Bylaws of the Libertarian Party of Ohio
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Adopted on April 05, 2008 at the annual state convention. Amended 9/18/11.
Section 1. Membership in the Party shall consist of registered voters who participate in the Libertarian Primary.
Section 2. In the event the Secretary of State denies ballot access as a recognized party, membership in the Party shall consist of residents of Ohio who demonstrate an interest in the state or national party, and have affirmed the pledge as “I hereby certify that I do not believe in or advocate the initiation of force as a means of achieving political or social goals.”
Bylaw 120 - Internal Election of Candidates
Section 1. For all internal elections, the winning candidate shall be selected from among the several candidates and “None of the Above” using instant runoff voting methods.
Bylaw 130 - Removal of Internal Officer
Section 1. Members of the Executive Committee or an officer of the Central Committee or an appointee of either committee may be removed from their position by a two-thirds vote of the filled Central Committee positions.
A. The member shall be notified in writing or electronic form with at least two weeks notice that the action by the Central Committee is being contemplated, of the reasons for it, and be given a reasonable opportunity to appear and produce evidence and witness in his own favor before any vote on removal may be taken.
B. Three members of the Central Committee must state their reasons and recommend in writing or in electronic form to begin removal proceedings. These recommendations must be received within a reasonable time frame from one another; no complaint older than thirty days shall count towards this number.
C. A special meeting of the Central Committee may be called to deal with a removal issue, provided that all members of the Central Committee are made aware of the meeting no less than two weeks in advance by normal written or electronic means.
D. Once removed, a member may not hold office (including appointments) within the Party for a period of not less than two years, or for a duration set by the Central Committee at the time of the removal.
E The majority of delegates at a Convention may reduce the time period an officer has been prohibited from serving, provided that the removal period be shortened to no less than three months.
F. Nothing in this bylaw shall prevent a member of the Central Committee from being removed pursuant to Bylaw 200, Section 6 or any other bylaw.
Section 1. Two representatives shall be elected from each U.S. Congressional district in the state to serve on the Central Committee for a term of two years.
A. All committee members must be members of the Party.
B. All committee members must reside in the district from which they are elected.
C. The top two vote-earners in each race shall be elected. The top vote earner shall be assigned to seat A.
A. Elections shall be held in even-numbered years in the same month as the official state primary election.
B. The date of the election shall be set no later than 75 days prior to the official primary election of the State of Ohio. Announcement of each District election date, time, and location shall be communicated to the members of the Party by reasonable and common methods no later than 60 days prior to the election.
C. Nominations or declarations of intent to run for office shall be received by the Central Committee Secretary no later than 45 days prior to election, The candidates’ names and addresses shall be communicated to the members of the Party by reasonable and common methods no later than 30 days prior to the election.
D. Only members who live in the District shall be eligible to vote for Central Committee members for that District.
E. Elections for Central Committee shall be conducted by secret ballot. The use of mail-in or absentee ballots shall not be denied, provided any such ballots are postmarked no later than the day of the election.
F. Election results shall be communicated and forwarded to the Executive Committee Secretary no later than five business days after the last day of the month of the official primary election. Included with the results shall be a list of members who voted at each election. The Executive Committee Secretary shall certify and communicate the results to the members of the Party by reasonable and common methods by the 10th day of the month following the election.
Section 4. Each newly elected Central Committee shall, at their organizational meeting, elect from the Party membership such officers to the Executive Committee as are provided for in Article V, Section 1. Then it shall elect from its own number three at-large members to the Executive Committee
A. The Central Committee shall confer upon the Executive Committee all its duties and responsibilities as permitted in the Party Constitution. The Executive Committee shall have responsibility for and shall be authorized to act for the Central Committee in all things pertaining to the operation, organization, business, and well-being of the Party.
Section 6. Central Committee members may be removed from their position if they fail to uphold the duties of their office.
A. Any Central Committee member who does not participate in two (2) out of three (3) consecutive meetings shall be considered to have abdicated their seat. The member affected by this rule must be notified by the Chair of the Central Committee of their impending removal after their nonparticipation in one (1) meeting. If the member does not participate in one (1) of the next two (2) meetings, their seat shall be considered vacant and will not count towards quorum. Their seat may be filled in the regular manner after the conclusion of the second meeting. A Central Committee member who notifies the Chair of the Central Committee of their inability to participate in the meeting prior to the meeting will be considered excused and their absence shall not count towards abdication.
B. The Chair of the Central Committee shall not be held responsible for members of Central Committee not receiving reasonable communications attempts. Members of Central Committee are responsible for updating their contact information, including, but not limited to, mailing address, phone and email address, with the Chair and Secretary of the Central Committee.
C. Any member of the Central Committee who is removed through the abdication clause shall be ineligible to sit on the Central Committee through the remainder of the session in which they are removed and the next two full sessions of the Central Committee. At no point shall any individual thus affected be prohibited from serving for a period longer than six (6) years. Removal by abdication shall be valid grounds for the Party to have an individual removed from the ballot for Central Committee by filing an appropriate protest as provided in the Ohio Revised Code.
D. Any member subject to the above prohibition may appeal their ineligibility status at the next Regular or Special Convention provided they contact the Convention Chair no less than 30 days prior to the Convention to have their case added to the agenda. The Party membership may vote to waive the remainder of the members ineligibility, but may not reinstate the member to their position on the Central Committee.
Section 7. Quorum shall consist of a majority of the filled positions of the Central Committee. Special quorums may conduct business not requiring a vote.
Section 8. The Central Committee shall meet at least twice each year.
A. Special meetings may be called by the Committee Chair or upon petition of one-third of Central Committee members.
B. Save in an emergency, all members of the Central Committee shall be given not less than two weeks’ notice of each meeting and its agenda of business.
Bylaw 300 - Executive Committee
A. The Executive Committee shall set job descriptions and oversee any staff.
B. Officers shall retain their vote on the Executive Committee and be counted towards quorum, regardless of compensation.
C. Paid LPO staff shall not run for public political office or hold public political office while employed by the LPO.
1. If a paid staff member or candidate for staff membership is a member of the Party Central Committee, he or she must recuse him or herself from any vote relating to his or her employment.
Section 2. Quorum shall consist of 60% of the Executive Committee. Special quorum shall not be allowed.
A. Maintain and direct the operation of a party headquarters within 50 miles of the state capitol building.
B. At the discretion of the Chair, issues not affecting financial transactions may be decided by electronic voting or email. Any such decisions may be overturned at the next meeting.
C. Create committees and appoint individuals as may be necessary.
D. Establishing the date, time, location, and agenda of all Executive Committee meetings. The agenda shall be distributed at least seven days prior to the meeting date.
E. Perform all other duties prescribed by statute or usually exercised by the Chair and not inconsistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Party.
A. Perform the duties of the Chair in the event of Chair's absence, death, removal from office, resignation, removal from the State of Ohio, or inability to act, until a new Chair is elected and qualified.
B. Learn the duties of and assist the Chair as designated by the Chair.
A. Be in charge of maintaining all official documents of the Executive Committee.
B. Prepare all necessary notes, minutes, and other documents.
C. Make available to all members the minutes of all meetings within ten days of the meeting.
D. Keep and be the custodian of the permanent books and records of the Party, except financial records.
E. Keep and maintain the standing rules of the Party, as adopted by a majority of the Executive Committee.
F. File with the Ohio Secretary of State a copy of the Party Constitution and Bylaws within thirty days of adoption or amendment as required by section 3517.02 of the Ohio Revised Code.
G. File with the Ohio Secretary of State a list of members of the Central Committee and Executive Committee within thirty days of their election or appointment as required by section 3517.02 of the Ohio Revised Code.
H. Perform all other duties prescribed by statute or usually exercised by the Secretary and not inconsistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Party.
I. The Secretary may appoint a deputy Secretary and assistant Secretaries who shall assist with such duties as assigned by the Secretary.
J. The deputy Secretary shall perform the duties of the Secretary, except voting on the Executive Committee, in the event of Secretary’s absence, death, removal from office, resignation, removal from the State of Ohio, or inability to act, until a new Secretary is elected and qualified.
A. Receive all funds belonging to the Party and keep proper books of account on all monies.
B. Expend such funds belonging to the Party as have been approved in accordance with Party Bylaws.
C. Establish such funds as may be necessary to ensure proper accounting and treatment of all monies, based upon the laws of the United States of America and the State of Ohio.
D. Maintain proper financial reporting status and frequency as determined by applicable regulatory agencies at the federal and state level.
E. File the proper forms to all applicable regulatory agencies at the federal and state level within two weeks of succeeding a previous Treasurer to be identified as the new Treasurer.
F. File the proper forms to all applicable regulatory agencies at the federal and state level within two weeks of appointing a Deputy Treasurer to allow the Deputy Treasurer to be identified as an authorized person of account.
G. Expend funds only through check, electronic transfer, or other common methods which allow for a detailed audit trail. Cash is not an acceptable method of expenditure.
H. Provide all financial records to the Audit Committee following each filing period with the Ohio Secretary of State.
I. Perform all other duties prescribed by statute or usually exercised by the Treasurer and not inconsistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Party.
J. The Treasurer may appoint a deputy Treasurer and assistant Treasurers to assist with such duties as assigned by the Treasurer.
K. The deputy Treasurer shall perform the duties of the Treasurer, except voting on the Executive Committee, in the event of Treasurer’s absence, death, removal from office, resignation, removal from the State of Ohio, or inability to act, until a new Treasurer is elected and qualified.
L. The Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer shall not be permitted to serve on the Audit Committee.
Bylaw 320 - Budgets and ExpensesSection 1. The Party shall have an annual budget, fixed to the calendar year, which shall be approved by the Executive Committee and available to any member who requests.
Section 2. All expenses must be approved by the Executive Committee.
A. Expenses outlined in an annual budget and approved by the Executive Committee shall be considered approved expenses, provided that actual costs are at or lower than the budgeted amount.
B. All expenses not outlined in the budget or expenses in excess of the budgeted amount shall require a majority vote of the Executive Committee for approval.
A. Exception can be made for debt incurred for the purchase of real property.
B. Any debt incurred must have a pre-defined rate of interest and terms of payment.
C. The total non-mortgage debt for the Party may not exceed $5,000 at any one time, including interest and past salary obligations.
Bylaw 330 - Party Logo and Brand
Section 1. The Executive Committee of the Party shall approve the use of a Party logo and brand. The official logo and its’ variations will be kept by the state Secretary as pursuant to Bylaw 310, Section 3D of these Bylaws.
A. The Libertarian National Committee shall be consulted and given opportunity to review the Party logo before final approval by the Executive Committee.
A. Previously approved Party logos may continue to be used, until supplies are exhausted.
B. Electronic logos and branding must be updated within thirty days of the approval of a new logo and brand.
A. Variations of the Party logo must be approved by the state Executive Committee.
B. Use of a county logo, similar in design and content to the Party’s logo, must be submitted to the Executive Committee for approval.
Section 5. Outside organizations, groups, candidates, and individuals must receive written permission from the Executive Committee prior to using the Party logo or any variation thereof.
Section 6. County logos approved after August 2007 and prior to the adoption of these Bylaws may continue to be used in unaffiliated counties.
Bylaw 500 - National Conventions
Section 1. The Party will be represented by delegates and alternates at the National Libertarian Convention by members of the state party per LPO Bylaw 100 or by certified candidates for partisan office under the Libertarian label. Delegates and alternates must have signed the LP pledge. Preference will be given in the following order:
A. Members of the State Central Committee
B. Members of the State Executive Committee
C. LP Incumbents, in order as found in sections G-L
D. Appointed Directors, Deputy Directors, and Deputy positions of the State Executive Committee
E. Chairs of the affiliated County Central Committees
F. Chairs of the affiliated County Executive Committees
G. LP candidates for statewide office, including Ohio Supreme Court
H. LP candidates for Federal office
I. LP candidates for Ohio House, Senate, and Appeals Court
J. LP candidates for state level non-partisan office
K. LP candidates for local partisan and judicial office
L. LP candidates for any local non-partisan office
M. Members of the management or committees of the Party or affiliated counties
N. Other LP members in Ohio, as approved by the State Executive Committee
Section 2. The Party will provide a list of delegates and alternates to the National Libertarian Party, per national party rules and by-laws.
Section 3. The Party will consider LP Pledge-signing citizens from other states to join their delegation, if at the National Libertarian Convention, Ohio delegate positions become open. The Ohio Party delegation will approve each addition with a 2/3 majority vote of the present delegates with an Ohio residence.
Section 4. If the Party has an excess of delegates at the Libertarian National Convention, those delegates are permitted to join other state delegations, once approved by the state in question. First preference is other states in the same LNC Region with Ohio.Section 1. The Party may hold a regular Convention in even-numbered years, the date and site selected by the Central Committee.
A. A regular Convention shall be held after the primary election and before July 1st.
B. At a regular Convention, the Platform of the Party shall be formulated and adopted. The Convention may also consider such other business as the delegates may deem appropriate.
C. The Central Committee shall appoint the Convention Chair from the party membership.
D. If a regular Convention is not held in an even numbered year, then a special Convention shall be held more that ninety (90) days before the General Election. Sections B and C of this Bylaw shall apply to such a required special Convention.
1. The Convention Chair shall appoint the various Convention committees as necessary from the national or state party membership; provided they are not affiliated with any other political party, including but not limited to Credentials, Platform, and National Convention Committees. These Committees shall have such functions and duties as prescribed by the Standing Rules of the Party and by the Convention Chair.
A. Candidates for election to state offices, except judicial offices
B. Candidate for election to the United States Senate
C. Candidates for election to the United States House of Representatives
D. Candidates to the Ohio General Assembly
E. Incumbent Libertarians for any of the above offices in years when there is no election for a successor to be held
E. Members of the State Central Committee
F. Members of the State Executive Committee
G. Chairs of affiliated County Central Committees
H. Chairs of affiliated County Executive Committees
I. Up to 500 additional delegates, apportioned among the several counties in proportion to the most recent vote for the Party’s governor candidate.
A. County committees may certify their apportioned delegates to the Central Committee Secretary no later than 20 days prior to Convention.
Section 4. A notice of no less than thirty days shall be given for all conventions by reasonable and common methods.
Section 5. The Central Committee Chair and the Convention Chair may establish, with guidance from the Executive Committee, such registration and attendance fees as may be required. These fees shall be established no later than 120 days prior to a Regular Convention and no later than 30 days prior to a Special Convention.
Bylaw 600 - EndorsementsSection 2. The Party shall not endorse a nominee for the Libertarian Party presidential race prior to the Regular Convention held in presidential years.
A. The delegates to such a Convention may endorse a nominee for the Libertarian Party presidential primary race before the National Convention.
Secton 3. The Party shall not endorse any candidate for State Central Committee.
Section 4. The Party shall not endorse or oppose any candidate for any affiliate Central Committee.
Section 1. Funding and other assistance provided by the Party to a candidate for office shall not be used to attack any Libertarian candidate in a primary election.
Section 2. The Party may provide funding to a presidential nominee endorsed at a State Convention or to the candidate who has won the nomination at a National Convention.
Section 3. The Party shall not provie funding to any candidate for State Central Committee
Section 4. The Party shall not provide funding to any candidate for any affiliate Central Committee.
Bylaw 620 – Presidential Primary Election
Section 1. Candidates who meet the Constitutional and other legal requirements to seek the office of President of the United States and choose to seek the nomination of the Libertarian Party of the United States for that office may participate in the Ohio Presidential primary election.
A. Each such candidate will collect at least 100 valid signatures.
1. The signatures will be collected on a form prescribed by the Ohio Secretary of State.
2. Completed petitions will be submitted to the Ohio Secretary of State, along with any filing fee required by the state of Ohio, and signatures verified in accordance with Ohio laws.
a. The Party shall not impose a fee on candidates to participate in the presidential primary election.
3. Signatures may be collected from Libertarian-affiliated voters or unaffiliated voters.
Section 2. If the Libertarian Party of the United States is holding its Presidential Nominating Convention on a date after the Ohio primary election:
A. Each candidate qualifying for the ballot under Section 1 will submit to the Executive Committee a list of delegates totaling not more than one-third of Ohio’s allocation.
1. The delegates of the candidate who wins Ohio’s primary election will be seated as part of Ohio’s delegation at the national convention, provided that they meet the other requirements of LPO Bylaw 510.
2. No delegate priority listing found in Bylaw 510 may be used to deny the seating of any delegate under this section of the Bylaws.
3. In the event that allocation levels for the national Convention are not available or in force, each campaign will be permitted to submit a list of delegates equal in number to Ohio’s Congressional allocation from the most recent decennial United States Census.
4. Delegate lists from each canddiate must be received by the Party by the earlier of:
a. Thirty days before the Ohio Primary Election
b. Ten days before the end of LP Delegate Registration
Section 3. If the Libertarian Party of the United States is holding its Presidential Nominating Convention on a date before or coinciding with the Ohio Primary Election:
A. Section 2 of this Bylaw shall be of no effect.
Bylaw 700 - County Development
Section 1. In each nonaffiliated county, the Executive Committee may charter a County Development Group.
A. The Chair of the Executive Committee of the Party shall nominate an individual or group of individuals to serve as the members of a County Development Group in each nonaffiliated county. Each individual shall be a registered voter of the county who is either a pledge-signing member of the Party or is a member of the national party and is not affiliated with any other political party in Ohio. These individuals shall be approved by the Executive Committee
1. Sitting members of a County Development Group must become members of the Party at their earliest opportunity and remain so. Failure to do so will automatically void their appointment.
B. The Executive Committee shall appoint one member of the County Development Group to serve as the County Coordinator and primary contact within the county. If the County Development Group consists of a single individual, that individual shall be the County Coordinator by default.
C. The County Coordinator shall work with direction from the Executive Committee and shall, from time to time, provide an update to that body as requested.
D. The members of each County Development Group shall work to connect with other Libertarians within their county through outreach events, membership development, and election activities. Each County Development Group shall work towards developing into an affiliated county.
Section 2. Upon becoming an affiliated county, all County Development Group and County Coordinator appointments in a county shall automatically be ended.