Endorsement Resolution

WHEREAS, The Lafayette Republican Parish Executive Committee (RPEC), duly elected by the Republican voters of Lafayette Parish, has the authority to conduct and establish policy and procedures regarding political issues, and candidate endorsements

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, in recognition of that authority and duty as the constitutionally elected representatives of the Lafayette Parish Republican voters; the Lafayette RPEC shall conduct an endorsement meeting to be held the second Saturday prior to qualifying for candidacy for elective office. At the endorsement meeting, the RPEC may vote to endorse or withhold endorsement for any office or favor or oppose or take no position on any issue to be voted upon at the upcoming election.

Endorsement Meeting Rules

1.      The Endorsement meeting shall be held on the second Saturday prior to filing for elective office.

2.      The Committee shall publicize the Endorsement Meeting to as great an extent possible.

3.      In order to open nominations, a motion to open nominations for each office,

a.       must include at least one precinct in Lafayette Parish,

b.      must be made by a committee member, and

c.       must be seconded by at least two additional members

4.    The Endorsement Meeting shall consist of two parts, Interview and Voting.   Propositions are considered in the same manner as a candidate for purposes of these rules.

a.       Interviews

                                                                           i.      Interviews will consist of Questions & Answers for each candidate, a statement from each candidate, and presentations regarding propositions to be voted upon.

                                                                         ii.      The Chairman will call for opening of nominations beginning with the offices with the fewest number of voters and proceeding to the offices with the largest number of voters.  Schedule consideration for candidates will be at the discretion of the Chairman.   Ballot Propositions shall be presented after all candidate interviews.

b.      Voting

                                                                           i.      Voting shall be conducted in executive session.

                                                                         ii.      Voting will occur at the conclusion of all interviews for all offices and propositions.

                                                                        iii.      For each office a member may vote:

1.       for the endorsement of a candidate or,

2.       for no endorsement for the office being considered.

                                                                       iv.      A candidate must receive at least 9 votes to be endorsed.

                                                                         v.      Proxies shall be allowed.

                                                                       vi.      If there are more than 2 candidates and no candidate receives 9 votes on the first ballot, a second vote shall be held, in which only the top 2 may be voted upon (or more, if ties are involved).  If no candidate receives 9 votes on the second ballot, a third ballot shall be held in which the top 2 from the second ballot may be voted upon (or more in case of ties)  If no candidate receives 9 votes on the third ballot, the chair shall declare that there would be no endorsement in that office.

5.      The order of business shall be as follows

a.       Prayer

b.      Pledge

c.       Interviews

d.      Voting in executive session

e.       Adjournment

6.      Each member shall have an equal time to question candidates. Each candidate shall have equal time to answer each member’s questions. The Chairman shall determine how much time allowed depending on the number of candidates the time available. Members may combine their time with other members.

7.      If, for a particular office, nominations are not opened, or no endorsement is made, or if the endorsed person is not a candidate in the general election, the PEC may conduct a second endorsement meeting prior to the General Election.

8.      The results of the election shall be announced immediately after the voting. The announced results will only be that a candidate was endorsed or that there was no endorsement made for a particular office.

9.      These Rules may not be amended within 30 days prior to the Endorsement Meeting.