Moderate Party

Bylaws

 

1. Purpose

The purpose of the Moderate Party is to elect Candidates to the U.S. House of Representatives who are committed to our Platform of Peaceful Security and Open Democracy.

 

2. Platform

The Platform of the Moderate Party is limited to Peaceful Security and Open Democracy. We welcome Members of all political persuasions who share these commitments.

 

2.1 Peaceful Security

Disarming enemies by means other than war: With a formidable defense of our airspace, borders, and coasts to prevent and deter attacks; with comprehensive diplomacy, focused on negotiation, mediation, respect, and reconciliation; and with basic decency in foreign policy, based on freedom, democracy, human rights, and opportunity for all.

 

2.2 Open Democracy

Put the people into politics, and take the money out: With such reforms as equal ballot access, instant runoff voting, opt-in public campaigns, and sunshine laws.

 

3. Membership

Membership in the Moderate Party is organized at the Congressional District level and is open to any registered voter in their State who has donated a significant contribution of time or money to the Party or one of its Candidates, in the determination of their District Committee.

 

3.1 Open Districts

Members may join the Moderate Party in any Congressional District in their State. If a Member joins the Party in a District that is not the District where they are registered to vote, the Secretary of the District where the Member joins will send a notice to the Secretary of the District where the Member is registered to vote, to preclude Members from belonging to more than one District.

 

3.2 Party Voting

Membership is transferable between Districts. A person must be a Member in their District for 60 days before being eligible to vote on Party matters coming before their District.

 

3.3 Other Parties

Since the Party limits itself to Candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, Members also may belong to other political parties, and fully participate in their processes.

 

4. Congressional District

Each Congressional District will have its own Members and District Committee, governed by the Articles of Incorporation of the Party and these Bylaws. The Party will recognize a Congressional District when the Central Committee determines that the District has adopted the Party name and these Bylaws, and has qualified a candidate for a primary or general election in its District.

 

5. District Committee

Each District Committee will have three members: Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer; each elected for a two-year term by a majority of Members in their Congressional District. When there are more than two nominees for any District Committee office, instant runoff voting will apply. The District Committee will fill any vacancies by unanimous vote between elections.

 

6. Central Committee

The District Committee for the IL-8th Congressional District will serve as the Central Committee for the Party, until these Bylaws may be amended to make other provisions.

 

7. Party Candidates

Party Candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives must be Members of the Party in their Districts for at least 60 days before the circulation of nominating petitions begins.

 

8. Other Candidates

Each District Committee may endorse and support any Other Candidate, in any State or Congressional District, for the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, or the U.S. Presidency -- whether from the Party or any other party -- if and only if, such Candidate fully supports the Party Platform of Peaceful Security and Open Democracy, and publicly accepts such endorsement. The Party will not take part in any elections for state or local offices.

 

9. Primaries

The Party may participate in primary elections or caucuses operated by their States for selection of nominees for the U.S. House of Representatives, where qualified under applicable law. The District Committee will determine whether to participate in a primary or caucus, or to directly choose its Candidate. The following rules will apply in all primary and caucus elections.

 

9.1 Instant Runoff Voting

Where more than two Candidates qualify in a primary election for the Party nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives in any Congressional District, instant runoff voting will apply.

 

9.2 Hybrid Balloting

Since the Party limits itself to Candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, Members will have the right to select a hybrid ballot offering them the ability to vote for candidates from another party for all other federal, state, and local offices.

 

10. Voting

There are no quorum requirements for voting at District meetings for any purpose. Except as stated in the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a simple majority will decide all votes.

 

11. Amendment

The Party may amend these Bylaws by approval of 3/4 of all Congressional Districts, by approval of 3/4 of the Members voting on the amendment in these Districts.

 

11.1 Party Platform

Any amendment to add or remove a plank in the Party Platform will require approval by 9/10 of all Congressional Districts, by approval of 9/10 of the Members voting on the amendment therein.

 

11.2 Peaceful Security

The original Platform plank of Peaceful Security is the core identity of the Party and may never be amended or removed by any vote or other process. Any attempt to do so will be invalid.

 

 

 

 

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            Chairperson                                                       Secretary