RULE 1

The permanent organization of the Republican party in Columbia County shall be vested in a County Committee, which shall consist of two resident Republican members from each election district in the County, to be chosen by the Republican electors thereof according to the provisions of the applicable acts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as supplemented and amended from time to time.

RULE 2

The quadrennial meeting of the County Committee shall be held in Columbia County, PA, within sixty days succeeding the primaries at which such Committee persons are elected, at such time and place as may be designated by the County Chair, of which five days’ notice shall be given to the members via mail and/or electronic mail.

At the quadrennial meeting, the members of the County Committee shall elect, by secret ballot, a Chair and a Vice Chair. Any elected member of the county committee shall be eligible to serve as Chair or Vice Chair. In each case the nominee having the most votes shall be declared elected. Proxy voting shall be allowed as per Rule 18.

Within fifteen (15) days after being elected, the Chair shall appoint a Secretary and a Treasurer. Any registered Republican residing in the county shall be eligible for such positions.

RULE 3

In addition to the quadrennial meeting to be held by the County Committee (reference Rule 2), the County Committee shall hold a regular meeting during the month of October of each year.

All County Committee members are expected to attend and to participate actively in County Committee meetings. Two unexcused absences during the Committee member’s term will be deemed to be a resignation unless the Chair waives the provision for good cause. Persons who are unable to attend a particular meeting must inform the Chairman or Secretary prior to the meeting of the reasons for their absence. Absences without advance notice are considered to be unexcused.

The Secretary shall keep an accurate list of the names and addresses of all members of the County Committee.

RULE 4

Twenty members of the County Committee, the Chair, or Vice Chair may call a meeting of the County Committee at any time, when in their opinion, the needs of the party demand the same, by filing five (5) days’ notice thereof by mail or electronic mail to the members.

RULE 5

The Chair of the County Committee shall have the power to fill by appointment all vacancies in the County Committee. All such appointments shall be noted on the membership list and filed when required with appropriate officials.

RULE 6

Within thirty (30) days of the quadrennial meeting of the County Committee, the County Chair may appoint not more than fifteen (15) District Chairs to represent different sections of the County according location and population. Any registered Republican residing in the district represented shall be eligible for such position.

RULE 7

The organization may have the following Standing Committees:

Registration Committee

Budget and Finance Committee.

Public Relations and Education Committee

The County Chair may appoint chairs to the above Standing Committees. Any registered Republican residing in Columbia County shall be eligible to serve in such a capacity. Each Standing Committee Chair shall select the members of his or her Committee and provide the Secretary with names and addresses of such persons. Any registered Republican residing in the County shall be eligible for such Standing Committees.

RULE 8

The County Chair, Vice Chair, and members of the State Committee shall be members ex-officio of all Standing Committees provided for in the by-laws.

RULE 9

The County Chair shall also be authorized and empowered to designate such other special committees as deemed necessary for carrying out the work of the County organization.

RULE 10

A representative from each properly constituted women’s council, youth Republican group, and College Republicans, and State Committee Person(s), shall also have membership on the County Committee.

RULE 11

The County Committee shall have the power, by majority vote, to fill any vacancies that may occur on the ticket for any elected office with the county after nomination has been made by the voters at the primary, or if no person was nominated, consistent with State and Municipal rules.

RULE 12

Immediately after the election of a County Chair at the quadrennial meeting of the County Committee, all Special Committees and Standing Committees shall be terminated and dissolved and reorganization shall occur as set forth in the by-laws.

RULE 13

In the event of a vacancy in the office of County Chair or County Vice Chair caused by death, resignation or any other reason, such vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term of such office by any elected member of the county committee who shall be elected by a majority vote of the County Committee, at a meeting of said Committee to be held within thirty (30) days after such vacancy shall occur. The call for such meeting shall be given by the Secretary; or, upon his or her failure to do so, by any member of the County Committee. Five days written and/or electronic mail notice via the official county committee email given to each member of the County Committee, and the notice shall state the purpose of the meeting.

In the event of the absence of the Chair, or vacancy in the office, the Vice Chair shall preside and otherwise be in charge of party affairs -except that the Vice Chair shall not have the authority to remove and replace appointed persons without the approval of a majority of the voting members of the County Committee.

RULE 14

In the event vacancies occur in any of the appointed offices designated in these by-laws, the County Chair shall fill such vacancy by appointment for the unexpired term of the office. All appointees shall serve at the pleasure of the Chair and be subject to removal and replacement.

RULE 15

The rules or by-laws may be amended at any regular or special meetings of the County Committee by two thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting, provided that a copy of such proposed amendment or amendments shall be mailed and/or sent via electronic mail though the official county email to all members of the County Committee at least ten days prior to such meeting.

RULE 16

The Chair, Vice Chair, or both may be removed from office only by vote of the County Committee at a regular meeting or a special meeting after ten days’ notice of the time and place and purpose. The Secretary shall notify the membership upon written direction of ten members of the County Committee. Removal shall require a majority of the members entitled to vote whether present or not. Proxy voting shall be allowed as per Rule 20.

RULE 17

No decision will be made on endorsement of candidates for public office until after the date prescribed by the Department of State for the filing of nominating petitions has passed.

The County Committee will vote on the question of whether to endorse or not endorse candidates. Voting will be done by secret ballot. Tellers will be appointed by the Chair to count said ballots and announce the result to the County Committee at the meeting at which the ballot is held.

RULE 18

Voting by proxy shall be allowed for the election or removal of the Chair or Vice Chair in the County Committee. The proxy shall be in a form designated by the State Committee member(s) and approved by legal counsel retained by the County Committee. The proxy shall designate the County Committee member authorized to cast the vote for the person giving proxy. The procedure shall be such that the secret ballot is maintained. All proxies shall be revocable up to the actual time of the voting

RULE 19

In cases where in person meetings are not permitted by laws or mandates such as the case in 2020 during COVID-19, the Chair may call for a digital meeting on such platforms as zoom to conduct official business, but the County committee must meet in person to make endorsements and to hold an election for Chair or Vice Chair.

RULE 20

The rules contained in the Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the party organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these by-laws or with any special rules of order the party organization may adopt.

RULE 21

A quorum at any meeting shall consist of thirty-five percent (35%) of the then-filled, non-vacant committee positions existing at that time of any such meeting. The members present at a duly organized meeting can continue to do business until adjournment on matters for which a quorum was present, notwithstanding the withdrawal of members at any point in the duration of the business meeting as long as thirty percent (30%) remain to conduct the meeting.

Amended By-Laws proposed August 6, 2024

Amended By-Laws approved August 6, 2024

Amended By-Laws enacted August 6, 2024