Constitution

CONSTITUTION OF THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF OKALOOSA COUNTY

ARTICLE I:  NAMING

1.1 The name of this organization shall be the Libertarian Party of Okaloosa County hereinafter referred to as the LPOC.

ARTICLE II: RATIFICATION

2.1 The Constitution and Bylaws of the Libertarian Party of Florida are hereby ratified.

ARTICLE III: PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

3.1 The purpose of the LPOC is to engage in political action in Okaloosa County, Florida with the intent to foster the growth of the LPOC, to serve as an affiliate organization of the Libertarian Party of Florida in state politics, and to serve the Libertarian Party in national politics.

3.2 The objectives of the LPOC are to:

  1. Recruit qualified Libertarian candidates for local office, support Libertarian candidates for state and congressional district offices and support Libertarian candidates for national office.
  1. Promote the growth of the Libertarian Party by increasing voter registration.
  1. Promote the Libertarian Party of Florida’s platform by engaging in relevant county issues and political activities.
  1. Foster a favorable perception of the Libertarian Party by engaging in community and charitable activities.

ARTICLE IV:  GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

4.1 Membership to the LPOC is contingent upon signing the Non-Aggression Principle statement, “I hereby certify that I do not believe in or advocate the initiation of force as a means to achieve political or social goals.”

4.2 LPOC members must be a resident of Okaloosa County, registered through Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections and affiliated with the Libertarian Party of Florida.

4.3 Any individual who is a registered Libertarian in Okaloosa County, affiliated with the Libertarian Party of Florida and has signed the Non-Aggression Principle has the right to vote in the annual elections, the right of appointment to committees, the right to attend and observe committee meetings and the right of nomination to any office for which they are qualified by law.

4.4 Membership shall be reviewed at least annually by the Secretary by obtaining the roll of registered Libertarian voters from the Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections. 

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

5.1 The Officers of the LPOC shall be a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The only offices that can be held by the same member are Secretary and Treasurer.

5.2 Officers shall serve a term for one year, concluding at the next Annual Election Meeting.

5.2 The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Officers and Committee Chairs.

ARTICLE VI: STANDING COMMITTEES, CHAIRS AND MEMBERSHIP

6.1 Standing Committees shall be created by the Executive Committee as necessary by a two-thirds vote.

6.2 Committee Chairs will be appointed by the Executive Committee and will become members of the Executive Committee for a term concluding at the next Annual Election Meeting.

6.3 Each committee may remove its members for any reason by a majority vote. The County Executive Committee may remove any member of a committee by a majority vote for any reason.

6.4 No Executive Committee member may serve as Chair on more than two standing committees.

6.5 No Officer of the Executive Committee will serve as Chair of a committee.

ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS

7.1 All official meetings will have a quorum, which is determined by the presence of one-half of the Executive Committee to include at least one Officer.

7.2 Regular Meetings are for normal business items and will be held no more than once a month and no less than quarterly. Regular meetings may be conducted in person or through digital formats.

7.3 Special Meetings may be recommended by any Executive Committee Member at any time and must have a specific stated purpose. Members will give notice of no less than fourteen days.

7.4 Business Meetings shall be called at least annually to review any amendments that have been proposed to LPOC founding documents, review all annual reports required by the State of Florida and the Libertarian Party of Florida and analyze the success of the past year’s goals in order to establish the best plan for the coming year.

7.4 Annual Election Meetings will be held within the first quarter of the calendar year and every reasonable effort will be made to notify the General Membership at least 15 days in advance. The Annual Election Meeting will be managed by the Executive Committee though any member may submit an agenda item in writing to the Executive Committee no later than seven days before the scheduled meeting. 

ARTICLE VIII: DONATIONS

8.1 Donations should be made to the LPOC in keeping with the laws governing donations to political parties and candidates. Such funds shall be expended at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

8.2 If LPOC is dissolved, all assets of LPOC will transfer to the Libertarian Party of Florida.

ARTICLE IX: ENDORSEMENT OF POLITICAL CANDIDATES

9.1 Endorsees for local political office must be members of the LPOC, the Libertarian Party of Florida, and the Libertarian Party.

9.2 The LPOC may endorse and support political candidates who are registered Libertarian but are unable to run as a Libertarian due to state regulations only if they run as candidates with No Political Affiliation (NPA).  Due to the compromising nature of financial support and the adoption of political party titles other than Libertarian, the endorsement of political candidates from other political parties is not permitted. A majority vote of the Executive Committee shall be required for endorsement.

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS

10.1 Amendments to the Constitution may be made through a written recommendation submitted to the Secretary no later than 30-days prior to the Annual Business Meeting and is approved by a two-thirds vote of the quorum, cast in accordance with established rules.