ODP Conventions 2007

2007 State Convention Resolutions as Adopted

2007-05-22T15:12:00.001-07:00

THE OKLAHOMA DEMOCRATIC PARTY
RESOLUTIONS

Adopted by the Delegates of the
2007 STATE CONVENTION

PREAMBLE: As delegates we believe that the Oklahoma Democratic Party is a party of inclusion that welcomes people with differing opinions on issues confronting our democracy as we work together to find solutions. We believe in shared rights and responsibilities. We, the delegates of the Oklahoma Democratic Party 2007 State Convention, adopt these resolutions to further the mission of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, which is to elect Democrats. We, the delegates, hereby assert that the following issues comprise the heart and soul of what we believe as Democrats at it relates to the following topics:
• Education
• Health Care
• Rights
• Jobs
• Environment
• Water Resources
• Transportation
• Federal Issues
We, the delegates to the Oklahoma Democratic Party 2007 State Convention, believe that all persons should be given an opportunity to fulfill their dreams in an open and fair democratic society. We believe in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the amendments to the Constitution and will fight to safeguard the constitutional rights of all Americans.
In order to ensure that all Americans are guaranteed their fundamental rights, we present the following statements of beliefs and principles of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.
Therefore, we adopt the Articles of Resolution contained herein as a strong statement of our hopes and our unswerving dedication to create a brighter future for the people of Oklahoma.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS FOLLOWS:

EDUCATION
PROMOTION OF QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION

We support access to public education for all the children of Oklahoma--regardless of ability, creed, financial means, gender, language, national origin, race, or sexual orientation.

We support permanent funding of the Oklahoma Teacher Retirement System (OTRS) and cost of living increases for retired educators consistent with the Consumer Price Index-Urban (CPIU).

We believe that raising the pay of public school teachers and support personnel to no less than the average of the contiguous states (including accompanying benefits) should be a state government funding priority.

We shall work to repeal and prevent the passage of unfunded state or Federal mandates in education, such as the “No Child Left Behind Act.”

We oppose vouchers regardless of descriptors that would divert resources committed to public schools to private institutions.

We oppose the forced consolidation of rural public schools.

We believe that early childhood learning, special education, and instruction in arts, music, foreign languages and physical education should be accessible to every public school student in Oklahoma and should be fully funded by state government and local school boards.

We support a safe and healthy school environment, including healthy nutritional policies and plans to encourage healthy lifestyles for all Oklahoma school students.

We support vocational education offered at public technology centers, every effort to bring distance learning to isolated Oklahoma communities, and every effort to provide all Oklahomans with the educational tools necessary to participate in the global marketplace.

We support the Oklahoma Higher Learning Assistance Program (OHLAP) in its current form and its continued funding by state government.

We support increased state funding for higher education--targeted at the creation of sufficient salary and benefit levels to attract and retain high quality faculty, support personnel and academic programs.

HEALTH CARE

We support equal availability and access to a universal, comprehensive and affordable physical and mental health care system for all Oklahomans with government assistance for those who could not otherwise afford it. This would include, but not be limited to substance abuse treatment, preventative care and prescription medication.

We support government-funded programs to provide adequate assistance to indigent and/or mentally impaired citizens.

We support fully funded programs to ensure quality health care and
rehabilitative services for all veterans and their families.

We support the issuance of vouchers from the Veterans Administration to veterans for use of locally available medical care.

We support the repeal of the portions of the Medicare Reform Act that disallow Medicare from bargaining with pharmaceutical companies for discounted prescription drugs for senior citizens.

We oppose any governmental subsidies to pharmaceutical companies in the guise of prescription medical benefits.

We support creating a policy for the re-importation of affordable, medically safe prescription drugs.

We support a requirement that businesses have clearly written and easily understood policy statements about medical insurance benefits and honor their medical insurance commitment to retirees.

We support government funded embryonic stem cell research.

We support government funding of impartial education and information concerning human sexuality including reproductive health care, sexual responsibility and prevention of the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

We support a woman’s unhindered right and ability to decide upon and have access to her own health care, including reproductive care; furthermore, the government has no place asserting control over health care decisions made by a competent adult.

Because contraception is legal and pharmacists and medical providers are licensed by the state of Oklahoma, we oppose conscience clauses by pharmacists and medical providers.
We oppose the intrusion of the government into personal health care decisions involving end of life issues.

We support a statewide vote to decide the issue of the use of medical marijuana for patients when prescribed by a licensed physician.

We support incentives to encourage physicians to establish practices in rural communities and small towns.

We support educational requirements of all public health care providers who offer care to seniors to ensure only qualified personnel serve in these positions.

We support full deductibility of health insurance premiums by all taxpayers, including those who do not itemize.

We support the right of individuals to choose their own medical provider.

We support efforts to bring Oklahoma up to the top five in the country in child abuse prevention.

JOBS

The Democratic Party guiding principle in economic development is not just jobs but quality jobs with healthcare benefits, worker rights and employment security.

Benefits and Rights of Oklahoma Working People and Small Business Owners
We recognize working people to be wage-earning men and women as well as small business owners, family farmers, the self employed and all other citizens who labor to provide for themselves, their families and their communities.

We stand in full support of economic freedom for all working people including secure jobs and businesses in a global economy. We support providing and protecting market access for business and jobs of all working people.

We believe fraud and abuse has been perpetrated by mega-corporations to the enormous disadvantage of working men and women. Therefore we strongly advocate and support legislation to strengthen controls and to increase penalties for businesses that violate the public trust.

We support efforts to raise the standard of living for low wage workers through legislation to make “work pay” in Oklahoma by increasing the state minimum wage to a livable wage. Putting decent wages in the hands of those who need money is a far surer way to boost economy than giving tax breaks to the wealthy. Since one-third of American workers earn wages that cannot support a family above the official poverty line, we urge the Oklahoma Legislature to follow the lead of 12 other states that in the ten years since the last time Congress increased the minimum wage have established higher minimum wages than the federal level.

We demand that employers respect their employees’ right to form a union, to remain neutral during union organizing campaigns, to recognize a union voluntarily when a majority of their employees choose to form a union, and to bargain in good faith and reach an agreement.

We strongly support the Municipal Collective Bargaining Act and Employee Free Choice Act and express our unswerving devotion to labor organizations and workers’ rights.

We support legislation to ensure the right to bargain collectively of state, county and municipal employees.

We hereby assert our strong support for the Davis/Bacon Act (prevailing wage law) to ensure continued safety and to assure that skilled workers accomplish work on public projects.

We call upon Congress to restore small business programs cuts and others threatened by termination.

We support programs and policies to provide health care for owners and employees of small businesses, as well as big businesses.

We support training and programs that will help people to learn new skills when layoffs have taken away their means of making a living for themselves and their families.

We oppose any attempt by government to force acceptance of time in place of overtime pay.

We support economic development policies that promote the independent initiative of small businesses that will create jobs, goods, and services for people, including the promotion and expansion of locally owned technology businesses.

We shall continue to expose the fallacy of “right-to-work” by educating citizens about the truth behind the deceptive “right-to-work,” which has depressed the earning potential for all working people, whether working for themselves or others. We call for repeal of the so called “right-to-work” statute.

We oppose any state or national legislation which would limit compensation for damage done or infringe upon a jury’s ability to award damages to the injured party as the jury sees fit.

We condemn any erosion of legal remedies traditionally available to the average citizen.

We oppose so-called “tort” reforms that would threaten the rights of Americans to redress for physical and economic damage done by others, and would undermine the appropriate functioning of the jury system.

We support revisions of the worker’s compensation program that are fair for both employers and employees with emphasis on small business and employees.

We restate, again, support for the restoration of the right of injured Oklahomans to choose their own doctor.

Worker Security and Quality Jobs

Corporations move operations freely around the world and escape tough pollution controls, labor standards and responsibility for social and environmental needs. Corporations have outsourced an alarming and growing number of American jobs overseas, enhancing profits for these companies at the expense of U.S. workers. Flawed global trade policies have cost the U.S. millions of manufacturing jobs since 1994. Within the next ten years advances in technology and communications will expose additional U.S. professional service jobs to the off-shore threat. Therefore, we support federal legislation that protects jobs from being moved overseas, allowing federal dollars to benefit the states rather then the off-shoring corporations. We support increased import tariffs to protect American jobs.

RIGHTS
PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF RELIGIOUS, HUMAN, CIVIL, AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

The Oklahoma Democratic Party is committed to respect and protect the personal religious faiths or beliefs of every individual, and to protect individual human rights and civil liberties.

We specifically support the Oklahoma Constitution, “Section 11-5 Public money or property — Use for sectarian purposes, No public money or property shall ever be appropriated, donated or used, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, or system of religion, or for the use, benefit, or support of any priest, preacher, minister or other religious teacher or dignitary, or sectarian institution as such.”

We oppose barriers to voting that would require Oklahoma voters to purchase photo identification to exercise their constitutional right. Such barriers particularly disenfranchise the poor and elderly and amount to little more than a modern-day poll tax.

We support the creation of an independent redistricting commission. The commission would draw competitive, compact districts that respect historical districts and communities of interests.

We oppose any amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America that would alter the precedence of neutrality of government or diminish the right of the individual to the free expression and choice of religious belief.

We oppose the introduction of any religious dogmas, including “creationism” or “intelligent design”, which have no scientific basis, into science courses of public schools.
We oppose the insertion of disclaimer statements about evolution into any textbooks.
Human and Civil Rights

The Democratic Party of Oklahoma respects and upholds the civil, human and equal rights of every person.

Oklahoma Democrats celebrate diversity among people and recognize the inherent dignity and value of each person and believe that no person should live in fear or threat of violence because of any characteristic, affiliation, or sexual orientation.

We affirm the role of government at all levels in providing education and protection of the basic civil and human rights of every person regardless of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, gender, gender identity, sexual nature or orientation, religion, creed, disability, employment, civil service or political affiliation, any of which may be actual or perceived.

We support legislation that would allow establishment of civil unions permitting the legal designation of next of kin and affording civil rights accordingly regardless of gender.

We believe that women should be guaranteed the rights of other citizens of our nation. Thus we believe that an Equal Rights Amendment to the Oklahoma and United States Constitution is called for to ensure these rights are guaranteed.

We support Affirmative Action as a program that has worked well to seek constructive solutions to the problems which bring about the need for continuing affirmative action and which have continued to promote diversity, prevent ongoing discrimination and remedy past discrimination.
We support the recognition of the economically disadvantaged as an additional group worth consideration for affirmative action discrimination.

Housing forms an indispensable part of ensuring human dignity, security and protection from inclement weather, as well as a place where important relationships are forged and nurtured. Therefore, we support the right of every individual to have affordable and acceptable housing and support the enforcement of the Oklahoma Anti-Discrimination Act which prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodation.

We respect and recognize the tribal sovereignty of Native Americans and support all efforts to advance and cherish Native America cultural heritage with the honor and dignity that accompany it. We support full compliance with existing treaties and autonomy in decision making.

Reproductive Rights

The Oklahoma Democratic Party supports the reproductive freedom of every woman, which means that every woman has the right to decide for herself when to bear children, and commits to the correction of economic and social factors that contribute to unintended pregnancies.

We support all people having full access to and information concerning:
1. Reproductive health care
2. Human sexuality
3. Birth control
4. Reliable means of pregnancy prevention
5. The termination of an unintended pregnancy
6. Alternatives to termination of pregnancy
7. Programs for both males and females designed to educate and instill
reproductive responsibility.

ENVIRONMENT

RESTORATION, PROTECTION, AND PRESERVATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

The Democratic Party believes that every person has the right to a safe and healthy environment and a responsibility to ensure the same for future generations.

We believe that a clean environment is essential for the productivity and health of our citizenry.

We oppose the Bush administration’s blatant attacks on our national compact on environmental progress and oppose turning the clock back a full century to a polluted and unhealthy environment.

We are committed to the principles of and support for the Clean Water, Safe Drinking Water, and Clean Air Acts.

We support permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Act and other programs that protect the health and safety of all Americans while demanding full accountability of polluters.

Corporate controlled large-scale confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are responsible for staggering amounts of animal wastes that leak into our rivers and streams, contaminating our drinking water, and fouling our air. We demand that the EPA, the State Department of Agriculture and the Governor of the State of Oklahoma fully enforce the Federal Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and state law.

We demand regular inspections of these confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and meaningful penalties for violations.

We demand the adequate funding of agencies that regulate these operations.

We support the family farms approach to food production believing that this is a more sustainable system.

We support federal farm legislation which promotes and grants incentives for locally organic produced food and regional sustainable agriculture.

We support wetlands which protect us in many ways by filtering pollutants from our drinking water, protect our homes by storing flood water and provide homes for fish, shell fish and wildlife.

We support restoration and protection of wetlands across America while emphasizing the understanding of wetlands as vital natural protection of our water quality.

We acknowledge the overwhelming scientific consensus that humans are changing the Earth’s climate, most recently noted in the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which stated with ninety percent certainty that human activities are contributing to global warming. So that future generations may inherit a habitable planet, we call for all responsible citizens and governments at all levels to take actions now to reduce greenhouse gases by quantifiable amounts over the next five (5) years by enacting legislation to increase energy efficiency, developing alternative energy sources, and to promoting sustainable development.

We support revisiting the Kyoto Treaty and employing technical information developed since its adoption by the World Community. We support work to increase the effectiveness of this protocol to further prevent global warming.

We oppose any legislation, such as the “Clear Sky Initiative”, that weakens the provisions of the Clean Air Act. This legislation if fully implemented will result in an overall increase in mercury emissions at 128 major power plants, resulting in the largest source of mercury emission in the country putting the health of fetuses and children in grave danger, as well as endangering the health of men and women.

We support a common-sense approach to achieve energy independence and a sustainable economy by adopting an energy policy based on efficiency, conservation and development of renewable sources.

We condemn the ‘drill first” energy policy espoused by President George W. Bush and his administration. In particular we oppose administration plans to drill in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge, designated wilderness areas, national parks, national monuments and other sensitive public lands. We call for an end to suburban sprawl which results in degradation and pollution of our environment, a serious loss of prime farmland, open space and wetlands, increased flooding, degradation of wildlife habitat, inefficient use of resources, traffic congestion and which creates demand for ineffective and costly remedies.

We oppose state privilege/immunity statutes that allow secret internal environmental audits providing blanket immunity for environmental crimes, allowing corporate polluters to hide civil and criminal misconduct. Such statutes allow corporations to poison water supplies and foul rivers, lakes, streams and wildlife.

We support strong environmental programs including but not limited to environmental justice, safe and clean renewable energy from the sun and wind, energy conservation, recycling programs, sustainable consumption and alternative modes of transportation.

We support the Oklahoma Wind Power Initiative to initiate and strengthen opportunities for long-term economic benefits from wind power in the state.

WATER

PROTECTING OUR STATE’S WATER RESOURCES

The Oklahoma Democratic Party recognizes that water is a basic necessity for life and is our most important natural resource. The waters of Oklahoma are an essential part of the well-being of its citizens and play an indispensable role in the health of Oklahoma’s economy and environment. The water laws of the state need to be studied and revised and steps taken to ensure that our waters remain drinkable and sufficient for future generations.
We oppose the takeover of this vital resource by private interests. The lifeblood of our communities should not be for sale.

Clean and abundant water supplies are crucial for quality of life, commerce and industry and are a necessity for the very lives of humans and other living things. We support conservation of and incentives to encourage conservation of Oklahoma’s water resources and gray water collection systems for non-potable water uses.

We support protection and utilization of Oklahoma’s water in local communities and oppose plans to pump and transport local groundwater supplies to distant communities.We oppose plans to sell water to out-of-state interests and oppose the use of imminent domain to force the sale of Oklahoma water pending the finalization of the legislatively mandated study on water availability and sales.

We support and commend the valiant efforts of Attorney General Drew Edmondson to hold out-of-state poultry corporations responsible for the pollution caused by their operations and oppose all attempts, whether administrative or otherwise, to weaken or diminish required controls for the safe disposal of animal wastes.

We support family farmers, oppose proliferation of giant corporate hog and chicken factories in Oklahoma; and support restoration of the state prohibition of corporate farming.

TRANSPORTATION

SUPPORT FOR A PUBLIC TRANSPORATION SYSTEM

The need for public transportation for our seniors, the working poor and the disabled is essential for maintaining quality of life including access to healthcare and job opportunities.

We support an intermodal transportation system for the movement of people and goods in a more efficient and environmentally friendly manner.

We encourage the continuation and expansion of mass transit and private transportation pools in rural and urban Oklahoma.

We realize that the effect of gasoline consumption is one of the largest components of the triggers of global warning and thus urge immediate attention to decreasing these triggers.
We support the revitalization of mass transit in the United States and encourage the subsidy of mass transit to be the same as the subsidy of roadways from sources other than fuel tax.
We support the preservation of the state’s unique railway network and last grand urban rail passenger yard in the West. The publicly owned Union Station and associated rail yard connects every corner of our state and is essential to the revival of any cost effective and reasonably safe, convenient, efficient and environmentally friendly freight and passenger rail transit system in Oklahoma. The 4 mile section of 1-40 throughway plans will effectively foreclose its usefulness as a rail hub for Oklahoma. We urge Governor Brad Henry to declare a moratorium on the project and appoint a special Commission to review this decision and consider alternatives that would preserve the Union rail yard before any more public money is spent on this project.

FEDERAL ISSUES

ISSUES RELATED TO THE WAR IN IRAQ, IMPEACHMENT,
TERRORISM AND NATIONAL SECURITY, SOCIAL SECURITY AND TAX REFORM, NATIONAL SECURITY and IMMIGRATION
PROMOTING NATIONAL SECURITY

The Oklahoma Democratic Party believes that the United States should promote strong, yet amicable relations with other countries of the world in order to promote stability and peace. Where appropriate the use of diplomacy and other non-violent means should come first before military action.

We strongly support the men and women of America’s Armed Forces, both past and present, and specifically demand that our government provide our military serving in Iraq and elsewhere with all necessary supplies and logistical materials to assure as much as possible their safety and success. Therefore our troops should not be deployed without proper equipment and training.

We support development and execution of a plan to begin the reduction of US Armed Forces in Iraq and the withdrawal of US forces at the earliest possible time.

We support negotiations between Iraq’s leadership, neighbors, the United Nations, the European Union, and the Arab League to create an international peacekeeping force in Iraq.

We demand accurate and honest regulation of contracts awarded to companies working in Iraq and redress for the fraud and inefficiencies that have occurred during the Iraq war.
We acknowledge that the United States of America is the world’s only superpower. This nation should remain a fully committed member of the United Nations and all current defense alliances including NATO and be respectful of the rights, sovereignty, independence, and political choices of other countries.

We believe that nuclear proliferation is an extreme and imminent danger to both the environment and to human health and peace of mind, and we believe that the nuclear arms race is counter-productive to world peace. Therefore, we call for an end to nuclear proliferation, and urge all elected officials to actively support and comply with previously agreed-to non-proliferation treaties. We further condemn the use of depleted uranium in munitions.

We urge Congress to carefully consider and view with suspicion the Bush administration’s efforts to build a case for hostilities with Iran and to prohibit the Bush administration from attacking Iran without a decision by the Congress. The actions of the Bush Administration in prosecuting the War in Iraq and in prosecuting the War on Terror have made our nation less safe, have actually served to create more terrorists and have done great harm to the image of our nation.

MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

The Oklahoma Democratic Party commits itself to the promises made to our service members and veterans, to include support for:

Military service pay adequate to support service members and their families, to include cost of living increases.

Family health benefits for all reserve and National Guard military personnel called to active duty.

Full control of the National Guard to revert to the states’ governors, as it existed in 2001.
Enhanced specialized treatment and psychological/medical research for conditions including, but not limited to, mental illness, disabilities caused by injury, and chemical, biological, and radiological related conditions.

IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH AND VICE PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY
We support an investigation by the United States House of Representatives that will in our opinion lead to the impeachment of President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

CIVIL RIGHTS IN THE FACE OF TERRORISM

The Oklahoma Democratic Party expresses its strong support for the freedoms guaranteed to all Americans by the provisions of the United States Constitution and subsequent court rulings based on those provisions, and will oppose all efforts to restrict or reduce those freedoms.
The U. S. Congress, in its zeal to prevent further terrorism after 9/11 enacted the “Patriot Act”. Certain provisions of the act have led to serious violations of constitutional rights and injustices carried out against innocent people by government agencies. These egregious actions have not made us more secure.

The Oklahoma Democratic Party condemns this reckless abrogation of constitutional rights.
Given the damage the USA Patriot Act and Military Commissions Act of 2006 has done to our democracy and the future damage that may be done, the Democratic Party of Oklahoma supports repeal of the USA Patriot Act and Military Commissions Act of 2006. We condemn all acts of terrorism and call for our government to immediately institute measures to provide security for our nation while upholding all provisions of the United States Constitution.

We support the immediate institution of measures to secure our ports, including inspection and tracking systems for all shipping containers entering US ports.

We strongly and unequivocally deplore the use of torture for any purpose in that it is inconsistent with the principles and values of this nation and further condemn the practice of “extraordinary rendition” which results in political prisoners being sent to foreign countries for the purpose of torture.

PROTECTION OF ECONOMIC DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM

The Democratic Party will fight against the threat posed by mega-enterprises and corporations and we promote democratically governed market economies. Even though not mentioned in the Constitution or the Bill of Rights, giant corporations often rule our democracy. When corporations govern, there is little democracy. When we live in a culture defined by corporate values, common sense erodes.

We oppose corporate welfare to mega-corporations to the disadvantage of smaller companies.

RESTORATION OF A DEMOCRATIC, FREE AND FAIR MEDIA AND PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK AND SUPPORT FOR (PBS) PUBLIC BROADCASTING SYSTEMS.

The Oklahoma Democratic Party believes that democracy can not succeed without an informed citizenry or the active participation of informed voters. Most citizens rely on print and broadcast media for the information they require to make their decisions, and they deserve to have full access to accurate reporting along with genuine discussion of issues that clearly presents diverse points of view. The media has been subverted from its true purpose of informing with clarity, accuracy and fairness by the effects of deregulation and by the destruction of the Fairness Doctrine. Therefore, in order to fairly educate the public, to win support for the party’s positions and elect candidates the Democratic Party must:

1. Work to reinstate protection of fairness in the media through federal regulations such as those known as the Fairness Doctrine, which was adopted in 1949 by the FCC but removed in 1989. Such regulations would, for example, insure that equal time be provided to all candidates running for office and attenuate the controlling power of wealth.
2. Urge that the restrictions on the number of media outlets owned by a single individual, corporation, or entity be reinstated so that credibility, fairness and relevance are not stifled by the power of wealth to control the public right to know.
3. Congress and the FCC should prevent the federal administration and other public entities from using public funds to pay for editorial comments or advertising to promote partisan political agendas.

Cognizant that the internet is becoming a major source of news and information as well as a source of many other benefits to millions of users every day, we oppose any governmental effort to regulate the Internet except for any illegal activities, including those that might precede the posting of materials such as child pornography, or the illegal use of copyrighted materials.
We further believe that the meaning of the constitutional right to peaceably assemble should be extended by statute to include the right to virtually assemble through the Internet and the use of emails.

We support the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the contribution it makes to our lives and political understanding.

PREDATORY LENDING PRACTICES

The Oklahoma Democratic Party calls for an end to predatory lending practices which promote a hopeless cycle of debt, bankruptcy, divorce and a decrease in personal savings.
We support legislation at the state and national levels to oversee and eliminate predatory lending practices, to punish companies that create unfair and deceptive lending practices and to make it easier for consumers to challenge these practices in state and federal courts in both individual and class actions.

PROTECTION AND STRENGTHENING OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Social Security is the primary source of retirement for many older Americans and provides a stable income base for over 46 million Americans of all ages. It is the backbone of retirement and family protection in the United States, enabling vast numbers of senior citizens, persons with disabilities and survivors to live independently.

The Oklahoma Democratic Party supports strengthening and extending Social Security without privatization. We strongly support this safety net which must not be compromised.
Social Security is in no immediate danger of going “broke.” Due to advanced planning, the Social Security Trust Funds have over $1.5 trillion in U. S. Treasury bonds that earn interest every year. Without any changes, Social Security will be able to pay 100% of benefits well into the 2040s.

We support legislation that allows the states and the federal government to negotiate the lowest price for prescription drugs.
We continue to support full funding for existing means-tested assistance programs for children, families, veterans, people with disabilities, and the elderly that helps maintain quality of life for these groups.

PROMOTING TAX REFORM AND REDUCTION OF THE NATIONAL DEBT
The Oklahoma Democratic Party believes that all citizens and corporations have the obligation to pay a fair share of taxes to support government at all levels.
We believe that government cannot provide needed services to constituents without a fair and just flow of revenues into its treasuries.
We believe it is morally wrong to reduce taxes on current upper income taxpayers, especially as political favors, and place the burden of paying increased government debts on future generations and those least able to pay.
We believe that the Bush tax cuts should be repealed, and our national budget should be returned to fiscal sanity.
IMMIGRATION

Not withstanding the recent action by the Oklahoma Legislature, the controversial, complex and sensitive issue of immigration is and has been primarily a federal responsibility. Therefore, we urge the United States Congress to accept its statutory duties as the only governmental body with lawmaking powers over all fifty states and address this challenge head on. Safety and security ramifications for all must be the initial focal points of hoped for Congressional action. A patchwork of state laws, some constitutional, some not, some broad in scope, others narrow, are nothing more than an accumulation of “feel good” initiatives that are guaranteed to do more harm than good in a civil, free and fair society.

PROMOTING AND PROTECTING VOTERS RIGHTS
We call for a uniform voting system across this nation that uses foolproof voting machines with a paper ballot that assures the integrity of the electoral process.

We support our current voting system of optical scan machines with a paper ballot in every precinct and we suggest that all states adopt the same system.

Adopted by the 2007 Democratic Party State Convention Delegates on May 19, 2007.

[Thank you to the members of the 2007 State Convention Resolutions Committee nominated and approved by the Oklahoma Democratic Party State Central Committee.
Senator Cal Hobson, Chairman
Members: Demetrius Bereolos, Christie Breedlove, James Nimmo, Jimmy Davis, Elaine Dodd, Carl Downing, Don Faulkner, Pat Frank, Hugh Graham, Martha Hardwick, Kathy Huston, Cheno Kennedy, Rep. Ryan Kiesel, Rep. Ryan McMullen, Sen. Paul Muegge,, Kathy North, Karen Parsons, Ed Romo, Sandra Rose, Carol Ruth, and Billye Van Schuyver.

Thanks also to each of the five Congressional District Resolutions Committee Chairs: Demetrius Bereolos CD1, Jeff Potts CD2, Paul Muegge CD3, Eric Hermansen CD4, and Chris Heldenbrand CD5.]

State Convention Rules

2007-05-15T13:58:00.000-07:00

The Rules Committee approved the following rules for the 2007 State Convention.

RULES

FOR THE 2007 OKLAHOMA DEMOCRATIC PARTY STATE CONVENTION

The following rules shall govern the proceedings of the Oklahoma Democratic Party State Convention to be held the 19th and 20th of May, 2007.

RULE 1: AGENDA

Call to Order and Welcome
Pledge of Allegiance/National Anthem
Invocation
Reading of Preamble of the Constitution of the Oklahoma Democratic Party
Recognition of Democratic Elected Officials
Keynote Address
Comments from the Chair
Treasurer’s Report
Report of the Credentials Committee
Report of the Rules Committee
Election of Officers
Report of the Resolutions Committee
Consideration of Resolutions
Additional Business
Announcements
Adjournment

RULE 2: PURPOSE OF THE MEETING

The purpose of this meeting is to elect for a two-year term of office a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, and to elect the four State Affirmative Action Committee members (two men and two women); to consider proposed amendments to the Oklahoma Democratic Party Constitution and Bylaws; to consider resolutions, and such other business as may come before the Convention.

RULE 3: COMMITTEE REPORTS

The reports of the Convention’s standing committees shall be adopted by a majority vote of the voting members of the State Convention present and voting. The adoption of the Credential and Rules Committees’ reports shall mean that the State Convention has accepted the Committees’ reports, seated the credentialed members of the State Convention and adopted the proposed rules, respectively. Adoption of the Resolutions Committee Report shall only mean that the State Convention has accepted the Committee’s report, but shall not mean the adoption of any of the resolutions recommended by the committee.

RULE 4: MINORITY REPORTS

Twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the members of any of the Convention’s standing committees may submit a minority report to the State Convention following the report of the respective committee before any vote is taken on the committee’s report.

RULE 5: RESOLUTIONS

Following the adoption of the report of the Resolutions Committee, a member of the committee shall move the adoption of all the resolutions recommended by the Resolutions Committee en masse. Any member of the Convention may then move to remove a resolution from the masse so that it may be considered individually and the remaining resolutions en masse. Any such motion to remove and separately consider a resolution shall require a second and a majority vote to be approved.

RULE 6: RESOLUTIONS NOT IN COMMITTEE REPORT

Any resolution not recommended for adoption by the Resolutions Committee may be moved by any delegate of the body if the resolution is submitted in writing to the presiding officer at or before the time the motion is made, accompanied by a petition of support signed by at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the credentialed delegates of the Convention.

RULE 7: AMENDING RESOLUTIONS

Any resolution may be amended by a delegate moving such an amendment, provided that the amendment is submitted in writing to the presiding officer at or before the time the motion is made, accompanied by a petition of support signed by at least twenty=five percent (25%) of the credentialed delegates of the Convention.

RULE 8: DEBATE

A. Resolutions – Debate on the merits of any resolution shall be limited to three (3) minutes for each side, for a total of six (6) minutes. The presiding officer shall reserve one minute of the three minutes allotted to the side favoring a resolution from the floor which shall be granted to the author of the resolution to speak last.
B. Motions – Debate on any motion, including motions regarding resolutions, shall be limited to two (2) minutes for each side, for a total of four (4) minutes.

RULE 9: VOTING

A. Procedure – Voting shall be by voice vote except as otherwise provided. However, if a credentialed delegate moves for a “division of the assembly” and the motion is seconded, the chair shall proceed to a counted vote of those delegates displaying their credentials, either by a show of hands or by having the delegates stand.
B. Roll Call Vote – Except when mandatory for elections a motion for a roll call vote shall require a second and shall be adopted upon a majority vote of those credentialed delegates present and voting.

RULE 10: ELECTION OF OFFICERS

A. Nominations – Nominations shall not be closed by a vote of the convention, but shall continue until there are not further nominations as determined by the presiding officer.
B. Speeches – Following the close of nominations each candidate in a contested election shall be allowed one nominating speech of not more than two (2) minutes, one seconding speech of not more than one (1) minutes and a speech by the candidate of not more than two (2) minutes. Speaking order shall be in the order in which the nominations were made. Nominating speeches for all candidates shall be given first, then seconding speeches for all candidates, and finally, all candidate speeches, after which the election shall be held.
C. Voting – Upon the adoption of such a motion, the Secretary of the Convention shall call for the vote of the delegates of each county by stating the number of duly credentialed delegates from that county according to the latest adopted credentials committee report, to which the County Chair shall reply with the number of votes cast by the delegates from that county for each side of the issue, or for each candidate in the case of elections. After the Secretary of the Convention has called all the counties he/she shall tally the results and report them to the presiding officer who shall announce the results and declare the outcome of the vote.

RULE 11: SEPARATION OF MEMBERS

A. Credentialed members shall be seated separately from all other individuals present at the Convention.
B. Following candidate speeches the doors of the convention shall be closed and no one shall be allowed to enter until the election is concluded. During the vote counting, no one will be allowed to move about the floor except for those persons assigned to count votes.

RULE 12: SPEAKING PRIVILEGES

The Chair may recognize individuals without credentials to address the Convention which privilege may include the giving of nominating and seconding speeches.

RULE 13: QUORUM

A quorum for State Convention shall be forty (40) percent of its delegates. Ex-officio members shall not be counted in determining if a quorum is present.

RULE 14: AMENDMENTS

A. Constitution – Amendments to the Constitution shall require the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting at a regularly called meeting of the State Convention.
B. Bylaws – Amendments to the Bylaws shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and voting at a regularly called meeting of the State Convention.
C. Amendments 0 A proposed amendment of the Constitution or the Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members of the State Convention present and voting. Amendments made from the floor must be reasonably related and germane to the subject matter of the section sought to be amended.

RULE 15: MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES

After these rules have been adopted, only a motion to suspend the rules may change them. Such a motion shall specifically state the rule to be changed, the new working and duration of the change. It shall require a second and a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of those in attendance. However, rules of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Oklahoma Democratic Party may not be suspended.

2007-05-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

SOLD OUT!!!! The 2007 Activists Awards Hall of Fame Dinner is sold out. Thanks to all ofour sponsors and individuals who bought tickets for this event.

Tickets are available through Wednesday for the 2007 State Convention breakfast and lunch. Please call 405.427.3366 today to reserve your tickets.

Activists Hall of Fame Dinner

2007-04-27T13:56:00.000-07:00

Tickets are still available for the 2007 Activists Hall of Fame Dinner.

The menu features:

Baby Spinach Salad with Sliced Egg, Red Onion Rings, Black Olives, Oven Roasted Tomatoes and Sun-dried Tomato Vinaigrette

Mixed Grille of PEtite Filet MIgnon with garlic and Port reduction
Potato and Herb crusted Breast of Chicken with Champagne Cream Sauce

Freshly Baked Dinner Rolls and Butter
Coffee, tea and water

Chocolate Lovin' Spoon Cake
Creme Brulee Cheesecake

Call today to reserve your ticket or to secure a table sponsorship, 405.427.3366.

Activists Hall of Fame Nominations Due Tomorrow

2007-04-19T15:04:00.000-07:00

Please fax your nominations for the Activists Hall of Fame Award to 405.427.1310 by 5 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, April 20.

Forms are available here.

Convention Lodging

2007-04-19T15:01:00.000-07:00

The deadline for the special convention rate for our block of rooms at the Renaissance Hotel was yesterday. However, I understand they still have a few rooms available, so call as soon as possible and ask if they still have rooms available for the Oklahoma Democratic Party Convention May 18-20. Call 405.228.8000.

We have identified some additional hotels and room rates in the area. Call us for more information at 405.427.3366.

Convention Tickets

2007-04-19T14:57:00.000-07:00

The deadline for the Meal Deal for State Convention has been extended to the end of the month. All other tickets remain available through May 10th.

Please help us make appropriate plans by reserving your tickets as soon as possible.

The Meal Deal plan allows you to save $15.

A very limited number of tickets may be available at the convention. We fully expect to sell out the Activists Awards Hall of Fame Dinner by May 1st. Please make your reservations for this event today!

Table sponsorships are available and county parties are encouraged to participate in this event as a table sponsor. For more information call the ODP HQ at 405.427.3366.

DNC Chairman Howard Dean to Keynote Convention

2007-04-18T02:40:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that Democratic National Committee Chairman Governor Howard Dean will keynote the first General Session of the 2007 Oklahoma Democratic Party State Convention Saturday, May 19th at the Bricktown Coca-Cola Event Center in Oklahoma City.

As Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Gov. Howard Dean is making the Democratic Party competitive in every race, in every district, in every state and territory, while integrating national and state party operations and standing up for Democrats' core values. His election to this post on February 12, 2005 is the most recent chapter in a life dedicated to shaping the future of the Democratic Party.

Most recently, after achieving national prominence in his bid for the Democratic nomination for president, Governor Dean founded Democracy for America in 2004 to build on the groundswell of support and the wave of new energy sweeping the Party. And since that time, Democracy for America has been working with the grassroots to elect fiscally responsible and socially progressive candidates to all levels of government -- local, state, and federal -- all over the country.

The breadth of Governor Dean's political experience has given him a unique perspective. He began his political career in the early 1980's as the Chittenden County (Vermont) Democratic Party chair. In 1983, Dean was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives. He was then elected lieutenant governor in 1986 and was re-elected in 1988 and 1990. He became Vermont's governor upon the death of Governor Richard A. Snelling on August 14, 1991.

Elected to a full term in November 1992, Governor Dean was re-elected four more times and created a record based on fiscally conservative principles that promoted equality and opportunity for all the citizens of Vermont. Under his leadership, Vermont paid down its debt and by 2001 enjoyed a $100 million surplus. Through his innovative health care plan, 96 percent of Vermont's children now have health care coverage and more than a third of Vermont's Medicare recipients receive state help in paying for their prescription drugs. His 'Success by Six' program ensures that more resources like day-care and home nurses are available to parents if they need them. And with strong support from Governor Dean, Vermont officials instituted an Interactive Learning Network that wired almost all the state's high schools, even in the most rural areas.

Governor Dean's successes prompted Governing magazine to proclaim him "Public Official of the Year" in 2002.

Dean's leadership roles also include turns as chairman of the National Governors' Association, the Democratic Governors' Association, and the New England Governors' Conference.

Before entering politics, Dean received a medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City in 1978. Upon completing his residency at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont, he went on to practice internal medicine in Shelburne, Vermont.

He is married to Dr. Judy Steinberg and they have two children, Anne and Paul.

Activist Hall of Fame Nominations Due

2007-04-18T02:33:00.000-07:00

Nominations for the Activist Hall of Fame Award are due tomorrow, April 20th.

You may nominate any Democrat who has demonstrated leadership as a grassroots organizer and activist. The ODP State Central Committee appointed a subcommittee to review the nominations and will make the final determination of this year's winners.

To nominate someone please use the form available here.

Meal Deal Deadline Extended

2007-04-18T02:30:00.000-07:00

Due to popular demand we have extended the deadline for purchasing the Meal Deal for the State Convention to April 25th. You save $15 by purchasing the $85 Meal Deal that includes tickets for breakfast, lunch, and the Activist Awards Hall of Fame Reception and Dinner on Saturday, May 19th.

Order online through the box on this blog or call us at 405.427.3366.

We accept checks, VISA, and Mastercard.

Reservations

2007-04-18T02:26:00.000-07:00

We've sold out the original room block at the Renaissance Hotel and have added five more rooms. The deadline is today, so if you want to stay at the Renaissance for State Convention make your reservations today. After today the room rate cannot be guaranteed. When you call please tell them you are with the Oklahoma Democratic Party State Convention. You may also want to check on AAA, military and government rates. Call 405.228.8000.

Tickets Online

2007-04-13T13:52:00.000-07:00

You can purchase your tickets for breakfast, lunch and dinner at the ODP Convention online using the secure form to the right of this blog.

You can also RSVP for the Friday night event, no charge, using this form.

If you prefer you can call us at 405.427.3366 to order tickets. We accept VISA, Mastercard and checks.

All transactions are considered contributions to the Oklahoma Democratic Party. Please make checks payable to the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

Your payment must be freely and voluntarily givent from your personal property. Federal law requires political committees to report the name, mailing adddress, occupation and name of your employer for each individual whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in a calendar year. State law requires reporting of contributions in excess of $50 or multiple contributions from a single source exceeding $50 in the aggregate in a calendar year.

Convention Meals

2007-04-13T13:37:00.001-07:00

Our convention special "meal deal" offer is good through April 18th. You save $15 on breakfast, lunch and dinner for Saturday at the State Convention. Call 405.427.3366 today and order your tickets. The deal includes a ticket for the Activist Hall of Fame Awards Reception and Dinner Saturday, May 19th at the Cox Convention Center.

After April 18th dinner tickets are $75 each for open seating.

Table sponsorships are still available. Call 405.427.3366 for more information.

Convention Rooms

2007-04-13T13:37:00.000-07:00

Rooms at the Renaissance Hotel, the official ODP State Convention Hotel are selling out fast. The deadline for the preferred rate is April 18th. (You may be able to use other discounts and get a better rate so don't hesitate to ask.) We sold out the first block this week but have expanded the block. If you haven't made reservations yet, please do so a.s.a.p.

Call 1 800 HOTELS-1 or 405.228.8000. Tell them you are with the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

Reservations for State Convention

2007-04-06T10:43:00.000-07:00

Make reservations now for the 2007 State Convention and Activist Awards Reception and Dinner. Call the ODP office at 405.427.3366 to make ticket arrangements as soon as possible. The special room rate and event ticket deal expires April 18th.

Breakfast tickets are $10; lunch tickets are $15. Activist Awards Reception and Dinner tickets are $75 each. We are offering a package deal for $85 -- saving you $15 if you purchase all three meal tickets together.

The official convention hotel is the Renaissance Hotel. Please find a Democratic roommate and make your reservations today! Call 1.800.HOTELS-1 or 405.228.8000. Don't forget to tell reservations that you are with the Oklahoma Democratic Party. The special room rate applies for both Friday and Saturday nights. These rooms won't last long so reserve yours today!

Our Friday night event is free for delegates and their guests at the Cox Convention Center from 7 to 10 p.m. The ODP is providing light appetizers with the cash bar. Live music by Hart and Soul will entertain us throughout the evening. Please let us know if you plan to attend this event by calling the ODP HQ at 405.427.3366.

State Convention Delegate Deadlines

2007-04-06T04:04:00.000-07:00

State Convention Delegate? Deadlines Approaching

If you are a delegate to the ODP State Convention it's time NOW to make your reservations and order your tickets for the special events planned during the convention.

The ODP has a block of rooms reserved at The Renaissance Hotel which will be released after April 18th. Please make your reservations now for State Convention. Call The Renaissance at 405.228.8000. Please tell reservations you are attending the ODP State Convention.

For more information about lodging contact the ODP at 405.427.3366.

Tickets for the other events and the Activists Award Reception and Dinner are also available through the ODP. Please call 405.427.3366.

Convention and table sponsorships are available. Call 405.427.3366.

For more information about the convention click here.

Activists Hall of Fame Nominations Due Now

2007-04-05T17:17:00.000-07:00

ODP Activists Hall of Fame Nominations Due

Know a Democratic activist? Nominate them for the Oklahoma Democratic Party Activist Award to be presented at the Activists Award Dinner at the State Convention May 19th. Nomination forms are available on the ODP website at www.okdemocrats.org. Nomination due date is April 20. The form is available here.

Previous winners include:

Carma Lee Brock, Doug Dodd, Liz Estes, Marjean Mitchell, Lois Ross, Sweet Pea Abernathy, Eleanor Edmondson, Jim GAllagher, Sarah Jane Rodgers, Mae Scott, Bernice MItchell, Carter Bradley, Elizabeth Whetsel, Milt Lehr, Myra Crawford, Gene and Dottie Tyner, Wyota Hannan, Carl Downing, LaRue Boudurant, RubyTaylor, and Paul Barby.

State Convention Registration

2007-04-04T14:59:00.000-07:00

Credentialing/Registration

The credentials table will be open on Friday, May 18th from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Renaissance Hotel, Lobby 10 North Broadway. Credentials will open again at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 19th at the convention site in the Coca-Cola Bricktown Event Center, 425 E. California, Oklahoma City.

Convention Hotel

All delegates to the State Convention are encouraged to make room reservations as soon as possible. The Renaissance Hotel is the official convention hotel. We have a block of rooms reserved through April 19th. If you want to reserve a room at the Renaissance Hotel please call 405.228.8000 and reserve your room. To get the special rate please tell them you are attending the Oklahoma Democratic Party State Convention. Rooms are $149 per night plus tax. Those rates are good for both Friday and Saturday night.

Other hotels in the downtown area include the Sheraton ($229 per night plus tax) and Couryard by Marriott ($149 per night plus tax.) Rates at other Oklahoma City hotels range from $69 per night plus tax at Howard Johnson, $89 per night plus tax at LaQuinta: Airport; $119 per night plus tax at Embassy Sui9tes: Airport; $99 per night plus tax at Holiday Inn; and $54.99 per night plus tax at the Fairgrounds Super 8. In addition there are several Oklahoma County Democratic Party members who are offering to accommodate out of town guests during the convention. If you are interested please contact the ODP at 405.427.3366.

Events

All credentialed delegates and their guests are invited to a reception on Friday evening at the Cox Convention Center, Meeting Room 9. The event begins at 7 p.m. and will continue through the evening with light appetizers, a cash bar and live music provided by Heart and Soul. Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean is expected to make an appearance at this event. There is no charge but donations will be accepted.

There will also be candidate and caucus receptions with times and locations to be announced later.

The State Central Commitee approved a Package Deal for the Saturday events which includes a continental breakfast at the convention site, a box lunch at the convention site and a general admission ticket to the 2007 Activists Awards Dinner and Delegate Reception for $85. (This package price is available through April 19th. After April 19th tickets for each event must be purchased separately before the convention.) Individual prices are $10 for the Saturday breakfast; $15 for the Saturday box lunch; and $75 for the Activists Award dinner.

All tickets are available as contributions to the ODP by check or credit card. Call 405.427.3366.

2007 ODP State Convention Agenda

2007-04-03T15:51:00.000-07:00

The following agenda was approved by the State Central Committee for recommendation to the Rules Committee for the State Convention.

Please note that registration/credentialing begins on Friday and continues throughout the convention. Please also note that we will have two General Sessions, one on Saturday and another on Sunday following an optional interdenominational worship service.

All business sessions will be conducted at the Coca-Cola Bricktown Event Center, 425 E. California, and the social events on Friday and Saturday evenings will be at the Cox Convention Center, 100 W. Sheridan.

FRIDAY May 18

5 to 7 p.m. Early Registration/Credentialing Renaissance Hotel Lobby

7 to 10 p.m. ODP Celebrates Cox Convention Center
Music by Heart and Soul Meeting Room 9
Light Appetizers Provided and Cash Bar

8 to 11 p.m. Candidate and Caucus Hospitality Suites TBD

SATURDAY, May 19

8 to 9 a.m. Registration/Credentialing Coca-Cola Bricktown Event Center

GENERAL SESSION 1 Coca-Cola Bricktown Event Center

9 – 10 a.m. Call to Order and Welcome - Chair
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
Recognition of Democratic Elected Officials
Keynote Address – DNC Chairman Howard Dean
Comments from the Chair – Lisa Pryor
Treasurer’s Report – Walter Jenny, Jr.

10 a.m. Report of the Credentials Committee
Report of the Rules Committee

10:15 to Noon Election of Officers
Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer

Noon Box Lunch and Speaker

1 – 4:30 p.m Continue Election of Officers and 4 Affirmative Action Committee Members

Report of the Resolutions Committee (if time permits)

4:30 p.m. Adjourn General Session 1

5-6 p.m. DNC fundraiser TBD

6 – 7 p.m. Private Reception for Event Sponsors Renaissance Hotel Suite
6 – 7 p.m. Open Reception for Activists Hall of Fame Cox Convention Center
(cash bar) Meeting Room 9-12
7 -9:30 p.m. Activists Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Ceremony Meeting Room 9-12
(tickets and table sponsorships available)

SUNDAY, May 21

8 – 9 a.m. Registration/Credentialing Coca-Cola Bricktown Event Center

8 – 8:30 a.m. Interdenominational worship service Coca-Cola Bricktown Event Center

GENERAL SESSION 2 Coca-Cola Bricktown Event Center

9 a.m. – Noon Consideration of Resolutions and other business
Announcements
Possible Presidential Candidate Appearance

Noon Adjournment

Writing Resolutions

2007-02-24T06:15:00.000-08:00

Writing Resolutions
(Provided by Walter Jenny, Jr.)

Parliamentary bodies express themselves by adopting resolutions. While a convention’s delegates may have many different opinions, it is only when they resolve those thoughts into a single resolution that the body (by majority vote) speaks with one voice. A body acts through the adoption of a motion. Under parliamentary procedure, a resolution is a main motion that may be amended, tabled or otherwise dealt with by the convention or body.
Resolutions may be simple or complex. A complex resolution may include one or more “Whereas” clauses to make arguments in favor of adoption of the resolution. These clauses make up what is called the preamble. Or, the resolution may be so simple that the resolution just needs to be stated. A preamble should not contain a period, but each paragraph or clause should close with a comma or semicolon, followed by "and," except for the last paragraph of the preamble. A resolution should avoid periods where practicable. The paragraphs of the resolution are often numbered, making it easier for the body to discuss and consider amendments to the resolution.
Resolutions generally either encourage that some specific action should be taken, or they are expressions of the opinions of the body. Below are two resolutions that illustrate the two different kinds of resolutions. They were adopted by the Democratic National Committee Resolutions Committee at its meeting on February 1, 2007. Oklahoma’s Betty McElderry and Kalyn Free were among the members of the Resolutions Committee. This first resolution recommends that certain action be taken.
Resolution Supporting Energy Independence and a Clean, Healthy Environment

WHEREAS, Democrats strongly support measures that promote energy security and a safe, clean environment by reducing our dependence on oil, eliminating billions in tax breaks for big oil companies, and increasing research and development into clean renewable energy and efficiency technologies; and

WHEREAS, energy independence can be achieved by innovation, diversifying energy sources, creating energy efficient products, and promoting conservation measures; and

WHEREAS, energy independence will create a new energy industry that creates jobs and stimulates economic growth; and

WHEREAS, America must have a 21st century transportation system and infrastructure, which includes investments in mass transit, alternative energy technology, and protection of America’s critical infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, President Bush and Republicans in Congress have saddled Americans with record gas prices, dependence on oil and an energy policy written by and for big oil;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Democratic National Committee supports Democratic elected officials in Congress and in states and local communities across the country who are working toward energy independence, security and diversity as well as a safe, clean environment.

Notice that the resolution has three main components:

- a title that simply states what the resolution is about;
- a preamble with one or more clauses that make the argument in favor of the resolution; and
- the resolve, which expresses or “resolves” the view of the body in one or more paragraphs written in a single sentence.

The second resolution, passed by the Democratic National Committee at its meeting on February 3, 2007 is an expression of the views of the body.
Resolution Commending Governor Howard Dean for Instituting the “50 State Strategy” at the DNC
WHEREAS, Governor Howard Dean is Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), duly elected by members of the Democratic National Committee; and
WHEREAS, Governor Dean has implemented a “50 State Strategy” that has been instrumental in helping to ensure State Democratic Parties have the tools, training, and resources needed to win elections up and down the ticket, in all parts of the country; and
WHEREAS, previously too many of our state parties had been neglected by the national party even as Republicans did a far better job of effectively organizing their State parties, and the “50 State Strategy” reversed that trend and provided State Democratic Parties the tools, resources, and infrastructure needed to compete and win races in all parts of the country; and
WHEREAS, the 2006 elections demonstrated that if Democrats show up, stand up for what we believe in and work hard and ask every American for their vote, we can win in any part of the country at every level; and
WHEREAS, the “50 State Strategy” ensured that State Democratic Parties were able to lay the groundwork that enabled Democratic candidates to take advantage of a favorable political climate; and
WHEREAS, thanks in great part to the “50 State Strategy,” Democratic candidates won races up and down the ticket, all across the country that they would not have been able to win, helping take back the U.S. House and Senate, elect a majority of Democratic governors – who now govern states that control 295 electoral votes – and win ten new Democratic majorities in state legislatures;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Association of State Democratic Chairs (ASDC) and the DNC honor and thank Governor Dean for his tireless commitment to State Democratic Parties and the “50 State Strategy,” and for holding himself to the highest ethical standards, and for never retreating from what was right for every Democrat in every state; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the “50 State Strategy” is a long term investment paying immediate dividends and that, as we look toward the future, State Democratic Parties will evaluate and enhance these efforts, to grow our majority and sustain Americans' trust in and support for us; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that DNC and our State Parties will continue working hard to show up and ask for people's votes in every corner of America to ensure Democratic victories next November, to take back the White House in 2008, and to continue to rebuild the Democratic Party for the future.
The body may debate and amend, delete or add any clauses of the preamble or resolves as they see fit. Sometimes if a resolve is deleted, it is appropriate to delete the preamble that related to that paragraph for the final resolution to make any sense. Any amendment must be germane to the subject of the resolution; if it is not, it should be in an entirely separate resolution.

The Resolutions Committee of the State Democratic Party Convention has four tasks:

- To review resolutions proposed to the Convention;
- To propose resolutions on the initiative of the Committee members;
- To revise and draft resolutions, and
- To recommend the adoption of resolutions in its report to the Convention.

ODP Bylaws, Section 9(C). As a result, it is possible that a resolution adopted by a precinct, county or congressional district convention may be changed by the Resolutions Committee, often in an attempt to reach a consensus or middle ground that is more likely to reflect the views of most of the members of the body. But the convention has the final authority to change the language again; it is not bound by the recommendation of the Resolutions Committee.

Tips for writing proposed resolutions

2007-02-19T20:53:00.000-08:00

Parliamentary bodies express themselves by adopting resolutions. While a convention’s delegates may have many different opinions, it is only when they resolve those thoughts into a single resolution that the body (by majority vote) speaks with one voice. A body acts through the adoption of a motion. Under parliamentary procedure, a resolution is a main motion that may be amended, tabled or otherwise dealt with by the convention or body.

Resolutions may be simple or complex. A complex resolution may include one or more “Whereas” clauses to make arguments in favor of adoption of the resolution. These clauses make up what is called the preamble. Or, the resolution may be so simple that the resolution just needs to be stated. A preamble should not contain a period, but each paragraph or clause should close with a comma or semicolon, followed by "and," except for the last paragraph of the preamble. A resolution should avoid periods where practicable. The paragraphs of the resolution are often numbered, making it easier for the body to discuss and consider amendments to the resolution.

Resolutions generally either encourage that some specific action should be taken, or they are expressions of the opinions of the body. Below are two resolutions that illustrate the two different kinds of resolutions. They were adopted by the Democratic National Committee Resolutions Committee at its meeting on February 1, 2007. Oklahoma’s Betty McElderry and Kalyn Free were among the members of the Resolutions Committee. This first resolution recommends that certain action be taken.

Resolution Supporting Energy Independence and a Clean, Healthy Environment

WHEREAS, Democrats strongly support measures that promote energy security and a safe, clean environment by reducing our dependence on oil, eliminating billions in tax breaks for big oil companies, and increasing research and development into clean renewable energy and efficiency technologies; and

WHEREAS, energy independence can be achieved by innovation, diversifying energy sources, creating energy efficient products, and promoting conservation measures; and

WHEREAS, energy independence will create a new energy industry that creates jobs and stimulates economic growth; and

WHEREAS, America must have a 21st century transportation system and infrastructure, which includes investments in mass transit, alternative energy technology, and protection of America’s critical infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, President Bush and Republicans in Congress have saddled Americans with record gas prices, dependence on oil and an energy policy written by and for big oil;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Democratic National Committee supports Democratic elected officials in Congress and in states and local communities across the country who are working toward energy independence, security and diversity as well as a safe, clean environment.

Notice that the resolution has three main components:

- a title that simply states what the resolution is about;

- a preamble with one or more clauses that make the argument in favor of the resolution; and

- the resolve, which expresses or “resolves” the view of the body in one or more paragraphs written in a single sentence.

The second resolution, passed by the Democratic National Committee at its meeting on February 3, 2007 is an expression of the views of the body.

Resolution Commending Governor Howard Dean for Instituting the “50 State Strategy” at the DNC

WHEREAS, Governor Howard Dean is Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), duly elected by members of the Democratic National Committee; and

WHEREAS, Governor Dean has implemented a “50 State Strategy” that has been instrumental in helping to ensure State Democratic Parties have the tools, training, and resources needed to win elections up and down the ticket, in all parts of the country; and

WHEREAS, previously too many of our state parties had been neglected by the national party even as Republicans did a far better job of effectively organizing their State parties, and the “50 State Strategy” reversed that trend and provided State Democratic Parties the tools, resources, and infrastructure needed to compete and win races in all parts of the country; and

WHEREAS, the 2006 elections demonstrated that if Democrats show up, stand up for what we believe in and work hard and ask every American for their vote, we can win in any part of the country at every level; and

WHEREAS, the “50 State Strategy” ensured that State Democratic Parties were able to lay the groundwork that enabled Democratic candidates to take advantage of a favorable political climate; and

WHEREAS, thanks in great part to the “50 State Strategy,” Democratic candidates won races up and down the ticket, all across the country that they would not have been able to win, helping take back the U.S. House and Senate, elect a majority of Democratic governors – who now govern states that control 295 electoral votes – and win ten new Democratic majorities in state legislatures;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Association of State Democratic Chairs (ASDC) and the DNC honor and thank Governor Dean for his tireless commitment to State Democratic Parties and the “50 State Strategy,” and for holding himself to the highest ethical standards, and for never retreating from what was right for every Democrat in every state; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the “50 State Strategy” is a long term investment paying immediate dividends and that, as we look toward the future, State Democratic Parties will evaluate and enhance these efforts, to grow our majority and sustain Americans' trust in and support for us; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that DNC and our State Parties will continue working hard to show up and ask for people's votes in every corner of America to ensure Democratic victories next November, to take back the White House in 2008, and to continue to rebuild the Democratic Party for the future.

The body may debate and amend, delete or add any clauses of the preamble or resolves as they see fit. Sometimes if a resolve is deleted, it is appropriate to delete the preamble that related to that paragraph for the final resolution to make any sense. Any amendment must be germane to the subject of the resolution; if it is not, it should be in an entirely separate resolution.

The Resolutions Committee of the State Democratic Party Convention has four tasks:

- To review resolutions proposed to the Convention;

- To propose resolutions on the initiative of the Committee members;

- To revise and draft resolutions, and

- To recommend the adoption of resolutions in its report to the Convention.

ODP Bylaws, Section 9(C). As a result, it is possible that a resolution adopted by a precinct, county or congressional district convention may be changed by the Resolutions Committee, often in an attempt to reach a consensus or middle ground that is more likely to reflect the views of most of the members of the body. But the convention has the final authority to change the language again; it is not bound by the recommendation of the Resolutions Committee.

ODP Constitution and Bylaws

2007-02-15T07:06:00.000-08:00

Posted below is the entired ODP Constitution and Bylaws. Please review carefully as it relates to precinct, county, district, and state conventions.

Oklahoma Democratic Party

Constitution and Bylaws

Adopted March 18, 1989; Amended May 15, 1993; May 18, 1997; May 15, 1999, May 17, 2003

Index of Constitution and Bylaws

CONSTITUTION

Preamble

Article I – Authority

1) Name

2) Controlling Law

3) Parliamentary Law

Article II – Organization

1) Members

2) Precinct Committees

3) County Conventions

4) Congressional District Conventions

5) State Convention

Article III – Public Officials

1) Members of Congress

2) State Elected Officials

3) State Legislators

4) County Officials

5) Personal Representatives

6) Party Office

Article IV – Party Officials

1) Precinct Committee Officials

2) County Convention Officials

3) Congressional District Convention Officers

4) State Convention Officers

5) National Committee members

Article V – Affirmative Action

1) Commitment

2) Minority Groups

3) Native Americans

4) State Officials

5) Affirmative Action Committee

Article VI – Central Committees

1) County Central Committees

2) Congressional District Central Committees

3) State Central Committee

Article VII – Committee Powers and Duties

1) Precinct Committees

2) County Conventions

3) County Central Committees

4) Congressional District Conventions

5) Congressional District Central Committees

6) State Convention

7) State Central Committee

Article VIII – Appeals

1) Precinct Committee

2) Other Appeals

3) Appellate Procedure

4) State Central Committee

5) Conciliation

6) Reprimand

7) Supreme Authority

Article IX – Policy Rules

1) Six Basic Elements

2) Unit Rule

3) Equal Division

Article X – State Presidential Electors

1) Selection

2) Distribution

3) Announcement

4) State Officers

Article XI – Auxiliary Organizations

1) Review

2) Establishment

3) Membership

4) State Federation

5) Affiliation

6) Club Bylaws

7) Recording of Recognition

8) Officers

9) Denial of Recognition

10) Financial Reports

Article XII – Amendments

1) Constitution

2) Bylaws

3) Notice

4) Floor Amendments

5) Effective Date

6) Record

BYLAWS

Article I – Calls and Elections of Officials

1) The Organizational Meeting

2) Precinct Call

3) County Convention Call

4) County Central Committee Call

5) Congressional District Convention Call

6) Congressional District Central Committee Call

7) State Convention Call

8) State Central Committee Call

9) Meeting Committees

10) Elections

Article II – Certification of Elections

1) Notification of Election Results

2) Certification of Election

3) Office Indivisible

Article III – Vacancy in Office

1) Creation

2) Succession

3) Precinct Vacancies

4) County Vacancies

5) Congressional District Vacancies

6) State Vacancies

7) Term

Article IV – Recall

1) Grounds

2) Central Committee

3) Petition

4) Presiding Officer

5) Quorum

6) Vote

7) Election

8) Relinquishment of Chair

9) Precinct Committee Recall

Article V – Voting

1) Eligible Member

2) Challenge

3) Late Arrival

4) Single Vote

5) Quorum

6) Central Committee Majority

7) Procedure

8) Roll Call Vote

9) Secret Ballot

10) Proxy Rules

11) Presiding Officer’s Vote

Article VI – Duties of Officials

1) General Duties

2) Precinct Officers and Officials

3) County Officers and Officials

4) Congressional District Officers

5) State Officers

Article VII – Committees

1) Standing Committees

2) Affirmative Action Committee

3) Finance Committee

4) Ad Hoc Committees

Article VIII – Auxiliary Organizations

1) Oklahoma Federation of Democratic Women’s Club

2) Oklahoma Federation of Young Democrat’s Club

Article IX – Policies

1) Nomination

2) Presidential Delegate Selection

3) Closed Primary

4) Democratic Candidate Qualifications

5) Candidate Fees

Constitution of the Oklahoma Democratic Party

Adopted March 18, 1989, Amended May 15, 1993

PREAMBLE

We, the Democrats of the State of Oklahoma, united under the banner of the oldest political party in the world, hereby rededicate ourselves to the principles which have historically sustained our Party. While recognizing the limits of government, we regard democratic government as a force for good and a source of hope. We seek individual freedom in the framework of a just society. We pledge ourselves to uphold the United States Constitution and to work openly and honestly in our efforts to conduct public affairs in a manner worthy of a society of free and responsible citizens.

Article I: Authority

Section 1: Name – The name of this organization shall be the Oklahoma Democratic Party. It shall be an unincorporated association open to all citizens of the State of Oklahoma who support its principles.

Section 2: Controlling Law – This Constitution shall be the supreme governing document of this organization. It shall be controlling unless in conflict with laws of the State of Oklahoma, or the Charter, Bylaws, rules and procedures of the National Democratic Party. However, nothing herein shall be construed as a waiver, modification, dilution or delegation of any right that this organization has under the Constitution of the United States, including, but not limited to, the right to determine its membership and officers, establish its internal rules and procedures, and establish methods of nominating candidates for public office.

Section 3: Parliamentary Law – On any question of procedure not otherwise covered by the Constitution or Bylaws, all bodies of the Democratic Party shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

Article II: Organization

Section 1: Delegates – Only voters who are registered as Democrats shall be delegates of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

Section 2: Precinct Committees – There shall be a Precinct Committee for each precinct in the State of Oklahoma. Every delegate of the Oklahoma Democratic Party shall be a delegate of the Precinct Committee in the precinct in which he or she is registered to vote.

Section 3: County Conventions –

A) There shall be a County Convention for each county in the State of Oklahoma.

B) The County Convention shall be composed of:

1) The chair, vice-chair and secretary of each Precinct Committee in the county,

2) Any State delegates to which that county may be entitled,

3) The chair, vice-chair and secretary of the County Convention,

4) Members of the State affirmative action committee who are registered to vote in the county,

5) The Democratic elected officials (or their personal representatives) who are designated to be delegates in Article III and are registered to vote in the county,

6) Members of the Democratic National Committee who are registered to vote in the county,

7) The Chair, Vice-chair and Secretary of the Congressional District Convention in the county where they are registered to vote,

8) The Secretary and Treasurer of the State Convention in the county where they are registered to vote.

Section 4: Congressional District Conventions – There shall be a Congressional District Convention for each congressional district in the State of Oklahoma which shall be organized as follows:

A) The chair, vice-chair and secretary of each County Convention shall be delegates to the Congressional District Convention of the congressional district in which the county is located.

B) The chair, vice-chair and secretary of County Conventions of counties that are in more than one congressional district shall be delegates to the Congressional District Convention of the congressional district which has the largest number of registered Democratic voters in that county.

C) The State delegates of each county shall be delegates to the Congressional District Convention of the congressional district in which they are registered to vote.

D) The chair, vice-chair and secretary of the Congressional District Convention shall be delegates to the Congressional District Convention from which they are elected.

E) The members of the State affirmative action committee shall be delegates to the Congressional District Convention in the district in which they are registered to vote.

F) Those Democratic elected officials (or their personal representatives) who are designated to be delegates in Article III shall be delegates to the Congressional District Convention in the district where they are registered to vote.

G) The members of the Democratic National Committee shall be delegates to the Congressional District Convention in the district where they are registered to vote.

H) The Secretary and Treasurer of the State Convention shall be delegates to the Congressional District Convention in the district where they are registered to vote.

Section 5: State Convention – There shall be a State Convention which shall be composed of the following delegates:

A) The chair, vice-chair and secretary of each County Convention,

B) The State delegates allocated to each County Convention,

C) The chair, vice-chair and secretary of each Congressional District Convention,

D) The chair, vice-chair, secretary and treasurer of the State Convention,

E) The members of the Democratic National Committee from Oklahoma,

F) The president of each recognized federation of State Democratic clubs, who shall be voting ex officio delegates,

G) One delegate elected by convention from each recognized federation of State Democratic clubs,

H) The members of the State affirmative action committee, and

I) Those Democratic elected officials (or their personal representatives) who are designated to be delegates in Article III.

Article III: Public Officials

Section 1: Members of Congress – Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate from Oklahoma shall be voting, ex officio delegates to the County Convention of the county in which they are registered to vote, the Congressional District Convention of the congressional district in which they are registered to vote and the State Convention.

Section 2: State Elected Officials – Democratic officials elected in a statewide race other than U.S. Senator shall be voting, ex officio delegates to the County Convention of the county in which they are registered to vote, the Congressional District Convention of the congressional district in which they are registered to vote and the State Convention.

Section 3: Other State Officials – Democratic members of the Oklahoma State Senate and Oklahoma House of Representatives and Democratic District Attorneys shall be voting, ex officio delegates to the County Convention of the county in which they are registered to vote, the Congressional District Convention of the congressional district in which they are registered to vote and the State Convention.

Section 4: County Officials – Democratic county elected officials shall be voting, ex officio delegates to the County Convention of the county they represent.

Section 5: Personal Representatives –

A) A member of Congress, State elected official or State legislator may designate one Democrat to act as that official’s personal representative to participate and vote in his or her absence at any meeting of those conventions or committees of which he or she is a delegate.

B) To designate a personal representative, a public official must give written notice to the State Secretary, who shall notify the appropriate committees. Said designation or change of designation may be made at any time, but to be effective must be made at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of a meeting.

C) No delegate of any convention or respective committee shall serve as a personal representative of any public official.

Section 6: Party Office – An elected Democratic official may hold a Party office, but shall have only one vote, and shall not have a personal representative.

Article IV: Party Officials

Section 1: Precinct Committee Officials –

A) Each Precinct Committee shall elect a precinct chair, vice-chair (who shall be of the opposite gender of the chair) and secretary to serve as its officers.

B) Each Precinct Committee may elect two precinct committeewomen and two precinct committeemen, who shall not be delegates of the County Convention under Article II above.

Section 2: County Convention Officials –

A) Each County Convention shall elect a county chair, vice-chair (who shall be of the opposite gender of the chair) and secretary to serve as its officers.

B) Each County Convention, or political subdivision thereof, shall elect the State delegates to which the county may be entitled.

1) One-half (1/2) of whom shall be male and one-half (1/2) shall be female, or as close thereto as mathematically possible. The county officers shall be considered in determining equal division of genders.

2) State delegates shall be allocated to each county as the total of that county’s vote for the [V] the Democratic nominees for the U.S. Senate and Governor in the most recent general election, [W] all the candidates in the most recent Democratic primary election for those two offices, and [Y] the Democratic nominees for President in the two most recent Presidential election bears to [Z] the total of the statewide vote for all those candidates; the quotient of such fraction shall be multiplied by 528, with resulting fractions of .5 or greater rounded upward, i.e. (V+W+Y) / Z x 528 = number of State delegates.

3) Where portions of a county lie in different congressional districts, that county’s State delegates shall be allotted to each portion as that portion’s Democratic vote for the above candidates bears to the total such vote in the county as a whole.

4) If a portion of a county should earn less than one-half (1/2) of a State delegate, it shall nonetheless be granted a State delegate in addition to those allocated to the county.

5) These State delegates shall be used to encourage full participation of groups frequently underrepresented in Party organization pursuant to the standards of nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The constituency percentages within a county of these groups shall be established as goals for representation of those groups among that county’s officers and State delegates.

6) Upon a proper motion, second and approval by a majority of the credentialed delegates, including proxies, any county may vote to delegate the election of the county’s state delegates to two or more ad hoc groups within the county convention, each group electing its proportionate share based on the number of votes held by that groups members compared to the total number of votes held by all such groups.

Section 3: Congressional District Convention Officers – Each Congressional District Convention shall elect a district chair, vice-chair (who shall be of the opposite gender of the chair) and secretary to serve as its officers.

Section 4: State Convention Officers – The State Convention shall elect a State Chair, vice-chair (who shall be of the opposite gender of the chair), secretary and treasurer (who shall be of the opposite gender of the secretary) to serve as its officers.

Section 5: National Committee Members – Positions on the Democratic National Committee allocated to the Oklahoma Democratic Party shall be filled by election every four years by a majority vote of delegates to a State Convention called pursuant to a National Call for the election of delegates to a National Presidential Nominating Convention of the Democratic Party.

Article V: Affirmative Action

Section 1: Commitment – The Oklahoma Democratic Party shall take action to encourage full participation and representation by minority groups in Party organizations and activities.

Section 2: Minority Groups – Minority groups shall mean those groups in the Democratic population that are frequently underrepresented in the Party organization. Specific attention shall be given to the participation of Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian/Pacific Americans, and physically handicapped Americans.

Section 3: Native Americans – Native Americans shall mean those citizens who are able to provide proof of their Native American ancestry.

Section 4: State Officials – At its organizational meeting, the State Convention shall elect to the State Central Committee two men and two women who must be members of minority groups underrepresented in the Party.

Section 5: Affirmative Action Committee

A) There shall be an affirmative action committee of the Oklahoma Democratic Party which shall consist of:

1) One man and one woman to be elected by each Congressional District Convention at its organizational meeting,

2) The four members elected by the State Convention, and

3) Five members, two men, two women, and one member, either a man or woman, to be appointed by the State Chair.

B) All members of the committee must be members of minority groups frequently underrepresented in the Party organization.

C) All members of the affirmative action committee shall be delegates to the State Convention and of their respective Congressional District and County Conventions.

Article VI: Central Committees

Section 1: County Central Committees – There shall be a County Central Committee for each county, which shall consist of the chair, vice-chair and secretary of the County Convention.

Section 2: Congressional District Central Committees – There shall be a Congressional District Central Committee for each congressional district, which shall consist of the chair, vice-chair and secretary of the Congressional District Convention.

Section 3: State Central Committee – There shall be a State Central Committee, which shall consist of:

A) The chair, vice-chair, secretary and treasurer of the State Convention,

B) The chair, vice-chair and secretary of each Congressional District Convention,

C) The members of the Democratic National Committee from Oklahoma,

D) The president of each recognized federation of Democratic clubs, who shall be a voting ex officio member,

E) Four affirmative action committee members,

F) A representative selected from among them by Oklahoma’s congressional delegation, a representative selected from among them by Democratic officials elected statewide, a State Senator selected by the Democratic Caucus of the State Senate and a State Representative selected by the Democratic Caucus of the State House of Representatives.

Article VII: Committee Powers and Duties

Section 1: Precinct Committees – The Precinct Committee shall:

A) Be the governing body of the Democratic Party within the precinct,

B) Conduct and direct all Democratic Party activities within the precinct,

C) Provide leadership and direction for the Democrats within the precinct,

D) Operate under the direction of the County Convention and Central Committee,

E) Propose resolutions to the County Convention and Central Committee,

F) Raise funds for the county party, but may not retain or disburse any funds.

Section 2: County Conventions – The County Convention shall:

A) Be the governing body of the Democratic Party within the county.

B) Provide leadership and direction for the Democrats, Precinct Committees and Democratic clubs within the county.

C) Conduct and direct all Democratic Party activities within the county.

D) Operate at the direction of the Congressional District and State Conventions and Central Committees.

E) Have the authority to adopt by majority vote bylaws to organize and govern the county party. Such bylaws shall:

1) Be approved by the State Central Committee before becoming effective,

2) Be consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Oklahoma Democratic Party,

3) Not include any rule that delegates or reduces the authority of the County Central Committee; provided, however, that the County Central Committee may delegate authority to any subunit of the county party at its discretion, and may rescind such delegation at any time.

F) Provide that State delegates allocated to the county shall be used to encourage full participation by those groups frequently underrepresented in the Democratic Party organization and that affirmative action goals may be used, when appropriate.

G) Having the authority to adopt a plan delegating the selection of State delegates to subunits of the county party.

H) Adopt such rules or procedures as it deems appropriate, provided that such rules are consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

I) Have the authority to establish by resolution policies to govern the activities of the Precinct Committees and the County Central Committee when the County Convention is not in session.

J) Have the authority to issue letters of reprimand for violation of Party rules.

Section 3: County Central Committees – The County Central Committee shall have the authority to:

A) Act for and on behalf of the County Convention when it is not in session, except for those matters exclusively vested in the County Convention in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

B) Call meetings of the County Convention.

C) Nominate Democrats to positions on those county and precinct election boards to which the County Democratic Party may be entitled by State law.

D) Propose bylaws, rules of procedure and resolutions to the County Convention.

E) Establish standing committees, advisory committees, ad hoc committees and committees of political subunits within the county.

F) Implement resolutions adopted by the County Convention; and it shall not have the power to abrogate any such resolutions.

G) Raise and disburse funds and deposit any such funds in an account in the name of the county party.

Section 4: Congressional District Conventions – The Congressional District Convention shall be the governing body of the Democratic Party within the congressional district, operate at the directions of the State Central Committee and have the authority to:

A) Provide leadership and direction for the county parties within the congressional district.

B) Conduct and direct all Democratic Party activities within the congressional district.

C) Adopt such rules of procedure as it deems appropriate, provided such rules are consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

D) Establish by resolution policies to govern the activities of the county parties and the Congressional District Central Committee when the Congressional District Convention is not in session.

E) Issue letters of reprimand for violations of Party rules.

Section 5: Congressional District Central Committees – The Congressional District Central Committee shall have the authority to:

A) Act for and on behalf of the Congressional District Convention when it is not in session, except for those matters exclusively vested in Congressional District Conventions by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

B) Call meetings of the Congressional District Convention.

C) Propose Bylaws for county parties and rules of procedure and resolutions to the Congressional District Convention.

D) Establish standing committees, advisory committees and ad hoc committees.

E) Implement resolutions adopted by the Congressional District Convention; and it shall not have the power to abrogate such resolutions.

F) Raise and disburse funds and deposit any such funds in an account in the name of the Congressional District Party.

G) Appoint a committee or committees to conduct an audit of the financial affairs of each county party in the district. Such committee(s) shall be appointed in January of each year and shall issue a report by April of that year.

Section 6: State Convention – The State Convention shall:

A) Be the supreme governing body of the Democratic Party of Oklahoma, and all congressional district parties, county parties, Democratic clubs and federations of Democratic clubs shall be subordinate to the State Convention and shall operate under and at its direction.

B) Have the exclusive authority to amend the Constitution and Bylaws of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

C) Have the ultimate authority to establish rules of procedure as it deems appropriate, provided such rules are consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

D) Have the authority to establish by resolution policies to govern the activities of all organizations of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

E) Have the authority to overrule the State Central Committee on any appeal it has decided.

F) Raise and disburse funds and deposit any such funds in accounts in the name of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

Section 7: State Central Committee –

A) The State Central Committee must:

1) Plan and approve an annual budget, approve the disbursement of funds not covered within the budget, and approve any loan taken out in the name of the Democratic Party,

2) Conduct an annual audit of the financial affairs of the State Party; such audit should be conducted by a certified public accountant and shall be done in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. The audit report shall include a balance sheet, a statement of revenues and expenditures and a report on internal controls and compliance with applicable laws. This report shall be made available to any Democrat upon request.

B) The State Central Committee shall have the authority to:

1) Act for and on behalf of the State Convention when it is not in session, except for those matters exclusively vested in the State Convention by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Oklahoma Democratic Party,

2) Call meetings of the State Convention,

3) Provide leadership, direction and coordination for all Democratic organizations within the State,

4) Propose rules of procedure, resolutions and amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Oklahoma Democratic Party to the State Convention,

5) Adopt a plan to govern the Presidential delegate selection process pursuant to the direction of the National Democratic Party,

6) Establish ad hoc committees to advise the State Central Committee and to implement its policies,

7) Establish long term and short term goals for the Democratic Party and develop both long term and short term plans to achieve them,

8) Implement such policies as may be established by the State Convention by resolution; and it shall not have the authority to abrogate any such resolutions,

9) Conduct political research and provide it to Democratic candidates,

10) Establish a State Party office,

11) Collect and provide election results and analyses and voter registration data,

12) Assist Democratic nominees in all aspects of campaigning,

13) Prepare and distribute Democratic literature to Democratic organizations and their members and to the general public,

14) Conduct workshops for Democratic candidates, workers and Party officials,

15) Conduct media campaigns on behalf of the Democratic Party and its nominees through print, radio, television and other media,

16) Order an audit of any Democratic organization whenever the committee deems it appropriate; any costs of such audit shall be borne by the State Democratic Party,

17) Take such other action as may be specifically directed by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Oklahoma Democratic Party,

18) Take other actions not herein above authorized, as may be deemed appropriate, to further the goals and policies of the Oklahoma Democratic Party but are not otherwise in conflict with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Oklahoma Democratic Party,

19) Appoint a committee or committees to conduct an audit of the financial affairs of each Congressional District Party. The committee(s) shall be established by March of each year and shall issue a report by May of that year.

Article VIII: Appeals

Section 1: Precinct Committee – In the event of a disagreement over the interpretation or application of any Party rule or procedure that may arise at a Precinct Committee meeting and is not satisfactorily resolved at that meeting, a Democrat may appeal the decision of the Precinct Committee at the next regular meeting of the County Convention. Should the decision of the County Convention not be deemed satisfactory, the aggrieved individual may appeal the decision to the State Central Committee.

Section 2: Other Appeals – In the event of a disagreement over the interpretation or application of any Party rule or procedure that may arise at any County Convention meeting, County Central Committee meeting, Congressional District Convention meeting, Congressional District Central Committee meeting, Democratic club meeting or State federation of Democratic clubs meeting and is not satisfactorily resolved at the respective meeting, a Democrat may appeal the decision to the State Central Committee.

Section 3: Appellate Procedure – Upon the receipt of a written appeal to the State Central Committee, the State Chair with the advise and consent of the State Central Committee shall attempt to mediate a settlement; or appoint a special master or appellate committee to review and investigate the grounds of the appeal and make a recommendation to the State Central Committee.

Section 4: State Central Committee – Upon the receipt of the recommendation of the special master or appellate committee and upon being fully informed of the grounds and circumstances of the appeal, the State Central Committee shall vote to uphold, overturn or modify the decision of the lower body.

Section 5: Conciliation – Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the special master or appellate committee from attempting to resolve any dispute between the parties involved. Should the parties resolve their differences, they may enter into an agreement as to the action they will take or refrain from taking and, with the approval of the special master or appellate committee, make that recommendation to the State Central Committee.

Section 6: Reprimand – The State Central Committee may issue letters of reprimand to officers for violation of Party rules. Said letters shall be mailed to the delegates of the committee from which the officer was elected.

Section 7: Supreme Authority – The decision of the State Central Committee may be appealed at the next regular meeting of the State Convention.

Article IX: Policy Rules

Section 1: Six Basic Elements –

A) All public meetings at all levels of the Oklahoma Democratic Party shall be open to all members of the Oklahoma Democratic Party regardless of race, gender, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, economic status or philosophical persuasion.

B) No test of membership in, or any oaths of loyalty to, the Oklahoma Democratic Party shall be required or used which has the effect of requiring prospective or current members of the Oklahoma Democratic Party to acquiesce in, condone or support discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, economic status or philosophical persuasion.

C) The time and place for all public meetings of the Oklahoma Democratic Party on all levels shall be publicized fully and in such a manner as to assure timely notice to all interested persons. Such meetings must be held in places accessible to all Party members and large enough to accommodate all interested persons.

D) The Oklahoma Democratic Party on all levels shall support the broadest possible registration without discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, economic status or philosophical persuasion.

E) The Oklahoma Democratic Party shall publicize fully and in such a manner as to assure notice to all interested persons a full description of the procedures for selection of the officials and representatives of the Oklahoma Democratic Party on all levels. Publication of these procedures should be done in such a fashion that all prospective and current members of the Oklahoma Democratic Party will be fully and adequately informed of the pertinent procedures in time to participate in the selection process at every level of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

F) The Oklahoma Democratic Party shall publicize fully and in such a manner as to assure notice to all interested persons a complete description of the qualifications for all positions as officials and representatives of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. Such publication shall be done in a timely fashion so that all prospective candidates or applicants for any elected or appointed position within the Oklahoma Democratic Party will have full and adequate opportunity to compete for office.

Section 2: Unit Rule – No convention or committee of the Oklahoma Democratic Party shall require any member to cast a vote or be recorded as voting contrary to that person’s preference.

Section 3: Equal Division – In the selection, election or appointment of members to conventions or committees there shall be equal representation of men and women in so far as mathematically possible.

Article X: State Presidential Electors

Section 1: Selections – The State Central Committee shall select the Democratic nominees for Presidential electors.

Section 2: Distribution – There shall be one nominee selected from each congressional district and two selected from the State at large.

Section 3: Announcement – The names of the nominees shall be announced at the State Democratic Convention called to select delegates to the Democratic National Nominating Convention.

Section 4: State Officers – The State officers shall be empowered to take such further acts as may be necessary to have the names of the nominees placed on the ballot.

Article XI: Auxiliary Organizations

Section 1: Review – No organization functioning within the State of Oklahoma shall purport to represent the Oklahoma Democratic Party or use the words “Democrats” or “Democratic” in its name unless it shall have obtained a letter of recognition from the County Central Committee of the county in which it intends to function. Clubs shall apply for letters of recognition annually. No central committee of any unit of the Democratic Party shall refuse to issue such letter to any organization except for good cause, which shall be stated in writing.

Section 2: Establishment – Any group of registered Democrats may establish a Democratic club to promote the Oklahoma Democratic Party, its principles and its nominees.

Section 3: Membership – No Democratic club or federation shall restrict its membership or officers because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, economic status or philosophical persuasion.

Section 4: State Federations – Any State federation of Democratic clubs shall be established in the Bylaws of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. Every State federation of Democratic clubs shall annually apply for a letter of recognition from the State Central Committee and shall submit its Bylaws and amendments of its Bylaws to the State Central Committee for approval.

Section 5: Affiliation – Any Democratic club may affiliate with the appropriate recognized federation of State Democratic clubs, but it shall not be required to do so.

Section 6: Club Bylaws – Whether a Democratic club is affiliated with a State federation of Democratic clubs or not, it shall adopt a set of bylaws which shall be the club’s governing document and shall submit them to the State Central Committee for approval. No County Central Committee shall issue a letter of recognition to any club whose bylaws have been rejected by the State Central Committee.

Section 7: Recording of Recognition – Each County Central Committee which recognizes a Democratic club shall forward a copy of the letter of recognition to the State Secretary.

Section 8: Officers – Every Democratic club shall annually submit a list of its officers and members with addresses and telephone numbers to the appropriate county secretary and the State Secretary.

Section 9: Denial of Recognition – No State federation of Democratic clubs shall admit as an affiliate any Democratic club that is not currently recognized.

Section 10: Financial Reports – Every Democratic club shall submit a financial statement to the vice-chair of the county in which it functions by February 1 of each year, as a part of its annual application for recognition. A copy of the financial statement shall also be sent to any federation of Democratic clubs of which it is a member. Every State federation of Democratic clubs shall submit a financial statement to the State Treasurer by February 1 of each year as a part of its annual application for recognition.

Article XII: Amendments

Section 1: Constitution – Amendments to the Constitution shall require the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting at a regularly called meeting of the State Convention.

Section 2: Bylaws – Amendments to the Bylaws shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and voting at a regularly called meeting of the State Convention.

Section 3: Notice – The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended at any regularly called meeting of the State Convention provided that printed copies of any proposed amendment shall have been mailed to every member of the State Convention by the State Secretary at least twenty (20) days prior to the day of the meeting.

Section 4: Amendments – A proposed amendment of the Constitution or the Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members of the State Convention present and voting. Amendments made from the floor must be reasonably related and germane to the subject matter of the section sought to be amended.

Section 5: Effective Date – All amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws shall become effective immediately unless otherwise stated after the amendment.

Section 6: Record – The State Secretary shall make and preserve a verbatim transcript of the motions and debate on any proposed amendment to the Constitution and Bylaws.

By-Laws of the Oklahoma Democratic Party

Adopted March 18, 1989, Amended May 15, 1993; May 18, 1997, May 15, 1999, May 17, 2003

Article I: Calls and Elections of Officials

Section 1: The Organizational Meetings – The Precinct Committees and County, Congressional District, and State Conventions shall meet in odd-numbered years and elect officers and such other officials as may be required to serve until the next organizational meeting.

A) The Precinct Committees shall meet on the second Thursday in March at 7 p.m.; however, the County Central Committee of a county, allocated three (3) or less State delegates as set out in Subsection 2.C of Article IV of the Constitution, may vote to call precinct meetings on the same date specified in Subsection B of this Section 1 for the County Convention at a time prior to the County Convention, and shall mail a call for both the precinct and county meetings on the date required for precinct calls in Section 2 of this Article I of the By-Laws.

B) The County Conventions shall meet at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. on the fourth Saturday following the precinct committee meetings.

C) The Congressional District Conventions shall meet at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. on the fourth Saturday following the County Convention meetings.

D) The State Convention shall meet on the second weekend following the Congressional District Convention meetings unless the State Central Committee, by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote, moves the meeting to the third or fourth Saturday following the Congressional District Convention meeting.

E) It shall be the determination and decision of the State Central Committee that should any holiday be in conflict with any of these dates, they may elect to change the date and time by a majority vote.

Section 2: Precinct Call –

A) The organizational meeting of a Precinct Committee shall be called by the County Central Committee’s mailing to the precinct officers the official call of the meeting, which shall include the date, time and location of the precinct meeting. Said call shall be mailed at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting date. The County Central Committee shall further publicize notice of the meeting, and precinct officers shall notify Democrats and publicize notice of the meeting within the precinct. The County Central Committee should mail the call to precinct committee delegates and to other Democrats interested in Party affairs and should also publish a list of the precinct meetings in a local newspaper.

B) A meeting of the Precinct Committee other than the organizational meeting:

1) May be called by the precinct chair,

2) May be called by the County Central Committee on its own initiative,

3) Shall be called by the County Central Committee upon receipt of a petition signed by fifteen (15) registered Democrats from the precinct.

C) Notice of a meeting of the Precinct Committee called pursuant to subsection B shall be given by publicizing the meeting and contacting the registered Democrats of the precinct as may be feasible.

Section 3: County Convention Call – A meeting of the County Convention shall be called by the County Central Committee’s mailing to all the precinct officers and other delegates of the County Convention the official call, which shall include the date, time and location of the County Convention meeting. It shall also state the names of the chairs and all members of the meeting committees and the time, date and location of their meeting. The call shall be mailed at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting date. The Central Committee shall further publicize the meeting to inform the public.

Section 4: County Central Committee Call – A meeting of the County Central Committee may be called by the County Chair.

Section 5: Congressional District Convention Call – A meeting of the Congressional District Convention shall be called by the Congressional District Central Committee’s mailing to all county officers, State committee delegates and all other delegates to the committee the official call, which shall include the date, time and location of the meeting. It shall also state the names of the chairs and all members of the meeting committees and the time, date and location of their meeting. Said call shall be mailed at least fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting date.

Section 6: Congressional District Central Committee Call – A meeting of the Congressional Central Committee may be called by the congressional district chair.

Section 7: State Convention Call – A meeting of the State Convention shall be called by the State Central Committee’s mailing to all delegates to the Convention, the official call which shall include the date, time and location of the meeting, which shall be in Oklahoma City. It shall also state the names of the chairs and all members of the meeting committees and the time, date and location of their meeting. Said call shall be mailed at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting date.

Section 8: State Central Committee Call –

A) A meeting of the State Central Committee shall be called by the State Chair’s mailing to all members of the Central Committee a letter calling the meeting, which shall state the date, time and location of the meeting. Said letter shall be mailed at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting date.

B) A meeting of the State Central Committee may also be called by the State Central Committee’s setting the date, time and location of the meeting at a regularly called meeting of the State Central Committee, in which case the State Secretary shall mail a letter to the members of the committee stating said information at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting date, unless the date of the meeting shall be less than ten (10) days from the date of the meeting at which it is set, in which case the State Secretary shall mail the letter at the earliest possible date.

C) A meeting of the State Central Committee may also be called by ten (10) members of the Committee’s signing a petition which calls the meeting and states the date, time and location. Notice of the meeting shall be mailed to all the members of the committee at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of the meeting by the State Secretary, but if the State Secretary refuses; any of the petitioners may mail the notices of the meeting.

D) The notice of a meeting of the State Central Committee shall include an agenda which shall set forth those items which are to be considered or which may require a vote of the Committee and, if the meeting is called pursuant to subsections A or B, shall include a copy of the minutes of the previous meeting.

E) The State Central Committee may consider an item not on the agenda upon a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of those present and voting.

F) Minutes of State Central Committee meetings shall include all votes of the committee and a brief exposition of the discussion reflecting the opinions expressed.

G) The meeting of the State Central Committee shall be open to the public except that the Committee may go into executive session and exclude anyone not a member of the Committee for personnel matters or for other matters upon a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote.

H) All votes of the State Central Committee shall be taken in open session.

Section 9: Meeting Committees – The County, Congressional District and State Central Committees shall appoint the following committees of their respective Conventions at the earliest possible date, but not later than the date on which the respective call is issued:

A) A rules committee to promulgate such rules as may be necessary or expedient to the orderly conduct of the meeting. Such rules shall be consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Oklahoma Democratic Party and with any appropriate Convention Bylaws. Rules for any Convention meeting shall be printed and made available to the delegates at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the Convention date with copies available at the meeting site at least one (1) hour prior to convening the meeting.

B) A credentials committee, the staff of which shall not be officers or delegates of the party, to:

1) Prepare a list of delegates certified by the State Secretary as delegates to the Convention,

2) Hear challenges to any delegate’s right to be seated at the Convention meeting,

3) Make prior arrangements for an orderly process in distributing credentials, including arranging credentials tables at district and state conventions to group counties in alphabetical order without regard to congressional district,

4) Prepare a credential’s “badge” to present to each certified Convention delegate,

5) Report to the Convention on the number of delegates issued credentials and or the resolution of any dispute,

6) Review and record valid proxy statements,

7) Remain open until the adjournment of the Convention meeting; and

8) Make revised reports to the Convention as may be required.

C) A resolutions committee to:

1) Review resolutions proposed to the Convention,

2) Propose resolutions on the initiative of its own members,

3) Revise and draft resolutions and

4) Recommend the adoption of resolutions in its report to the Convention.

5) All resolutions recommended by the committee shall be printed and made available to delegates at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the Convention date with copies available at the meeting site at least one (1) hour prior to convening the meeting.

D) An arrangements committee (which shall be optional) to handle all the details of securing the meeting site, obtaining any necessary supplies and holding a fund-raising event, if appropriate.

Section 10: Elections –

A) Any registered Democrat may be nominated for election to any Party office if a delegate of the electing body moves the nomination and another delegate of the body seconds the nomination, except for election of precinct officers where a nomination shall require one member of the precinct committee moving the nomination.

B) To be nominated for any Party office a person who is registered to vote in the respective political unit and is otherwise qualified shall be eligible for nomination even though he or she is not a member of the electing body and regardless of whether he or she is present at the meeting when the election is held.

C) Any Democrat nominated for election to a Party office shall be entitled to address the electing body in regard to his or her election.

D) An individual who is elected to a Party office shall immediately assume the title and authority of the office, except when that person is absent from the meeting at which the election occurs. In the latter case the person shall assume office upon accepting the position.

E) Order of Election - The order of the elections shall be first the Chair, second the Vice-Chair and third the Secretary. At a County’s organizational convention this will be followed by the election of State Delegates. At a District’s organizational convention this will be followed by the election of the District Affirmative Action Committee. At a State organizational convention this will be followed by the election of the State Treasurer and the Affirmative Action Committee’s state members.

F) Separate Elections - Each office shall be filled by separate elections.

G) Nominations - Nominations shall remain open until there are no further nominations.

H) Speeches - Following the close of nominations each candidate in a contested election shall be allowed one nominating speech of not more than two minutes, one seconding speech of not more than one minute and a speech by the candidate of not more than two minutes. Speaking order shall be in the order in which the nominations were made. Nominating speeches for all candidates shall be given first, then seconding speeches for all candidates, and finally, all candidate speeches, after which the election shall be held.

I) Elections - At District and State conventions all elections of convention officials shall be by a roll call of the counties unless there is only one person nominated, in which case the chair shall declare that person elected and there shall be no nominating or seconding speeches, or vote taken.

J) Majority Required - All elections of party officials shall require a majority vote. If no candidate receives a majority vote on the first vote, there shall be a runoff election between the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes on the first vote. Voting shall proceed until one candidate receives a majority vote.

Article II: Certification of Election

Section 1: Notification of Election Results –

A) The newly elected secretary of each Precinct Committee shall notify the county secretary of the results of the elections held at the organizational meeting within five (5) business days of the elections. The county secretaries shall notify the State Secretary of the results of the Precinct Committee elections within their counties within ten (10) business days of said elections.

B) The newly elected secretary of each County Convention shall notify the appropriate district and State secretaries of the results of the County Convention elections within five (5) business days of said elections.

C) The newly elected secretary of each Congressional District Convention shall notify the State Secretary of the result of the Congressional District Convention elections within five (5) business days of said elections.

D) Each of the above stated notifications shall be in writing and shall include the office and the name, address and telephone number of each person elected, and shall be signed by the appropriate secretary. Said notices shall be legible. For any convention or committee where no election was held, the notification shall clearly so state.

E) Notice of appointment, succession or special election of a Party official shall be sent to the above stated appropriate secretary(s) as indicated above within three (3) days of said appointment, succession, or special election.

F) Receipt by mail of the notifications in this section shall be deemed timely if the postmark on the mailing is within the stated time period.

G) Party secretaries receiving notices of election results shall make those results available for viewing and/or copying in a reasonable and timely manner.

Section 2: Certification of Election –

A) The State Secretary shall certify the receipt and notification of every election, appointment or succession of any official of the Oklahoma Democratic Party by mailing to the appropriate committee(s) a list of all individuals of whose election, appointment or succession it has been notified.

B) Elections of Precinct Committee officials shall be certified to the respective County Central Committee. Elections of County Convention officials shall be certified to the respective Congressional District Central Committee.

C) No individual shall receive credentials at a County, Congressional District or State Convention unless that individual has been certified by the State Secretary as a delegate to that Convention except that delegates of the Oklahoma Democratic Party who are residents of a county that issues a call for its precinct meetings to be held on the same date as the county convention as provided in Article I, Section 2.A of these By-Laws shall not be required to be certified by the State Secretary as otherwise provided in this subsection.

D) Certification by the State Secretary shall not be discretionary and shall be made at the earliest possible date.

E) The State Secretary shall maintain a current list of all Precinct Committee and County, Congressional District and State Convention officials of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. This information shall be available to any registered Democrat.

Section 3: Office Indivisible – Only one individual shall be elected or appointed to an office established by the Constitution, and neither the duties nor privileges of the office shall be divided.

Article III: Vacancy in Office

Section 1: Creation – A vacancy automatically occurs when a Party convention or committee fails to elect an official at its organizational meeting, or when a Party official:

A) Resigns from office,

B) Succeeds to another Party office,

C) Is elected or appointed to another Party office, except at the precinct level,

D) Dies,

E) Transfers his or her voter registration from the unit in which he/she was elected,

F) Changes his or her voter registration from Democrat to Independent or to another party,

G) Is recalled, or

H) Fails to attend three (3) consecutive meetings.

Section 2: Succession – The only office that may be filled by succession shall be the chair of any Party convention or committee, the vacancy of which shall automatically be filled by the vice-chair of that convention or committee, unless succession is refused by the vice-chair.

Section 3: Precinct Vacancies –

A) When a vacancy occurs in a Precinct Committee office, the precinct chair may appoint an individual to the vacant office and within three (3) days so notify the county secretary, who shall notify the State Secretary within seven (7) days of the appointment.

B) The precinct chair shall have thirty (30) days from the date the vacancy occurs to make an appointment.

C) If the precinct chair has not made an appointment within thirty (30) days from the date the vacancy occurs, it shall be filled by a committee composed of the County Central Committee and the ex officio public elected officials of the county who represent the precincts in which there are vacancies. Notice of the meeting of this committee must be mailed ten (10) days in advance to all members, and a quorum shall be any number in attendance.

D) No vacant Precinct Committee office may be filled during the period between the Precinct Committee organizational meeting and the County Convention organizational meeting.

Section 4: County Vacancies –

A) When a vacancy occurs in an office of the County Convention, the County Central Committee shall either call a meeting of the County Convention within ninety (90) days from the date the vacancy occurred and hold an election to fill it, or waive their right to do so.

B) If the vacancy is not filled within ninety (90) days from the date the vacancy occurred, or if the County Central Committee has voted to waive their right to call a meeting to hold an election, the Congressional District Central Committee of the Congressional District Convention of which that officer is a delegate shall appoint an individual to fill it.

C) The County Convention, when electing State Delegates at its organizational meeting, may elect a reserve group of male and female Replacement Delegates in the event a vacancy occurs as described above. At the time of election the records of the convention shall reflect the order in which any Replacement Delegate is elected. When such a vacancy occurs in the office of State Delegate, the County Secretary shall notify the State Secretary the name of the Replacement Delegate of the same gender who is entitled to serve as State Delegate by the order of the election. If no Replacement Delegates have been elected or if there is no record of the order of their election then the State Delegate vacancy shall be filled in the manner specified for county officers.

Section 5: Congressional District Vacancies –

A) When a vacancy occurs in a Congressional District Convention office, the Congressional District Central Committee shall either call a meeting of the Congressional District Convention within ninety (90) days from the date the vacancy occurs and hold an election to fill it, or waive the right to do so.

B) If the vacancy is not filled by the Congressional District Convention within ninety (90) days from the date the vacancy occurred, or if the Congressional District Central Committee has voted to waive its right to call a meeting to hold an election, the State Central Committee shall elect an individual to fill it.

Section 6: State Vacancies – When a vacancy occurs in an office of the State Convention or of a National Committee member, the State Central Committee shall meet at the earliest convenient date and elect an individual to fill it.

Section 7: Term – The term of an individual elected, appointed or succeeding to a vacant office shall be for the duration of the term of office so filled.

Article IV: Recall

Section 1: Grounds – Individuals elected to any Party office shall be subject to recall if they aid, endorse, or in any way help any other political party, independent candidate, or candidate nominated by any other political party in a partisan election; if they refuse or fail to perform their duties; if they are convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude; or if there exists other good cause that the convention or committee on which such official serves believes to be detrimental to the principles and purposes of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. An officer who intends to support a candidate who is not a Democrat in a partisan election shall resign his or her office before taking any such action of support.

Section 2: Central Committee – A Central Committee may call a meeting of the Convention it represents for the purpose of recalling an officer of that Convention. It shall notify the State Central Committee immediately upon issuing such a call.

Section 3: Petition –

A) Any registered Democrat of the unit represented by a Party official may circulate a petition to recall the official.

B) A petition for recall must have the signatures of thirty (30) percent of the certified delegates to the respective Convention according to the official list of delegates.

C) The signatures shall be on a page or pages with both a general explanation of the reason for the recall and the name of the officer(s) to be recalled at the top of each page. Adjacent to each signature shall be clearly printed the name of the signatory and his or her Party position, if any.

D) Once the requisite number of signatures has been obtained, the original petition shall be sent to the State Central Committee to the attention of the State Chair at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the recall meeting, along with a copy of the notice of the recall meeting showing the time and place of the meeting.

E) The petitioner shall mail the notice of the recall meeting, with a copy of the signed petition, to every member of the respective Convention according to the official list by certified mail, return receipt requested. Said mailing shall occur at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the recall meeting.

Section 4: Presiding Officer – The recall meeting shall be presided over by a Democrat appointed by the State Central Committee. Said individual shall not be a participant in the controversy and shall have no vote. If no officer appears at the recall meeting to preside, the delegates present shall elect one of themselves to act as presiding officer.

Section 5: Quorum – Should the recall meeting fail to attain a quorum of its delegates, no action shall be taken. No further recall meeting may be called based on the petition used to call that meeting.

Section 6: Vote – The vote required to recall an officer shall be a majority vote of those delegates present at the recall meeting. Proxies shall not be allowed at any recall meeting for any purpose.

Section 7: Election – If a motion to recall an officer is adopted, the meeting shall proceed to consider the recall of any other officer included in the recall petition. When there are no further officers to be considered for recall, an election shall be held to fill any vacant office not filled by succession.

Section 8: Relinquishment of Chair – Upon the failure of all motions to recall or upon election or succession of officers, whichever be the case, the State-appointed presiding officer shall then relinquish the chair.

Section 9: Precinct Committee Recall –

A) Notwithstanding the above stated rules, any registered Democrat may petition the County Central Committee to call a meeting of the Precinct Committee of the precinct in which he or she is registered for the purpose of recalling a precinct officer.

B) The petition must have the signatures of fifteen (15) registered Democrats in that precinct and shall be in the same form as set out in Section 3 above.

C) The County Central Committee shall set the date of the meeting upon receipt of the petition and appoint a Democrat to preside at the meeting. Said presiding officer shall not be involved in the controversy and shall not have a vote. The meeting shall be set no later than thirty (30) days from the date of the receipt of the petition.

D) A quorum shall be fifteen (15) registered Democrats of the precinct.

E) The recall vote shall require a majority vote of those present.

F) Petitioners shall be responsible for publicizing or otherwise notifying the registered Democrats of the precinct of the recall meeting. The County Central Committee shall be responsible for notifying the officer to be considered for recall immediately upon receipt of the recall petition.

Article V: Voting

Section 1: Eligible Delegate –

A) All registered Democrats shall be entitled to participate and vote at any precinct meeting in the precinct in which they are registered to vote.

B) Only those persons who have received a delegate or a proxy credential at a convention are entitled to vote. Individuals who have not received credentials may attend such conventions, but shall remain physically separated from those areas where credentialed delegates are seated.

C) Only those individuals who are members of the State Central Committee or their designated proxies shall be entitled to vote at meetings of the State Central Committee.

Section 2: Challenge –

A) The right of an individual to participate in a meeting may be challenged. A challenged individual shall be allowed to participate in a meeting only upon signing an affidavit stating that he or she intends to support the nominees of the Democratic Party in the next election, supports the principles of the Democratic Party and is registered as a Democrat within the respective political unit.

B) An individual whose credentials to a meeting have been challenged shall not receive credentials until the challenge has been defeated by a vote of the body to which credentials have been sought.

C) The first order of business of any meeting shall be to vote on the report of the credentials committee which shall include all challenges heard by the committee.

Section 3: Late Arrival – A delegate to a convention who arrives after a meeting has started shall be allowed to participate regardless of whether that convention’s credentials committee has reported to the body. However, a delegate arriving late shall not be allowed to vote on any issue decided prior to arrival or any vote underway at the time of arrival. Credentials shall be given to any delegate to a committee arriving before the meeting has adjourned.

Section 4: Credentialing – The credentials committee staff shall issue credentials to all eligible delegates and officers. They shall issue proxy credentials to the person who presents a proper proxy form, which the committee shall retain. Such delegate credentials and proxy credentials shall be visually distinct from each other

Section 5: Single Vote – Each member of a committee and each delegate to a convention shall have one vote and only one vote unless holding a valid proxy. At a convention delegate credentials and proxy credentials must be displayed in order to be counted.

Section 6: Quorum –

A) Except for a Precinct Committee, a quorum for any convention or committee established by the Constitution shall be forty percent (40%) of its delegates. Ex-officio members shall not be counted in determining if a quorum is present.

B) The quorum for a Precinct Committee meeting shall be any number of Democrats registered in the precinct and present at the time and location which was stated in the notice calling the meeting.

C) Quorum for a meeting to recall a Party officer shall be that set forth in Article IV of the Bylaws.

Section 7: Central Committee Majority – Adoption of a motion before a County or Congressional District Central Committee shall require the vote of the chair and one other member.

Section 8: Procedure – Voting shall be by voice vote except as otherwise provided. However, if a credentialed delegate moves for a “division of the assembly” and the motion is seconded, the chair shall proceed to a counted vote of those delegates displaying their credentials, either by a show of hands or by having the delegates stand.

Section 9: Roll Call Vote –

A) Except when mandatory for elections a motion for a roll call vote shall require a second and shall be adopted upon a majority vote of those credentialed delegates present and voting.

B) District and State Conventions. Upon the adoption of such a motion, the Secretary of the Convention shall call for the vote of the delegates of each county by stating the number of duly credentialed delegates from that county according to the latest adopted credentials committee report, to which the County Chair shall reply with the number of votes cast by the delegates from that county for each side of the issue, or for each candidate in the case of elections. After the Secretary of the Convention has called all the counties he/she shall tally the results and report them to the presiding officer who shall announce the results and declare the outcome of the vote.

C) County Conventions. Upon the adoption of such a motion, the Secretary of the Convention shall call for the vote of the duly credentialed delegates from that county by name according to the latest adopted credentials committee report. After the Secretary of the Convention has called the names of all the credentialed delegates he/she shall tally the results and report them to the presiding officer who shall announce the results and declare the outcome of the vote.

Section 10: Secret Ballot – The use of secret ballot is prohibited at all meetings of the Democratic Party at all levels for election of officers and any other purpose.

Section 11: Proxy Rules –

A) There shall be two types of proxies:

1) Written Proxies

a) A delegate to a convention or committee who is unable to attend a meeting may give a written proxy to a registered Democrat of the same gender from the same political unit as that from which the delegate was elected.

b) A written proxy must clearly state the name of the person giving the proxy, the office the giver holds, the name of the person to whom the proxy is given, and the date of the meeting for which the proxy is given. It must be signed and the signature must be notarized by a Notary Public or another officer authorized to administer oaths under the laws of Oklahoma.

c) A delegate of a convention or committee who gives a written proxy without attending the respective meeting shall not be counted present to satisfy the attendance requirements of Article III.

2) Recorded Proxies –

a) A delegate to a Convention who attends a meeting and leaves before adjournment may give a recorded proxy by signing before the credentials committee a proxy statement naming the person who shall hold the proxy.

b) A member to a Central Committee who attends a meeting and leaves before adjournment may give a proxy by announcing to the Central Committee the name of the individual to whom the proxy is to be given.

B) No person shall have the right to cast a vote on behalf of any delegate to a convention or a member of a committee who is not present unless that person holds a valid proxy credential issued by the credentials committee at a convention or a written proxy at a committee meeting.

C) After having been issued credentials to a convention established by the Constitution, a delegate shall have the right to give a non-transferable proxy to a registered Democrat of the same gender. The delegate giving the proxy and the person to receive the proxy must be the same gender and appear before the credentials committee or staff for the proxy to be recorded and a proxy credential issued to the person receiving the proxy.

D) A proxy may contain instructions concerning its use, and such instructions shall be binding on the proxy holder. If the proxy is not instructed, the holder may vote and act at the holder’s discretion. If a presiding officer knows that a proxy is instructed and the proxy holder fails or refuses to vote according to instructions, the presiding officer shall ignore the action of the proxy holder and declare the vote of the proxy according to instructions.

E) No individual may hold more than one proxy.

F) All public officials and personal representatives established in
Article III of the Constitution are prohibited from either giving or holding a proxy.

G) A proxy shall count for only one vote.

H) No proxies shall be allowed at Precinct Committee meetings.

I) Proxies shall be counted for the determination of a quorum.

Section 12: Presiding Officer’s Vote –

A) No presiding officer shall vote on any matter before the body over which he or she is presiding except in the event of a tie and then only if the presiding officer is a delegate to the body.

B) The chairs of the County and Congressional District Central Committees shall be able to vote at any meeting of the respective Central Committees notwithstanding the above stated rule.

Article VI: Duties of Officials

Section 1: General Duties – All officials of the Democratic Party shall:

A) Support the Democratic Party by attending Party meetings and workshops, Party and candidate fundraising events, and other related events.

B) Know the Democratic candidates running for elective office in their area and actively campaign for their election.

C) Encourage unregistered citizens to register Democratic.

D) Actively encourage Democrats to vote in elections.

E) Be familiar with the rules, procedures and deadlines governing absentee voting.

F) Be informed about the positions of the Democratic Party and its candidate on contemporary issues.

G) Know the dates of upcoming partisan elections.

H) Support the Party through financial contributions.

Section 2: Precinct Officers and Officials –

A) The Precinct Chair shall:

1) Preside over meetings of the Precinct Committee,

2) Represent the Democrats of the Precinct at meetings of the County Convention,

3) Be responsible for seeing that the results of Precinct Committee elections are timely sent to the county secretary,

4) Know current boundaries of the precinct,

5) Know the location of the precinct polling place,

6) Know who the members of the precinct election board are and help the County Central Committee in finding and recruiting replacements,

7) Know of voter registrars in or near the precinct, (Registrars are no longer needed with the Motor-Voter Bill.)

8) Maintain contact with the Democrats of the precinct by holding Precinct Committee meetings and workshops and by canvassing them on local races and issues,

9) Maintain contact with the County Central Committee,

10) Recruit and train precinct workers,

11) Maintain a list of locations in the precinct where Democratic candidates may post campaign signs,

12) Read and become familiar with the Democratic Party handbook,

13) Maintain a current list of registered Democrats in the precinct with telephone numbers.

B) The Precinct Vice-chair shall:

1) Preside over meetings of the Precinct Committee when the chair is absent or is otherwise unable to preside,

2) Assist the precinct chair in fulfilling the duties of the chair as the precinct chair may direct,

3) Collect contributions to the Democratic Party and be responsible for forwarding them to the county vice-chair.

C) The Precinct Secretary shall:

1) Take minutes at Precinct Committee meetings and forward a copy to the county secretary,

2) Tally votes for Precinct Committee elections and forward the results to the county secretary,

3) Record any resolutions the Precinct Committee may adopt and forward them to the county secretary,

4) Be responsible with the precinct chair for notifying the Democrats in the precinct of Precinct Committee meetings and of other information as the chair may instruct,

5) Perform such other duties as the precinct chair may direct,

6) Record the name, address, and telephone number of all Democrats who attend Precinct Committee meetings and forward a copy to the county secretary.

D) If precinct committeemen or committeewomen are elected, they shall assist the precinct officers as the precinct chair shall direct.

Section 3: County Officers and Officials –

A) The County Chair shall:

1) Preside at meetings of the County Convention and County Central Committee or designate a person to preside,

2) Nominate Democrats to the county election board, with the advice and consent of the County Central Committee,

3) Be the sole spokesperson for the county party unless he or she delegates that responsibility in writing to another person,

4) Act as the chief executive and inspirational leader of the county party,

5) Be responsible for interviewing prospective candidates and recruiting candidates to run for offices where there is not a Democratic incumbent,

6) Communicate with the Party and elected officials of the county, the officers of the Democratic clubs in the county and the congressional district officers,

7) Be responsible for training precinct officials,

8) Establish a county office,

9) Be responsible for hiring staff and recruiting volunteers with the advice and consent of the County Central Committee,

10) Be responsible for supplying precinct officials and Democratic workers with materials,

11) Be responsible for raising and disbursing funds and for depositing them in an account in the name of the county party,

12) Countersign with the vice-chair all checks drawn on an account of the county party,

13) Review the qualifications of Republican candidates filed for office in the county to insure that they meet all the statutory qualifications for the respective offices and notify Democratic candidates for the corresponding office in a timely manner if a Republican candidate fails to meet those requirements,

14) Appoint the members of meeting committees with the approval of the County Central Committee.

15) And in addition may appoint a convention secretary, sergeants-at-arms and tally clerks for each convention that is called. The county party secretary may be appointed as the convention secretary.

B) The County Vice-chair shall:

1) Preside at meetings when the chair is absent or is otherwise unable to preside and has failed to designate a person to preside,

2) Act for the chair when the chair is absent,

3) Assist the chair with such tasks as the chair may direct,

4) Collect funds from the Precinct Committee vice-chairs for deposit in the county party’s account,

5) Maintain the financial records of the county party, file financial reports required by law and generally act as treasurer of the county party,

6) Assist the chair in raising funds for the county party,

7) Assist the chair in training Party workers and candidates in fundraising and in campaign finance laws,

8) Countersign with the chair all checks drawn on an account in the name of the county party,

9) Submit a financial statement of the county party to the appropriate district vice-chair(s) by January 1 of each year.

C) The County Secretary shall:

1) Take minutes of all County Conventions and County Central Committee meetings and forward a copy to the Congressional District Central Committee(s),

2) Maintain all records deemed necessary by the county chair,

3) Be in charge of the daily operation of the county office and its staff and/or volunteers,

4) Assist the county chair or vice-chair as the county chair may direct,

5) Assist the chair in publicizing the county party and county democratic nominees,

6) Maintain a current list of the registered Democrats of the county with telephone numbers,

7) Forward a list of all precinct and county officials to district and State secretaries,

8) Notify the district secretary of Party activities in the county.

D) The State delegates shall:

1) Attend meetings of the County, Congressional District and State Conventions and represent their constituents,

2) Communicate with their constituents,

3) Assist the county officers with such tasks as the chair may direct.

Section 4: Congressional District Officers –

A) The Congressional District Chair shall:

1) Preside at the meetings of the Congressional District Convention and the Congressional District Central Committee or designate a person to preside,

2) Be the sole spokesperson for the Democratic Party in the congressional district unless he or she delegates that responsibility in writing to another person,

3) Be the chief executive and inspirational leader of the Democratic Party in the congressional district,

4) Be principally responsible for informing the county officers of upcoming events and policy decisions being made by the Congressional District Central Committee and the State Central Committee,

5) Be responsible for county officials and for directing, advising and assisting them in the administration of their duties,

6) Interview prospective candidates and recruit candidates to run for Congress when there is no Democratic incumbent,

7) Coordinate candidate recruitment efforts of the county chairs in multiple county legislative districts,

8) Supply county officials with Democratic Party materials and forms,

9) Be responsible for raising and disbursing funds and for depositing them in an account in the name of the Congressional District Party,

10) Appoint the members of meeting committees with approval of the Congressional District Central Committee.

11) And in addition may appoint a convention secretary, sergeants-at-arms and tally clerks for each convention that is called. The district party secretary may be appointed as the convention secretary.

B) The Congressional District Vice-chair shall:

1) Preside at meetings when the chair is absent, is unable to preside and has failed to designate a person to preside,

2) Act for the chair when the chair is absent,

3) Assist the chair with such tasks as the chair may direct,

4) Maintain financial records of the Congressional District Party, file financial reports required by law and Party rule, and generally act as treasurer of the Congressional District Party,

5) Assist the chair in raising funds,

6) Assist the chair in training, directing, advising and assisting county officials in the administration of their duties,

7) Sign all checks drawn on an account in the name of the Congressional District Party

8) Train, assist and advise the county vice-chairs of the district in filing financial reports required by law or Party rule,

9) Insure that all county vice-chairs file required financial reports in a correct and timely manner,

10) Prepare and submit a financial statement of the district Party which shall include the financial reports of the county parties in the district to the State Treasurer by March 1 of each year.

C) The Congressional District Secretary shall:

1) Take minutes of all Congressional District Convention and Congressional District Central Committee meetings and forward a copy to the State Secretary,

2) Maintain all records deemed necessary by the chair,

3) Assist the chair and vice-chair as the chair may direct,

4) Assist the chair in publicizing the Congressional District Party and the Democratic nominee for congress,

5) Regularly canvass county secretaries about county party activities and report the activities to the State Central Committee.

Section 5: State Officers –

A) The State Chair shall:

1) Preside at the meetings of the State Convention and the State Central Committee or designate a person to preside,

2) Be the sole spokesperson for the Democratic Party in the State unless he or she nominates an individual to be the spokesperson for the Party and that person is approved by the State Central Committee,

3) Be the chief executive and inspirational leader of the Oklahoma Democratic Party,

4) Be responsible for interviewing and recruiting prospective candidates for public offices in which there is no Democratic incumbent in consultation with appropriate county and congressional district chairs,

5) Direct all fund raising efforts of the Democratic Party and assure that all funds are deposited in accounts in the name of the Oklahoma Democratic Party,

6) Disburse funds of the Party, reporting such disbursements to the State Central Committee,

7) Countersign with one of the other State officers all checks drawn on the accounts of the Oklahoma Democratic Party,

8) Coordinate Party activities with the elected Democratic leadership,

9) Be responsible for conducting workshops for Democratic nominees for public office in such areas as campaign techniques, fundraising and campaign contribution and election laws,

10) Be responsible for directing the biennial Party organizational meeting process and the Presidential delegate selection process,

11) Be responsible for conducting workshops for Democratic Party officials and campaign workers,

12) Be responsible for maintaining a State headquarters office,

13) Be responsible for hiring staff, and for appointing one person to be the State Central Director with the advice and consent of the State Central Committee. No individual may assume the title of State Central Director for any purpose without such consent,

14) Call meetings of the State Central Committee at such times as the chair deems appropriate,

15) Appoint the members of meeting committees with the approval of the State Central Committee.

16) And in addition may appoint a convention secretary, sergeants-at-arms and tally clerks for each convention that is called. The state party secretary may be appointed as the convention secretary.

B) The State Vice-chair shall:

1) Preside at meetings when the chair is absent, is unable to preside and has failed to designate a person to preside,

2) Act for the chair when the chair is absent,

3) Assist the chair with such tasks as the chair may direct,

4) Assist the chair in raising funds,

5) Assist the chair in training programs, seminars and workshops for Democratic nominees for public office, Democratic Party officials and Democratic campaign workers,

6) Be authorized to countersign with the chair all checks drawn on the accounts of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

C) The State Treasurer shall:

1) Maintain financial records showing income and disbursements of the State Party organization, said records to be kept at the State office,

2) Report completely on the financial status of the Party and activity of the Party’s accounts on a regular basis to the State Central Committee,

3) File all financial reports required by law or Party rule,

4) Assist the chair in raising funds and deposit all raised funds in accounts in the name of the Oklahoma Democratic Party,

5) Be authorized to countersign with the chair all checks drawn on accounts of the Oklahoma Democratic Party,

6) Be responsible for training, advising and assisting the congressional district and county vice-chairs in filing financial reports required by law or Party rule,

7) Insure that the congressional district and county vice-chairs file any required financial reports in a correct and timely manner,

8) Assist the chair in instructing, advising and assisting Democratic candidates in filing financial reports,

9) Serve on the State Finance Committee established in Article VII, Section 3 of these Bylaws.

D) The State Secretary shall:

1) Take minutes of all State Convention and State Central Committee meetings,

2) Maintain copies of minutes and transcripts of all meetings of the State Convention and the State Central Committee,

3) Maintain copies of all minutes that may be sent to State Secretary by county or congressional district secretaries,

4) Maintain copies of all rules, resolutions, bylaws and Party constitutions either adopted or proposed,

5) Maintain an official list of all current precinct, county, congressional district and State Party officials,

6) Certify the election of delegates to the appropriate conventions or committees,

7) Maintain present and all previous lists of delegates of the State Convention and State Central Committee,

8) Maintain a current list of all Democratic elected officials in the State at all levels,

9) Maintain such other records as the chair or State Central Committee may instruct,

10) Be responsible for making a verbatim transcript of the discussion and action of the State Convention on any proposed amendment to the Constitution or Bylaws,

11) Assist the chair or vice-chair as the chair may direct,

12) Assist the chair in publicizing the Party and its nominees through such means as a State Party newspaper, press releases, advertisements, etc.

13) Act as custodian of any list of registered voters which the Party may own, possess or have access to, see that it is properly maintained and control access to it as directed by the State Central Committee,

14) Assist the chair in training, advising and assisting Democratic candidates in the use of various media in campaigning for office,

15) Maintain a list of all Democratic clubs recognized by the County Central Committees, the Bylaws of all Democratic clubs so recognized and a current list of their officers and delegates,

16) Maintain the official list of personal representatives of public officials and notify the appropriate Party secretaries,

17) Be authorized to countersign with the chair all checks drawn on the accounts of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

Article VII: Committees

Section 1: Standing Committees – There shall be a permanent affirmative action committee of the Oklahoma Democratic Party as established by the Constitution and a permanent finance committee as established hereinafter.

Section 2: Affirmative Action Committee – The responsibilities of the affirmative action committee shall be to:

A) Encourage groups underrepresented in the Oklahoma Democratic Party organization to participate in Party meetings, elections and events.

B) Prepare an annual budget and a fundraising plan to finance the activities of the committee.

C) Work with officers and committees of the Oklahoma Democratic Party at all levels to implement the committee’s plans and achieve the committee’s goals.

D) Coordinate the committee’s activities with the State Central Committee through the committee’s delegates on the State Central Committee.

E) Publicize the time and place of Democratic Party meetings through appropriate media to reach target groups.

F) Inform target groups of the procedures for selection of Democratic Party officials at all levels and the qualifications required of candidates for those offices, and such other Party rules and procedures as the committee deems appropriate.

G) Prepare and distribute such materials the committee may deem appropriate to achieve its goals.

H) Conduct seminars and workshops to train and educate target groups and Party officials.

I) Act as the affirmative action committee under future Oklahoma Delegate Selection Plans, draft the affirmative action sections of the Oklahoma Delegate Selection Plan for submission to the State Central Committee and implement said affirmative action plan.

J) Encourage persons to register and vote as Democrats.

Section 3: Finance Committee –

A) There shall be established a finance committee of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

B) The State Chair shall appoint the delegates and chair of the finance committee with advice and consent of the State Central Committee following the organizational meeting of the State Convention.

C) The committee’s responsibilities shall be to assist the State Central Committee in preparing a budget and a fundraising plan, and to assist the Party officers in raising funds.

D) The State Treasurer shall be a delegate of the committee.

E) At least one delegate of the affirmative action committee shall be a delegate of the finance committee.

Section 4: Ad Hoc Committees – With the advice and consent of the State Central Committee, the State Chair may establish and appoint delegates to ad hoc committees, a majority of whose delegates should not be delegates of the State Central Committee.

Article VIII: Auxiliary Organizations

Section 1: Oklahoma Federation of Democratic Women’s Clubs –

A) There shall be an Oklahoma Federation of Democratic Women’s Clubs which shall be composed of all recognized Democratic clubs that meet the Federation’s requirements for membership and choose to affiliate.

B) The Oklahoma Federation of Democratic Women’s Clubs shall restrict the membership of all affiliated clubs of women, but shall require affiliated clubs to be open to all female members of the Democratic Party regardless of age, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, economic status or philosophical persuasion.

Section 2: Oklahoma Federation of Young Democrats Clubs –

A) There shall be an Oklahoma Federation of Young Democrats Clubs which shall be composed of all recognized Democratic clubs that meet the Federation’s requirements for membership and choose to affiliate.

B) The Oklahoma Federation of Young Democrats Clubs shall restrict the membership of all affiliated clubs to Democrats 35 years of age and younger, but otherwise shall be open to all members of the Oklahoma Democratic Party regardless of gender, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, economic status or philosophical persuasion.

C) The Oklahoma Federation of Young Democrats Clubs may have a college Democrats division, a high school Democrats division and such other divisions as the federation deems appropriate.

Section 3: Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats –

A) There shall be an Oklahoma federation of Democratic clubs, which shall be composed of all recognized Democratic clubs that meet the Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats’ requirements for membership and choose to affiliate.

B) The Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats shall be open to all members of the Oklahoma Democratic Party regardless of gender, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, economic status or philosophical persuasion.

Article IX: Policies

Section 1: Nomination – The nominees of the Democratic Party for all public offices shall be determined by primary election and, where necessary, by run-off primary election.

Section 2: Presidential Delegate Selection – The selection of delegates to the Democratic National Nominating Convention shall be based on the results of a Presidential Preference Primary Election.

Section 3: Closed Primary – Only voters who have registered as Democrats prior to a Democratic primary election may vote in that Democratic primary election.

Section 4: Democratic Candidate Qualifications – The Oklahoma Democratic Party shall not require any candidate for public office in the State of Oklahoma to take any test of membership or oath of loyalty to run as a Democrat; however, the State Chair shall solicit a written pledge from all candidates who file as Democrats for public office in races where there is a Democratic primary election to support the Democratic Party’s nominee.

Section 5: Candidate Fees – The Oklahoma Democratic Party shall not require any Democratic candidate for public office in the State of Oklahoma to pay any fee to file as a Democrat for public office.

Organizational Year 2007

2007-01-22T05:10:00.000-08:00

2007 is an organizational year for Oklahoma Democrats. Our biannual precinct meetings will be March 8th followed by county conventions March 31st. District conventions will be April 28th and the State Convention May 19th.

We will use this site to post information related to these meetings and their related committees and work.