County Convention

A precinct delegate is officially a "Delegate to County Convention". What that means is that you are a representative of your precinct to act on their behalf at county conventions.

It is therefore quite important to understand how a county convention functions, and what your role is in order that you can participate properly.

By law, there are four county conventions every two years. And by law, each delegate serves a 2-year term.

Three county conventions are for electing delegates and alternates to attend state convention which are the Fall Convention, Winter Convention & Spring Convention.

One county conventions is for electing the County Executive Committee. This occurs at the November Convention.

Select State Delegates & Alternates

The number of state delegates and alternates each county is allowed determined by the MRP State Committee based off the results of the last election for President.

Allotment is set first by congressional district, and then by county.

For each state convention there are 2000 State Delegates, 2000 State Alternates.

Out of those totals, Congressional districts are represented by the percent of presidential votes cast.

If a congressional district cast 10% of the state votes, then they are alloted 10% of the total delegates allowed to attend the state convention.

State Delegate

Precinct Delegates and "Delegates At Large" are given preference at county convention to be elected by the other county delegates in attendence to go be sent to the state convention. However, if there are insufficient delegates, others who are not delegates can be elected.

The state party has authorized a second group of people who are given priority for election to state if there are not enough delegates to go. This group is designated "Hard-Working Republicans" and are given this designation by members of their county for the work they do. Many people serve the party who are not precinct delegates, and this is a way to recognize that work.

"The people are the only legitimate fountain of power." -James Madison

Electing New County Executive Committee Members

The counties party is run by the Executive Committee, which is elected and comprised of two groups of people. These are the statutory members and the elected members, and these groups are comprised of equal numbers.

Officers

A convention requires several positions in order to function.

Chair

The Chair is responsible for leading the convention and ensuring order. The chair follows the agenda, appoints other convention officers, such as the Parliamentarian, Sergeant At Arms and Tellers, receives the committee reports, recognizes all member who bring a motion, and ensures discussion of each motion brought forward.

There is a procedure described in MCL 168 for choosing the convention chair at each and every convention. The current chair of the county party opens the convention as a temporary chairman, and services in this capacity as the convention body elects what is known as the permanenent chair. This position, even though called permanent is only for the duration of the convention and ends upon adjournment.

The role of the temporary chair is to run the process for electing the permanent chair of convention. The role of the permanent chair is to apppoint the other officers for convention and then run the convention accordig to the bylaws.

Secretary

The Secretary keeps the official record of the convention decisions, which are called "The Minutes".

The Secretary will record all voting results as pronounced by the chair.

The temporary chair of the convention, immediately after opening the convention, will appoint a temporary secretary. This secretary will fill this role until the convention body elects a permanent secretary.

Parliamentarian

The Parliamentarian is an advisore versed in Robert's Rules of Order, and helps ensure all laws, rules and parliamentary procedure are followed as the body conducts the business of convention. The parliamentarian is appointed by the permanent chair.

"Those who own the country ought to govern it." -John Jay

Sergeant At Arms

The Sergeant At Arms maintains order and enforces law at county conventions, and is appointed by the permanent chair.

Tellers

The Tellers are responsible for counting all votes.

This counting "standing votes", votes by "roll call", or tallying ballots. Tellers, a sufficient number, are appointed by the permanent chair.

NOTE:

Convention officers do not have to be delegates themselves.

Sometimes for the sake of neutrality, it is better to have a non-delegate serve as chair.

Further, delegates, even if serving as officers at convention, still have a right to vote on all matters that come before the convention body.

Agenda

1. The party chair calls the convention to order
2. The invocation is given
3. The pledge of allegiance is recited
4. The temporary party chair appoints temporary officers
5. The Call to Convention is presented
6. The Credentials Committee Report is presented
7. The Standing Rules Report is presented
8. The Agenda is presented
9. Assembled delegates elect the permanent convention chairperson and secretary
10. Voters tally the votes and report the result to the temporary chair
11. Temporary chair pronounces the results aloud to the assembly
12. The permanent chairperson appoints permanent Parliamentarian, Sergeant At Arms and Tellers
13. Oaths of Office are Administered
14. The permanent convention chairperson makes relevant announcements, gives opportunity to present new business, votes are taken, and the convention is adjourned.

Duties

Each precinct delegate has the moral responsibility to attend and fully participate at county conventions.

Each precinct delegate has the right to vote at county conventions.

When there are fewer precinct delegates than the county has apportionment for, people can be elected at county convention to become a precinct delegate. This is called filling a vacancy. The intent is for as many people to be participating and voting as possible.

At each county convention, the convention body may by majority vote fill vacant precinct delegate positions.

Any person elected to fill a vacancy, is now a full precinct delegates and has the right to vote at any county conventions remaining in the two-year term.

"Delegates At Large"

"Delegates At Large" are all individuals who won the Republican party nomination in the most recent primary election for county government or state legislature.

If the purpose of county convention is to select state delegates and alternates, then the following individuals are also considered "Delegates At Large". This includes the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state board of education, any of the three state university boards, and federal legislators.

All current officers of the Michigan Republican Party are "Delegates At Large"

It is a requirement that each "Delegates At Large" reside in the county they represent.