Originally published by Red Wing Post, March 15, 2024
It’s that time! Every two years,* each County Committee holds a series of meetings and Conventions where we certify the results of the Republican primary elections and elect fellow Republicans to represent us in various Congressional District-level and State-level positions.
1. County Committee Meeting
The series begins with the last meeting of the “old” (currently existing) County Committee.
OLD and NEW BUSINESS:
At that meeting, the Committee finishes any old business and may entertain any new business.
ADD MEMBERS:
Most importantly, the Committee can vote to add members to the delegation for the Biennial County Convention. These individuals do not have to meet the normal “attend-2-meetings” requirement; once approved, they are now members of the County Committee and may vote and be elected at the County Conventions and meetings that follow.
Then-RPA Chair Doyle Webb explained it in a video he recorded in 2020, our last Presidential election year (so any dates mentioned here are incorrect for 2024):
2. Biennial County Convention
Each County Committee holds a County Convention to elect individuals to represent the County at the state level and to certify the winning slate of Republican candidates from the just-concluded Preferential Primary election. (These candidates are automatic members of the County Committee and will vote at County Conventions as delegates.)
TEMPORARY & PERMANENT CHAIR & SECRETARY:
Following Robert’s Rules to properly conduct business, each Convention must go through the process of electing a temporary Convention Chair and Secretary, then electing a permanent Convention Chair and Secretary. (Webb notes than many County Committees use the same officers to allow them to move quickly through this procedural move that must be recorded in the Convention minutes.)
ELECT STATE COMMITTEEMAN & COMMITTEEWOMAN:
The County Committee elects its State Committeeman and State Committeewoman, who take office after the State Convention and serve for 2 years as representatives of the County at State-level meetings, Conventions, and other functions.
ELECT DELEGATES TO STATE CONVENTION:
The Committee elects its delegates to the State Convention, and also votes on any proposed changes any local Committee Rules (or votes to implement a set of local, County-level Rules). State Convention delegates serve a 1-day term (the day of the State Convention).
ADJOURN SUBJECT TO RECALL:
Webb emphasized that Republican Party Conventions should be “adjourned subject to recall,” so the body can go back to fill any vacancies that may occur over the next 2 years. Here’s the details, as Webb provided them (any dates mentioned here are incorrect for 2024).
3. Special County Convention
In Presidential election years like 2024, each County Committee holds a Special County Convention to elect delegates who vote at the Special District Convention to determine Arkansas delegates to the Republican National Convention (this year set for mid-July in Milwaukee, Wisconsin).
These elected delegates serve a one-day term — the day of the Special District Convention, set for May 11, 2024.
After electing the temporary Chair/Secretary and the permanent Chair/Secretary, the permanent Secretary — following the general procedures for all Conventions — calls the delegate roll. The permanent Chair conducts the election, the only business on the agenda. The Convention should be “adjourned subject to recall.” (any dates mentioned here are incorrect for 2024).
4. First Meeting of New County Committee
The last event in the series is the first meeting of the new County Committee. Who are the members of the “new” County Committee? Individuals who were elected via the Primary election or who were added to the Committee at that first meeting in this series.
ELECT DISTRICT COMMITTEEMAN and DISTRICT COMMITTEEWOMAN &
DISTRICT COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
The County Committee Chair and Secretary — who were elected last year to 2-year terms — preside as the County Committee elects its District Committeeman and District Committeewoman and District Committee members (who are the delegates at District Committee meetings as they are called).
After any other new business is handled, the meeting is adjourned and all business of the series of Conventions and meetings is concluded, as Webb explains.
The above information is an overview as provided by former RPA Chairman Webb in his YouTube video from 2020. Please check with your County Committee for clarification because each County Committee may have additional unique processes and procedures.
* The Republican Party lifecycle of activities and intra-party elections is based on the 2-year election cycle (with some special activities added in each 4 years during Presidential election years).
