Iowa Party Notice: taking nominations for DNC member at next meeting

[CornField]

April 12th, 2005

Dear Iowa Democrats,

Last week, Lt. Governor Sally Pederson, Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, received the resignation of our long-time Democratic National Commiteeman Ken Rains. Ken’s resignation creates a vacancy on the Democratic National Committee that will be filled at the next meeting of the Iowa Democratic Party State Central Committee on Saturday, April 23rd, 2005 at Iowa Democratic Party Headquarters, 5661 Fleur Drive, in Des Moines. The meeting will be called to order at 10:30 a.m.

According to Article 2, Section 1 of the Democratic National Committee Bylaws, the duties and powers of the Democratic National Committee members are described as:

“The Democratic National Committee shall have general responsibility for the affairs of the Democratic Party between National Conventions, subject to the provisions of the Charter and to the resolutions or other official actions of the National Convention. This responsibility shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) Issuing the Call to the National Convention;
(b) Conducting the Party's Presidential Campaign;
(c) Filling vacancies in the nominations for the office of the President and Vice President;
(d) Assisting state and local Democratic Party organizations in the election of their candidates and the education of their voters;
(e) Formulating and disseminating statements of Party policy, promoting programs for the systematic study of public policy issues, through participation of members of the Democratic National Committee and through specific projects administered under the authority of the Chairperson of the Democratic National Committee;
(f) Providing for the election or appointment of a Chairperson, five Vice Chairpersons, three of whom shall be of the opposite sex of the Chairperson, one of whom shall be the President of the Association of State Democratic Chairs and one of whom shall be Vice Chairperson for Voter Registration and Participation, a Treasurer, a National Finance Chair, a Secretary and other appropriate officers of the National Committee as shall be determined by the Committee, and for the filling of vacancies;
(g) Establishing and maintaining National Headquarters of the Party;
(h) Promoting and encouraging Party activities at every level, including but not limited to the following:
(i) promoting and encouraging implementation of all Party mandates;
(ii) the fulfillment by the Party of its platform pledge and other commitments;
(iii) establishment and support of an adequate system of political research;
(iv) the preparation, distribution and communication of Party information to its members and the general public;
(v) the development and maintenance of a program of public relations for the Party; and
(vi) development of a program for the coordination of Party committees, organizations, groups, public officials and members.
(i) Devising and executing ways and means of financing activities of the Party;
(j) Taking such other action as may be necessary and proper to carry out the provisions of the Charter, these Bylaws, the resolutions and other official actions to achieve the objectives of the Party and the Convention; and
(k) Approval of the budget of the Democratic National Committee.”


The nomination and election process is as follows:
1. Nominations will be received from the floor only by eligible voting members of the State Central Committee (herein referred to as “The Committee”) but there will be no formal nominating speeches.

1. Nominations do not require a second
2. Nominees must be males, and registered Democrats legally residing and registered to vote in the state of Iowa.
3. A few words from the person making the nomination are allowed
4. The IDP Chair will ask Committee if they wish to hear from the candidates
i. If so, each candidate and/or his/her designee(s) will be allowed 3 minutes to speak to the Committee. No more than two speakers per candidate will be allowed to speak at this time. The speakers shall be recognized to speak in alphabetical order of the nominees.

2. Each nominee will be given an opportunity to decline.

3. According to the IDP Constitution, there must be a quorum of the Committee present at the meeting to elect the member. A quorum is defined as a simple majority of the voting members. As of Monday, April 11, 2005 there are 41 voting members of the Committee meaning a quorum is 21.

4. The position to be elected is DNC Member.

5. Eligible members of the Committee will vote for one candidate on each ballot. Each ballot cast shall be signed by the voting member pursuant to the IDP Constitution; “No secret ballots shall be used by elected representatives at any convention or central committee meeting.”

6. No voting by absentee or proxy ballot shall be permitted (IDP Constitution). Interpreted to prohibit voting by phone as well; precedent set during election of DNC Representative, September 18, 2004.

7. In order to be elected, a candidate must receive a simple majority (over 50%) of the Central Committee present and voting for that position.

8. In the event that no candidate is elected by a simple majority of votes on a given ballot, then the Committee will ballot again for whatever positions still remain until all positions are filled.