Expand Time Window for Affiliate Selection of Convention Committee Appointees

Problem: The ten largest state affiliates each get to send a representative to the Platform Committee. As our bylaws are currently written, they are required to select their representatives no later than last day of the fifth month prior to the Regular Convention. However, a state affiliate can’t be certain if they are in the top ten until the last day of the sixth month prior to the Regular Convention. This leaves a state affiliate with only a 30-day window of time in which to select a representative. Meanwhile, the National Committee may have selected its members to the committee over a year prior to this measurement date, meaning that much work is being done before some state affiliates have an opportunity to influence the outcome of the report. Some states have even resorted to selecting a representative to the committee in anticipation that they might qualify.

Solution: Make the measurement date for determining a larger affiliate based on the previous convention, rather than the upcoming convention.


ARTICLE 11: CONVENTIONS

7. Convention Committees:

There shall be a Platform Committee, a Bylaws and Rules Committee and a Credentials Committee for each Regular Convention. The National Committee shall appoint a temporary chair of each committee to serve until each committee selects its own chair.

   b. The Platform Committee shall consist of 20 members selected as follows:
      One member by each of the ten affiliate parties having the largest sustaining memberships as determined for Convention delegate allocations at the most recent Regular Convention. These members shall be selected no later than the last day of the fifth month prior to the Regular Convention.
      Ten members appointed by the National Committee, including no less than five members from states other than the ten having the largest Party memberships affiliate parties having the largest sustaining memberships as determined for Convention delegate allocations at the most recent Regular Convention. These members shall be appointed no later than the last day of the fifth month prior to the Regular Convention.

   c. The Credentials Committee, composed of ten members, shall be selected as follows:
      Five members chosen by the National Committee.
      One member by each of the five affiliate parties having the largest sustaining memberships as determined for Convention delegate allocations at the most recent Regular Convention. These shall be selected by each of the affiliate parties no later than one month prior to the Regular Convention.