THE RULES of the SOUTH CAROLINA REPUBLICAN PARTY AS ADOPTED BY THE 1962 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention AND SUBSEQUENTLY AMENDED BY THE 1966 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 1974 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 1976 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 1978 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 1980 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 1982 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 1982 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 1984 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 1986 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 1988 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 1993 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 1996 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 1996 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 1998 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 2002 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 2004 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 2007 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 2009 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 2011 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 2012 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 2015 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention 2017 South Carolina Republican Party State Convention South Carolina Republican Party Rules PREAMBLE We, the members of the South Carolina Republican Party, dedicated to the sound principles fostered by that Party, conscious of our civic responsibilities and rights and firm in our determination to support and to help perpetuate the American way of life do herewith establish this instrument, the Rules of the Republican Party of the Great State of South Carolina. 2 South Carolina Republican Party Rules RULE 1 NAME RULE 2 INTERPRETATION & APPLICATION OF RULES; AMENDMENTS; DISTRIBUTIONS; DEFINITIONS RULE 3 LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION RULE 4 PRECINCT ORGANIZATION a. Initial Organization b. Reorganization c. Proceedings d. Resignations, vacancies RULE 5 COUNTY ORGANIZATION a. Initial Organization b. County Convention c. Convention Proceedings d. County Executive Committee e. Resignations, vacancies RULE 6 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ORGANIZATION a. Initial Organization b. Reorganization c. Congressional District Convention d. Congressional District Executive Committee e. Duties of Congressional District Executive Committee f. Resignations, vacancies g. Meetings h. Proxies i. Congressional District Chairman RULE 7 STATE ORGANIZATION a. State Convention b. Convention Proceedings c. State Executive Committee d. Resignations, Vacancies e. Honors and Awards RULE 8 PROXIES RULE 9 QUORUM RULE 10 APPEALS RULE 11 NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES a. Nomination of Candidates for Elective Public Office b. The Presidential Preference Primary c. Prohibition of Crossover Voting RULE 12 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS RULE 13 FINANCES RULE 14 MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATIONS 3 South Carolina Republican Party Rules RULE 15 PARTY OFFICIALS AS CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE a. Officers and Delegates as candidates from a different political party b. Officers as candidates for public office as a Republican 4 South Carolina Republican Party Rules RULE 1 NAME The name of this political organization shall be “The South Carolina Republican Party.” The name of each component county organization shall be “The__________County Republican Party.” The name of each component precinct organization shall be “The__________Precinct of the__________County Republican Party.” 5 South Carolina Republican Party Rules RULE 2 INTERPRETATION & APPLICATION OF RULES; AMENDMENT; DISTRIBUTIONS; DEFINITIONS (a) These Rules shall be interpreted and applied so as to substantially accomplish their objectives. All records and lists required by the Rules shall be in writing. The spirit and not the letter of each Rule shall be controlling. Substantial compliance with a Rule shall be sufficient. (b) Should any conflict exist or develop between any of these Rules and the South Carolina election law, the latter shall govern except as to those laws which have been judicially held to be constitutionally unenforceable or which are patently unconstitutional. (c) In matters or areas not covered by these Rules, the Rules of the National Republican Party may be followed as a guide. (d) The proceedings of all business, organizational, reorganizational, and committee meetings and all county and state conventions, not covered by these Rules or by enforceable provisions of the South Carolina election law, shall conform to the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised. (e) All elections to a party office at all levels of organization shall be decided by a majority vote unless otherwise directed by the rules; all delegates shall be elected by plurality vote. (f) These Rules may be amended only by the State Convention by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the total number of delegates registered and approved for that convention or reconvened convention. (g) The State Executive Committee or the State Chairman may cause explanatory footnotes to accompany these Rules when published or printed. Footnotes may be added to, removed, supplemented, corrected or altered as the occasion requires or as the orderly utilization and implementation of the Rules may suggest. Such footnotes or explanatory comment shall not be regarded as part of these Rules or have the force of Party Rules, but shall be considered as advisory only. The State Chairman may require specific forms to be used for administrative purposes at all levels of the party. The State Chairman may make other regulations regarding administrative practices at all levels of the party. (h) The State Executive Committee, each County Executive Committee and each county convention may adopt for their own purposes such rules as they deem necessary and which are not in conflict with these Rules or with enforceable state law. (i) The Rules may be reproduced and distributed as the State Executive Committee may direct. Each state party officer, each state convention officer, each committeeman, each county chairman, and each precinct delegate shall be furnished upon request a certified copy of these Rules by the state party secretary. 6 South Carolina Republican Party Rules (j) Where used in these Rules, the male gender shall include female unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. (k) “County Chairman” shall mean the duly elected Republican chairman of the county executive committee in his county. (l) “State Chairman” shall mean the duly elected Republican chairman of the state executive committee. (m) “State Executive Committeeman” shall mean the duly elected Republican committeeman from his county to the Republican state executive committee. (n) “County Executive Committeeman” shall mean the duly elected Republican committeeman from his precinct to the Republican county executive committee in his county. (o) “Party” shall mean the South Carolina Republican Party at the state, congressional district, county, or precinct level. (p) “State Officer” shall mean any officer of the party at the state level, duly elected or appointed, other than state executive committeemen, who is a county officer. (q) “District Officer” shall mean any officer of the party at the district level, duly elected or appointed. (r) “County Officer” shall mean any officer of the party at the county level, duly elected or appointed. (s) “Precinct Officer” shall mean any officer of the party elected by the precinct, which includes county committeemen. 7 South Carolina Republican Party Rules RULE 3 LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION (a) Organization of the party shall be at four levels: (1) the precinct organization; (2) the county organization; (3) the congressional district organization; and, (4) the state organization. (b) Any other Republican organization based upon a geographical area may be established, or altered, only by the State Executive Committee. 8 South Carolina Republican Party Rules RULE 4 PRECINCT ORGANIZATION (a) Initial Organization (1) Initial organization of a precinct in a county that does not have a county organization that is recognized by the State Executive Committee shall be in accordance with such instructions and procedures as the State Chairman shall direct. Such initial organization may be accomplished at any time in the manner as hereinafter stated. (2) Initial organization of a precinct in a county that has a county party organization, which is recognized by the State Executive Committee, shall be under the direction of the County Chairman, their designee, State Chairman or other Party official designated by the State Chairman upon noncompliance or refusal by County Chairman. Precincts undergoing initial organization that did not go through reorganization may be organized at any time and shall be immediately recognized by the County Executive Committee without a make-up meeting. (b) Reorganization (1) Organized precincts shall meet during the month of March at an appropriate place within the county at a time and day set by the County Executive Committee of each non-general election year, or at such other time and date as may be required by law for reorganization. (2) Only those precincts previously certified or recognized as duly organized shall conduct reorganizational meetings. (c) Proceedings In all organization and reorganization meetings of precinct, business may be conducted as follows: (1) The meeting shall be called to order by the precinct president or vicepresident, if the president is not present, in an organized precinct. In an unorganized precinct, the meeting shall be called to order by such person as may have been designated by the county chairman (or State Chairman, if applicable) to arrange the meeting, and if none, then by some person in attendance who is eligible for membership in the precinct. See Rule 4(c)(3) for eligibility requirements. (2) A temporary president, a temporary secretary, and a committee on credentials for the purpose of organizing or reorganizing shall be elected. (3) The credentials committee shall report the names of those in attendance who are eligible for membership and who have signed the membership roll, verifying 9 South Carolina Republican Party Rules that each member is in fact eligible for membership. Membership eligibility is determined by the member having a current, valid voter registration certificate in that precinct, and either (1) the person having voted in the election designated for the purposes of delegate allocation set forth in Rule 4(c)(5) or (2) the person being elected to membership at a precinct meeting. (4) When organized, a permanent president, one or more vice-presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, and a county committeeman to the county executive committee (a minimum of five (5) officers) may be elected. One person may not hold more than one office unless there are fewer than five people present at the meeting. Such committees as may be desired may be created. Precinct officers do not assume the duties of their office until after the county convention set forth in Rule 5(b) has been held, unless they are elected from a precinct not organized during the month of March under regular precinct reorganization. (5) Delegates and alternates to the county convention shall be elected from among the members of the precinct in attendance and/or those whose membership is set forth in the poll list of the preceding primary election and/or those who are absent from the reorganization meeting but who have submitted the properly signed forms. In situations where there are more members present wishing to run for county delegate than delegate positions available (or those who have submitted proper paperwork), a vote shall be taken with each present eligible member having as many votes to cast as delegate positions available. No member absent from the meeting may cast a vote, but they may be voted for and considered a candidate. In the case of fewer members present than delegate slots allotted, all members shall become delegates. A list of the candidates shall be arranged in the order of the number of votes received by them, with the candidate receiving the greatest number ranked first, and candidates with fewer votes ranked in descending order of the number of votes received by each in succession. The number of votes received by each candidate also shall be shown on said list. In the case of a tie, the position of the tying candidates on the list shall be determined by drawing lots. Those candidates with the most votes will be delegates, and the rest will be alternates in descending order of the total number of votes received. Delegates and alternates are not required to be in attendance at the precinct meeting. Each precinct shall have one delegate for every twenty-five (25) members and major fraction thereof, based upon the number of votes polled in the first primary of the preceding general election year or based upon the number of votes for presidential electors at the last preceding general election thereof from the precinct as determined by the State Executive Committee; or if the last preceding nominations were by convention, the representation shall be based upon the number of votes for presidential electors at the last preceding general election therefore from the precinct (7-9-70). All precinct representation shall be based on the same election. An equal number of alternates may also be elected. The precinct secretary and precinct president shall certify the names of precinct members, precinct officers and delegates and alternates, along with their own certifications, to the county chairman no later than five (5) days following the initial precinct meeting. Vacancies in any precinct delegation at any County 10 South Carolina Republican Party Rules Convention or reconvened convention shall be filled from among the alternate delegates present. No delegate or alternate shall be elected by the precinct less than five (5) days before the County Convention. A certified list of precinct members, precinct officers and delegates and alternates shall be forwarded to the State Chairman by the county chairman no later than seven (7) days following the initial meeting, and no later than three (3) days after a make-up meeting. The county chairman shall make the certified list of delegates and alternates to the county convention available to any delegate, alternate or precinct officer no later than three (3) days after a make-up meeting. Such certified lists shall contain all contact information known to the county party. Upon receipt of the lists from the precinct, the county chairman shall promptly notify the precinct president of any irregularities found therein, and conversely, the precinct president shall be informed if the lists are in order. (6) Except for organization and reorganization meetings, the president or five (5) members may call special meetings of the precinct at any time by giving at least forty-eight (48) hours public notice. (7) If federal or state actions result in the creation of new precincts, consolidation of precincts or redrawing of precinct lines that cause duly elected precinct officers and delegates to no longer reside within their original precinct, the offices of the affected officers and delegates shall be declared vacant. The county executive committee shall set a date within forty-five (45) days of such action for a special precinct reorganization meeting for those precincts affected. The meeting shall be held in one location within the county and under the direction of the county chairman, their designee, the State Chairman or other Party official designated by the State Chairman upon noncompliance or refusal by County Chairman. (8) The county chairman shall also set a date no later than five days prior to the county convention for precincts to meet, referred to as a make-up meeting, that have failed to organize or re-organize or that need to conduct further business, including the ability of precincts to fulfill their delegate allotment to the county convention. The make-up meeting for all precincts shall be held in one central location in the county and shall be properly advertised. (d) Resignations, vacancies (1) Resignations by any officer shall be submitted to the president and secretary. The county committeeman shall submit his resignation to the county chairman also. The precinct shall fill all vacancies in its elective offices, including county committeeman. If an elected officer or committeeman becomes disabled and cannot act or serve, or if he abandons his office by refusing to serve, he shall be notified in writing by the county executive committee, upon concurrence of a majority of the entire executive committee, that his office will be declared vacant, effective thirty (30) days from the date of notice, unless the person gives earlier notice of his resignation or unless, within that time, he resumes the full duties of his office or furnishes a reason acceptable to the county executive committee as to why his office should not be declared vacant. 11 South Carolina Republican Party Rules (2) A vacancy shall occur immediately if any elected officer or executive committeeman moves his legal residence outside the geographical area his office encompasses, and such vacancy shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the Rules. Should any officer or delegate publicly endorse or financially support a candidate for partisan office other than a duly nominated Republican candidate, unless there is no Republican nominee in the relevant race, they shall immediately vacate their Republican Party office. The State Executive Committee may waive this provision in statewide and multi-county elections, and the county executive committees may waive this provision for their county and less-than-county elections. (3) Aditionally, any County Executive Committee may declare vacant the office of any member of the County Executive Committee who is absent from three (3) consecutive County Executive Committee meetings without good cause when such committeeman has not been represented by a designated proxy or by the precinct president in attendance in his place. Provided, however, before such committeeman's office shall have been declared vacant, he shall be notified by certified mail by the county chairman and given opportunity to show cause before the County Executive Committee why he should not be removed from office. (4) Should a vacancy occur in the office of a County Executive Committeeman or Precinct Chairman, and if there be no other members or officers of the precinct, the precinct shall become unorganized. Upon notice by the Executive Committee and at the discretion of the County Chairman that there is someone interested in re-organizing the precinct, it shall become organized pursuant to Rule 4(a). (5) A vacancy shall occur as covered in Rule 15. (6) A precinct meeting may be called by the precinct president or five other precinct members for the purpose of filling a vacancy among its officers, but such meetings require 48 hours written notice to all precinct members. For the purposes of these rules, unless otherwise specified, “written notice” shall be defined as mail by the United States Postal Service, electronic mail, or private mail delivery service. (7) The precinct secretary shall keep a current roll of members, removing names as a result of death, transfer, resignation, request, etc. New precinct members may be added as indicated by state party rules. 12 South Carolina Republican Party Rules RULE 5 COUNTY ORGANIZATION (a) Initial Organization (1) Initial organization of a county organization in a county not having a county party organization which is recognized by the State Executive Committee shall be in accordance with instructions and procedures as the State Chairman may direct. Such counties may be organized at any time. (b) County Convention (1) In every non-general election year, the County Convention shall be called by the County Executive Committee in each county having an organization recognized by the State Executive Committee. The convention shall be held during the month of April, no less than 14 days following precinct reorganization meetings, and the specific date, time and location of the convention shall be set by the County Executive Committee. A notice shall be caused to be published by the County Executive Committee once a week for two consecutive weeks, not more than three nor less than two weeks before the actual day of the convention in a newspaper having general circulation in the county. The list of delegates certified by the president and secretary of each precinct shall constitute the temporary roll of the County Convention (7-9-70). (c) Convention Proceedings In all county conventions, business shall be conducted as follows: (1) The meeting shall be called to order by the county chairman, or vice-chairman if the chairman is not present. (7-9-80) (2) A temporary convention president, a temporary secretary and a committee on credentials for the purpose of organizing shall be elected. (7-9-80) (3) The credentials committee shall make its report to the county convention body; and any appeals regarding the credentials committee's report shall be made by way of amendment to the county convention (7-9-80). Further appeals may be made to the State Executive Committee at its next meeting thereafter, and if necessary, to the next regular state convention meeting. (4) When organized, a permanent convention president, secretary, and treasurer shall be elected. It shall also elect the county chairman, county vice-chairman (preferably of the opposite sex), a state executive committeeman, (7-9-80), and other such officers as the convention deems necessary, who shall serve for a term of two (2) years or until their successors are elected 13 South Carolina Republican Party Rules (5) It shall also elect delegates to the district and State Convention. One delegate shall be elected for each six thousand residents in the county or majority fraction thereof, according to the latest official United States Census, plus two additional delegates. Double the number of delegates may be elected in which case each delegate shall have one-half vote. An equal number of alternates may also be elected (7-9-80). Should the county convention desire to designate the order of alternates who might fill vacancies, it may do so. Where no order of alternates is designated, the order in which the names are submitted to the state party shall be deemed the order of succession. The convention shall designate one of its delegates as a member of the state credentials committee. (6) If a county is divided between two or more congressional districts, the number of state convention delegates to which such county shall be entitled shall be apportioned among the district as nearly as possible based on the population residing in each congressional district as a percentage of the entire population of the county at the last decennial census. Each State Convention delegate elected to attend a Congressional District Convention shall be a resident of the congressional district the person is elected to represent and shall be elected only by those County Convention delegates who are residents of the same congressional district. (7) A list certified by the convention secretary and signed by the convention president and/or county chairman, of all officers, delegates, and alternates elected by the county convention shall be forwarded by the county chairman or convention secretary to the State Chairman and a copy to the district chairman not later than five (5) days following the county convention. Such list also shall include the name of the delegate chosen to serve on the credentials committee. (8) The county convention shall be recessed in non-general election years and may be reconvened in the following general election year, during the month set by the state committee, to conduct such business, as it deems advisable, including nomination of candidates. (d) County Executive Committee (1) The precincts in each county shall be held together and operated under the control of a County Executive Committee, which shall consist of one (1) committeeman from each precinct elected by the precinct. The county executive committee, when elected, shall by majority vote elect its own officers, except those who were elected by the county convention per party rules. Appointed officers need not be executive committeemen. An officer of the County Executive Committee who is not an executive committeeman shall not be entitled to vote on any question. The county chairman may vote only in case of a tie vote. (2) The state executive committeeman from the county shall also be an officer of the County Executive Committee and shall be entitled to vote on any question.. (3) The tenure of office of the county committeeman shall be until the convening 14 South Carolina Republican Party Rules of the county convention in each non-general election year. (4) The secretary of the County Executive Committee shall keep such record of the committee's meetings as the committee may direct. Any written record that is kept shall be in duplicate, one copy for the chairman and one copy to be retained by the secretary. (5) The County Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the chairman, any three committeemen, or by ten percent of the Committee’s membership, whichever is greater, at such time and place as he or they shall appoint, but no meeting shall be held without each member of the committee having been given at least twenty-four (24) hours written notice thereof. The County Executive Committee may also meet and act by telephone conference upon twenty-four (24) hours written notice. For the purposes of these rules, unless otherwise specified, “written notice” shall be defined as mail by the United States Postal Service, electronic mail, or private mail delivery service. (e) Resignations, vacancies (1) Resignation by any officer shall be submitted in writing to the county chairman and county secretary. Resignation by a county executive committeeman shall also be to the president and secretary of this precinct. Resignation by the state executive committeeman shall be to the county chairman, county secretary and State Chairman and State Secretary. (2) The County Executive Committee may remove any appointed officer at any time. It may fill any vacancies among its appointed officers. (3) Should the office of the county chairman, county vice-chairman or State Executive Committeeman become vacant, the County Executive Committee shall fill the vacancy by electing a chairman, vice-chairman or Executive Committeeman, respectively, for the unexpired term. Vacancy in the office of county chairman shall not cause the vice-chairman to succeed to the office of chairman unless elected thereto by the County Executive Committee. Vacancies in these offices that are filled by the County Executive Committee will not cause such officers to be "appointed" officers by the committee, but the same as if elected by the County Convention. (4) If an elected officer or committeeman becomes disabled and cannot act or serve, or if he abandons his office by refusing to serve, he shall be notified in writing by the county executive committee, upon concurrence of a majority of the entire executive committee, that his office will be declared vacant, effective thirty (30) days from the date of the notice, unless the person gives earlier notice of his resignation or unless, within that time, he resumes the full duties of his office or furnishes a reason acceptable to the county executive committee as to why his office should not be declared vacant. 15 South Carolina Republican Party Rules (5) Additionally, any County Executive Committee may declare vacant the office of any member of the County Executive Committee who is absent from three (3) consecutive County Executive Committee meetings without good cause when such committeeman has not been represented by a designated proxy (8c) or by the precinct president in a attendance in his place. Provided, however, before such committeeman's office shall have been declared vacant, he shall be notified by certified mail by the county chairman and given opportunity to show cause before the County Executive Committee why he should not be removed from office. Should any officer or delegate publicly endorse or financially support a candidate for partisan office other than a duly nominated Republican candidate, unless there is no Republican nominee in the relevant race, they shall immediately vacate their Republican Party office. The State Executive Committee may waive this provision in statewide and multicounty elections, and the county executive committees may waive this provision for their county and less-than-county elections. (6) A vacancy shall occur immediately if any elected officer or county executive committee moves his residence outside the geographical area his offices encompasses, and such vacancy shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of these Rules. (7) A vacancy shall occur as covered under Rule 15. 16 South Carolina Republican Party Rules RULE 6 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ORGANIZATION (a) Initial Organization (1) Initial establishment of a Congressional District Organization, within such district not having a district organization which is recognized by the State Executive Committee, shall be in accordance with instructions and procedures as the State Chairman may direct. Congressional District Organizations may be organized at any time. (b) Reorganization (1) In every Presidential election year, Congressional District Conventions shall be called by the Congressional District Executive Committee in each district having an organization recognized by the State Executive Committee. The Congressional District Convention shall be scheduled following the Presidential Preference Primary and no less than five (5) days prior to the State Convention. (2) Notice of the Congressional District Convention shall be given in writing to all Delegates and Alternates to the State Convention, that have been elected at the County Convention within the district. Notification shall be given as early as possible but at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the scheduled Congressional District Convention. (c) Congressional District Convention (1) The chairman of the district, or the vice-chairman if the chairman is not present, shall call the convention to order and preside until the election of a temporary president and temporary secretary. (2) The credentials committee shall be appointed by the temporary convention president and the temporary convention secretary. Each county delegation shall be entitled to cast either one (1) vote per delegate, or one-half (1/2) vote per delegate, as having been instructed by their respective county convention. (3) The credentials committee shall make its report to the district convention body; and any appeals to this report shall be made by way of amendment to the District Convention body. Further appeals may be made to the State Executive Committee at its next meeting thereafter, and if necessary, to the next regular state convention meeting. (4) When organized, a permanent convention president, a permanent convention secretary, and such other permanent convention officers as may appear necessary shall be elected. 17 South Carolina Republican Party Rules (5) The following District Officers shall be elected from the delegates and alternates to the district and state conventions: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary. Additional Vice-Chairmen may be elected where the convention so wishes. The District Chairman may appoint such other officers as deemed necessary. (6) Election of National Delegates a) In every presidential election year, the Congressional District Convention shall elect its quota of delegates and alternates to the National Convention to be held that year and shall submit a list of such delegates and alternates to the State Chairman no later than three (3) days prior to the State Convention. The State Chairman (or their designee) shall also give written notice to each member of the State Executive Committee and each County Chairman of the date, time, and place of the Convention. The State Committee shall include in the call to convention available accommodations convenient to the convention site. (b) Each candidate for election as such a delegate shall file with and place in the possession of the Congressional District Chairman or his designee before twelve (12) o'clock noon on the seventh (7th) day before the day fixed for the meeting of such Congressional District Convention the proper notice as directed by the State Chairman. The Chairman shall provide such Convention with a list of such candidates. No person shall be eligible to run for Delegate or Alternate to the National Convention who is not a Congressional District Delegate or Alternate to the Congressional District Convention. (c) The selection of such delegates and alternates shall be made by vote of such Congressional District Convention by ballot upon which shall be listed all such candidates for the office of delegate. (d) Each delegate to such Congressional District Convention may vote for a number of such candidates not exceeding twice the number of such delegates to be elected by such Convention. Those candidates receiving the most votes shall be elected delegates, and those candidates receiving the next highest number of votes shall be elected alternates. (e) A record of the vote at each District Convention shall be retained by the District Chairman and a copy thereof sent to the State Chairman at least three (3) days prior to the day fixed for the State Convention. Such record shall consist of a list of the candidates arranged in the order of the number of votes received by them, with the candidate receiving the greatest number ranked first and candidates with fewer votes ranked in descending order of the number of votes received by each in succession. The number of votes received by each candidates also shall be shown on the list. In the case of a tie, the position of the tying candidates on the list shall be determined by drawing lots. 18 South Carolina Republican Party Rules (f) In the event a delegate or alternate elected at the Congressional District Convention resigns his position by giving notice in writing to his Congressional District Chairman before the organizational meeting provided for in these Rules to be called of all delegates and alternates elected to the National Convention, the next highest ranked candidate on the record of the vote at the District Convention willing to so serve shall fill such vacancy and his position shall be similarly filled, and the District Chairman shall promptly notify the affected candidates and the State Chairman. (7) The District Convention may recess until recalled into session by the Convention President or by the District Chairman. (d) Congressional District Executive Committee Membership of the Congressional District Executive Committee shall be comprised of: (1) The officers elected at the District Convention, with voting powers. (2) Each duly elected County Chairman within the district, with voting powers. (3) All duly elected State Executive Committeemen within the district, with voting powers. (4) State Party officers residing in the Congressional District are considered exofficio members of the respective District Executive Committee, with no voting power. District Chairmen must be a delegate and as such cannot be denied a vote. (e) Duties of Congressional District Executive Committee (1) The Congressional District Executive Committee shall perform such duties as may be required or delegated by the State Executive Committee or by these rulings. (f) Resignations, Vacancies (1) Resignations by any officer shall be submitted, in writing, to the District Chairman and to the District Secretary. Resignation of the District Chairman shall be submitted to the district Vice-Chairman, the District Secretary, the State Chairman, and to the State Secretary. (2) District office vacancies shall be filled by the District Executive Committee. (3) A vacancy shall occur immediately if any elected officer moves his residence outside the geographical area his offices encompasses, and such vacancy shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of these Rules. 19 South Carolina Republican Party Rules (4) A vacancy shall occur as covered under Rule 15. (g) Meetings (1) The Congressional District Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairman or any five (5) members thereof at such time and place as he or they may appoint. No meeting shall be held without each member of the committee having been given at least twenty-four (24) hours written notice thereof. The Congressional District Executive Committee may also meet and act by telephone conference upon twenty-four (24) hours written notice. For the purposes of these rules, unless otherwise specified, “written notice” shall be defined as mail by the United States Postal Service, electronic mail, or private mail delivery service. (h) Proxies (1) Any member of the district committee may issue a proxy to the District Secretary for any meeting of the District Committee provided this issuance is in compliance with existing Party regulations. (i) Congressional District Chairman (1) Congressional District Chairmen may attend and participate in all State Executive Committee meetings in a non-voting capacity. 20 South Carolina Republican Party Rules RULE 7 STATE ORGANIZATION (a) State Convention (1) The state convention shall meet at a location in this state determined by the state committee to have adequate facilities during the month of May of every nongeneral election year on a day and at a time fixed by the state committee and announced publicly at least ten days before the meeting. In presidential election years, that state convention shall be held after the presidential preference primary and no less than five (5) days following the Congressional district conventions. The State Chairman shall also give written notice to each member of the State Executive Committee and each County Chairman of the date, time, and place of the Convention. The State Committee shall include in the call to convention available accommodations convenient to the convention site. (2) The State Convention shall be comprised of delegates elected by the County Convention, each county to be entitled to one delegate for every 6,000 residents in the county or major fraction thereof, according to the latest United States Census, plus two additional delegates, unless a County Convention has elected double the number of delegates, in which event all such one-half (1/2) vote delegates shall be seated. Any county delegation may change its votes from half votes to whole votes one time only upon recess of the State Convention which lasts 48 hours or longer. At the time the county delegation votes to go to whole votes, said delegates shall elect from the one-half vote delegates those individuals who are to serve as whole vote delegates. The remaining former one-half vote delegates will then become alternates, who will fill any vacancies in the delegation, prior to any of the original alternates. Each county delegation to a State Convention may fill any vacancies therein, first from among elected alternates, in order designated, if any, by the County Convention and thereafter from any delegates to the County Convention. Each county delegation to the State Convention shall have as its spokesman or chairman the county chairman or vice-chairman if that person is among the elected delegates; otherwise, the delegation shall elect its own chairman or spokesman. (7-9-100) (3) The credentials committee of the State Convention shall be comprised of one (1) delegate from each county elected to the state credentials committee by the county conventions. Should the duly elected county delegate to the state credentials committee fail to attend and serve on said committee, the county chairman has authority to serve, and in the absence of both the delegate and the county chairman, the state executive committeeman has authority to serve. The State Chairman shall call the members of the credentials committee to meet in Columbia on the day before the convening of the state convention. The State Chairman shall give written notice of the time, date and place of the meeting. At the meeting the credentials committee shall organize, electing one of its members as chairman and one as secretary, and shall proceed to examine and certify or reject the credentials of each county in alphabetical sequence. In case of a contest 21 South Carolina Republican Party Rules as to the election of delegates by any county, the county chairman shall notify the State Chairman of such contest at the time the report of the county convention is made to the State Chairman furnishing the names and addresses of all persons claiming to be delegates to the state convention. The credentials committee shall not seat any delegate to the credentials committee from a county where there is a contest until and unless the committee first determines the rights of a properly designated delegate to a seat on the credentials committee meeting. The county chairman of the county in which the contest may arise shall notify all contestants of the time, date and place of the credentials committee meeting. The credentials committee shall hear and determine such contest or contests in such manner as it shall decide upon. It shall report its findings and recommendations to the State Convention through its chairman or secretary as soon as the temporary organization of the convention is elected. Any person aggrieved by the report of the credentials committee may appeal to the state convention body if he is a delegate to the convention, or if he would be a delegate but for the report of the credentials committee. Any member or members of the credentials committee may make a minority report if desired unless three-fourths (3/4) of the delegates to the convention vote not to receive a minority report. (b) Convention Proceedings In all state conventions business shall be conducted as follows: (1) The meeting shall be called to order by the State Chairman or vice-chairman if the chairman is not present. (7-9-100) (2) A temporary convention president and a temporary convention secretary shall be elected. (7-9-100) (3) The credentials committee shall make its report and any appeal from the credentials committee’s report shall be made to the convention body. (4) When organized, a permanent convention president, two secretaries, one or more vice-presidents, a treasurer, and such other convention officers as may be desired shall be elected. (5) The State Convention shall elect the State Chairman and the state first vicechairman (7-9-90). The State Convention may also elect a second vice-chairman and third vice-chairman whose duties will be determined by the State Executive Committee. (6) The State Convention shall be recessed in non-general election years and may be reconvened in the following general election year at the time set by the State Executive Committee to conduct such business as it deems advisable, including nomination of candidates. In presidential election years, the State Convention shall be re-convened to elect a national committeeman and national committeewoman and to elect at-large delegates and alternates to the National 22 South Carolina Republican Party Rules Convention. The State Convention may instruct its delegates and alternates to a national convention as to any matters it deems necessary. (7) Election of Delegates to National Convention (a) No person shall be allowed to run for Delegate-at-large or Alternate-atlarge to the National Convention who is not a state delegate or alternate to the state convention. Each candidate for election as such Delegate-at-large shall file with and place in the possession of the State Chairman before twelve (12) o’clock noon on the seventh day before the day fixed for the meeting of the state convention the proper notice as directed by the State Chairman. The State Chairman shall provide such convention with a list of such candidates. (b) No person elected at a congressional district convention to be a delegate or alternate shall be eligible to be a candidate for selection as a delegate or alternate to be voted for at a state convention unless such person has filed and placed in possession of his congressional district chairman or his designee by twelve (12) o'clock on the third (3rd) day before the day fixed for the meeting of the state convention a written notice of his resignation as such delegate or alternate from such congressional district. (c) The election of such delegates-at-large and alternates-at-large shall be made by vote of the state convention by ballot upon which shall be listed all such candidates for the office of delegate-at-large. (d) Each delegate to the state convention may vote for a number of such candidates not exceeding twice the number of such delegates-at-large to be elected by the state convention. Those candidates receiving the most votes shall be elected delegates-at-large, and those candidates receiving next highest number of votes shall be elected alternates-at-large. (e) A record of the vote at the convention shall be retained by the State Chairman. Such record shall consist of a list of the candidates arranged in the order of the number of votes received by them, with the candidate receiving the greatest number ranked first, and candidates with fewer votes ranked in descending order of the number of votes received by each in succession. The number of votes received by each candidate also shall be shown on said list. In the case of a tie, the position of the tying candidates on the list shall be determined by drawing lots. (f) In the event a delegate-at-large or alternate-at-large elected at the state convention resigns his position by giving notice in writing to the State Chairman before the organizational meeting provided for in these rules to be called of all delegates and alternates elected to the national convention, the next highest ranked candidate on the record of the vote at the State Convention willing to serve shall fill such vacancy and his position shall 23 South Carolina Republican Party Rules be similarly filled, and the State Chairman shall promptly notify the affected candidates. (g) Within (4) four weeks after the election of the delegates and alternates, it shall be the responsibility of the State Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party to call a meeting of all delegates and alternates elected to the National Convention for the purpose of organizing the delegation. At this time, acting under the leadership of the State Chairman, the delegates shall proceed to elect a delegation chairman, a delegation vice-chairman, and a delegation secretary. At this point in time, the National Convention delegation becomes a body unto itself and shall be governed by its own actions not inconsistent with the rules of the Republican National Convention. (h) In the event one or more delegates-at-large or alternates-at-large cannot attend the national convention, and such fact is made known by the delegate in writing to the chairman of the delegation, all candidates lower on the convention-vote record shall be considered elected to the office which their new position on the convention-vote record has entitled them. Once the credentials committee adopts the official roll at the convention, vacancies shall be filled in numerical order as provided in these rules. (i) In a national convention, in the absence of any delegate-at-large, his place shall be filled from alternates in the following order: Alternate-atlarge in the order listed; district alternates in the assigned order of districts (said order having been determined prior to the opening of the convention by lot at a caucus attended by the highest ranking member from each district) and in the order listed within districts. (j) In the absence of a delegate from any congressional district, his place shall be taken by an alternate in the following order: alternates from the same district in the order listed; alternates-at-large in the order listed; district alternates from other districts in numerical order and in the order named within the districts. Provided further, however, that with the written notice to the chairman of the delegation, any delegate-at-large, already present at the national convention, shall select any alternate-at-large to represent him in his temporary absence, which shall not exceed one convention session in each instance, and any district delegate, already present at the convention, may select a district alternate from the same district to represent him, his temporary absence not to exceed one convention session in each instance. (8) No resolutions or platform changes shall be considered by the State Convention that shall not have received the prior approval of at least one county convention, the State Executive Committee, or a Platform and Resolutions committee appointed by the State Executive Committee. This rule shall not be subject to suspension or amendment by any vote of a state convention to permit or facilitate debate on any resolution during that Convention. 24 South Carolina Republican Party Rules (c) State Executive Committee (1) The Republican State Executive Committee shall have the general management of the State Republican Party, subject to direction from the State Convention. The members of the state executive committee shall be elected by the county conventions. The committee shall choose its own officers except the State Chairman and state vice-chairman who shall be elected by the state convention. Appointed officers need not be committeemen, but an officer of the state committee who is not a committeeman shall not be entitled to vote. The district chairmen and vice-chairmen and State Chairman of official Republican auxiliaries shall be ex-officio members of the state committee. Voting members of the state executive committee shall be the state committeeman from each county, the national committeeman, the national committeewoman, president of the state Federation of Republican Women, the state first vice-chairman when not presiding (and when presiding, only in case of a tie vote, as the State Chairman) only in case of a tie vote) (7-9-90): provided, however, that voting members may be represented by proxy in accordance with Rule 8 herein. (2) The tenure of office of a state committeeman shall be for two (2) years from the time of his election or until his successor has been elected (7-9-90). (3) The state executive committee shall be considered a continuing body and its established rules of operative procedure and organization established pursuant to these rules or pursuant to applicable law shall continue in force until changed by affirmative action of the Committee in conformity with these rules or applicable law. (4) The state secretary shall forward the original minutes of the state executive committee meetings and the originals of other documents to the State Chairman and shall keep a copy for his files. The state secretary shall deliver all records to his successor or else furnish his successor with certified copies of all records. (5) The state committee shall meet at the call of the chairman or any five (5) members thereof at such time and place as he or they may appoint (7-9-90). No meeting shall be held without each member of the committee having been given at least twenty-four (24) hours written notice thereof. The State Executive Committee may also meet and act by telephone conference upon twenty-four (24) hours written notice. For the purposes of these rules, unless otherwise specified, “written notice” shall be defined as mail by the United States Postal Service, electronic mail, or private mail delivery service. In no event shall the State Executive Committee meet less than once per calendar quarter. (6) The State Chairman with the approval of the State Executive Committee may appoint such committees, other than the credentials committee, as he deems necessary for the proper and efficient functioning of the Party. (7) The annual budget for the South Carolina Republican Party shall be approved 25 South Carolina Republican Party Rules at the first meeting of the State Executive Committee held in each year. The proposed budget shall be submitted by the State Chairman. (8) The state Chairman shall conduct an annual certified financial audit each calendar year, and make those audit findings available to the Executive Committee. (d) Resignations, Vacancies (1) Resignations by an officer shall be to the State Chairman and State Secretary. Resignation by a national committeeman or national committeewoman also shall be to the chairman of the national party or such other officer as the national party may designate. Resignation by a state committeeman also shall be to his county chairman and county secretary. (2) The state committee may remove any officer chosen by it at any time. It may fill any vacancies among its chosen officers. (3) Should the office of state chairman or state vice-chairman become vacant, the state committee may fill the vacancy by electing a chairman or vice-chairman for the unexpired term. Vacancy in the office of State Chairman shall not cause the vice-chairman to succeed to the office of State Chairman unless elected thereto by the state committee. Vacancies in the office of State Chairman or vice-chairman that are filled by the state committee will not thereby cause such officers to be “appointed” officers by the committee but they shall be the same as if elected by the State Convention. (4) If an elected officer or committeeman becomes disabled and cannot act or serve, except for a temporary period, or if he moves his residence outside the geographical area his office encompasses, or if he abandons his office by refusing to serve, he shall be notified in writing by the executive committee, upon concurrence of a majority of the entire executive committee, that his office will be declared vacant, effective thirty (30) days from the date of the notice unless the person gives earlier notice of his resignation or unless, within that time, he resumes the full duties of his office or furnishes a reason acceptable to the state executive committee as to why his office should not be declared vacant. (5) Additionally, the state executive committee may declare vacant the office of any member of the state executive committee who is absent from three (3) consecutive meetings without good cause when such committeeman has not been represented by a designated proxy or by the county chairman in attendance in his/her place; provided, however, before such Committeeman's office shall have been declared vacant, he shall be notified by certified mail by the State Chairman and given opportunity to show cause before the state executive committee why he should not be removed from office. Should any officer or delegate publicly endorse or financially support a candidate for partisan office other than a duly nominated Republican candidate, unless there is no Republican nominee in the relevant race, they shall immediately vacate their Republican Party office. The 26 South Carolina Republican Party Rules State Executive Committee may waive this provision in statewide and multicounty elections, and the county executive committees may waive this provision for their county and less-than-county elections. (6) Any vacancy in the state ticket of electors or in the national committee of the Party, however occurring, shall be filled by the state committee, all by a majority vote of the whole committee (7-9-90). (e) Honors and Awards Authority to bestow special state party honors and awards is reserved to the State Executive Committee, upon recommendation of the Honors and Awards Committee. 27 South Carolina Republican Party Rules RULE 8 PROXIES (a) Proxies may be used by any county committeeman and any state committeeman. The national committeeman and national committeewoman may also use proxies as ex-officio members of the state executive committee. (b) To be valid, a proxy must be in writing (written letter or electronic communication) dated, signed by the author (or apparent with electronic media who the sender is), give the full name and address of the person designated as proxy and specify the specific meeting for which the proxy is given. A duly executed copy of the proxy shall be given to the chairman or secretary of the group, committee or meeting at which the proxy attends. (c) Only members of the party from the same group represented by the author shall be appointed proxy. Such as, a county committeeman may appoint a proxy only from his own precinct; a state committeeman may appoint a proxy only from his own county. (d) Proxies shall not be used or recognized in the Party at any level except as provided for in these rules. (e) No individuals may have more than one (1) vote either in his own right or by reason of any proxy he may hold. A proxy can only be used by an individual actually in attendance at the meeting for which the proxy is given. Attendance at the meeting for which the proxy is given by the author of the proxy shall terminate the proxy, unless the author should leave prior to the termination of the meeting and announce prior to his leaving whom he has designated as his proxy. (f) If a state committeeman does not attend scheduled meetings of the state committee and does not appoint a proxy in writing, the county chairman of his county or his county first vice-chairman, when the chairman is absent, shall be considered an automatic proxy at such meeting. This same provision applies in similar fashion at the county level. (g) The State Chairman and the state vice-chairman may designate any member of the party in the state as proxy for their vote only, at a scheduled meeting, provided that such proxy shall not apply to the proxy presiding or acting with other authority. (h) The state executive committee may provide for the use of proxies within a party organization created by it under the provisions of the Party Rule 3, but such use is to be limited to the pattern authorized elsewhere in this Rule 7, and, in any event, the use of proxies so authorized shall be limited to meetings of or at the organization created by the state executive committee and shall not extend to the use of such proxies at state executive committee meetings. (i) No proxy shall be authorized to designate a substitute or successor proxy. However, an author of a proxy may designate successive proxies in the event the proxy first designated does not attend. 28 South Carolina Republican Party Rules RULE 9 QUORUM (a) A quorum of the State Executive Committee shall be a majority of voting members. A quorum of all other committees shall be the lesser of twenty-five (25) members or onethird of the members thereof. All meetings must be properly noticed. (b) In case of a vacancy occurring in the office of State Chairman, state vice-chairman, national committeeman or national committeewoman, a quorum for the purpose of electing an individual to fill the vacancy shall be two-thirds (2/3) of the membership of the state executive committee electing the replacement (7-9-90). (c) A quorum at all conventions shall be a majority of the delegates thereto. (d) However, for entity that has two (2) consecutive inquorate meetings for which notice has been properly provided, the quorum at all meetings of such entity shall be the members present until the succeeding reorganization. (e) The quorum for taking any action required by law or national party rules, including but not limited to election protest hearings and election of presidential electors, shall be the members present. 29 South Carolina Republican Party Rules RULE 10 APPEALS (a) All controversies that may arise in precinct organization shall be decided on appeal by the county committee. (b) All controversies which may arise in county party organization or in a congressional district organization shall be decided on appeal by the state executive committee, provided that all questions pertaining to the seating of delegates at all levels shall be determined by the convention, meeting, or body. The State Chairman shall call a meeting of the state executive committee no later than two weeks after an appeal has been filed with the State Chairman. 30 South Carolina Republican Party Rules RULE 11 NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES (a) Nomination of candidates for elective public office (1) As a general policy the South Carolina Republican Party endorses the primary method of nominating candidates for elective office. However, the convention method also is considered to be an acceptable and approved method of nomination. (2) Where a convention nominates candidates for public office the convention must first decide to use the convention method of nomination by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the total membership of the convention or such other majority as may be required by law. (3) Where a convention method of nomination is adopted, candidates for federal and state offices of divisions larger than counties, which includes statewide, congressional, judicial and senatorial districts, shall be nominated by the state convention. However, where it is otherwise provided by law that candidates for certain offices encompassing an election district not larger than counties shall have candidates nominated as determined by the county convention not inconsistent with existing valid state law. (4) If the primary system of nominating candidates for elective public office is used, such rules and procedures in connection therewith shall be forwarded as may be required by law and as supplemented by such rules and procedures as may be promulgated by the State Executive Committee. (5) When no other filing fee has been set by state or county committee each candidate at the time of filing for the nomination as a candidate for the Republican Party shall place with the appropriate party official a fee, in the form or cash or certified check, equal to one (1) percent of one year's salary for the office being sought. Provided that in the event that the office being sought has no salary, the governing committee shall set a reasonable filing fee. (6) No candidate may be nominated by the Republican Party who is not a registered elector in and a bona fide resident of the State of South Carolina and of the particular election district, if less than statewide, in which he offers as a candidate for office. (7) Where by reason or changes in the governing law, either by way of legislative enactment or by judicial decree by a court of competent jurisdiction, it becomes impossible to comply with any provision of these rules and also with changed condition, the state executive committee is authorized to promulgate such rules, procedures and guidelines as may be necessary and appropriate. 31 South Carolina Republican Party Rules (8) Presidential electors shall be elected in accordance with the procedures set forth in Rule 11 of this body of rules. (b) The Presidential Preference Primary (1) Unless decided otherwise by the state party convention within two (2) years prior to each presidential election year, the South Carolina Republican Party shall conduct a statewide presidential preference primary on a date selected by the chairman of the party and this date must be within two weeks after the New Hampshire Republican Primary, or earlier if necessary to preserve South Carolina’s “First in the South” status. Notwithstanding this provision, the State Chairman and the State Executive Committee have the right to set the primary date. (2) In the event that the convention decides not to hold a primary, and circumstances surrounding the presidential election shall have substantially changed such that a primary would be deemed advisable, the state executive committee, prior to January 15 of the presidential election year, may override the decision of the convention and reinstate the primary. (3) If, however, after the closing of the filing period for the presidential preference primary no more than one candidate has qualified, no presidential preference primary shall be held. (4) Each congressional district delegate from South Carolina to the ensuing Republican National Convention shall be bound during the first ballot at the convention to the presidential candidate who received the greatest number of votes in that particular delegate's home district during the presidential preference primary. If the candidate who received the greatest number of votes in that particular delegate’s home district is not placed in nomination, a delegate must then be bound to the congressional district’s second or third place finisher in the presidential preference primary, respectively. If none of the top three finishers in the congressional district presidential preference primary are placed in nomination, delegates shall be unbound. (5) Each delegate-at-large shall be bound for the first ballot to the candidate who received the largest number of votes statewide in the presidential preference primary. If the candidate who receives the greatest number of statewide votes in the presidential preference primary is not placed in nomination, a delegate must then be bound to the state’s second or third place finisher in the presidential preference primary, respectively. If none of the top three finishers in the statewide presidential preference primary are placed in nomination, delegates shall be unbound. (6) All other details pertaining to this presidential preference primary shall be the responsibility of the state executive committee. 32 South Carolina Republican Party Rules (c) Prohibition of Crossover Voting (1) No person that has voted in the primary or run-off election of another political party, including a presidential preference primary, shall be allowed to cast a ballot in a Republican Primary or run-off for the same office in the same election cycle. 33 South Carolina Republican Party Rules RULE 12 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS (a) Election of Presidential Electors (1) No later than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the general election in each presidential election year it shall be the responsibility of the State Executive Committee of the South Carolina Republican Party to elect the Party's presidential electors for the ensuing presidential elections. (2) After coming together the committee shall caucus according to congressional districts and each caucus shall nominate not more than seven (7) and not less than two (2) candidates for that district's position on the Electoral College. (3) The committee then shall reassemble and each voting member of the committee shall vote by secret ballot for not more than one (1) of the nominees listed by each caucus. The winner for each district shall be determined by plurality vote. (4) Nominations for South Carolina's two at-large positions on the Electoral College shall come from the floor of the committee. After all the nominations have been made each voting member of the committee shall vote by secret ballot for not more than two (2) of the nominees. The two winners shall be determined by plurality vote. 34 South Carolina Republican Party Rules RULE 13 FINANCES No one is empowered to incur indebtedness or financial obligation on the part of the South Carolina Republican Party unless expressly authorized to do so by the state convention or the state executive committee. Prior to any such authorization, funds must be on hand and available for the purpose authorized. The State Chairman may authorize the expenditure of available funds for necessary activities, the payment of bills or the reimbursement of expenses incurred by an individual on party business, but there shall be no obligation to do so. Any person incurring expenses does so on his own responsibility and he shall promptly make payment therefore personally, regardless of whether or not reimbursement is expected. All checks issued by the state party treasurer shall be signed by him and countersigned by the State Chairman or the executive director. The names of the State Chairman, the state party treasurer, and the executive director shall be certified to the bank of deposit. 35 South Carolina Republican Party Rules RULE 14 MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATION The County Committee is authorized to provide such rules or adopt such regulations as it may deem necessary or desirable to structure, organize and establish a Municipal Republican Executive Committee in each municipality, principally located in said County for the purpose of administering the Republican Party participation in any partisan municipal election including the nomination of Republican candidates therein. The Organization must be in accordance with the Rules of the South Carolina Republican Party and must conform to the requirements of the South Carolina Municipal Election Code. 36 South Carolina Republican Party Rules RULE 15 PARTY OFFICIALS AS CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE (a) Officers and Delegates as candidates from a different political party (1) A vacancy shall occur immediately if a person who holds an elected or appointed party office or who is a Delegate or Alternate to a Party Convention, at any level becomes (a) an announced and/or official candidate for the nomination to elected public office who at the close of filing, has not filed as a candidate in the Republican Primary or, (b) an elected officer of another political party. (b) Officers as candidates for public office as a Republican (1) At levels above the precinct level, an officer—but not a delegate—shall resign such office if (a) such officer files as a candidate in a Republican Party primary and, (b) at the close of filing and certification of candidates, more than one candidate is certified as seeking the Republican nomination. (2) A person who holds an elected or appointed party office must immediately resign from such office upon announcing for federal or statewide office 37