Current DFL SD-45 Constitution and By-laws
This page contains the current constiution and by-laws for DFL - Senate District 45. This constitution was ratified at the 2010 senate District Convention.
CONSTITUTION FOR THE Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party FORTY-FIFTH (45th) SENATE DISTRICT
PREAMBLE
We, the members of The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party of the 45th Senate District of
Minnesota, in District convention assembled, in order to organize and perpetuate a
representative, effective and responsible party organization in the 45th Senate District,
affiliate with, and advance the interests of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party in the
State of Minnesota, and to affiliate with and advance the interests of liberal democracy,
and uphold human and civil rights and constitutional government, do establish this
constitution.
ARTICLE I
NAME, MEMBERSHIP, AND ELIGIBILITY FOR OFFICE
Section 1 NAME
The name for this organization shall be the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party of the
45th Senate District of Minnesota.
Section 2 MEMBERSHIP
Membership in this party unit shall be open to all residents of the 45th Senate
District who support the principles of the DFL Party of
Minnesota.
No person may vote on any motion, resolution, nomination or election at any caucus,
convention, meeting or conference of the DFL 45th Senate District DFL who is a member of any
other DFL local unit or any other political party.
Section 3 ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTY OFFICE
All persons, regardless of race, ethnic background, religious affiliation, sexual
preference or sex, who meet the membership requirements of Article 1, Section 2, are
eligible for election to party office, except as limited by the current State DFL
Constitution party officer rules. There shall be no age requirement for party office
save where prescribed by law.
ARTICLE II
PRECINCT CAUCUSES ORGANIZATION AND OFFICERS
Section 1 PRECINCT CAUCUSES
The basis of party organization structure shall be the precinct caucuses, held on the
date prescribed by Minnesota election laws. The Caucus Call shall be prescribed by
the state chair, subject to the determinations of the state central committee and the
Minnesota election laws. The Call shall be issued at least 20 days before the date set
for the holding of such caucuses and shall include notice of county, senate district,
congressional district, and state conventions. The Call to each precinct shall set forth
the number of delegates that precinct is entitled to elect to the senate district
convention, the number of delegates the senate district is entitled to elect to the
state convention, and other pertinent information.
Only persons eligible to vote at the next general election who attend the caucus of this
party for the precinct in which they reside and support the purposes of the DFL
Party as stated in the preamble shall be entitled to vote at the caucus. Only caucus
attendees who are eligible to vote at the caucus, or persons who are absent but
otherwise eligible and have submitted a proxy, may be elected a delegate, alternate
or party officer.
Section 2 PRECINCT ORGANIZATION
The precinct caucus shall elect a caucus chair and judges of caucus elections and shall
elect a precinct chair who need not be chair of the precinct caucus, and two vice-
chairs. Each precinct caucus shall elect delegates and alternates to the senate district
conventions, as defined in the current DFL State Constitution and Bylaws. The caucus
report shall rank succession of alternates according to the number of votes each
alternate received, beginning with the highest number. Persons eligible to be elected
o the caucus who are not present at the caucus may be elected delegates, alternates or
precinct officers only if they have indicated in writing their willingness to serve.
Section 3 PRECINCT CHAIRS AND VICE-CHAIRS
The precinct chair and vice-chairs from each caucus shall take office upon ratification
by the first senate district convention after the caucus. The responsibility of the
precinct chair shall include, but not be limited to, organization of the precinct for the
party. The chair may convene regular meetings of the DFL members in the precinct to
consider the business of the party. The chair’s duties shall include the following: a
canvass of residents to ascertain their party affiliation, with a record thereof;
distribution of campaign literature; registration of all voters who can be expected to
support the party; and organization of committees to get the party vote to the polls.
The duties of the vice—chairs shall be to assist the precinct chair in all of the above
duties as needed.
ARTICLE III
SENATE DISTRICT CONVENTION, COMITTEES, AND OFFICERS
Section 1 SENATE DISTRICT CONVENTION
A convention session of the precinct delegates shall be held in the 45th Senate District
each even-numbered year. A precinct may cast only one vote for each delegate or
alternate seated as a delegate, present and voting. A majority of the delegates and
alternates serving as delegates registered at the convention shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2 BUSINESS OF THE SENATE DISTRICT CONVENTION
The senate district convention shall elect senate district party officers, delegates and
alternates to the state convention and congressional district convention and delegates
and alternates to the state central committee in accordance with the state party
constitution. The convention shall ratify as precinct chairs and vice—chairs those
elected at precinct caucuses. It shall be a function of the convention to endorse
candidates for the legislature as prescribed in the current DFL state constitution and
bylaws. The first convention session shall adopt a constitution, which may be
amended at any subsequent convention session. The senate district central committee
shall act upon any unfinished convention business to the intent permitted by the State
DFL Party Constitution and Call.
Section 3 GOVERNING BODY
Subject to the DFL State Party Constitution, Minnesota Election Laws, and the Call,
as issued by the state party chair acting under the direction of the state central
committee and/or the state executive committee, the senate district convention shall
be the supreme governing body of the party for the senate district.
Section 4 NOTICE OF CONVENTIONS; SUBSEQUENT CONVENTIONS
The senate district chair, with approval by a majority vote of the senate district central
committee, at a properly called and conducted meeting, shall be responsible for
arranging appropriate facilities for the senate district conventions. The date, place,
and time of this convention shall be announced at the precinct caucuses. A subsequent
convention may only be called by a 60% majority vote of the central committee of the
senate district. Notice of any subsequent conventions will be made in accordance with
the current DFL State constitution and Bylaws. Any such subsequent convention may
not reverse or modify a decision of a preceding duly adjourned convention of
delegates and alternates elected at the immediately preceding precinct caucuses.
Section 5 CONVENTION COMMITTEES
The following pre-convention committees shall be convened: rules (if permitted by
the Call), credentials, nominations, resolutions (if permitted by the Call),
endorsements, constitution, arrangements and such other committees as may be
deemed necessary. Such committees and their reports are temporary until officially
approved by the convention. The membership (or method of electing or appointing
members) of the pre-convention committees shall be determined by the senate
district central committee. Notice of the first committee meeting, specifying time
and place, shall be given to all committee members not less than 48 hours in
advance. The senate district chair, with approval by a majority vote of a quorum of
the senate district executive committee or central committee, at a properly called and
conducted meeting, shall appoint a convener for each committee. At its first
meeting, each committee shall elect a committee chair.
Section 6 DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES TO THE CONGRESSIONAL
DISTRICT AND STATE CONVENTIONS
The senate district convention shall elect delegates and alternates in numbers and
voting power as described in the current DFL State Constitution and Bylaws, and in
conformance with Section 13, below. The senate district convention shall elect one
alternate for each delegate. Alternates shall be seated for absent delegates, by rank,
as recorded on the convention report of the senate district.
Section 7 CHALLENGED DELEGATES
The names of individual delegates and alternates appearing on the precinct caucus
reports shall constitute the official roll call unless they are successfully challenged.
Procedures for challenging a delegate are as set forth in the Official State DFL
Convention Call. Challenges must be submitted in writing. All challenges for seats
at the senate district convention shall be finally decided by that convention.
Section 8 SENATE DISTRICT PARTY OFFICERS
A chair, associate chair (of different gender from the chair), secretary, treasurer,
affirmative action officer and eleven directors (not more than six of whom shall be
of the same gender) shall be elected as officers by the convention after the
convention has been convened by the temporary chair.
Chair: The chair shall be responsible for promoting, maintaining, and optimizing the
Party’s organization, and achieving maximum voting power within the district to
attain the Party’s stated objectives. The chair shall actively promote precinct level
organization through the district executive committee and area DFL organizations.
The chair shall also serve on the state and congressional central committees. It shall
further be the duty of the chair and secretary to file with the state party office and the
appropriate congressional district party officers the results of the convention,
including the listing of delegates and alternates as prescribed by the official call
within three (3) days after the adjournment of the senate district convention.
Associate Chair: The associate chair shall assist the chair as requested to assure party
growth and effectiveness. The associate chair shall assume the duties of the chair in
the event the chair is absent. The associate chair shall have the duty of working with
the precinct officers to promote the development of a cohesive, efficient working
unit in each precinct. The associate chair shall serve on the state and congressional
central committees.
Secretary: The secretary shall be in charge of all the files and records of the party
and of preparation of necessary documents. The secretary shall preserve such files
and records and open them for examination at reasonable times at the request of any
duly elected central committee member.
Treasurer: The treasurer shall have custody of the funds of the party and shall render
written accounts of receipts and disbursements to each meeting of the central
committee and executive committee. The treasurer shall also make a full report to
each convention. The treasurer and any other party officer or employee responsible
for the handling of party funds shall be under sufficient bond, the amount to be
determined by the executive committee. An audit of all financial records and
transactions of the party shall be made as requested by either the central committee
or the executive committee.
Affirmative Action Officer: The affirmative action officer prepares the affirmative
action plan and chairs a committee which sees that the senate district follows the
affirmative action guidelines, aiming to ensure representation from the elderly,
youths, racial minorities, the disabled and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender
community members. Activities include:
(a) Advertising vacant positions (in coordination with the publicity director).
(b) Recruiting to fill vacant positions in the central committee.
(c) Advertising upcoming caucuses to the above-mentioned groups.
(d) Ascertaining the facilities used for DFL activities comply with the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) in coordination with the facilities director.
Directors: The directors shall have such duties as may be set forth in the Bylaws.
Section 10 STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES
The 45th Senate District shall send as its representatives to the state central
committee the chair and associate chair and other delegates and alternates to be
elected by the senate district convention, as provided by the current State DFL
Constitution and bylaws.
Section 11 SENATE DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The senate district executive committee shall consist of the senate district party
officers and all members of the congressional district or state executive committee
residing in the senate district. Each executive committee shall be responsible for
affirmative action within its jurisdiction.
Section 12 SENATE DISTRICT CENTRAL COMMITTEE
The senate district central committee shall consist of the executive committee, the
precinct chairs and vice-chairs, and all members of the congressional district or state
central committee residing in the senate district. Between conventions, the central
committee shall declare and fill vacancies among senate district officers, precinct
chairs and vice-chairs in a manner prescribed in Article IV, Section 2, below. A
majority of those members in attendance at a meeting convened in accordance with
Article V, Section 3, of this constitution shall constitute a quorum.
Section 13 ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO STATE CONVENTION
The senate district convention shall assure that delegates to the state convention are
proportionally allotted in accordance with the method prescribed in the current State
DFL constitution and Bylaws. When sufficient senate district delegates to elect one
delegate and alternate to the state convention choose to sub-caucus, they shall be
permitted to do so. The purpose of each sub-caucus shall be clearly defined when
the sub-caucus title is placed in nomination. The convention may use any sub-
caucus procedure allowed by the call.
Section 14 SENATE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES TO THE THIRD & FIFTH
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
CENTRAL COMMITTEES
One at large member will be elected to the third congressional central committee and
two to the fifth congressional district central committee. These members must reside
in the congressional district to which they are elected. All members of the state
central committee from this senate district shall also serve on the congressional
district central committee in which they reside.
ARTICLE IV
VACANCIES IN PARTY OFFICES
Section 1 DISMISSAL FOR CAUSE
The central committee may seek a resignation or dismissal order for any member for
cause only on the grounds of clear nonfeasance or malfeasance in office. Such
nonfeasance or malfeasance may include, but is not limited to, member missing
three (3) meetings of the central committee, failing to fulfill the requirements of this
office as prescribed by the district constitution, or publicly supporting a non-DFL
endorsed candidate in an election contest with a DFL endorsed candidate. For such
dismissal a two-thirds majority vote of those present and eligible to vote is required,
but only after the member is given 30 days notice specifying the cause and is granted
the opportunity for a hearing.
Section 2 FILLING VACANCIES
The central committee is responsible for declaring and filling vacancies in its
membership elected at its governing convention. A vacancy occurs for the following
reasons: Resignation, death, change of residence to a jurisdiction other than the one
from which the person was elected, or dismissal for cause. A majority vote of a
quorum, in a properly conducted meeting is sufficient to declare a vacancy. At a
meeting properly called after one week’s advance notice of intent to elect, the central
committee by a majority vote of a quorum may fill such vacancy. Only those
vacancies specified in the meeting notice may be filled at the meeting. Vacancies
shall be filled within 60 days, whenever possible, of their occurrence, giving due
consideration to the district’s affirmative action plan.
ARTICLE V
GENERAL RULES
Section 1 PARTY OFFICERS
All party officers elected at the senate district convention shall be the officers of
their respective central committees and executive committees. The order of
temporary succession of officers shall be: chair, associate chair, secretary, treasurer
and affirmative action officer. In the absence of all five above officers, a temporary
chair shall be elected from the central committee or executive committee
respectively.
Section 2 RESPONSIBILITY OF CENTRAL COMMITTEE AND EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE
The central committee shall be responsible for the policy direction of party affairs,
subject to the control and direction of the convention. The executive committee
shall be responsible for the administration of party affairs subject to the control and
direction of the convention and central committee.
Section 3 MEETINGS OF EXECUTIVE AND CENTRAL COMMITTEES
The central committee shall meet at least semi-annually. The executive committee
shall meet at least quarterly. Committees may be called to meet by the chair, by one-
eighth of the membership of the committee, or by a majority of the executive
committee. Notice of meeting, specifying time and place, shall be sent in writing by
United States Postal Service and/or electronic mail to all members of the committee not less
than ten (10) days in advance of the meeting nor less than 72 hours by other
personally delivered written notice. Notice for a central committee meeting which is
to meet within ten (10) calendar days of the district convention shall be sent in
writing by U.S.P.S. to all members of the committee not less than five (5) days in
advance of the meeting, nor less than 72 hours by other personally delivered written
notice. With the permission of individual members, email may be used to deliver
notice to the individual. Email notice must take place ten (10) days before the
meeting. The Central and Executive Committee will also be permitted, subject to
an affirmative majority vote of the Central Committee, to set an annual schedule of
meetings, with such schedule identifying day, date, time and location of each
meeting. Provision of the annual schedule in writing by U.S.P.S. or
electronic mail as provided in this section to all members of the central and
executive committees shall constitute due notice of the meetings. Any change to
such annual schedule shall be made in accordance with the ten (10) day advance notice
specified in this section.
Section 4 DISPOSITION OF PARTY RECORDS
Upon leaving office, a party officer shall turn over all party records, books and
properties to the successor or to the convention or central committee charged with
naming a successor.
Section 5 ENDORSEMENTS
Endorsement of a candidate for public office requires a 60 percent affirmative vote
of the convention or central committee making the endorsement. No convention or
central committee representing a geographical area less than the area competent to
elect the public official may endorse a candidate. No one who is not a resident of the
area in which election will occur may vote on an endorsement. An endorsement
given before the primary is valid after the primary only if the candidate’s name
appears on the general election ballot. In the absence of any direction to contrary by
a convention, a central committee may endorse candidates between conventions.
Every ballot for endorsement shall be a test of a quorum. Before a convention which
has failed to make an endorsement may adjourn, the delegates shall be given notice
that in the absence of any direction to the contrary by the convention, a central
committee may endorse candidates between conventions. Notice of this provision
shall be read at the opening of the convention and immediately prior to the
endorsement process.
Section 6 INSTRUCTION AND VOTING OF DELEGATES
No delegate to a convention shall be instructed or bound. Each delegate shall decide
and vote independently of the other members of the delegation. No voting by proxy
shall be permitted at any convention or meeting of any party organization. At any
convention other than the precinct caucus, balloting when called for shall be by
delegations and shall be open and not secret, unless a secret ballot is called for by
the chair, or moved and then supported by one-third of the voting body.
Section 7 ALTERNATES AND VISITORS
At all conventions, alternates and visitors must be clearly separated from officially
accredited delegates.
Section 8 ELECTION LAWS
Minnesota election laws and United States election laws are part of this constitution.
Section 9 LIMITATIONS FOR PARTY OFFICE
No party officer may serve in an office filled by partisan ballot, nor as an elected
salaried official of a city of the first class or of a county containing a city of the
first class.
ARTICLE VI
RULES OF ORDER
Section 1 ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER
All senate district convention, central committee and executive committee matters
not governed by the State DFL Constitution, the official Call to the convention, this
constitution or by convention rules or Bylaws shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of
Order, Newly Revised.
ARTICLE VII
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
Section 1 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
The district chair and other DFL Party officers at every level in the 45th district, shall
take affirmative steps to encourage those groups which have been under-represented
in the past to seek election as delegates, members of party committees and officers;
to inform all persons how to effectively participate in the selection process; to
encourage all Democrats to select affirmatively such individuals when voting so that
such groups shall be represented on such delegations, in committees, and in party
offices in reasonable proportion to their presence in the state.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS AND BYLAWS
Section 1AMENDMENTS AND BYLAWS
This constitution or its Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the delegates
registered at any regular delegate convention of the DFL Party of the 45th Senate
District. Bylaws concerning matters not expressly governed by nor in conflict with
this constitution, the State DFL Constitution or Minnesota Election Laws may be
adopted by action of the Senate District Central Committee provided such bylaws
received a two-thirds affirmative vote of the membership required for quorum and
further provided that such Bylaws nave been considered at two (2) consecutive
meetings of the central committee. Notice of intent to consider bylaws shall be
included in the meeting notice.
ARTICLE IX SUBORDINATION
Section 1. Subordination. The 45th senate district Constitution and Bylaws are
subordinate to the United States Constitution and the DFL State Constitution and
Bylaws.
Section 2 Compliance. The Constitution and Bylaws of the 45th senate district will
be in compliance with the DFL State Constitution and Bylaws.
BYLAWS OF THE DFL FORTY-FIFTH (45th) SENATE DISTRICT
These Bylaws are intended to further define and explain the operating procedures of
the district.
I. The senate district directors shall have the following duties:
Publicity: The senate district Publicity Director will publicize senate district
meetings and events under the direction of the chair, and other directors organizing
events such as Social/Protocol and Fundraising. Press releases will be prepared and
released to include local newspaper, television and the district web site.
Fundraising: The Fundraising Director shall plan and coordinate efforts to promote
the Senate District 45 DFL Sustaining Fund. The Fundraising Director will plan and
coordinate efforts to raise funds and increase contributions to the senate district.
They serve as chair of the finance committee.
Communications: The Communications Director will work in collaboration with the
Webmaster to edit and publish senate district newsletters. The newsletters and web
page should serve as vehicles for messages from elected representatives and Senate
District 45 officials to announce upcoming events such as fund raisers and meetings,
and to announce any state or local DFL matter of concern.
Webmaster: The Webmaster Director will work in collaboration with the
Communications Director to publish newsletters, and announcements on the Senate
District 45 Web page and any other communication that will be distributed by
Internet. Responsibilities include maintaining the web site to ensure it is appealing,
accessible, current and professional looking and hosts appropriate links.
Campaign Liaison: The Campaign Liaison Director will contact DFL endorsed
district candidates to offer central committee assistance and will provide liaison with
endorsed DFL candidates from outside the district. The director’s responsibilities
may include activities such as volunteer recruitment, phone bank, get out the vote,
GOTV activities, etc.
Social Director: The Social Director’s role is to organize social events with the
intent to engage like-minded progressive individuals in supporting the local DFL and
to encourage attendance at all district events. The social director will ensure
invitations are extended to appropriate elected officials, candidates, VIPs and DFL
officers from other units such as, but not limited to congressional districts, county
and state offices.
Facilities: The Facilities Director is responsible for securing and arranging locations
for Senate District 45 DFL meetings, precinct caucuses, conventions, committee
activities and fund raising events at the direction of the executive committee. The
facilities director will make arrangements on a timely basis to ensure proper notice
may be given to the secretary, publicity director, communications and outreach and
others for distribution.
Schedule: The Schedule Director’s role is to inform the 45th Senate District of
upcoming events and meetings scheduled by other party units such as but not limited
to congressional districts, county and state DFL office. The schedule director will
inform SD 45 Central Committee when the state DFL has adopted the Official Call,
dates, meetings, and conventions including the Hennepin County convention. This
director will notify the executive committee and central committee of any conflicts
with religious or other holiday observances. The schedule director will inform
senate district central committee members of local campaign activities during
elections.
Young DFL: The Young DFL Director will work to encourage involvement of
young adults in DFL activities and will coordinate activities with other appropriate
district officers.
Senior Caucus Director: The Senior Caucus Director will work to encourage
Involvement of older adults in DFL activities and will coordinate activities with
other appropriate district officers. The senior caucus director will work with
Precinct Revitalization to draw Seniors into an active role in SD 45, the DFL Senior
Caucus and the DFL, and as needed by the Senate District Chair.
At-Large: One district directors will be elected at-large. The At-Large Directors
will be assigned responsibilities as needed by the District Chair.
II. Check Signing
Any two (2) of three (3) possible signatures may be used to sign checks: Chair,
Associate Chair, and/or Treasurer.
III. City council and mayoral endorsements by the central committee
Endorsements may be held for any city council or mayoral positions whose
geographical area falls entirely within the Senate District. For each office, the party
may endorse up to the number of people that will be elected at the general election.
Upon the request of a central committee member, the chair shall include the
endorsement on the agenda of the central committee’s next meeting. Notice of the
meeting must include the specific office for endorsement and conform to the notice
required in Article V, Section 3. A candidate does not need to be present at the
meeting to be endorsed. Endorsements may take place either before, during, or after
filings for office. Endorsement may not be made before the biennial senate district
convention preceding the election. An endorsement by the central committee for an
election in November may not be made earlier than March 1 of the year of the
election. This bylaw does not restrict the central committee from placing city
council and mayoral endorsements on the call to the senate district convention. This
bylaw does not restrict the central committee from calling a convention per Article
III, Section 4 for the purpose of city council and mayoral endorsements.