Bylaws

ARTICLE I: PURPOSE AND SCOPE

1. These bylaws govern the Libertarian Party of Alabama, hereinafter referred to as the “Party,” whose purpose is to pursue liberty and promote libertarian political ideals consistent with the Libertarian Party Statement of Principles by:
   1. Disseminating information about libertarian ideals and principles;
   2. Nominating and promoting candidates for local, state, and national public office;
   3. Promoting and coordinating regional and local organizations throughout the state;
   4. Selecting and sending delegates to Libertarian Party national conventions.
2. The Party reaffirms the National Party’s Platform but may also adopt its own Platform.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

1. Members of the Party are those residents of Alabama whose Party dues are current and who have certified in writing that they oppose the initiation of force to achieve political or social goals.
2. The entire Executive Committee, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, may revoke an individual’s membership for cause.
3. The Party may offer Sustaining and Life Memberships, with dues for each.
4. Dues shall only be set by a majority vote of the Delegates in the Business Session of an Annual Convention, and shall be assessed at the beginning of the Party’s fiscal year.
5. Sustaining Memberships shall be $25 annually and Life Memberships shall be $1000 paid once within a 12-month calendar year.
6. Dues shall not be pro-rated.
7. Dues may be paid in full at any time to gain or restore loss of Sustaining Membership, unless the person is permanently banned from the Party.
8. A change in Life Membership dues shall not cause a refund or require further payment.
9. Failure to pay dues in full within thirty (30) days of assessment shall result in loss of Sustaining Membership.
10. A Life Member who leaves the state to reside in another state suspends their Life Membership. A former Life Member who returns to the state to reside shall regain their Life Membership at no cost.

ARTICLE III: OFFICERS

1. The Officers of the Party shall be the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer.
2. The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee, and shall be the spokesperson for the Party, subject to oversight and direction of the Executive Committee. The Chair shall have authority to propose to enter into Regional Representation Agreements; but such Agreements must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Committee.
3. The Vice-Chair shall act as assistant to the Chair and shall perform the duties of the Chair as Acting Chair when the Chair is unable to perform those duties.
4. The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining the Party membership list, taking minutes of Executive Committee meetings, and keeping other records as required by the Chair or Executive Committee. The Secretary shall be responsible for providing notice for all meetings of the Executive Committee and the Judicial Committee, and all Conventions.
5. The Treasurer shall receive, disburse, and account for the funds of the Party under the supervision of the Chair and the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall prepare an annual report and make available any financial information required by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE IV: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. The Executive Committee is composed of the Officers, two (2) At-Large Members, and four (4) Regional Representatives. No person shall hold more than one (1) position. No positions or offices shall be combined.
2. The regions are established by counties as follows:
   1. Region 1/North: Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, and Morgan.
   2. Region 2/North-Central: Bibb, Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Fayette, Jefferson, Lamar, Marion, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston.
   3. Region 3/South-Central: Autauga, Bullock, Chambers, Chilton, Choctaw, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Greene, Hale, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Montgomery, Perry, Russell, Sumter, Tallapoosa, and Wilcox.
   4. Region 4/South: Baldwin, Barbour, Butler, Clarke, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Mobile, Monroe, Pike, and Washington.
3. Elections for all Executive Committee positions will only be held at the Annual Conventions.
   1. At-Large Members and all Regional Representatives shall be elected for a two-year term. All even numbered positions shall be elected in even years, all odd numbered positions shall be elected in odd years. They shall serve from the end of the convention for which they are elected, until the end of the next state convention and a successor is elected.
   2. The Chair and Treasurer will each be elected at odd-year Annual Conventions to serve a two-year term and until their successors are elected. The Vice-Chair and Secretary will each be elected at even-year Annual Conventions to a two-year term and until their successors are elected. If an Executive Committee position is appointed from vacancy between Annual Conventions, then the position will be up for election at the next Annual Convention to either complete the term or for a new term, depending upon the position and year.
   3. All Executive Committee members must be Party Members and residents of the State of Alabama.
   4. Regional Representatives will be elected by a caucus of the Party members residing within the region in which they reside or represent.
   5. All ballots for one or more (1+) candidates, Officers, or Delegates must include as the last selection the option, “None of the Above” (NOTA). If NOTA receives a majority of votes, no candidates are elected, and an entirely new slate of candidates may be offered and a new vote taken, or if no person is eligible, that position shall go unfilled.
   6. Each Executive Committee position will be elected separately by written ballot.
   7. Elected Executive Committee members will take office immediately following adjournment sine die of the Convention.
4. No Member of the Executive Committee shall be a member of, or hold office in, another political party, or support a candidate of another political party in opposition to a candidate of the Libertarian Party of Alabama or any partisan election held within the state.
5. Each Regional Representative shall be responsible for promoting the activities of the Party within the region. A Regional Representative is also responsible for organizing county affiliates within the region as well as college campus groups or other local organizations promoting libertarian goals. At-Large Representatives shall assist Regional Representatives in these activities.
6. The Executive Committee shall appoint new officers or At-Large Members if vacancies occur, and such officers shall fill the office vacated until the next Annual Convention. Regional Representative vacancies shall be filled by appointment by election by the county affiliate Chairs, or if there are no counties affiliated, by the Executive Committee, so long as an appointee is a Party member and is willing to serve. The Executive Committee may appoint an acting Regional Representative from outside the region if necessary.
7. The Executive Committee shall meet at such time and place as determined by action of the Committee or call of the Chair, except however the Executive Committee shall meet at least quarterly. If a meeting is to be held at a time and/or place not arranged at a previous meeting it is the responsibility of the Secretary to give reasonable notice to all Executive Committee members.
8. A meeting of Executive Committee members numbering more than fifty-one percent (51%) of the total number of Officers, At-Large Members, and Regional Representatives (currently filled) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of Committee business.
9. An Officer, Regional Representative, or other member holding a Party position may be suspended from that position for cause by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Executive Committee, not including the member accused, after a disciplinary investigation and hearing as provided for in the parliamentary authority. “For cause” is defined as violation of the written membership certification, fraud, theft, or violent crime. Such suspension may be appealed by the member to the Judicial Committee within thirty (30) days. Failure to appeal or failure of the appeal shall make the suspension a removal from that position, and the position shall considered to be vacant.
10. The Executive Committee may establish rules of order for its meetings, which need not include recording roll call votes on every decision; however roll call votes shall be made and be recorded by the Secretary on any decision made regarding appointments, disciplinary actions, and on any decision for which a roll call vote is requested by one or more (1+) members of the Committee.
11. Financial Obligations and Contracts
    1. Any financial liability or contractual obligation exceeding an approved budget or exceeding $20,000 shall require:
       1. A written contract or proposal be presented to all Executive Committee members at least three (3) days prior to any vote.
       2. Approval of a written contract by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Committee present in a properly-called meeting.
    2. Anyone who incurs any financial liability outside of the Executive Committee approved terms or contract without aforesaid approval shall be personally liable and such action shall be cause for removal from the Executive Committee or termination of a staff position.
    3. The Executive Committee shall address the purchasing and maintaining of liability insurance for directors and officers via the rules.
    4. The Party’s fiscal year shall run from January 1^st to December 31^st of the calendar year.
12. The Executive Committee shall have operational control and fiduciary responsibility of the Party between Annual Conventions.
13. The Executive Committee may at its discretion create committees and appoint members to them to assist the Executive Committee in their work.

ARTICLE V: JUDICIAL COMMITTEE

1. Composition, Election, and Term
   1. The Judicial Committee shall consist of five (5) Party Members elected by the Delegates in attendance at every Annual Convention, in the following manner:
      1. In an odd-year Annual Convention, the Chair and positions #3 and #5 shall be elected,
      2. In an even-year Annual Convention, positions #2 and #4 shall be elected.
   2. In the case of vacancy, the existing members of the Judicial Committee may vote to fill the vacancy from qualified Party Members until the next Annual Convention following the appointment, where the position shall be elected either to finish the term or to start a full term, depending on the year of election and the position.
   3. The term of each Judicial Committee member shall begin at the adjournment sine die of the Business Session of the even-year or odd-year Annual Convention at which they are elected and end at the adjournment sine die of the Business Session of the next even-year or odd-year Annual Convention, respectively, and until their successors are elected.
   4. If there are no existing members of the Judicial Committee to fill a vacancy, an intervening regular Annual Convention may fill the vacancies, or if it will be more than six (6) months until the next regular Convention, the Board shall call a Special Convention to fill the vacancies.
   5. Each Judicial Committee position shall be elected separately, with the candidate in each election who receives the most votes being elected.
2. Eligibility
   1. Members of the Executive Committee shall be ineligible to serve on the Judicial Committee.
   2. Judicial Committee members must have been Party Members for the past three (3) years, and shall have signed the Statement of Principles of the national Libertarian Party and a statement disavowing the initiation of force to achieve political or social goals.
3. Scope of Duties
   1. The Judicial Committee shall be limited to hearing and deciding cases involving the following:
      1. challenges to membership status,
      2. suspensions or other disciplinary actions by the Executive Committee,
      3. disaffiliation of chartered affiliates by the Executive Committee,
      4. appeals of Board decisions pertaining to items of business, and
      5. challenges to resolutions or platform planks made at Convention by Delegates.
   2. The Judicial Committee shall have appellate jurisdiction only and no original jurisdiction.
   3. The Judicial Committee may hear appeals regarding affiliate actions provided such appeals are authorized in the affiliate’s Bylaws.
   4. The Judicial Committee may, in its proceedings, determine findings of both facts and procedure.
   5. The Judicial Committee may, by majority vote, as necessary while hearing an appeal, up through the time that a ruling is issued, enjoin the action being appealed as follows:
      1. If the decision is upheld, the injunction is removed.
      2. If the decision is overturned, the injunction becomes permanent, unless overturned by a final appeal by the Delegates at the next Annual Convention or relevant amendment to these Bylaws.
   6. A Judicial Committee member may require, by subpoena, the appellees or respondents to provide documents or other supporting evidence to the Committee.
      1. Any confidential information must not be publicly disclosed.
      2. The determination of confidentiality and any redactions shall be made by the Party Chair and Secretary.
      3. All Judicial Committee members shall sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) at the beginning of each term.
4. Appeals
   1. Only Party Members may present an appeal to the Judicial Committee.
   2. Only suspended or disciplined Members may appeal their suspension or discipline.
   3. Only the former officers of a disaffiliated affiliate may appeal their affiliate’s disaffiliation.
   4. All appeals must be in writing, submitted to the Chair of the Judicial Committee within thirty (30) days of the disputed decision.
   5. An appeal of an action not about membership status or suspensions must show that if the action appealed causes clear irreparable harm to the Party, that it is also a violation of the Bylaws or Rules.
   6. Appeals must contend a violation of the Bylaws or Rules.
5. Adjudicating Cases
   1. All appeals shall be resolved within sixty (60) days of the date of submission to the Chair of the Judicial Committee with the exception of disputes over membership status which will affect delegate voting status at any state convention which will be decided during the credentialing process. In the event the Judicial Committee cannot make a prompt decision regarding challenges to membership status, the question will be put to the delegates with a majority vote resolving membership status in favor of the disputed member.
   2. The Chair of the Judicial Committee must present all requests for appellate review to the Committee within five (5) days of receipt. The Committee shall then have five (5) days to decide whether or not to hear the appeal, with the agreement of two (2) or more Judicial Committee members being sufficient to hold a hearing. The Committee Chair shall then schedule this hearing to be held within thirty (30) days with at least ten (10) days’ notice by postal mail or email to all involved parties.
   3. Hearings may be virtual or in-person. The Committee may require written briefs or arguments from the Appellants or Respondents, and may decide to hold additional hearings. Any Party Member may attend any hearing and submit written briefs or arguments to the Committee which may be considered at the Committee’s discretion.
   4. The Committee shall set its own rules of procedure consistent with principles of impartiality, equity, and parliamentary law; however, in all cases, the burden of proof is presenting a preponderance of evidence and is upon the appellant. Judicial Committee members shall recuse themselves from any appeal when the member has a clear or inherent conflict of interest related to the appeal, the appellees, or the respondents, upon challenge of both the appellees and respondents. If the Judicial Committee has five or more (5+) members, then each of the appellee and respondent has one (1) challenge. However, recusals cannot deny a quorum of the Committee for a case hearing. A conflict of interest involves circumstances, such as personal benefits or influences from another person, organization, or entity, that create a risk of affecting the professional judgment or actions of the Committee members.
   5. Upon request by appellees and majority vote of the Judicial Committee, an appeal may be expedited to arrive at a faster verdict. The request for an expedited appeal must be presented with the appeal.
      1. The Chair of the Judicial Committee must present the request for appellate review and expedited appeal to the Committee within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt.
      2. The Committee shall then have forty-eight (48) hours to decide by majority vote whether or not to expedite the appeal. If the Committee declines to expedite, the appeal may proceed normally in accordance with these Bylaws.
      3. If the Committee agrees to expedite, then the Committee must set and hold a hearing within seventy-two (72) hours.
      4. Once the expedited hearing concludes, the Committee must render a verdict within forty-eight (48) hours.
      5. The Judicial Committee may, by majority vote, due to unexpected or unusual circumstances, extend any expedited appeal period. Such extensions shall be informed to the appellees and respondents.
6. Rulings Limited
   1. All rulings of the Judicial Committee must be in accordance with these Bylaws.
7. Verdicts
   1. A verdict must be reached within five (5) days of the adjournment of the hearing.
   2. A report of the case and its verdict must be uploaded to the Party website within two (2) business days.
   3. All verdicts shall be binding upon Party Members and operations, unless overturned by a final appeal by the Delegates at the next Annual Convention or relevant amendment to these Bylaws, unless the verdict violates state or federal law or unless ordered by a state or federal court.
8. Final Appeal
   1. Any verdict may be appealed to the Delegates at the next regular Convention. Such an appeal must be presented by not less than twenty (20) Members. The burden of proof of presenting a preponderance of evidence is upon the Members who makes the appeal to the Delegates. Prior notice is required. Delegates may overturn a verdict on appeal by a ¾ vote.
   2. If the Delegates by a majority vote refuse to hear the appeal, then the verdict of the Judicial Committee is final.

ARTICLE VI: COUNTY AFFILIATES

1. The Party shall be divided into county affiliates. Each county affiliate shall have its own County Executive Committee, consisting of at least two (2) Officers, Chair and Treasurer, who are separate persons.
2. Party membership shall not be a requirement for affiliate membership unless stated so in the affiliate’s bylaws. A Party member that resides in an unorganized county is eligible for membership in an organized county of their choosing at the discretion of the affiliate, until such time as the county of their residence becomes an organized affiliate.
3. An affiliate may require membership dues.
4. State Party, and County Affiliate membership shall be required for County Executive Committee membership.
5. The appropriate Regional Representative or, if there is no Regional Representative, an At-Large Representative may appoint a county Chair Pro Tem for any county in which there is no active county organization. The Chair Pro Tem must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (“NDA”) and return it to the Party Secretary. Upon receipt of the NDA, the Chair Pro Tem shall be provided a list of members in the county. It shall be the responsibility of said Chair Pro Tem and the Regional Representative, or, if there is no Regional Representative, an At-Large Representative to promote the development of a county organization within that county.
6. A county organization is deemed as having selected its officers only if an election notice has been provided to its members at least fourteen (14) days, but not more than thirty (30) days, in advance of that election. The election notice shall also be sent to and received by the Region Representative and/or Party Secretary at least fourteen (14) days in advance of the election. Such notice shall specify the reason for the meeting and a time and place reasonably accessible to its membership.
   1. Counties may also adopt county bylaws at the same meeting or hold a separate meeting at a later time. County Executive Committees should then send copies of the bylaws to their Region Representative and/or the Party Secretary at least fourteen (14) days before the next State Executive Committee meeting for consideration and approval. If the State Executive Committee approves the County’s bylaws, the county is then considered an organized affiliate.
   2. Each County Executive Committee may maintain one or more (1+) campaign finance funds independent of any campaign finance funds maintained by the State Executive Committee or any other Committees of the Party.
   3. Each County Executive Committee shall be responsible for compliance with any applicable election and campaign finance laws.
   4. County Executive Committees may endorse Candidates as per the State Bylaws, Article VI, Section 6.
7. If a county fails to hold meetings at least once (1x) per quarter and/or is not actively promoting the Party’s candidates and message and/or the Executive Committee receives official written notice from the County that they are disbanded, the State Executive Committee may declare a county organization to be disaffiliated or inactive as defined in rules.

ARTICLE VII: CONVENTION

1. It shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee to set the time, place, and schedule of events for the Annual Convention. At least sixty (60) days’ notice must be provided to Party Members by postal mail or email concerning these arrangements.
2. In order to participate in the Business Session of a Convention as a Delegate, a Member must have been a Member at least the thirty (30) days prior to the date of the Convention and reside within the state. The Delegates of the convention, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote may waive the requirement for any Member to participate in the Business Session. Delegates may be chosen by county affiliates, or if no county affiliate exists, approved by the Delegates at the Convention by majority vote. In order to vote on a given matter, a delegate shall be present on the floor or in an approved virtual space at the time that the vote is taken. Any virtual space used during Convention shall be approved in advance by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. Each delegate present in person or virtually shall have one (1) vote. The Secretary, or other member appointed from the body if the Secretary is unable, shall act as Tellers for all in-person and virtual votes.
3. The Party Chair and Secretary or their appointed designees shall serve as Convention Chair and Secretary, respectively.
4. No fees other than state Membership dues shall be required to participate in the Business Session of any Convention. Fees may be charged for other aspects of a Convention such as materials, meals, breakout sessions, and speakers.
5. All voting for Executive Committee Members and Judicial Committee Members shall be by secret ballot.
6. Delegates to the National Convention shall be selected at the Annual Convention preceding the National Convention.
   1. All National Convention Delegate slots shall be elected in one vote, by Annual Convention Delegates, from Party Members, by majority vote, by secret ballot with chain of custody, indicated for the contest for which they are to be cast, by approval voting. Annual Convention Delegates not elected by majority vote to be National Convention Delegates shall be ineligible for vacancy selection as a National Convention Delegate by the Executive Committee.
   2. National Convention Alternates shall be elected in the same manner as National Convention Delegates. The number of National Convention Alternates shall not be more than the number of National Convention Delegates. Alternates shall be ranked in order of most votes received for purposes of substitution for Delegates at the National Convention. Ties Shall be broken by random draw.
   3. After the Annual Convention Delegates have elected National Convention Delegates and Alternates, the Executive Committee may, by 2/3 vote, and by secret ballot, fill any vacancies in the delegation prior to the deadline for submitting to the National Party the names of National Convention Delegates. Alternate vacancies so filled must be ranked, but they will all be ranked below Alternates selected at the Annual Convention. Any vacancies in the delegation at the National Convention will be filled at the National Convention from the Alternates currently present based on their ranking.
   4. All National Convention Delegates and Alternates must be Party Members.
   5. If a National Convention Delegate candidate or Alternate candidate receives less votes than NOTA, they shall not be a National Convention Delegate or Alternate.
   6. Once the final list of National Convention Delegates and Alternates has been submitted to the National Party, there shall be no further additions of Delegates or Alternates. The deadline for the final list to be submitted to the National Party is not later than fourteen (14) days before the first Business Session of the National Convention.
   7. National Convention Delegate and Alternate candidates should submit an application to the Secretary indicating such not later than forty-eight (48) hours prior to the beginning of the Annual Convention. The Secretary shall include a link to the application and notice of the application deadline with the Call to Convention.
7. In the event that there is an urgent situation in which items of business normally reserved for the Annual Convention must be addressed in between Annual Conventions, the Executive Committee, by a four-fifths (4/5) vote, shall call a Special Convention, which shall include only items of business specified by the Executive Committee required to bring or keep the Party in compliance with state or federal law, including amendments to these Bylaws, excluding Articles regarding membership, elections, or special conventions.
   1. Such call to Special Convention shall include its purposes, shall be announced no later than thirty (30) days in advance to the Members by postal mail or email, and shall include the time and place of the Special Convention and virtual locations. Arrangements may be made by the Executive Committee to provide for Members to participate in a Special Convention from remote locations.
   2. Any required amendments to these Bylaws that are made at a Special Convention must be ratified by the next Annual Convention, using the same voting threshold required to amend them as provided for in these Bylaws, or else they will be rendered null and void.
   3. All current Members who were Delegates at the previous Annual Convention shall be eligible to vote at a Special Convention.
   4. This convention may be in person and virtual, and a fundraising event for the party.
   5. Elections shall not be held at a Special Convention.

ARTICLE VIII: NOMINATION AND ENDORSEMENT OF CANDIDATES

1. Candidates for federal, state, or state district offices may be nominated or endorsed under the methods and conditions described herein. Candidates for county and local office shall first be considered for endorsement by an active affiliate if one exists. If a local affiliate votes not to endorse a candidate, or later to remove an endorsement, the Party shall likewise not endorse or remove its endorsement of said candidate. If the affiliate’s refusal is not believed to be in good faith or for cause, the Party may endorse with a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the entire Executive Committee. If an active affiliate does not exist in the county where such a candidate seeks endorsement, the Party may vote to endorse.
2. Nominations: A candidate nominated by the Party for public office shall be a member of the Party, shall support its platform, shall not hold a leadership position in another party’s name, and shall be its official candidate for that office in that election. A candidate who is nominated shall have expressed a willingness to accept the nomination and shall be eligible to serve in that office. Nominated candidates may also use the term “endorsed.”
3. Endorsements: The Party and County Affiliates will NOT endorse a candidate(s) from any other political party, in accordance with National Bylaws, Article 5, Affiliate Parties.
4. Candidates may be nominated or endorsed at the Annual Convention under the following conditions:
   1. Nomination or endorsement of candidates for federal or state offices which appear on the ballot statewide may be made only in the year of the corresponding general election.
   2. All candidates seeking nomination or endorsement, shall file notice of their intent by the time established by the Convention Committee.
   3. Candidates shall provide a notice of intent and written information on their qualifications, background, campaign positions, and any other information they deem relevant. The candidate shall provide a minimum of twenty-five (25) copies of this information to be made available to the convention delegates. Candidates seeking nomination may be required to provide proof that they are members and a signed and dated written statement that they will support the platform.
   4. Candidates or their designee shall have ten (10) minutes to address the convention before balloting takes place. No vote to nominate or endorse shall be binding unless all members of the Executive Committee have been provided with basic information on the candidate, which may include campaign literature, a campaign website, or a summary of their positions and principles, at least seven (7) days prior to the convention.
   5. Delegates shall have ten (10) minutes, or such longer time as the Chairman determines, to ask questions of the candidates prior to the first ballot.
   6. An intermission period shall occur after the candidate(s) or designee(s) address to the convention and before the first ballot.
   7. A paper ballot shall be prepared for the offices for which candidates have provided a notice of intent.
   8. None of the above (NOTA) shall automatically be an option on all ballots for public office. The convention may decline to nominate or endorse any candidate for public office, even if there are persons seeking nomination or endorsement for that office. Any candidate who seeks endorsement at the Annual Convention and fails to achieve it, is ineligible to be nominated or endorsed by the Executive Committee for that office in the current election cycle.
   9. All nomination or endorsement votes shall be by secret ballot. To secure nomination or endorsement a candidate must receive the votes of two-thirds (2/3) of the delegates voting for that office.
   10. When two or more (2+) candidates are on the ballot for an office and if after two (2) ballots none of the candidates have achieved the required votes for nomination or endorsement, the candidate with the fewest votes shall be removed from the ballot. The candidates eliminated shall be offered one (1) minute to address the convention prior to the next ballot. In case of a tie, candidates with the fewest votes shall draw straws to determine who is eliminated. This procedure shall continue for all subsequent ballots. The option of NOTA shall remain on all ballots.
   11. If no candidate (or NOTA) has achieved the required votes for nomination or endorsement any time after ten (10) ballots, any delegate may make a motion to end the balloting. If a majority of the delegates vote to end balloting, balloting shall cease.
   12. Candidates may be endorsed by voice vote after being nominated from the floor, if delegates choose by majority vote to do so.
5. The Executive Committee may nominate or endorse candidates under the following conditions:
   1. For any office having its general election in the current year, if the Annual Convention did not nominate or endorse a candidate for that office.
   2. For any special election.
   3. When the party’s nominated or endorsed candidate dies or withdraws from the race.
   4. When a candidate’s nomination or endorsement is removed by the Executive Committee as provided elsewhere in these Bylaws.
   5. When all members of the Executive Committee have been provided with basic information on the candidate, which may include campaign literature, a campaign website, or a summary of their positions and principles, at least seven (7) days prior to any vote.
   6. Executive Committee nomination or endorsement requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those present and voting.
6. Candidates may be nominated by an affiliate under the following conditions:
   1. For any office having its general election in the current year, if the annual convention or Executive Committee did not nominate a candidate for that office.
   2. For any special election.
   3. When the affiliate holds registered status as provided elsewhere in these Bylaws.
   4. A nomination shall require at least four (4) members present and a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those present and voting. Upon nomination by the affiliate and minutes describing the circumstances of such nomination being presented to the Party, the candidate shall automatically be considered as nominated by the Party.
   5. A candidate whose district transcends an affiliate’s geographic region shall not be considered nominated until all affiliates within that district concur with the nomination.
   6. The Executive Committee shall retain the power to withdraw an affiliate nomination, as provided elsewhere in these Bylaws.
7. Candidates nominated for Alabama House, Alabama Senate, United States House of Representatives, or United States Senate shall pledge that, if elected, they shall not caucus with either the Democratic Party or Republican Party or otherwise align with these parties on a permanent basis. Candidates may caucus with other Libertarians or with representatives of other parties if they so choose. Candidates may vote in concert with representatives of any party on an issue-by-issue basis.
8. A candidate’s nomination or endorsement may be withdrawn by the Executive Committee. Withdrawal of nomination or endorsement requires a three-fourths (3/4) vote of those present and voting at a meeting. That candidate’s nomination or endorsement shall then be declared null and void. The resolution of withdrawal must state the specific reasons for withdrawal and must be signed by each member of the Executive Committee agreeing thereto.
9. Immediately upon gaining Major Party status by virtue of obtaining the thresholds set by the State of Alabama for any County Affiliate of the Party, the affiliate must disregard all prior bylaws related to nomination via convention or committee vote and adopt the following structure to ensure Alabama Law is followed regarding obtaining and maintaining Primary Election ballot access.
   1. The County Affiliate Chairman and the county affiliate(s) executive committee shall perform those duties prescribed by the laws of Alabama and shall be responsible for the development, progress and harmony of the Party within the county. Such duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
      1. These Bylaws,
      2. Pass a primary resolution establishing qualifying fees and the qualifying start date for local public and local party offices,
      3. Provide a copy of the primary resolution to state headquarters at least five (5) days prior to the start of qualifying,
      4. Qualify candidates for local public and local party positions and certify names of candidates to the probate judge within five (5) days after qualifying closes; a copy of the certification must be provided to state headquarters at the same time it is submitted to the probate judge,
      5. Provide a list of potential Libertarian poll workers to local election officials at least forty-five (45) days prior to every election; a copy of this list must be submitted to state headquarters at least forty-five (45) days prior to elections,
      6. Canvass and certify primary results to the probate judge for local races and to state headquarters for all other races,
      7. Call state headquarters with unofficial election results the night of the primary election as soon as they are available and provide a printed copy of precinct level results for all races to state headquarters by noon of the Wednesday eight (8) days following the primary election.
   2. Those county affiliate executive committees shall meet at least once (1x) a calendar quarter and the county committee secretary must notify State Headquarters in advance. The meeting must be publicized and open to the public.
   3. Those county affiliate executive committees shall be responsible for local candidates, the settlement or adjudication of local intra-party disputes or contests for local nominations and matters of local patronage or vacancies in office. In addition, county chairmen and county executive committees shall carry out faithfully all directives of the Party Executive Committee.
   4. The Party must complete the timely filing of required forms to obtain Primary Election ballot access in political subdivisions with Major Party status if no county affiliate exists in the county with Major Party status.

ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS AND PLATFORM

1. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those Delegates present and voting at an Annual Convention. Proposed amendments to the Bylaws may be submitted by any member, or by the Bylaws Committee, but must be made available to the Executive Committee at least twenty-one (21) days prior to convening the Annual Convention so that preparations for their proper consideration at the Convention can be made. Proposed amendments to the Bylaws may also be submitted by Delegates from the floor in written format, and for consideration for adoption by a three-fourths (3/4) vote.
2. The Platform may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those Delegates present and voting at an Annual Convention. Proposed amendments to the Platform may be submitted by any Member, or by the Platform Committee, but must be made available to the Executive Committee at least forty-five (45) days prior to convening the Annual Convention so that preparations for their proper consideration at the Annual Convention can be made. Proposed amendments to the Platform may also be submitted by Delegates from the floor in written format, for consideration for adoption by a three-fourths (3/4) vote.
3. The Executive Committee, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, may rearrange and renumber these Bylaws or portions thereof, insert and change descriptive headings, correct typographical errors and make conforming and other technical changes; but no change in the substance of any provision of these Bylaws shall be made except as provided for in this Article.

ARTICLE X: CONFLICTING AUTHORITY AND SEVERABILITY

1. In the event of any conflict between these Bylaws and the Alabama Elections Code, the Federal Elections Code, or any other law or regulation, the most stringent and narrowest interpretation of these will take precedence and the remaining portions of these Bylaws shall remain in effect and govern the Party and its affairs.
2. In the event that any governmental authority should declare any portion of these Bylaws void or invalid, the remainder of these Bylaws shall remain in full force and effect.
3. To those ends, these Bylaws are considered severable.

ARTICLE XI: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Party in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws, Convention Rules, or any special rules of order the Executive Committee or Delegates may adopt.