term limits in Idaho.

The Idaho Republican Party recommends that Section 2, Article III, of the Idaho Constitution be amended as follows:

• Strike paragraph (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6). (These sections refer to reapportionment of the Legislature by an appointed commission.)

• Add new paragraph (2) to read as follows: “Whenever there is reason to reapportion the Legislature or to provide for new congressional district boundaries in the state because of a new federal census, all reapportionment decisions shall be made by the Idaho Legislature.”

VI. AGRICULTURE

The Republican Party recognizes that agriculture is and will continue to be a fundamental and necessary industry in Idaho, our nation, and the entire world.

We believe The Republican Party advocates that the American farmer can compete freely and trade fairly in foreign markets. We recognize that the primary function of government in agriculture should be service, research, and the promotion of markets. We oppose the use of an embargo of agricultural products as an instrument of foreign policy.

We must recognize that water is vital to Idaho agriculture and other industries.

Modification of Idaho's historic water laws must be considered with extreme caution. The federal government shall not infringe upon state jurisdiction over Idaho water.

We endorse the preservation and strengthening of the family farm unit as the foundation of agriculture and one of the basic strengths of this nation.

VII. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS

We reaffirm our commitment to the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution: "No person shall be ... deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."

The right to own, use, care for, and market property is a fundamental tenet of all free nations. The vigilant protection of private property rights safeguards for citizens everything of value.

We support strong enforcement of the "takings" clause to keep citizens secure in the use and development of their property.

We oppose any federal, state or local regulation that would diminish a property owner's right to develop his property in a positive and productive way.

Because state and federal governments administer the majority of Idaho lands, we need to limit and, if possible, reduce the amount of land owned or administered by the government. We affirm to all government officials and employees that property rights are not granted by the government - rather, government is directed by the governed to protect the rights of private property owners.

VIII. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

The Idaho Republican Party recognizes that the quality of our natural environment can be protected and enhanced while having reasonable, orderly growth.

We believe there should be greater emphasis on multiple use, local control, and minimal government regulation, and that federal regulations shall not restrict the sovereignty of the State of Idaho.

We believe the administration of federal environmental policy must be modified. We recognize that all federal acts, statutes, management plans, initiatives, and orders (such as the Interior Columbia River Basin Management Plan, Endangered Species Act, Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water Act) must be based on full evaluation of all relevant factors, including peer-reviewed scientific data. These evaluations must give equal consideration to potential human suffering caused by restriction or elimination of basic human needs such as jobs, energy and overall quality of life. We support federal and state measures to re-establish the primacy of state government for implementation of environmental policy.

We recognize Idaho’s need for the utilization of natural resources for Idaho’s economic growth and for the benefit of all Idahoans. The dimensions and boundaries of our wilderness area should be determined by Idahoans. The remaining road less areas should be released for multiple use.

We advocate congressional action to limit presidential authority in creating or expanding national parks and monuments pursuant to the Antiquities Act.

We advocate reasonable management for the protection of Idaho soils, aquifers and surface waters from contamination from all sources.

We support the concept of forest health because it promotes long-term land use including livestock grazing, timber, wildlife, recreation, mining and all other beneficial forest uses for the people of Idaho.

We encourage the State of Idaho to seek authority to oversee the utilization of natural resources on federal lands within the state.

IX. INL

We recognize the great importance of the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to Idaho's economy. This facility is one of the State’s largest private employers. The staff is highly skilled and highly educated. The work done at INL is crucial to both private commerce and to our nation’s defense.

Research in safety in the production of nuclear energy is crucial to our nation's future. We support research and development missions that provide safe, economical nuclear power. We also support new nuclear technology that has greater safety, produces less waste, and resists proliferation.

We support the formation of partnerships between federal, state and local governments and private utility companies to build generating nuclear plants in Idaho.

We endorse the agreement developed by former Governor Philip E. Batt as the best possible alternative to contain and diminish any possibility of nuclear contamination of Idaho's environment.

We commend our congressional delegation for its steadfast support of INL. We encourage the delegation, the state, DOE Idaho, and INL management to assure continued research and development, transfer of technology, new missions, and development of alternative energy treatments and storage methods. We support their continued efforts to secure the opening of long-term storage sites.

X. FISH AND GAME

The Idaho Republican Party recognizes the value of wildlife resources for the state.

We encourage the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) to manage fish and wildlife to enhance fishing and hunting and hunting opportunities for Idahoans and the tourist industry, while respecting private property rights of landowners.

We oppose federal designations which restrict or eliminate hunting and fishing and access for all our citizens on public lands in Idaho.

We reaffirm the Idaho Republican Party's opposition to reintroduction of wolves and grizzlies into Idaho.

XI. COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, AND TRANSPORTATION

The Idaho Republican Party encourages the broadening and strengthening of Idaho's base of commerce and industry built on agriculture, timber, mining, manufacturing, processing, technology, and energy.

We support balanced multiple use of our natural resources and all associated businesses. This can be achieved through encouraging economic development in the areas of manufacturing, processing, technology, energy, tourism and other industries, as well as providing a friendly business climate under which our natural resource industries at state and national levels can thrive.

Transportation is an integral part of commerce and industry, essential for movement of goods and people in the State of Idaho. We call upon the federal government to recognize that transportation needs are vastly different in western states than in eastern states, and request that regulatory oversight reflect recognition of those differences.

We call upon railroads to increase service levels to better serve the State of Idaho in movement of goods. We believe that restrictions being proposed by the federal government in the road-less conservation plan will have undue and unnecessary negative impact on the natural resource industry, and subsequently on Idaho’s rural economy.

A competitive market, free of undue governmental competition, restriction, coercion, or interference, is critical to Idaho's economic well-being.

We recognize that the United States of America uses a system of free enterprise and capitalism wherein individuals work for profits and rewards and are entitled to the product of their efforts. When government appropriates private property or investment expectations, full restitution all be made, including reimbursement of legal and interest expenses.

Support innovative and responsible programs by industry to reduce pollution in every practical way Government should intervene only where such efforts fail or must be supplemented by law.

State government and private enterprise must work cooperatively toward development and growth of the convention and tourism business, which is becoming increasingly important to Idaho's future.

We endorse economic development and expansion in Idaho and pledge to make every effort to provide a business climate that will attract such growth. We support greater cooperative efforts between the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor, and the business community to promote economic development, with increased emphasis on depressed rural economies in Idaho.

We support adequate funding of Idaho's Constitutional Defense Fund for the legal defense of Idaho's sovereignty in issues including, but not limited to, the balanced use of Idaho's land, agriculture, mining, timber, manufacturing, processing, and energy resources and their associated businesses.

We believe that free trade agreements have, on the whole, been beneficial to the economies of the United States and the State of Idaho, but we recognize that free trade has been detrimental to some important elements of the Idaho economy. Therefore, we support the development of industries within Idaho that benefit from increased trade, and we support appropriate revisions to free trade agreements to ensure fairness to Idaho industry.

XII. WATER

The Idaho Republican Party recognizes the critical importance of water to this state. We will aggressively defend Idaho's right to appropriate and manage water within its own borders without interference from the federal government.

In support of this concept, we support continued federal and state legislation to prevent inter-basin transfer of Idaho's water to other areas.

We encourage policies that will more fully use and develop our water while supporting the Idaho state law of prior appropriation, based on the principle of "first in time is first in right" for the benefit of all Idahoans.

We believe that safeguards exist to protect Idaho's scenic and recreational rivers without creating more restrictions or regulations on Idaho's river system.

We call upon the federal government cease and desist from calling on further water for flow augmentation for fish conservation until the benefit of this use has been proven by unequivocal, thorough scientific research. Further, Idaho waters can only be approved for out-of-state use by legislative action by the State of Idaho, from willing sellers through established rental pools.

We support increased retention of Idaho water through recharge and the acquisition of new reservoir sites.

The Idaho Republican Party supports quality of private life and economic stability of Idaho families, communities, and industries, and opposes removal or breaching of existing dams.

We support all legal opposition to any and all efforts to usurp Idaho's sovereignty over water within Idaho borders. Further, we support the attorney general in defending the state’s position on these and all other water issues, and support the State Legislature in continuing to adequately fund the Idaho Constitutional Defense Fund for these purposes.

XIII. ENERGY

Recognizing that energy is vital to the economic growth of industry within our state, the Idaho Republican Party strongly supports a progressive, common-sense, equitable energy policy that encourages research and development of our energy resources, including hydroelectric power, petroleum, nuclear energy, and new technologies.

Idaho has the lowest electrical rates of the fifty states. Nothing should be done in the deregulation process that might raise those rates. The benefits of hydroelectric power should be retained for the citizens of Idaho. We support the Idaho Congressional Delegation's efforts through federal legislation to opt out of any mandated deregulation.

We encourage continuous review and updating of all energy resources and their multiple use benefit for our citizens.

XIV. LABOR

The Idaho Republican Party recognizes the important contribution to the state's economy from its labor force, both in the private and public sector.

The Party encourages and supports joint responsibility of employee and employer in developing and maintaining a safe and sanitary work environment.

No qualified individual should be denied equal opportunity for employment. We support the Idaho Human Rights Commission, which allows for initial in-state handling of employment discrimination. We believe that hiring quotas are inherently discriminatory and should not be required.

We believe that Idaho employees are best served by the creation of a strong economy and a favorable job market. Idaho's Republican governors and Legislature deserve credit for these positive conditions.

We encourage the continued development of education and vocational training to support a well-trained workforce for an expanding Idaho economy.

The Idaho Republican Party believes that public employees should be hired, retained, and promoted based on individual merit. Furthermore, we believe that public employees should be fairly and equitably compensated through rates of pay and benefits comparable to those paid by private industry for jobs of like value.

We oppose any effort to repeal the “Right to Work” in Idaho as a violation of the equal opportunity for employment and the freedom of association guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.

XV. ECONOMY

The Idaho Republican Party believes that economic growth is the key to enhancing the quality of life our people so richly deserve. Fiscal responsibility in the form of balanced state and federal budgets is essential to achieve this goal.

We encourage the Governor and State Legislature to:

• Evaluate each state agency for efficiency and effectiveness and conduct recommended performance audits,

• Pass legislation that will privatize those agencies which would be better managed as private corporations,

• Create a business environment that promotes development and/or expansion of businesses in Idaho, and eliminates all onerous and repressive government regulation, and

• Support a tax structure that promotes savings and investment by the taxpayers and investment by businesses in research, development, plant and equipment.

This we propose in order to create jobs for all Idahoans and for our children, who follow, and to maintain and enhance our quality of life.

We believe there is an inseparable link between a vibrant economy and a high-quality education system. It takes a vibrant economy to provide the tax base necessary to fund a high-quality education system. Equally, it takes a high-quality education system to provide the highly skilled labor force necessary to meet the demands of a growing, vibrant economy.

XVI. AMERICAN FAMILY

We believe the traditional family to be the basic unit of society. Government officials and legislators are called upon to protect the traditional family and use all means possible to prevent expansion of the definition of marriage beyond that of a bond between one man and one woman.

Traditional family values are the foundation of our nation. Families, not government programs, are the best way to properly nurture and protect our children, care for our elderly, preserve and perpetuate our cultural and spiritual heritage, and assure that our traditional values are transmitted to the next generation.

Many of the ills of society can be attributed to the breakdown of the family and to the increased use of illegal drugs.

We believe that Idaho's social and fiscal programs should reinforce parental responsibility and authority, and not promote or reward the disintegration of the family. The generational cycle of dependence and despair must be broken. The answer is in education, job opportunities, and individual and family responsibility.

We support a tax system that strengthens a family's economic ability to care for and support its members. We applaud the Idaho Legislature for its action to eliminate the marriage penalty in the Idaho tax code and support efforts to eliminate it on the federal level.

We reaffirm our support for the sanctity of life and the rights of the unborn child. We recognize many strong and diverse views within our party membership on this issue.

We oppose the use of federal or state tax funds to aid in the destruction of human life. We oppose the use of Idaho taxpayer funds to finance so-called “health” abortions. We do not support abortion based on sex selection, convenience, or as a method of birth control. We oppose partial birth abortion and support legislation to abolish this practice. We support parental consent for minors to obtain an abortion. We strongly encourage adoption as an alternative to abortion and support legislation that expands opportunities and provides assistance to the adoptive process.

XVII. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE

We believe that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty. After a person is convicted of a crime, however, we believe in swift and just punishment for the lawbreaker and immediate payment of restitution to the victim.

Courts and the prosecutors should continue to recognize the substantial rights and interests of crime victims in the judicial process and assure that the victims of serious crimes are not ignored.

We believe the death penalty is an appropriate consequence for the most heinous crimes, and that further reform should be made to the appellate procedures so the penalty can be carried out in a timely process.

Our party encourages the Idaho Legislature to modify the post-conviction relief statutes to enable DNA considerations where appropriate.

We recognize the enormous financial burden placed upon society by criminals. Therefore, we support requiring inmates, to the extent they are capable, to perform labor or otherwise contribute to the cost of their incarceration.

We recognize that juvenile justice is a major concern. We support timely accountability and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders. We support dealing with youth offenses early to reduce future impact to the welfare and correction systems.

Recognizing the dreadful consequences of illegal drug and substance abuse in our society, we call upon our national, state and local leaders to refocus efforts in the war on drugs. We encourage all Idaho citizens, and their religious, civic, and community organizations, to be actively engaged in this effort.

We support creative alternative sentencing, such as drug courts, and treatment for non-violent offenders.

The Idaho Republican Party supports the right of the individual to keep and bear arms, as guaranteed by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and article one section eleven of the Idaho State Constitution. We commend efforts of organizations to preserve and foster that right, including Right-to-Carry laws.

We further believe in protection of the American firearms industry against harassing lawsuits that blame them for the acts of criminals. We call for more enforcement of current laws against violent criminals, not more “gun control” aimed at law-abiding citizens.

XVIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE

The Idaho Republican Party supports a private enterprise health care delivery system that provides cost-effective, quality health care with minimal government regulation and interference.

We recognize the need for and promote effective and accessible health care for all individuals.

We support the rights of individuals to select their health care provider.

We oppose socialized medicine and any other attempts to encourage socialism in America.

We believe the emerging concepts of “defined contribution plans” and “medical savings accounts” should continue to be encouraged, because truly positive market forces can only occur when the fundamental right to make individual marketplace decisions is restored to Idahoans.

We believe the primary responsibility for the health and welfare of our citizens resides with individuals and their families. We encourage all people to exercise the responsibility of the individual and the family in making healthy life choices and caring for their own health and well-being.

We believe health and welfare programs should be administered with a minimum of bureaucracy and a goal of helping all recipients return to a self-sustaining and productive life. We encourage the citizen advisory committees over health and welfare programs to reassert their oversight responsibilities. We reject the practice of active recruitment of employed and employable people as welfare and Medicaid recipients.

We support enforcement of child support laws in order to assure the restoration of parental responsibility and the enhancement of financial security for children.

XIX. NATIONAL DEFENSE

The Idaho Republican Party supports a strong national defense. We support strong contingents of our U. S. Armed Forces. We strongly support our Idaho National Guard under the command of Idaho’s governor. We believe in peace through strength, so that our children will enjoy the blessings of freedom.

We support the efforts that are underway to establish an effective National Missile Defense System to protect American citizens. We also oppose any efforts to re-enter the ABM or any other treaty restricting America’s ability to protect itself from attack.

We support President Bush’s efforts to combat terrorism, including the use of military force, in response to the events of September 11, 2001, and any other terrorist threats to our nation. We support the securing the national border and the prosecution of those who violate our laws.

American combat troops should not be used as "world policemen." UN combat operations should be supported by a multi-national coalition, and where U. S. forces are committed in UN combat operations, the United States should retain ultimate command of its forces.

We support the Office of Homeland Security. We believe it will accomplish its mission, and the rights of all Americans will be best protected by enforcement of existing law. The Patriot Act is necessary to facilitate cooperation between law enforcement agencies. We support appropriate amendments to limit incursions upon personal freedoms, rights, and liberties of American Citizens.

XX. VETERANS

The Idaho Republican Party believes that America owes her freedom to the service of its military veterans. In fact, the nation owes them more than thanks. We reinforce our commitment to their needs both at home and abroad. We support the Idaho National Guard and commend their response to the request of the nation to serve our country.

XXI. OLDER AMERICANS

The Idaho Republican Party has always supported and will continue to support older Americans. The party will work to preserve and promote opportunities in America so that older Americans can provide for themselves. Those unable to care for themselves will have access to services available in Idaho – city, county, state and federal.

The Idaho Republican Party will continue to oppose policies that penalize older Americans who continue to work.

XXII. SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESS

America's small business entrepreneurs have led the way in fueling the economic recovery and provide the engine for future economic growth. We must keep them strong to ensure lasting prosperity.

The Idaho Republican Party reaffirms its historic ties with business people and pledges continued efforts to help this energetic segment of our economy continue to provide jobs for our citizens.

We support a climate conducive to small business growth. Over-regulation and excessive regulatory requirements break the back of small business. Such regulation must be reduced and eliminated.

We support creation and maintenance of a tax base that is fair and equitable to all businesses.

XXIII. INTEGRITY IN GOVERNMENT

We, as Idaho Republicans, expect all individuals in government at all levels, including elected officials, to conduct themselves within the highest and strictest standards of personal conduct in carrying out their duties.

The people of Idaho demand leaders who will uphold their oath of office and the Constitution and are accountable to the people who elect them. We call upon the State Republican Party Chairman to communicate to the party at large information regarding adherence by Republican legislators to the state party platform and resolutions adopted at our state conventions and party meetings. We ask that all candidates certify they are not a candidate, officer, delegate nor position holder in any party other than the Republican Party.

We firmly believe the most effective, responsible and responsive government is the government closest to the people.

XXIV. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT

The Idaho Republican Party believes that government works best when its citizens become actively involved. The Party encourages all citizens to engage in healthy debate on all issues that will increase citizen control of government.

We encourage all citizens to educate themselves in constitutional government and to be full participants in the political process.

Our party seeks to heighten the level of discourse by encouraging all office holders, candidates and citizens to be civil, dignified, honest and forthright in their discussions, actions, statements and political processes. This includes the actions of special interest groups who provide support for or against any Idaho candidate.

The Idaho Republican Party Believes that Primary elections in the Idaho Republican Party should be open to all the people who have registered as a Republican prior to the primary election and that the Idaho Legislature should pass legislation that would provide for the same. To allow those who have no loyalty or allegiance to the Idaho Republican Party or its' platform and Resolutions to select our candidates is simply not proper.

XXV. ELECTION OF SUPREME COURT JUSTICES

The Idaho Republican Party opposes any attempt to undermine the constitutional people to select justices in an open competitive election process.

RULES OF THE IDAHO REPUBLICAN PARTY

Amended June 2, 2007

ARTICLE I: THE REPUBLICAN STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE

Section 1: The Republican State Central Committee shall be the governing body of the Idaho Republican Party. It shall establish all policy and functions of the Idaho Republican Party on the State level, and may employ a staff to carry out such policy and functions. No person may hold more than one voting position on the State Central Committee.

Section 2: The first meeting of the Republican State Central Committee shall take place immediately upon adjournment of the State Convention, at which time said committee may fill vacancies on the statewide ticket. The Committee shall thereafter be called to fill any vacancy on the statewide ticket which may occur before the General Election. Meetings of the Committee may be called by the State Chairman or, in the case of a vacancy in the Chairmanship, by the First Vice Chairman, and in the case of absence in the office of First Vice Chairman, by the Second Vice Chairman. Such call shall be issued at least thirty (30) days in advance of the date of the proposed semi-annual regular meeting and thirty (30) days in advance for special meetings and within fifteen (15) days for emergency meetings or as otherwise provided by Idaho Code and shall state the business to be transacted at the meeting and such other business as may properly come before it. Regular meetings shall be held at least twice annually.

Section 3: Upon written petition of fifteen (15) or more members of the Republican State Central Committee, representing not less than five (5) counties asking for a special meeting of the Republican State Central Committee, it shall be the duty of the State Chairman, with ten (10) days from receipt of said petition, to issue a call for a special meeting of the Republican State Central Committee.

Section 4: The voting membership of the Republican State Central Committee shall consist of all voting members of the State Executive Committee, County Chairmen, State Committeemen, State Committeewomen, State Youth Committeepersons, and Legislative District Chairmen. No proxy from any county not represented may be honored. A written proxy from an absent member to a voting member present from the same county shall be honored if filed prior to the commencement of any meeting with the State Central Committee Secretary. The proxy of a Legislative District Chairman shall be given only to a voting member present from a county lying within the legislative district or within which the legislative district lies. The proxy of a member of the State Executive Committee shall be cast only by a voting member present from a region where said member resides. A Vice Chairman shall qualify in all occasions to carry his Chairman's proxy and said proxy need not be in writing. A quorum shall exist if fifty- one percent (51%) of the counties are represented.

Section 5: The Chairman of the Republican State Central Committee shall have general administrative supervision over the organization and affairs of the Idaho Republican Party, shall preside at all meetings, and shall perform all other duties as are incident to his office, subject in all cases, however, to the direction of the Republican State Central Committee. The Chairman of the Republican State Central Committee shall be elected by the Delegates to the State Republican Convention, convening regularly every two years.

Section 6: If the office of the Chairman becomes vacant, by reason of resignation, death or otherwise, it shall be the duty of the First Vice-Chairman to convene the Republican State Central Committee within thirty (30) for the purpose of appointing by election a new State Chairman to serve until a successor is duly elected by the next Republican State Convention. There shall be no automatic succession to the office of State Chairman.

Section 7: The Vice Chairman of the Republican State Central Committee shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Republican State Central Committee and shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the State Chairman upon any occasion when the State Chairman shall be unable to perform the duties of his office.

Section 8: The First Vice Chairman and the Second Vice Chairman shall be elected by the delegates to the State Convention which convenes every two years. The Second Vice Chairman shall be from the opposite Congressional District of the First Vice Chairman. In the event of a vacancy in the First or Second Vice Chairman, the State Central a Committee shall appoint by election a successor to serve until the first meeting of the State Central Committee following the next State Convention.

Section 9: The National Committeeman and National Committeewoman shall be elected by the delegates to the Republican State Convention in the same year as presidential elections. The National Committeeman and National Committeewoman shall represent the Idaho Republican Party on the National Committee, shall be spokespersons for Idaho to the National Committee, shall convey National Party Policy to the State Party, and shall carry out all other duties and responsibilities as they may see fit to properly represent the Idaho Republican Party.

Section 10: If the office of the National Committeeman or National Committeewoman becomes vacant, by reason or resignation, death or otherwise, the State Chairman shall, within thirty (30) days of the event, call a Republican State Central Committee meeting for the purpose of making an appointment by election to fill the vacancy. Such appointee shall serve until a successor is duly chosen at the next presidential year Republican State Convention.

Section 11: The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping minutes and state records in conjunction with the State Headquarters office and shall be elected by the delegates to the regular session of the Republican State Convention every 2 years. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Secretary, the Republican State Central Committee shall appoint by election a successor to serve until the next regular session of the Republican State Convention.

Section 12: The Treasurer shall act as the fiscal agent for the Republican State Central Committee, and shall be elected by the delegates to the regular session of the Republican State Convention, which convenes every two (2) years. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Treasurer, the Republican State Central Committee shall appoint by election a successor to serve until the next regular session of the State Convention.

Section 13: The State Chairman shall appoint a State Finance Chairman who shall be responsible for developing and executing fundraising programs for the Idaho Republican Party. The State Finance Chairman, in cooperation with the State Chairman, may recruit a Finance Committee and appoint such assistants as may be deemed necessary.

Section 14: The State Chairman shall appoint an Executive Director with the consent of the Executive Committee at the next regular meeting as deemed necessary.

Section 15: The Chairman may appoint such special committees as necessary, designate the membership thereof, and define the duties such committees shall perform, and limit or terminate the existence thereof. The State Chairman shall appoint all Committees subject to the review of the Executive Committee. The Chairman shall, at a minimum, appoint standing Rules and Resolutions Committees as follows:

(a) Rules Committee. The Chairman shall appoint, with the review of the Executive Committee, a standing Rules Committee consisting of a chairman, vice chairman, and two (2) members of the Republican State Central Committee from each region in consultation with each Region Chairman. The Chairman of the Standing Rules Committee may appoint a Standing Rules Committee Secretary to insure the business and minutes of the Rules Committee are orderly and reliable. The Rules Committee shall be a subcommittee of the Republican State Central Committee and shall meet as necessary to review the rules under which the Central Committee operates and may recommend amendments to the Central Committee for consideration.

(b) Resolutions Committee. The Chairman shall appoint, with the review of the Executive Committee, a standing Resolutions Committee consisting of a chairman, vice chairman, and two (2) members of the Republican State Central Committee from each region in consultation with each Region Chairman. The Chairman of the Standing Resolutions Committee may appoint a Standing Resolutions Committee Secretary to insure the business and minutes of the Resolutions Committee are orderly and reliable. The Resolutions Committee shall be a subcommittee of the Republican State Central Committee and shall meet as necessary to consider resolutions proposed by members of the Central Committee and may recommend resolutions for approval to the Central Committee. The Resolutions Committee shall:

(1) Receive written resolutions from any State Central Committee member. The Committee will determine disposition. The originator will be given up to five (5) minutes before the Committee to defend the resolution. A like time will be given to any member opposed to the resolution. The total time for consideration shall be 10 minutes after which a majority vote will prevail.

(2) Receive resolutions passed by County, District, or Regional Committees. The originator will be given up to five (5) minutes before the Committee to defend the resolution. A like time will be given to any member opposed to the resolution. The total time for consideration shall be 10 minutes after which a majority vote will prevail.

(3) The Committee will determine that all resolutions are legible and in presentable form.

A. Where two (2) resolutions cover the same topic or ideas, they may be combined where this can be done without changing the intent of either.

B. Where the two (2) resolutions are opposed on the same subject, the Committee may submit either or both to the State Central Committee with a recommendation that either or both pass.

C. No resolution may be presented to the floor of the State Central Committee meeting except through the Resolutions Committee.

(4) Resolutions that fail but receive at least one-third (1/3) of the vote at the Resolution Committee meeting may be presented on the floor by a minority report with each side of the proposition given three (3) minutes to present its arguments to the body.

(5) Resolutions not received by the Committee at least ten (10) days before the State Central Committee meeting shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Resolutions Committee to consider the resolution. If passed, the proposed resolution will be handled the same as a resolution received before the deadline.

(6) Any member attending the State Central Committee meeting may attend the Resolutions Committee meeting and take part in the discussion but will have no vote. Any interested party shall be permitted to attend the Resolutions Committee meeting as guest of any State Central Committee member. At the invitation of the Chairman of the Resolutions Committee, guests may be allowed to speak.

(7) Upon receiving the Report of the Standing Resolutions Committee, the State Chairman shall recognize a designated member of the Resolutions Committee to read the resolution to the body, and move for its adoption. Debate on each resolution shall be no more than five (5) minutes per side.

Section 16: The four (4) year term of office for the National Committeewoman and National Committeeman shall commence the day after the close of the Republican National Convention. The two (2) year term of office for the First Vice Chairman, Second Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer shall commence immediately following the Republican State Convention.

Section 17: Ten (10) days prior to the Primary, the State Chairman shall notify each Region Chairman, each Legislative District Chairman, and each County Chairman of the procedural rules for organizational meeting and delegate selection.

Section 18: Forty-five (45) days prior to the Presidential Primary Election in each presidential year, the State Chairman shall notify each Region Chairman, each Legislative District Chairman, and each County Chairman of the rules of Selection of Delegates to the Republican State Convention and the Republican National Convention.

Section 19: Proxy Rule. All proxies shall be in writing, shall be signed and dated by the maker, and shall include the following information:

(a) The name, county of residence, and Republican State Central Committee office of the maker of the proxy,

(b) The name and county of residence of the individual to whom the proxy is given, and

Section 20: A proxy which is placed before the Credentials Committee and approved as such will be treated for all purposes as a valid proxy.

Section 21: Notice of Meetings. Notice of semi-annual meetings of the Committee, shall be in writing, mailed to the last address of each member on file. Mailing shall be made at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of such meetings. The notice shall state the time and place of the meeting and may include an agenda of the business intended to be conducted at such meeting, provided that the inclusion of such agenda shall not limit the business to those items mentioned in the notice.

Section 22: In addition to first class mail, the Idaho Republican Party may deliver meeting notices to members' e-mail addresses that are on record in the Idaho Republican Party headquarters. Such method of delivery shall be limited to those members who have voluntarily furnished their e-mail addresses to the Party for this purpose.

ARTICLE II: THE STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1: The State Executive Committee shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Idaho Republican Party for the purpose of administering the policies and programs adopted by the State Central Committee, and shall perform such duties as may be assigned to it by the State Central Committee. No person may hold more than one voting position on the State Executive Committee.

Section 2: The State Executive Committee shall consist of the following members:

(a) Voting members:

(1) The State Chairman

(2) The First Vice Chairman

(3) The Second Vice Chairman

(4) The National Committeeman

(5) The National Committeewoman

(6) The Secretary of the State Central Committee

(7) The Treasurer of the State Central Committee

(8) The Region Chairmen (7)

(9) The State Finance Chairman

(10) The Young Republican State Chairman

(11) The President of the Idaho Republican Women’s Federation

(12) The President of the College Young Republicans

(13) Any elected representative of the Idaho affiliate of an organization recognized by the Republican National Committee for the purpose of expanding and recruiting among communities historically under-represented within the Republican Party.

(b) Non-voting (ex-officio) members:

(1) The Immediate Past State Chairman

(2) The Executive Director

(3) The chairman or designee of each officially recognized Republican Donor club

(4) The Teenage Republican Representative

(5) All officers-elect of the State Central Committee

(6) One representative of each Republican Congressional office.

(7) One representative of each Republican State Constitutional Office or their designated representative

Section 3: The State Chairman shall convene the State Executive Committee quarterly at various cities in the State and shall have the power to call a special Executive Committee Meeting after ten (10) days notice.

Section 4: Fifty-one percent (51 %) of the voting members of the State Executive Committee must be present to constitute a quorum. The State Executive Committee shall honor a written proxy designating another voting member to such proxy. The Vice Chairman of a Region may act in the place of an absent Region Chairman where applicable.

Section 5: No member of the State Executive Committee shall receive financial remuneration other than expenses as approved by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE III: REGIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1: The State shall be divided into seven (7) regions for the purpose of administering the Idaho Republican Party. The regions shall be composed as follows:

(a) Region I - Counties of Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Benewah, and Shoshone

(b) Region II - Counties of Latah, Nez Perce, Lewis, Clearwater, and Idaho

(d) Region IV - County of Ada

(e) Region V - Counties of Gooding, Jerome, Minidoka, Lincoln, Cassia, Twin Falls, Camas, and Blaine

(f) Region VI - Counties of Bannock, Power, Oneida, Caribou, Bear Lake, Bingham, and Franklin

(g) Region VII - Counties of Bonneville, Butte, Madison, Jefferson, Fremont, Clark, Custer, Lemhi, and Teton

Section 2: A Region Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and such other officers of the Region shall be elected by the County Chairmen, State Committeemen, State Committeewomen, Youth Committeeperson, and Legislative District Chairmen from the counties and Legislative Districts composing a Region. Such elections must be held within fifteen (15) days following the election of county officers, after five (5) days notice.

Section 3: Special functions of the Region Chairman consistent with Articles II and III of the Rules are:

(a) To represent the counties and legislative districts within the region at Executive Committee meeting wherein decision are made concerning policies and programs of the State Central Committee.

(b) To keep the State Executive Committee and State Central Committee informed of activities and problem areas in the region.

(c) To interpret actions and decisions of the State Executive Committee and State Central Committee with particular reference to political and financial plans (including campaign and fundraising programs) to the counties and legislative districts in the region.

(d) It is also a function of the Region Chairman to coordinate inter-regional activities such as:

(1) Lincoln Day affairs

(2) Fundraisers for County, State, and National candidates, and

(3) Campaign rallies for County, State, and National candidates

(e) Another function of the Region Chairman is to encourage the counties in the region to fill their county quotas for the State budget.

(f) Furthermore, it is a function of the Region Chairman to assure that the counties and legislative districts in the region conduct their meeting for the purposes of

(1) Organization, and

(2) Selection of delegates to the State Convention according to the Election Laws of the State of Idaho and the Rules of the Idaho Republican Party.

(g) In order to accomplish the responsibilities listed in this section, the Region Chairman shall attend State Executive Committee meetings and State Central Committee meetings. The Region Chairman shall encourage attendance at the State Central Committee meetings. If a member cannot attend, proxies in accord with the Rules shall be solicited.

(h) The Region Chairman shall convene Region meetings on a semi-annual schedule (two meetings per calendar year) at various communities within the region or in conjunction with State Central Committee meetings. The Chairman can convene special meetings to ensure appropriate action is taken in response to a situation that requires immediate attention without regard to the timing of the normal meeting schedule. The Region Chairman shall visit the counties and legislative districts occasionally and attend special functions in the Region.

(i) The Region Chairman shall respond to special requests from the State Chairman and Executive Director with regard to arranging for special visits to the region and recommending people to serve on special committees and other assignments.

(j) The Region Chairman shall respond to requests from the State Chairman and Executive Director with regard to recommendations concerning outstanding Precinct Committeepersons, outstanding County and Legislative District Chairmen and others who deserve special commendation.

Section 4: If the office of Region Chairman becomes vacant, by reason of resignation, death or otherwise, the Vice Chairman does not succeed to the office of Chairman, but shall assume on a temporary basis all the duties of the Office of the Chairman until a new chairman is elected, and must, within thirty (30) days, after giving at least seven (7) days notice, call a region meeting for the purpose of filling the vacancy. If the Vice Chairman does not call such meeting within thirty (30) days, the State Chairman may then convene a region meeting for that region for the purpose of electing a new Region Chairman.

Section 5: The voting membership of region meetings shall be the Region Chairman, County Chairmen, State Committeemen, State Committeewomen, State Youth Committeepersons, and Legislative District Chairmen. Proxies shall be honored at region meetings as provided in Article I, Section 4 for State Central Committee meetings. A quorum shall exist if 50% + 1 of the counties and legislative districts within the region are represented.

ARTICLE IV: THE COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE

Section 1: The County Central Committee is composed of the Precinct Committeemen and Precinct Committeewomen elected at the State Primary Election, the County Chairman, Vice Chairman, State Committeeman, State Committeewoman, State Youth Committeeperson, and such other officers of the County Central Committee as are elected by the Precinct Committeemen and Precinct Committeewomen. All officers of the Central Committee shall be elected by the Precinct Committeemen and Precinct Committeewomen at a meeting called by the incumbent County Chairman to be held within ten (10) days after the Primary Election at the county seat.

Section 2: The State Youth Committeeperson shall be between the ages of eighteen and forty at the time of his or her election.

Section 3: The County Chairman shall assure the existence of a set of rules and by-laws for the county organization. These rules must be compatible with the Election Laws of the State of Idaho and the Rules of the Idaho Republican Party.

Section 4: The County Chairman must call and chair meetings, as designated by the County and State rules, for the purpose of:

(a) County organization,

(b) Selecting delegates to the State Assembly, and

Section 5: The County Chairman shall also chair meetings as prescribed by County by-laws for the purpose of conducting routine business related to:

(a) Campaigns

(b) Publicity

(d) Filling precinct committee vacancies, and

(e) Other topics as required.

Section 6: The County Chairman is concerned with the recruitment and election of county government officials and for maintaining liaison with them after election.

Section 7: The County Chairman is a member of the State Central Committee, and therefore shall attend State Central Committee meetings and respond to requests from the Region Chairman as well as the State Chairman and Executive Director to serve on committees and assist in special functions.

Section 8: The County Central Committee shall appoint by election Precinct Committeemen to fill all vacancies that occur or exist in the offices of Precinct Committeemen. Candidates shall be qualified electors of the precinct.

Section 9: If the office of the County Chairman becomes vacant, by reason of resignation, death or otherwise, the Vice Chairman shall assume all duties of the Chairman and, within thirty (30) days after giving at least seven (7) days notice, call the Central Committee for the purpose of electing a new County Chairman. If such a meeting is not called within thirty (30) days and after giving seven (7) days notice, the State Chairman shall call a County Central Committee meeting for the purpose of filling such vacancy.

Section 10: If the office of State Committeemen, State Committeewomen or State Youth Committeeperson becomes vacant, by reason of death or otherwise, the County Chairman shall, within thirty (30) days after giving at least seven (7) days notice call a County Central Committee meeting for the purpose of filing such vacancy.

Section 11: Representation and voting by proxies shall be allowed at County Central Committee meetings except for the election of Central Committee Officers, election of delegates to the State Convention, and nomination of nominees to fill county office vacancies. Proxies shall be honored if in writing to another voting member and limited to that particular meeting. Fifty-one percent (51%) of the Precinct Committeemen and Precinct Committeewomen from within the county shall constitute a quorum, unless county by-laws designate a different quorum percentage.

ARTICLE V: FILLING BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VACANCIES

Section 1: In the event a vacancy arises on a board of County Commissioners, by reason of resignation, death or otherwise, it shall be the duty of the Chairman of the County Central Committee wherein the vacancy exists to call a meeting of the County Central Committee within ten (10) days after giving forty-eight (48) hours notice, stating the purpose of the meeting, which is to recommend to the Governor three (3) nominees to fill said vacancy.

Section 2: At the meeting of the County Central Committee for the purpose of recommending to the Governor three (3) nominees to fill a vacancy on a board of county commissioners, only Precinct Committeemen shall be entitled to nominate candidates and vote. In the event of a tie vote, the County Chairman may cast the tiebreaker vote unless the County Chairman is also a Precinct Committeeman. In such an event then the County Vice Chairman may cast the tiebreaker vote unless the County Vice Chairman is also a Precinct Committeeman. If such a situation should occur, then the Committee may proceed with whatever means of breaking the tie that is agreed upon to be acceptable by a majority of the Committee. All nominees must reside within the County district where the vacancy exists. All Precinct Committeemen may vote for three (3) candidates in preferential order.

Section 3: The County Chairman shall submit the names of three (3) nominees to the Governor within two (2) days of their selection. Said nominees shall be listed in order of preference.

Section 4: The Governor shall fill the vacancy by appointment from the list of three (3) nominees within fifteen (15) days. If no appointment is made within fifteen (15) days, the County Central Committee shall designate one (1) of the three (3) nominees to fill the vacancy.

ARTICLE VI: FILLING COUNTY VACANCIES OTHER THAN COMMISSIONERS

Section 1: If the office of county prosecuting attorney, treasurer, sheriff, coroner, assessor, or auditor/clerk of the district court becomes vacant, by reason of resignation, death or otherwise, the Chairman of the County Central Committee wherein the vacancy exists shall call a meeting of the County Central Committee within ten (10) days after giving forty-eight (48) hours notice, stating the purpose of the meeting, which is to recommend to the Board of County Commissioners three (3) nominees to fill said vacancy.

Section 2: At the meeting of the County Central Committee for the purpose of recommending to the Board of County Commissioners three (3) nominees to fill such vacancy, only the Precinct Committeeman shall be entitled to nominate candidates and vote. In the event of a tie vote, the County Chairman may cast the tiebreaker vote unless the County Chairman is also a Precinct Committeeman. In such an event then the County Vice Chairman may cast the tiebreaker vote unless the County Vice Chairman is also a Precinct Committeeman. If such a situation should occur, then the Committee may proceed with whatever means of breaking the tie that is agreed upon to be acceptable by a majority of the Committee. All nominees must reside within the County or otherwise satisfy any residency requirement under Idaho law. All Precinct Committeemen may vote for three (3) candidates in preferential order.

Section 3: The County Chairman shall submit the names of the three (3) nominees to the Board of County Commissioners within two (2) days of their selection. Said nominees shall be listed in order of the number of votes received.

Section 4: The Board of County Commissioners shall fill the vacancy by appointment from the list of three (3) nominees within (15) days. If no appointment is made within fifteen (15) days, the County Central Committee shall designate one (1) of the three (3) nominees to fill the vacancy.

ARTICLE VII: THE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT COMMITTEE

Section 1: The Legislative District Committee is composed of Precinct Committeemen and Precinct Committeewomen elected at the State Primary Election, the Legislative District Chairman, Vice Chairmen, Secretary, and other such officers of the Legislative District that are elected by the Precinct Committeemen and Precinct Committeewomen. The Precinct Committeemen and Precinct Committeewomen shall elect all officers of the Legislative District at a meeting called by the incumbent Legislative District Chairman to be held upon seven (7) days' notice and within eleven (11) days after each Primary Election at a location within the Legislative District.

Section 2: The Legislative District Chairman shall assure the existence of a set of rules and by-laws for the legislative district organization. These rules must be compatible with the Election Laws of the State of Idaho and the Rules of the Idaho Republican Party.

Section 3: The Legislative District Chairman must call and chair meetings, as designated by the legislative district and state rules, for the purpose of:

(a) Legislative district organization

(b) Selecting delegates to the State Assembly, and

Section 4: The Legislative District Chairman shall also chair meetings as prescribed by the legislative district by-laws for the purposes of conducting routine business related to:

(a) Campaigns

(b) Publicity

(d) Other topics as requested

Section 5: The Legislative District Chairman is responsible for recruiting and assisting in the election of candidates for the State Legislature and for maintaining liaison with them after election.

Section 6: The Legislative District Chairman is a member of the State Central Committee; and therefore, shall attend State Central Committee meetings and respond to requests from the Region Chairman as well as the State Chairman and Executive Director to serve on committees and special functions.

Section 7: If the office of the Legislative District Chairman becomes vacant, by reason of resignation, death or otherwise, the Vice Chairman of the District shall assume all duties of the Chairman and call a meeting for the purpose of electing a new District Chairman. This meeting shall be called within thirty (30) days following the occurrence of vacancy and upon giving at least seven (7) days' notice.

Section 8: If the office of Vice Chairman or Secretary becomes vacant by reason of resignation, death or otherwise, the Legislative District Chairman shall within thirty (30) days and after giving at least seven (7) days' notice, call a Legislative District Committee meeting for the purpose of filling such vacancy.

Section 9: Representation and voting by proxies shall be allowed at legislative district meetings except for the election of Legislative District Central Committee Officers, election of delegates to the State Convention, and selection of nominees to fill vacancies in the Idaho State Legislature. Proxies shall be honored if in writing to another voting member from the same county and limited to that particular meeting. Fifty-one percent (51%) of the Precinct Committeemen and Precinct Committeewomen from within the Legislative District shall constitute a quorum, unless Legislative District by-laws designate a different quorum percentage.

ARTICLE VIII: FILLING LEGISLATIVE VACANCIES

Section 1: In the event a vacancy arises in the Idaho State Legislature, by reason of resignation, death or otherwise, the Chairman of the Legislative District in which such vacancy exists shall call a meeting of the Legislative District Committee within ten (10) days and after giving forty-eight (48) hours notice, stating the purpose for the meeting which is recommending to the Governor three (3) nominees to fill said vacancy.

Section 2: At the meeting of the Legislative District Committee for the purpose of recommending to the Governor three (3) nominees to fill a vacancy in the Legislature, only Precinct Committeemen from within the Legislative District shall be entitled to nominate candidates and vote. In the event of a tie vote, the Legislative District Chairman may cast the tiebreaker vote unless the Legislative District Chairman is also a Precinct Committeeman. In such an event then the Legislative District Vice Chairman may cast the tiebreaker vote unless the Legislative District Vice Chairman is also a Precinct Committeeman. If such a situation should occur, then the Committee may proceed with whatever means of breaking the tie that is agreed upon to be acceptable by a majority of the Committee. All nominees must reside within the Legislative District. All Precinct Committeemen may vote for three (3) candidates in preferential order.

Section 3: The Legislative District Chairman shall submit the names of the three (3) nominees to the Governor within two (2) days of their selection. Said nominees shall be listed in order of preference.

Section 4: The Governor shall fill the vacancy by appointment from the list of three (3) nominees within fifteen (15) days. If no appointment has been made within fifteen (15) days, the Legislative District Committee shall designate one (1) of the three nominees to fill the vacancy.

ARTICLE IX: CENTRAL COMMITTEE ENDORSEMENT AND REPUBLICAN PARTY REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO VOTE IN A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ELECTION

Section 1: County Central Committees may determine the political affiliation of candidates filing or declaring an intent to file as Republican candidates for county political offices and may endorse Republican candidates for their respective positions.

Section 2: The Legislative District Central Committees may determine the political affiliation of candidates filing or declaring an intent to file as Republican Party Candidates for the State Legislature, and the Committee may endorse Republican candidates for legislative positions.

Section 3: The State Central Committee may determine the political affiliation of candidates filing or declaring intent to file as Republican Party Candidates for state political offices and U.S. Congressional offices, and may endorse Republican Party candidates for the various positions. Endorsement of Congressional District Candidates shall be by voting members from the respective Congressional Districts.

Section 4: Only persons who have registered as Republican prior to the Primary Election will be allowed to vote on an Idaho Republican Party ballot in that Primary Election.

ARTICLE X: PROCEDURE - DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS

Section 1: Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the Republican State Central Committee whenever they are applicable and not inconsistent with the Idaho Election Code.

Section 2: No prior action of the Republican State Central Committee or its subsidiaries shall be voided by adoption of these rules.

Section 3: These rules may be amended by a majority vote of the State Central Committee at any regular or special session of the Republican State Central Committee.

RULES FOR SELECTION OF DELEGATES TO REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION AND THE REPUBLICAN STATE CONVENTION

ARTICLE I: LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DELEGATE SELECTION MEETING

Section 1: Thirty (30) days prior to the Presidential Primary Election in each Presidential year, and prior to May 1, in each election year, the Republican Legislative District Chairman in each Legislative District shall prepare and forward to the Republican State Chairman, in care of the GOP State Headquarters, a notice stating the date, time, and place of meeting to be held within eleven (11) days after the primary election, for the purpose of selecting Delegates to the GOP State Convention, who will select Delegates to the Republican National Convention.

Section 2: In cases of vacancy in the office of Legislative District Chairman or the nonperformance of duty, where it is impractical to follow Article VII, Section Seven (7) of the rules of the Idaho Republican Party in filling the office, the Republican State Chairman is empowered to appoint a Precinct Committeeman/woman in the District as acting Chairman for the purpose of calling and conducting the meeting.

Section 3: After notification, the State Chairman shall dispatch press releases to each daily and weekly newspaper in the state, specifying date, time, and place of the Legislative District meetings to be held in the circulation area of the papers. In addition, the Legislative District Chairman shall issue press releases to each paper in his area containing the same information.

Section 4: At the appointment time, an open Legislative District meeting shall be held with the Legislative Chairman conducting the meeting. Those people with votes at the meeting shall be those lawfully elected or appointed under Idaho Code as "Delegates to the County Convention" in that particular precinct within that Legislative District.

Section 5: Each Legislative District shall select three (3) Delegates and three (3) Alternates for each Senate seat in that Legislative District to the Republican State Convention. Each Legislative District Delegation to the State Convention shall elect one (1) Delegate as Chairman of the Delegation.

Section 6: An individual otherwise qualified by these rules may be selected to be an alternate delegate for both a county and legislative district.

ARTICLE II: COUNTY DELEGATE SELECTION MEETING

Section 1: Thirty (30) days prior to the Presidential Primary Election in each Presidential year, and prior to May 1, in each election year, each Republican County Chairman shall prepare and forward to the Republican State Chairman, in care of the GOP State Headquarters, a notice stating the date, time, and place of meeting to be held within ten (10) days after the primary election, for the purpose of selecting Delegates to the GOP State Convention, who will select Delegates to the Republican National Convention.

Section 2: Each County shall follow the same procedures as a legislative district in holding an open meeting for the selection of Delegates to the Republican State Convention.

Section 3: Each County shall select three (3) Delegates and three (3) Alternates to the Republican State Convention. In addition, each county meeting shall select one (1) Delegate and one (1) Alternate for each one thousand (1,000) votes cast for the Republican Congressional Candidate in the previous general election, or major fraction thereof, in that county. Republican State Headquarters will advise each County Chairman of the number of Delegates his county is entitled to elect. Each meeting shall establish the precedence of the Alternates selected. Any person qualified to vote in the county may be elected a Delegate or Alternate to the GOP State Convention. Each County Delegation to the State Convention shall select one Delegate as Chairman of the Delegation.

Section 4: An individual otherwise qualified by these rules may be selected to be an alternate delegate for both a county and legislative district.

ARTICLE III: PREPARATIONS FOR STATE CONVENTION

Section 1: Within two (2) days of the adjournment of the Legislative District and County Central Committee meetings, the respective Chairmen shall send a statement giving the names and addresses of each Delegate and Alternate elected at the meeting to the State Chairman in care of the Republican State Headquarters.

Section 2: The State Chairman shall be charged with issuing the roll of the State Convention, based upon the Legislative District and County elections, preferably three days but no later than one day prior to the Convention and having certified its accuracy, according to the Statement of the respective Chairmen.

Section 3: Any person aggrieved by the manner of conduct in the proceedings in any Legislative District or County meeting, or of any Legislative District Chairman or County Chairman, or of the State Chairman prior to the convening of the State Convention shall specify the reasons therefore in writing. Appeals may only be undertaken for alleged failures to observe the provisions of these rules, and Notice of Appeal must be in writing over the names of the persons aggrieved, and must specify the particulars alleged violate. The State Chairman shall refer such cases to the Credentials Committee of the Convention who shall make a recommendation to the Convention as a whole. Delegates involved in the case shall not be allowed to vote on the question.

ARTICLE IV: STATE CONVENTION

Section 1: Delegates to the State Convention elected at the Legislative District and County meetings shall have the right of full participation in all Convention matters. All Republican State Conventions shall be open, and attendance shall be invited from all members of the Party, but only Duly Certified Delegates or Alternates serving in their stead shall be entitled to vote on matters before the Convention or before committees of the Convention.

Section 2: The Rules of the Convention shall be the rules adopted by the previous Republican State Convention until such time as the State Convention adopts new rules, which shall become effective immediately. Such rules, however, shall not be inconsistent with the rules for Delegate selection as adopted by the State Central Committee.

ARTICLE V: SELECTION OF DELEGATES TO THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION

Section 1: The State Chairman, in accordance with the agenda of the Idaho Republican State Convention, shall devote one (1) portion of the meeting to the selection of Delegates to the Republican National Convention in Presidential election years.

Section 2: Eighty percent (80%) of the Idaho Delegates/Alternates to the Republican National Convention shall be assigned to the Presidential Candidate or uncommitted choice in proportion to the results of the Presidential Primary vote, which proportion shall be determined and announced by the State Chairman prior to the selection of such Delegate/Alternate by the State Convention from the list of Delegates/Alternates provided by the Presidential Candidate. The State Chairman will secure such lists from the Secretary of State prior to the call of the Convention. When eighty percent (80%) of the total Delegation results in a fraction, that fraction shall be counted as a whole Delegate/Alternate above the actual eighty percent (80%).

Section 3: Should the prorating of primary election results arrive at a fraction of a Delegate out of the eighty percent (80%), and the fraction is one-half (1/2) or more for a given candidate that candidate's number of Delegates shall be increased by one (1).

Section 4: If the computation results in an unallocated Delegate, the Delegate shall be assigned to the candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the primary election. If the computation results in the allocation of more Delegates than are available for allocation, the Delegate assignment to the candidate receiving the least number of primary election votes shall be reduced accordingly.

Section 5: The Delegates and Alternates elected shall be obliged on the first ballot taken at the Republican National Convention to vote for the candidate who nominated them, provided any Delegates selected as representing the "uncommitted" choice shall be free to cast their vote for any candidate whose name has been placed in nomination before the Republican National Convention.

Section 6: In the event of death or withdrawal of a candidate or release of Delegates by a candidate prior to the first ballot at the National Convention, Delegates committed to such a candidate shall, thereupon, become uncommitted delegates.

Section 7: In the event of the failure of a candidate to file a list of proposed Delegates/Alternates with the Secretary of State as prescribed by the Idaho Code, the State Convention may select and specify any persons preferring or identified with said candidate to serve as Delegates/Alternates to the National Convention in such numbers as the candidate is entitled. If a candidate who fails to file the required list also dies, withdraws, or releases Delegates prior to the official commencement of the State Convention, then the State Convention may select uncommitted Delegates/Alternates in such numbers as the candidates would have been entitled.

Section 8: In the event that any candidate is entitled to the selection of a number of Delegates/Alternates greater than the number of those persons whose names were filed with the Secretary of State by the candidate, or in the event a person on the list indicates an inability to serve as a Delegate/Alternate, the State Convention shall select and specify persons to fill those Delegates/Alternates vacancies from a supplemental list filed by the candidate's designated representative with the State Chairman and the Secretary of State.

ARTICLE VI: FREEDOM OF OPPORTUNITY

Section 1: At all stages of the Delegate selection process, the party shall insure that there is no discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, or age. The unit rule shall not be used in any stage of the Delegate selection process.

Section 2: In the conduct of all proceedings, which are not specified for the existing Rules of the Idaho Republican Party, the National Party, or the Laws of Idaho, Robert's Rules of Order shall be followed.

RULES OF THE CONVENTION

ARTICLE I: OFFICERS OF THE CONVENTION

Section 1: The Convention shall be called to order by the Chairman of the Idaho Republican Party who shall appoint such Attaches, Aides, and Sergeants-at-Arms as in his judgment are necessary, all of which appointments shall be subjected to confirmation by the Convention.

Section 2: The Convention Chairman shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) He shall open each session at the hour specified in the officer's Convention Programs.

(b) He shall immediately appoint a Convention Vice Chairman, which appointment shall be subject to confirmation of the Convention.

(c) He shall exercise such powers and perform such duties, as are set forth for a presiding officer in the Robert's Rules of Order, and which are not inconsistent with Idaho Law and these rules.

(d) He shall designate one or more Parliamentarians for the Convention proceedings.

(e) The Convention Chairman shall have authority to interrupt the order of business, except roll call balloting, for the purpose of making announcements, introducing distinguished guests, and allowing such guests to speak to the Convention.

(f) The Chairman shall supervise the conduct of all roll calls and designate the parties to conduct the roll call.

Section 3: The Convention Vice Chairman shall act as the presiding officer in the event of the inability of the Chairman to so act.

ARTICLE II: ORDER OF BUSINESS

Section 1: The business for the Convention shall be as follows:

(a) The call to order by the State Chairman of the Idaho Republican Party, appointment of the officers of the Convention, and other opening ceremonies.

(b) Appointment of Vice Chairman, Committees, Attaches, Aides, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Parliamentarian.

(d) Approval of the Rules Committee report.

(e) Approval of the Platform Committee report.

(f) Approval of the Resolutions Committee report.

(g) Action on the report of the Nominating Committee and selection of presidential electors.

(h) Election of the officers of the Idaho Republican Party in the following order:

(1) Chairman

(2) First Vice Chairman

(3) Treasurer

(4) Secretary

(5) (In presidential election years) National Committeewoman

(6) (In presidential election years) National Committeeman

(i) Miscellaneous business

(j) Adjournment - Sine Die

ARTICLE III: COMMITTEES AND COMMITTEE RULES

Section 1: The Convention shall have the following committees:

(a) Credentials

(b) Rules

(d) Resolutions

(e) Nominating in the year of presidential elections.

(f) Such other and further committees as shall be deemed advisable by the Chairman of the Convention

Section 2: One-third (1/3) of the Delegates from each county and each Legislative District shall serve on Convention committees. Each Delegation shall select its own representatives. Subject to the foregoing, the State Party Chairman shall appoint each Delegate to the committee of his or her first or second choice as submitted by the Delegate prior to the Convention. In the event of disproportionate committee membership request, the Chairman may use his or her best discretion to make assignments to other committees.

Section 3: Credentials Committee:

The Credentials Committee shall:

(a) Determine and report on the eligibility, qualifications, and priority of all Delegates and Alternates.

(b) Determine and report on the number of votes to which each county and Legislative District is entitled.

(c) Hold hearings and make inquiries into any contested matters of eligibility, qualifications, and priority of Delegates and Alternates, and shall notify and provide an opportunity to any aggrieved party to be heard prior to taking final action with reference to such Delegates or Alternates.

(d) In the event of objection to the Credentials Committee report, any aggrieved Delegate, Alternate, county or district shall be entitled to not more than five (5) minutes in which to present his or its contentions to the Convention and Credentials Committee shall have an equal amount of time to support its report to the Convention. The Convention shall then vote on the issue, provided, however, that no Delegate, Alternate, or Delegation whose eligibility, qualifications, or priority is in question shall be entitled to vote.

Section 4: Rules Committee:

(a) Shall draft and propose a set of permanent rules for the convention. Such rules must be adopted by majority vote of the convention and once adopted may only be amended or suspended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the convention.

(b) May draft and propose changes to the rules governing the Idaho Republican Party. Proposed rule changes shall be voted upon at the next Republican State Central Committee meeting.

Section 5: Platform Committee: The Platform Committee shall:

(a) Receive and consider all suggestions, proposals, and ideas offered by or through any Delegate or Alternate.

(b) Prepare and submit to the Convention a proposed Platform.

If at least one-fourth (1/4) of the members of the committee oppose a committee decision, such minority members may submit a minority report in which event each side of the proposition shall be given three (3) minutes to present its arguments to the Convention.

No Platform Plank may be presented to the floor of the Convention except through submission in writing to the Platform Committee. Platform Planks will be presented to the floor for Convention consideration during the Platform Committee report.

Section 6: Resolutions Committee: The Resolutions Committee shall:

(a) All suggestions, proposals, and ideas are to be submitted to State Party Headquarters, by or through any Delegate or Alternate, and in accordance with the State Party Rules within 15 days following the primary election or prior to the State Chairman issuing the roll of the State Convention, whichever is earlier.

(b) Prepare and submit to the Convention proposed resolutions.

If at least one-fourth (1/4) of the members of the committee oppose a committee decision, such minority members may submit a minority report, in which event each side of the proposition shall be given three (3) minutes to present its arguments to the Convention. No resolutions may be presented to the floor of the Convention except through submission in writing to the Resolutions Committee. Resolutions will be presented to the floor for Convention consideration during the Resolutions Committee Report.

Section 7: Nominating Committee:

(a) The Nominating Committee shall, pursuant to Sections 34-707 (3) of the Idaho Code, and the Rules of the National Republican Party, consider and nominate Candidates for Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the National Republican Convention. The Committee shall further nominate Candidates as Presidential Electors.

(b) To assist the Nominating Committee, each State Campaign Chairman for a Presidential Candidate shall recommend to the Nominating Committee a slate of Delegates and Alternates selected from the respective lists of names as filed with the Secretary of State, being consistent with the number to which each Candidate is entitled as a result of the Presidential Preference Primary Election. They shall also submit a brief resume of each individual on their respective lists.

(c) The Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall place in nomination the Nominating Committee's recommendation of a full slate of Delegates and Alternates, consistent with the number to which each Delegation is entitled as a result of Presidential Preference Primary Election, for (1) each Presidential Candidate's Delegation, (2) the uncommitted Delegation, and (3) the Delegation at large, the Convention Chairman shall open the floor for additional nominations for that Delegation, which also must be submitted in the form of a full slate consistent with the number to which each Delegation is entitled. Each member of the Candidate's Delegation shall be selected from his list of names as recorded in the Secretary of State's office. Regions shall make nominations for all slates of Delegates and Alternates upon a roll call in numerical order. Each region may (1) pass; (2) yield to another region; (3) nominate one slate of Delegates and Alternates for each Presidential Candidate's delegation, uncommitted Delegation and at large Delegation. At the close of the nominating, all Counties and Legislative Districts shall be polled. Voting shall continue until such time as one slate of nominees, for each Delegation, receives a majority of votes of the Convention.

(d) The Nominating Committee shall consist of the following members: The State Party Chairman, the National Committeewoman and Committeeman, and each of the seven Region Chairs. Additionally, the State Party Chairman shall appoint five at-large members.

Section 8: Committee Rules:

A majority of the committee shall constitute a quorum. All questions before committee shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast. Each committee shall conduct its affairs pursuant to the Rules of the Convention.

ARTICLE IV: RULES

Robert's Rules of Order shall be the rules of procedure at the Convention in all cases not provided for by the temporary or permanent Rules of the Convention or by Idaho Law.

ARTICLE V: NOMINATING

Section 1: Counties shall make nominations for all offices of the Party and Convention upon a roll call in alphabetical order, followed by a roll call of Legislative Districts in numerical order. Any County or Legislative District may:

(a) Nominate not more than one (1) Candidate to each office or

(b) Yield to another County or Legislative District for the purpose of making a nomination. It shall not, thereafter, nominate a Candidate for that particular office.

ARTICLE VI: VOTING

Section 1: In all substantive matters before the Convention and on all elections of Convention officers and State Republican Party officers, a majority of the votes cast on the proposition or Candidate shall be required, except as may be otherwise provided in these Rules or by Idaho Law.

Section 2: On each roll call ballot, the Chairman of each Delegation shall cast his Delegation's vote as directed by the members of his Delegation. When such vote is cast, all acting Delegates present shall stand in their proper places, and the vote shall not be recorded unless the number standing is the same as the number of votes cast by the Chairman. Any member of the Delegation voting, whether Delegate or Alternate, may immediately demand a poll of the Delegation, in which event each Delegate or said Delegate shall be called upon to cast his vote.

Section 3: There shall be no voting proxies.

Section 4: After the completion of a roll call on any ballot, the Chairman shall direct a roll call of any Delegation, which may have passed and shall then allow a reasonable time to permit any Delegation to change its vote before announcing the result. A Delegation may change its vote only one time per roll call.

Section 5: In the balloting, a Candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast before he shall be deemed elected. If no Candidate received a majority on the first ballot, the Candidate receiving the least number of votes on said ballot shall be dropped from the subsequent ballot; this procedure and the balloting shall continue until a Candidate shall have a majority of the votes cast for such office at which time balloting for such office shall cease.

Section 6: When registering, a person serving as Alternate Delegate for both a County and Legislative District must advise the Credentials Committee of his status. On each roll call ballot the Alternate may vote only as a Delegate for the County or Legislative District, but not for both.

ARTICLE VII: MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1: All Delegates and Alternates must wear official Convention Delegate badges during Convention sessions.

Section 2: Any Delegate wishing to speak upon the Convention floor shall rise, address the Chair, and, if recognized, state his name, County or Legislative District.

Section 3: Each Delegate shall be limited to five (5) minutes of debate upon any motion and three (3) minutes of rebuttal debate. No Delegate shall speak more than twice upon any motion. The proponent of a motion shall open and close the debate.

Section 4: Only official Delegates, Alternates, and Attaches shall be permitted upon the portion of the Convention floor designated for official Delegates, provided any lawful Candidate may designate not more than two (2) persons to act as floor managers on the floor of the Convention if such persons are reported to and approved by the Convention Chairman. Further, provided that College Youth Representatives, with two Alternates, selected by the State College Republican League, shall be seated on the Convention floor with all privileges of Delegates, but without the right to vote or nominate, or originate motions.

Section 5: The Chairman of the State Executive Committee shall determine the seating of the Delegates to the Convention. Insofar as possible, County Delegations shall be seated in alphabetical order, with Counties and Legislative Districts within the First Congressional District seated to the side of the Convention hall to the right of the Chairman's podium, and the Counties and Legislative Districts within the Second Congressional District seated to the side of the Convention hall to the left of the Chairman's podium.

Section 6: If a committee report is reduced to writing with one copy thereof delivered to the Chairman of each Delegation prior to its scheduled presentation, the reading of the report in its entirety may be dispensed with by reading of the subtitles thereof, provided, however, that any Delegate may demand that the whole or any subdivision of such report be read by the Committee. Minority reports must be made by a member of the committee and must have the approval of at least three (3) members of the committee to be considered by the Convention, unless otherwise herein provided.

Section 7: Committee reports to the Convention shall be read at length, unless two-thirds (2/3) of those members present and voting shall consent that the reading be dispensed with and the transcript records show that the report has been read at length.