Bylaws of the Reform Party of Arizona

Effective on the Vote of the Inaugural Convention Of the Reform party of Arizona, August 23, 1997

Revised August 21, 1999

Revised July 14, 2001

Approved by the State Convention and State Committee July 14, 2001


Table of Contents

Article I - Introduction

  1. Statement of Founding principles of the Reform Party of Arizona
  2. Definitions
  3. Inaugural State Convention
  4. The State Executive Committee
  5. Principles, Policies, and Platform

Article II - Organizational Responsibilities

  1. The Permanent Organization of the Reform Party of Arizona Shall Consist of
  2. Responsibilities of Party Organizations

Article III - Organization of the Permanent Reform Party of Arizona

  1. Permanent Party Organization
  2. Precinct Committeemen
  3. Organization of the State Committee
  4. Organization of the State Executive Committee
  5. Other Committees of the Reform Party of Arizona

Article IV - Development of the Party Organization

  1. The Inaugural State Convention of the Reform Party
  2. Provisional State Committee Membership
  3. Certification of County Parties

Article V - State Officers

  1. Election of Officers
  2. Term of Office
  3. State Chairperson
  4. State Vice-Chairperson
  5. State Secretary
  6. State Treasurer
  7. At-Large State Executive Members (2)
  8. Other Officers

Article VI - State Committee Meetings

  1. Meetings
  2. Reports Filed by Elected Officials
  3. Voting at State Committees

Article VII - Executive Committee Meetings

  1. Meetings
  2. Quorum

Article VIII - Standing and Special Committees

  1. Committee Tenure
  2. Ethics Committee
  3. Finance Committee
  4. Rules Committee
  5. Special Committees

Article IX - Candidate and Party Officer Ethics Pledge

  1. Purpose
  2. RPA Candidate Pledge
  3. RPA Officer Pledge
  4. Interpretation and Sanctions in Ethics Matters

Article X - Filling Vacancies

  1. State Committee Vacancy
  2. State Executive Committee Vacancy
  3. County Committee Vacancy

Article XI - Recall of the Party Officers

  1. State Committee
  2. Recall Vote
  3. Replacement

Article XII - Referendum

  1. The Right of Referendum
  2. Certification and Referendum

Article XIII - Bylaws Adoption and Amendment

  1. Effective Date
  2. Amendment of the Rules
  3. Conformance with the Law

Article XIV - Additions Made July 14, 2001

  1. Parliamentary Authority
  2. Suspension of Inactive Officers
  3. Size of the State Committee
  4. Extended Rule for Filling State Chairman Vancancy

Article I - Introduction

  1. Statement of Founding Principles of the Reform Party of Arizona
  2. The Reform Party of Arizona is founded on these principles.

    1. Our goal shall be to preserve our nation's values and to pass to each succeeding generation our national inheritances undiminished. These include:
      1. Fiscally Sound Government: We oppose massive governmental debts, which impose severe burdens on succeeding generations. We will adopt fiscal policies which are balanced or in surplus (Except in times of national emergency) in the budgeting of both our current and future environments.
      2. Individual Opportunity: Our Party will preserve the right of every American to have the opportunity to achieve their goals through the application of their own abilities and efforts.
      3. Environmental Quality: We shall strive to maintain a healthy environment for our citizens. We will support policies for the efficient utilization of our resources for the benefit of our people while preserving the natural and scenic treasures of our country.
      4. We shall seek to reform our electoral, lobbying, and campaign practices to ensure that our elected governmental officials and our candidates owe their allegiance and remain accountable to the people whom they are elected to serve rather than other influence-seeking agencies.
      5. We shall require ethical conduct by all our governmental officials with respect to the acceptance, during or following their terms of public service, of rewards from special interests seeking influence from government.
      6. The positions of our Party on all issues will be chosen in accordance with the best interests of our country, its people and its future generations without regard for partisan or personal advantage.
      7. We assert that the principal aim of government economic policy should be to promote a healthy private U.S. economy which provides good employment for its citizens. Our government should refrain from excessive regulation of businesses while adopting trade policies which lead to balanced trade while improving our domestic employment.
      8. Our party advocates taxation, which is both fair and simple. Taxes must be based upon fair, shared sacrifice by all segments of our society without special tax benefits or subsidies for special groups, individuals or corporations. New tax levies must be ratified by the people before becoming law.
      9. Our Party will advocate, at the highest priority, efforts by our State and Federal governments to make our education system the finest in the world.
      10. The United States must remain a leader in international affairs providing a foundation for Democracy and respect for Human Rights. To fulfill our role we will maintain a strong defense while working for the peaceful resolution of conflicts and effective prohibitions on the possession and distribution of weapons of mass destruction.
      11. The foundation of our Party is the activity of grassroots citizen volunteers. The Reform Party will make our candidates, party officials, and elected officials accountable to our grassroots members who are their principal support. Our Party is open to participation by all who wish to join us to work toward our goals.
  3. Definitions
    1. Party member - A resident of Arizona registered to the Reform Party of Arizona (RPA)
    2. Interim State Chairperson - Jim Bourassa [sic]
    3. Interim Executive Committee - The State Executive Committee serving prior to the Inaugural State Convention of the RPA.
    4. Organizational Meetings - The meetings held in January of each odd numbered year to elect officers of County and State Committees.
  4. Inaugural State Convention
    1. At a time and date chosen by the Interim Executive Committee, all party members shall convene at the Party's Inaugural Convention. The Interim State Chairperson shall act as the Chairperson of this convention until a new State Chairperson is selected.
    2. At the Inaugural Convention, the Party will elect the members of the RPA State Executive Committee and conduct other business as described in Article IV. All active Party members will be given written 4 weeks notice of the place and time of this convention.
  5. The State Executive Committee
    1. Election of Initial State Officers
    2. Either at the Inaugural State Convention or at its next meeting, the Executive Committee will also elect a Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer. In addition, the initial State Executive Committee may elect, by a majority vote of the Committee, additional members up to a total of eight members. The State Executive Committee will also elect the Voting Delegate to represent the RPA at the Reform Party National Committee. The terms of all officers will extend to the next state organizing meeting as defined in Article III, Section 3 (b).

  6. Principles, Policies, and Platform
    1. Statement of Principles
    2. The Party shall adopt a Statement of Principles defining the core beliefs upon which the Reform Party of Arizona was founded. The subsequent policies and platforms of the RPA will be consistent with these Principles. No action, policy, or platform stance taken by the RPA shall conflict with or detract from the Statement of Principles.

    3. Policy and Issues Statements
    4. The Executive Committee may from time to time issue Reform party of Arizona Policy Statements concerning generic issues of national or state importance. These will be issued by the State Chairperson after adoption by an affirmative vote of a supermajority (60%) of the entire Executive Committee.

    5. Party Platform
      1. The Executive Committee shall appoint an Issues and Platform Committee which will develop a RPA Issues set defining the RPA's positions on specific issues. The State Chairperson shall establish the Issues and Platform Committee as defined in Article III, Section 5 (a).
      2. The Issues and Platform Committee shall also develop a current RPA Platform prior to the State Conventions in each year of a presidential election. These will state what legislation or other action the Party proposes on key issues. The Platform will be adopted when approved by a majority vote of the State Convention.
      3. Individual Party members are welcome to state their own positions on specific issues provided, when stating their positions, they make it clear that their position is not necessarily that of the Reform Party of Arizona.

Article II - Organizational Responsibilities

  1. The Permanent Organization of the Reform Party of Arizona Shall Consist of:
    1. County Reform Parties whose County Committees are comprised of the elected precinct committeemen from the precincts within that county.
    2. The State Committee of the Reform Party whose County Committees are comprised of the elected precinct committeeman from the precincts within that County.
    3. The State Executive Committee which is elected by the State Committee to direct the state level operations of the Party.
    4. National Convention Delegation
      1. The Arizona Delegation (9 total) shall consist of the State Chair, two (2) statewide delegates and one (1) delegate from each congressional district. The state chair shall act as the delegation chair AZ delegation at the Reform Party National Convention.
      2. At a date set forth by the State Executive Committee, the Party Members shall elect by majority vote the statewide delegates to the National Convention of the Reform Party of the United States as follows: two (2) delegates-at-large and a replacement for the state chair if unable to attend. Alternate delegates shall be elected in the same manner.
      3. At a date set forth by the State Executive Committee, the Party members from within each Congressional District shall by majority vote elect the Congressional Delegate representing their district. Alternate delegates shall be elected in the same manner.
    5. Other Standing or ad hoc Committees
    6. The modification of these rules that apply during the development of the Party organizations and the certification of County parties is described in Article IV.

  2. Responsibilities of Party Organizations
    1. The County Reform Parties are responsible for choosing candidates and participating in the elections at the county and municipal level, voter registration, assisting voters and providing poll monitors. The County organizations are also responsible for the elections of state legislators for districts that lie within the County or districts in which a plurality of registered voters lie within the county. A County Reform Party may also form District parties for legislative districts for whose elections it is responsible. The County Reform Parties are responsible for all filings and representations made to county recorders.
    2. The State Committee is responsible for party participation in the election of candidates in statewide elections and for federal office including congressional elections. The State Committee is responsible for review and approval of the State Party policy and budgets. The State Committee must approve the hiring of staff and the compensation of staff and party officers as well as other matters as defined in these rules. The State Committee will elect officers who form the State Executive Committee. The State Committee has final approval of all standing or ad hoc State Committees and the assignment of personnel to these committees.
    3. The State Executive Committee Responsibilities
      1. The State Executive Committee is responsible for the day to day state level operations of the party. This includes responsibility for representations and filings of the Reform Party of Arizona with the Federal Election Committee and the relevant agencies of the State of Arizona. The Executive Committee is responsible for review and endorsement of the budgets prepared by the Financial Committee prior to their submission to the State Committee for approval. Expenditures of more than $1,000, which was not specifically identified in the budgets, approved by the State Committee must be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. The State Executive Committee shall review all nominations of person to standing or ad hoc committees by the party chairperson.
      2. The State Executive Committee provides coordination with the National Reform Party Committee, selection of national committeemen and committeewomen, and planning and conduct of the convention of the Reform Party of Arizona.
      3. The State Executive Committee shall also discharge such other duties as may be defined by the State Committee.

Article III - Organization of the Permanent Reform Party of Arizona

  1. Permanent Party Organization
  2. The provisions of this article define the rules for the constituent membership of the permanent Reform Party of Arizona organizations and their election. County Reform Party certification and their representation on the State Committee prior to certification are defined in Article IV.

  3. Precinct Committeemen
    1. The County organizations are composed of precinct committeemen. At the primary election of a general election, the Reform Party members, which are the voters registered to the Reform Party of Arizona in that precinct, will elect a precinct committeeman from among the party members in that precinct. The members will choose one additional precinct committeeman for each 125 voters, or major faction thereof, registered in the Reform Party of Arizona in that precinct. Precinct committeepersons are responsible for assisting the party in voter registration, voter activities on Election Day, and poll monitoring.
    2. County Committee Election
    3. Each Reform Party County Committee shall consist of the entire membership of precinct committeemen in that county. Each County Committee which has been certified under the provisions of Article IV, Section 3, shall elect from its members a chairman, a first vice-chairman, a second vice-chairman, a treasurer, and a secretary. The elections for the county officers shall occur at the County Organizing Meeting no later than the second Saturday in January the year following a general election. The term of each elected officer shall be for the first two years between County Organizing Meetings. The County Chairman will notify each precinct committeeman of the time and place of County Organizing Meetings at least ten days prior to the meeting.

    4. Alternate County Organization
    5. A County Reform Party may form Committees for State Legislative districts for Districts whose elections the County is responsible. Such District Committees shall consist of the precinct committeemen residing in that district. The district committees shall elect a chairman, two vice-chairmen, a secretary and a treasurer.

  4. Organization of the State Committee
    1. State Committee Membership
    2. The State Committee shall consist of members elected from each County Committee as follows:

      1. For County Reform Parties which are certified under the provisions of Article IV, Section 3, the County Committee Chairman and one additional State Committeeman for every three precinct committeemen in that county. The State committeemen shall be chosen by each County Committee for a two year term at the Organizing meeting of the County Committee.
      2. County Reform Parties that are not certified may obtain Provisional State Committee representation under the provisions of Article IV, Section 2.
    3. Organizing Meeting of the State Committee
    4. The State Committee shall hold an Organizing meeting in the city where the state capitol is located and elect the following officers- a chairman, a vice-chairman, a secretary, a treasurer, and two members at large who form the State Executive Committee. The organizing meeting of the State Committee shall occur no earlier than ten days after the last county meeting and no later than the fourth Saturday in January in the year following the general election. The Party Chairperson is responsible for notifying each state committeeman of the time and place of the State Organizing meeting at least 10 days prior to the meeting.

  5. Organization of the State Executive Committee
  6. The State Executive Committee consists of the six members selected by the State Committee at its Organizing Meeting as defined in Article III, Section 3 (b). The chairperson may nominate additional officers for the Executive Committee as defined in Article V, Section 8. Election of additional officers must be a majority vote of the State Executive Committee. The term of each officer shall be for the two years between the Organizing Meetings of the State Committee.

  7. Other Committees of the Reform Party of Arizona
    1. The Standing Committees of the Party may include:
      1. The Finance Committee - Which has responsibility for fundraising.
      2. The Voter Registration Committee - Which is responsible for Reform Party voter registration efforts in Arizona.
      3. The Ethics Committee -Which defines and maintains the pledges for campaign ethics of party candidates and investigates ethics charges against party officers.
      4. The Platform/Issues Committee - Which develops the party platform prior to general elections and defines and analyzes the key issues of the Party.
      5. Rules Committee - Which is responsible for maintaining and interpreting these bylaws.
    2. Other standing committees and ad hoc committees may be appointed as needed.
    3. Committee Appointments
      1. The State Chairperson shall nominate the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson for each Committee. Nominations will, after consent by the State Executive Committee, be submitted to the State Committee. All standing committee nominations will be submitted to the State Committee at its first meeting following the Organizing meeting for approval. Voting for State Committee officers may also be carried out by fax, teleconference, or other means.
      2. Other Committee members will be selected by the Committee Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson.

Article IV - Development of the Party Organization

The provisions of this section define the rules of the Party governing the development of the State organization. These include the Inaugural Convention, the conditions for certification of a County Party, and representation on the State Committee for counties which have not been certified.

  1. The Inaugural State Convention of the Reform Party
  2. The rules governing the Inaugural Convention of the RPA are:

    1. Credentials for Voting Members - All persons who are registered members of the RP AZ as of January 1, 1997 and others who may be certified by the Credentials Committee will be eligible to vote at the Inaugural Convention. In the event that a question arises as to the eligibility of members to vote, the Interim Executive Committee shall act as credentials committee for their certification.
    2. The Convention shall:
      1. Adopt bylaws - These bylaws as amended and adopted by the Convention including Statement of Principles for the Reform Party of Arizona will become the Bylaws of the Reform Party of Arizona.
      2. Election of the State Executive Committee - The Convention will elect 5 members to form the initial State Executive Committee. The meeting in January of the next odd-numbered year as defined in Article III, Section 3 (b), unless otherwise terminated in accordance with these rules.
      3. Election of State Chairperson - The State Executive Committee shall meet and elect a Committee member as State Chairperson. The newly elected State Chairperson will immediately assume the duties of State Chairperson.
      4. Elect National Convention Delegates - In accordance with the bylaws of the Reform Party National Organizing Committee the convention will elect one delegate from each Congressional district and two at-large delegates. These, in addition to the State Chairperson, will form the Arizona delegation to the Reform Party National Organizing Convention. The Convention may also designate alternate delegates to the National RP Convention.
  3. Provisional State Committee Membership
  4. During the development of the RPA, the membership of the State Committee shall consist of:

    1. All members of the State Executive Committee
    2. In Counties which have not yet been certified per Article IV, Section 3, the following shall be eligible for the State Committee:
      1. The County Leaders elected by the membership of counties with more than 120 members registered to the RPA.
      2. Counties whose leaders qualify under (1) as a member of the State Committee may elect one or more State Committee member for each additional 400 members registered to the RPA in that County.
  5. Certification of County Parties
    1. The State Executive Committee shall certify a County Reform Party when the following conditions are met:
      1. The county has achieved a Reform Party voter registration equal to or greater than two thirds (2/3) of one percent of registered voters in that county.
      2. The County Reform Party has established a County Committee with elected officers as provided in Article III, Section 2 (b) or Article III, Section 2 (c).
      3. The County Reform Party has adopted a set of bylaws.
    2. The elected County Chairperson will then present notification and substantiation that these conditions have been met to the State Secretary of the RPA. After confirming these, the Secretary shall notify the State Executive Committee that the County Reform Party is qualified for certification.

Article V - State Officers

  1. Election of Officers
  2. At each organizational meeting (Article III, Section 3), the State Committee shall elect a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer, and two other members of the State Executive Committee. Nominations for all party officers shall be limited to members of the State Committee. Nomination for the office of Chairperson shall require two seconds while nominations for all other Executive committee positions shall require one second. Election of the State Chairperson shall be by majority vote. If the initial ballot does not produce a majority, a second ballot will be taken with only the two candidates with the highest totals eligible. Election for other State officers shall be by plurality vote of the State Committee.

  3. Term of Office
  4. The term of each State Executive Committee member shall extend for the two-year period from his or her election until the next organizational meeting. No elected state officer shall serve more than three consecutive terms.

  5. State Chairperson
    1. The State Chairperson shall be the chief executive officer of the Reform Party of Arizona.
    2. The Duties of the State Chairperson are:
      1. Serve as the chairman of all meetings of the State Committee and the State Executive Committee.
      2. Be responsible for implementing the resolutions and actions of the State Committee.
      3. Supervise all state and federal primary and general election campaigns in which the Reform Party of Arizona participates.
      4. Provide for liaison with the National Party Committee and the various other State Committees.
      5. Serve as an ex-officio member of all Reform Party of Arizona State Committees.
      6. Other duties as assigned by the State Committee.
      7. Serve as a permanent member of the National Committee.
    3. The Authority of the State Chairperson shall include:
      1. The State Chairperson may call regular meetings of the State Committee upon ten (10) days written notice to the State Committee members. Special meetings of the State Committee may be called as defined.
      2. Legal Counsel- The State Chairperson shall have the power to appoint an attorney qualified to practice in Arizona as Legal Counsel to the Executive Committee. Expenses for the legal counsel shall be part of the state budget subject to approval by the State Committee. The legal counsel shall be an ex-officio member of the State Executive Committee and subject to removal by the State Chairperson with notice to the State Committee.
  6. State Vice-Chairperson
  7. The Vice-Chairperson, in absence of the State Chairperson, shall assume his responsibilities for conduct of the affairs of the Party and preside at meetings of the State Committee and the State Executive Committee. The Vice-Chairperson shall be an ex-officio member of all committees appointed by the Chairperson. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the State Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson shall serve until a State Chairperson is elected pursuant to these rules.

  8. State Secretary
  9. The duties of the Secretary include keeping the minutes of the proceedings of the State Committee and Executive Committee in permanent records and maintain custody of all the papers, books, and records (except financial) of the State Committee. All these items shall be delivered to the Secretary's successor. The Secretary may assume such other duties as are assigned by the Chairperson.

  10. State Treasurer
    1. General
    2. The Treasurer shall, upon proper authorization, receive and disburse all money contributed or otherwise received for Party purposes; shall keep an accurate record of and account for all receipts and expenditures; shall prepare and submit a monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statement to the Executive Committee; shall submit the financial records for annual audit as required by the Executive Committee; and shall deliver all such financial records to his or her successor. The fiscal year of the Reform Party of Arizona shall commence on January 1 and extend to December 31.

    3. Required Filings
    4. The Treasurer shall be responsible for complying with the Federal and State campaign finance laws and regulations. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the timely preparation and filing of all financial reports required by law. In addition, the Treasurer shall monitor and inform the Treasurers of County Committees on the filing of local reports if required.

    5. Bank Accounts
    6. The Treasurer shall designate the banks and/or financial institutions within the State of Arizona in which the Party's funds shall be deposited, subject to the approval of the State Executive Committee. All checks or drafts drawn upon the Party's funds must require the signature of the Treasurer and one other Party officer which may be either the Chairperson or such other person as designated in writing by the Chairperson.

  11. At-Large State Executive Members (2)
  12. The Duties of the At-Large Executive Committee Members are:

    1. Serve as National Committee members
    2. Party Building Subcommittee Chair (1)
    3. Fundraising Subcommittee Chair (1)
  13. Other Officers
  14. The Chairperson, with the approval of the State Committee and the Executive Committee, may appoint additional officers to the Executive Committee. These may include a Legal Counsel, an assistant Treasurer or Secretary, Finance Director or Executive Director. These positions may become permanent with the approval of the State Committee. The terms of these officers shall be coincident with the Executive Committee with new officers nominated by the Chairperson and approved by the Executive Committee following each organizing meeting or as replacements are required.


Article VI - State Committee Meetings

  1. Meetings
    1. Calls to Meetings
      1. The State Committee shall have regular meetings twice per year at locations to be selected by the Chairperson. The State Committee shall have special meetings under the following conditions:
      2. At the call of the Chairperson
      3. At the call of the Executive Committee upon a majority vote
      4. At the written call of one-third (1/3) of the members of the State Committee
    2. Calls to a meeting of the State Committee shall require at least 10 days written notice mailed to all members and shall be at centrally located sites within the State of Arizona with the exception only of emergency meetings called by the Chairperson. The Chairperson may call emergency meetings by fax or telephone with 3 days notice. All calls shall be accompanied by an agenda explaining the activities to be performed and the reasons for the call.
    3. Emergency Votes
    4. Emergency Votes of the State Committee may be conducted as described in accordance with the provisions of these rules.

    5. Quorum
    6. A quorum for any meeting of the State Committee shall consist of one-half (1/2) of the full membership of the State Committee.

  2. Reports Filed by Elected Officials
  3. Party candidates who are elected to State or Federal office shall file a written report prior to the biannual State Committee meetings with the Secretary describing his or her official actions and shall answer questions from the regular biannual State Committee meetings.

  4. Voting at State Committee Meetings
    1. Voting on motions at State Committee meetings may be by a yea or nay vote, except when a roll call vote is required either by decision of the State Chairperson or when a motion is made which is supported by a voice vote in the affirmative by more than one-half of the State Committeepersons present.
    2. Voting for other Committee officers nominated in accordance with Article III, Section 5 (c) shall be by written ballot.
    3. If an emergency vote of the State Committee is called by the chairperson or a quorum of the State Committee or the Executive Committee such an emergency vote may be taken by telephone, fax, or other electronic means.
    4. Proxy Voting
    5. No proxy voting shall be permitted at meetings of the State Committee

    6. Supermajority Voting Requirements - The following actions require a supermajority vote of the State Committee:
      1. Removal of an officer
      2. Amendment to the bylaws
      3. Amendment to the State Principles
      4. Rescinding the endorsement of an RPA candidate
      5. Except where otherwise stated in these bylaws a supermajority shall consist of an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the State Committee.

Article VII - Executive Committee Meetings

  1. Meetings - The State Committee shall meet as follows:
    1. Regular meetings shall be held monthly at locations selected by the Chairperson.
    2. The Executive Committee may hold a special meeting at the call of the Chairperson.
    3. Upon the written call of one-half (1/2) of the members of the Executive Committee.
  2. Quorum
  3. A quorum for a meeting of the Executive Committee shall be one-half (1/2) the full membership of the Executive Committee.


Article VIII - Standing and Special Committees

  1. Committee Tenure
  2. All members of standing, special, or other committees shall serve at the pleasure of the State Committee, except for the Ethics Committee.

  3. Ethics Committee
    1. The Ethics Committee is responsible for developing and maintaining the Candidate and officer pledges as defined in Article IX. The Committee is also responsible for evaluating charges against officers or party candidates and their organizations and advising action, if any, to be taken by the State Committee in Ethics matters.
    2. Member Nomination and Approval
    3. No later than March 15 of a year in which a general election is held, the State Chairperson shall nominate an Ethics Committee Chairperson and no less than four (4) other members to serve a two (2) year term. The State Committee shall confirm these members individually by a majority vote.

    4. Rules of Procedure
    5. The Ethics Committee will adopt rules of procedure. These Rules may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the Committee.

  4. Finance Committee
    1. The functions of the Finance Committee are to prepare budgets and to devise ways and means to finance the business and operations of the State Committee and to finance campaigns.
    2. The State Chairperson shall nominate a Finance Coordinator, who will chair the Finance Committee, and his Deputy.
    3. The Finance Coordinator is responsible to see that contributions are subject to the requirements of the applicable Federal Law and Arizona Regulations. In addition, the acceptance of these contributions must be in accordance with the Party Officer Pledges of the Ethics Committee.
  5. Rules Committee
  6. The Rules Committee is responsible for reviewing and maintaining the Bylaws of the Reform Party of Arizona. The Rules Committee is also responsible for interpreting the Bylaws and preparing Amendments for approval by the State Committee. The State Chairperson will nominate a Rules Committee Chairperson. Confirmation will be by majority vote of the State Committee.

  7. Special Committees
  8. The State Chairperson may appoint special committees as is deemed appropriate. These committees will serve at the pleasure of the Chairperson.


Article IX - Candidate and Party Officer Ethics Pledges

  1. Purpose
  2. The purpose of these pledges is to provide a means for keeping the officers and candidates responsive to the supporting members as stated in the Principles, (Article I, Section 1 and Article I, Section 5). These pledges will be developed and maintained by the State Party Ethics Committee per Article VIII, Section 2.

  3. RPA Candidate Pledge
  4. Candidates seeking the nomination and endorsement of the Reform Party of Arizona shall be required to sign a Candidates pledge which states:

    1. The candidate endorses the Statement of Principles of the Reform Party of Arizona.
    2. The candidate will not accept contributions or other benefits whose purpose is to influence his votes or actions. Contributions from Political Action Committees, lobbyists, or any other agency which seek political influence must be rejected.
    3. The candidate will not engage in "negative" campaigning, which includes personal attacks on his opponents.
  5. RPA Officer Pledge
  6. RPA State Officers and appropriate committee officers (including the Finance Committee) will be required to sign a RPA Officer's pledge which states that:

    1. The officers endorse the RPA Statement of Principles.
    2. The officers will not accept contributions nor other benefits from agencies such as PACs or lobbyists which seek to influence the statements or actions of the Party.
    3. The officers will not make public statements which consist of personal attacks on political figures.
  7. Interpretation and Sanction in Ethics Matters
    1. The State Ethics Committee is responsible for the interpretation and application of the Ethics pledges. Questions as to the application of Pledge exclusions to contributions should be referred to the Ethics Committee for clarification. Complaints against a Party official or candidate should be referred to the Ethics Committee for evaluation. The alternatives available to the Committee include:
    2. Requesting the candidate or official to return a contribution, or retract a public attack.
    3. Referring the matter to the State Committee for action which may be:
      1. Censure
      2. Recall of a State officer or rescinding the endorsement of a candidate.
      3. Other action as the State deems appropriate.

Article X - Filling Vacancies

  1. State Committee Vacancy
  2. When a vacancy occurs in the State Committee, the Chairman of the County Party shall nominate a qualified successor who, upon approval by the State Chairperson, shall fill the vacancy. A vacancy is created when a State Committee member moves from the county from which he was elected.

  3. State Executive Committee Vacancy
  4. If the office of State Chairperson becomes vacant, the Vice-Chairperson shall become the interim Chairperson and call a meeting within 30 days of the State Committee to elect a new Chairperson. If another position on the Executive Committee becomes vacant, the State Chairperson may nominate a replacement which will be confirmed upon approval by a majority of the State Committee.

  5. County Committee Vacancy
  6. When a County Committee position becomes vacant, a replacement will be named in accordance with the Bylaws of the Reform Party of that County and Title 16-821 of the Arizona Revised Statutes.


Article XI - Recall of Party Officers

  1. State Committee
  2. The State Committee upon the call of the State Chairperson or upon the written call of half (1/2) of its members may convene for the purpose of replacing any state officer. The State Committee will also convene upon a written notice from the Ethics Committee recommending the recall of a State Officer. In each case the call shall give 10 days written notice.

  3. Recall Vote
  4. The recall of a State Officer is confirmed upon a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire State Committee.

  5. Replacement
  6. After an affirmative recall vote, the State Committee shall elect a replacement according to the procedures for electing officers.


Article XII - Referendum

  1. The Right of Referendum
  2. The members of the Reform Party of Arizona have the right of referendum for the purpose of amending these rules, or altering any action of the State Committee. A referendum will be called upon receipt of a petition signed by 15% or more members of the RPA. Such petition must be filed with the RPA State Secretary. The petition must contain a clear, concise statement of the proposed change upon which the full party membership is to vote. The petition signatures must be obtained within a six month period.

  3. Certification and Referendum
  4. Upon receipt of a petition requesting a referendum, the RPA State Secretary shall determine if there are sufficient signatures under the terms of this article. Upon certification of a sufficient petition, the Secretary shall inform the State Committee and the party shall be directed to conduct a poll of the membership on the question whether or not to adopt the proposed change.


Article XIII - Bylaws Adoption and Amendment

  1. Effective Date
  2. The effective date of these bylaws shall be the date of their adoption by the members of a State Convention of the Reform Party of Arizona. Any and all previous rules shall then be suspended and repealed.

  3. Amendment of the Rules
  4. These rules may be amended at any time by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the entire State Committee upon ten (10) days written notice of a meeting for the purpose of adopting the stated amendment and giving the reasons for adopting it.

  5. Conformance with the Law
  6. The interpretation, meaning, and effect of these rules shall not be inconsistent with Title 16 of the Arizona Revised Statutes.


Article XIV - Additions Made July 14, 2001

  1. Parliamentary Authority
  2. Except as otherwise provided by the bylaws, all meetings of the State Executive Committee, State Committee, and State Conventions of the Reform Party of Arizona shall be conducted according to the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised

  3. Suspension of Inactive Officers
    1. Any member of the State Executive Committee who fails to attend properly called meetings for three consecutive months shall be subject to suspension by a vote of a majority of the other active members of the State Executive Committee.
    2. Any officer who is suspended or who fails to attend properly called meetings for three consecutive months is considered inactive.
    3. The duties of an officer who has been suspended shall be reallocated to the remaining members of the Executive Committee.
    4. A suspended officer shall not count in calculation of a quorum.
    5. A suspended officer may be reinstated by a majority vote of either the State Committee or the State Executive Committee, or if suspension was a result of failing to call or attend meetings as provided by these bylaws, by attending such a meeting.
    6. A suspended officer may be removed as provided for by Article XI of the bylaws.
  4. Size of the State Committee
    1. Whenever the total number of active State Committeemen is less than sixteen (16), Article IV shall govern the election of members to the Executive Committee; otherwise Article V shall govern.
    2. Any member of the State Executive Committee who is elected to that position by a Statewide Meeting or Convention shall be considered to be a State Committeeman, as shall any State Committeeman elected to represent a County.
    3. Any State Committeeman who is suspended or who fails to attend properly called meetings for three consecutive months is considered inactive.
  5. Extended Rule for Filling State Chairman Vancancy
    1. Whenever the office of State Chairman becomes vacant or the State Chairman becomes incapacitated, the following order of succession shall apply:
      1. Vice-Chairman;
      2. Treasurer;
      3. Secretary;
      4. At-Large Members of the Executive Committee in rank order of the number of votes by which they were elected;
      5. The County Chairmen in rank order by the number of registered members of the Reform Party of Arizona in their respective counties.
      6. The individual to whom the Chairmanship falls may demur to the next person in succession without loosing their existing position.
      7. The individual who rises to the Chairmanship shall properly notify the Arizona Secretary of State, and shall serve until elections can be held.