SPONSOR(S):
Steering
Committee
CONTACT:
Gloria
Mattera
SUBJECT/TITLE:
Amendment
– Convention Rules, in response to COVID-19
TYPE
OF PROPOSAL, EXPECTED APPROVAL THRESHOLD:
(as per 6-2):
Amendment to Presidential Nominating Convention Rules, 2/3 threshold
REQUESTED
PROPOSAL DECISION-MAKING TIMELINE:
three weeks
BACKGROUND
AND PURPOSE: Owing
to the COVID-19 crisis, the Green Party of the United States (GPUS)
has decided to hold a virtual presidential nominating convention on
July 11, 2020 – instead of a face-to-face convention as originally
conceived. This will necessitate doing some practical things
differently, including with the credentialing and voting processes;
and this will necessitate one-time amendments to the Convention Rules
in a few places to allow it.
The
goal with these proposed amendments is to maintain how democracy is
practiced in the GPUS, and limit changes to operations and timelines,
with a specific focus on noon Eastern Time on Thursday, July 9 as the
timing for a variety of deadlines, in order to give the convention
organizers time to organize everything based upon this information to
be ready for Convention Day on July 11.
These
amendments will sunset after the convention.
Additionally
there are a few places in the Convention Rules where other clean-up
changes need to be made, including removing a conflict between
different GPUS rules documents regarding the number of alternates
that caucuses are allotted, and removing various outdated text
referring to past years.
The
rationale behind all of these proposed changes follows:
Part
I: Proxies
– The traditional reason to provide for proxy voting at in-person
GPUS Presidential Nominating Conventions, has been so that states and
caucuses that can not financially afford to send a full delegation to
the convention in order to cast all of its votes, can send a smaller
number and thus not suffer a financial penalty in order to cast most
or all of its allotted votes.
Under existing Convention Rules, a delegate may cast a proxy vote in
place of not more than one absent Delegate who is credentialed to
participate in the Convention, as long as the total number of votes
cast for that state does not exceed its allotted total.
With
a move to a virtual convention, there will be no travel and lodging
costs, and delegates or alternates will simply need to access a
voting page on Convention Day to cast their convention votes.
Therefore there is every expectation that every state party and
caucus that wishes to send a full delegation will be able to do so,
obviating the need to provide for proxy voting.
Additionally,
to accommodate proxy voting in a virtual convention would present
unnecessary complications, since the voting will be on-line instead
of in-person. When the convention is held in-person, and a state
party is allowed (for example) eight votes, the state party simply
needs to receive credentials for at least four delegates (or
alternate) who would then need to be present on the convention floor
to cast those eight votes. But since the vote will be on-line, if
proxies were to be used, instead of one person getting a password to
cast a single vote, now one person would have to get two passwords
(if it was a two-for-one proxy). If it was a case where it wasn’t
exactly two-for-one proxy, but say five delegates casting eight
votes, that creates the issue of who is getting two votes on the
voting page and who not, and if the presidential nomination goes to a
second round, the decision of who is getting to cast the multiple
votes could make a difference in the final result.
For
all these reasons, proxy voting would be eliminated on a one-time
basis with this proposal.
Part
II: Alternates, timing
– The traditional reason to provide for alternates at in-person GPUS
Presidential Nominating Conventions, has been so that in the event
that a delegate can not attend who was already credentialed to
attend, that another member of their state party
or
caucus can attend in their place (as a credentialed alternate. )
With
a virtual convention there is less expectation of the need for
alternates; but it may still be possible that someone credentialed as
a delegate may experience an unforeseen change of circumstances
beforehand, and not be available on Convention Day Saturday, July 11.
Under
existing Convention Rules at an in-person convention, substitution of
an alternate for a delegate can literally happen in real time at the
credentials table outside of the convention hall. During a virtual
convention, it will not be possible for this to happen in real time
for a variety of logistical and staffing reasons, including because
it would involve changing out on the convention voting page who is
entered in as a voting delegate and then providing them new passwords
without any guarantee that they will receive them, all while GPUS
staff and contractors will be busy running the virtual convention
live at the same time.
In
order to provide for alternates, but at the same address the
logistical limitations of an on-line convention, alternates will be
allowed to substitute for delegates as long as their state party or
caucus reports to the Credentials Committee (at delapp@gp.org)
the name of the credentialed alternate and which delegate they will
be substituting for no
later than noon Eastern Time on Thursday, July 9, and preferably
before.
Part
III: Alternates, correct number
– Existing Convention Rules 3-1.1 state that a caucus is entitled to
two delegates. Existing Convention Rules 3-1.2 state that a caucus is
entitled to as many alternates as it has delegates.
National
Committee proposal #871
created two conflicts with these rules, by placing conflicting
numbers of delegates and alternates for caucuses in the wrong place
in GPUS rules documents, in Article VIII of the Rules and Procedures,
rather than amending the Convention Rules.
Proposal
#871 stated that caucuses would receive four convention delegates,
not twos, creating a conflict with 3-1.1. But Proposal #871 also
stated that even if caucuses have four delegates, they are only
entitled to two alternates, creating a conflict with 3-1.2, which
says that if caucuses get four delegates, they would be allotted an
equal number of alternates.
Removing
this conflict is important so that there is no dispute over how many
delegates or alternates a caucus is entitled to, so that each caucus
can designate their correct number. And if there was a dispute over
how many delegates and/or alternates a caucus is entitled to, that
could lead to a challenge in the credentialing process based upon
this dispute, taking up scarce valuable time of the Credentials
Committee on an otherwise avoidable dispute.
To
address this, this proposal amends the Convention Rules to provide
for four delegates for caucuses, and thus four alternates. At the
time time, it removes the incorrectly placed language in the Rules
and Procedures that placed the number of convention delegates there
instead in the Convention Rules, and the language that would have
limited caucuses to only half of their allotted delegates instead of
the full number as provided for in the Convention Rules.
Finally
the terms ‘delegate(s)’ and ‘alternate(s)’ appear differently
throughout the Convention Rules – sometimes with the first letter
capitalized, sometimes not, and perhaps most potentially confusingly,
sometimes ‘alternate’ appears as ‘delegate-alternate’. To
remove any potential for confusion about the meaning of these terms,
in all instances the Convention Rules shall refer to Delegate(s) or
Alternate(s), with the first letter capitalized, and
delegate-alternate shall shall be replaced by Alternate.
Part
IV: Credentialing
Much
of the granting of physical credentials under existing Convention
Rules 4-6 happens in person at the convention. This proposal would
amend 4-6 on a one time basis to provide for that part of the
credentialing process to happen virtually, and that some of the
technical specifies of how to do that will be worked out by GPUS
Committees, staff and contractors.
Part
V: Credentialing Challenge Process
The
process for credentials challenges is described in great detail with
specific timelines in the existing Convention Rules, with
pre-convention processes and timelines that won’t be feasible in a
virtual convention. This proposal would add language providing for
flexibility the processes and timelines for credential challenges
under Convention Rules 4-7 through 4-14; where depending upon how
many challenges are actually filed the Credentials Committee will
report a timeline and teleconference process to the involved parties
and to the Steering Committee, with the objective that all
credentialing challenges are ruled upon by the Credentials Committee
by midnight Eastern Time, Thursday evening, July 2.
Part
VI: Platform Approval Process
The
process for approval of the platform is described in the Convention
Rules by reference to other GPUS rules documents. However, the
Convention Rules reference the wrong section of GPUS Bylaws, as a
result of the bylaws being amended since the Convention Rules were
passed, but this not being reflected in the corresponding language in
the Convention Rules. Additionally there is reference an outdated
Platform Committee document from 2004, instead of a new section in
the GPUS Rules and Procedures passed via Proposal
#953
in 2019 year to replace it. Additionally the Convention Rules
reference approving the 2008 platform, when it should simply
reference approval the platform presented that year. This proposal
would correct all of these errors in the Convention Rules so that the
correct platform approval process is referenced.
Then
there is virtual convention timing. GPUS Rules and Procedures 12-1.7
Presidential Nominating Convention states “The Platform Committee
will schedule platform hearings in a workshop format at least a day
before the final vote, for discussions, questions, and answers
concerning changes and additions to the platform.” This proposal
would on a one-time basis, change that to at least two days before
the final vote
Finally
the Convention Rules 5-8.2(b)
reference
processes for delegates to speak to the platform and to make motions
from the floor to strike a provision of the platform via processes
and timelines that won’t
be feasible in a virtual convention. This proposal would amend
5-8.2(b)
on a one time basis to provide for that part of the platform process
to happen virtually, and that some of the technical specifies of how
to do that will be worked out by GPUS Committees, staff and
contractors.
Part
VII: Presidential Candidate Speeches
The
process for Presidential Candidate Speeches is described in the
Convention Rules 5-9 with processes and timelines that are not
feasible in a virtual convention. This proposal would amend 5-9 on a
one time basis to provide for that part of the credentialing process
to happen virtually, and that some of the technical specifies of how
to do that will be worked out by GPUS Committees, staff and
contractors.
Part
VIII:
Section 5-10 Nominating a Presidential Candidate
The
process for Nominating a Presidential Candidate is described in the
Convention Rules 5-10 with processes and timelines that won’t
be feasible in a virtual convention. This proposal would amend 5-10
on a one time basis to provide for that part of the credentialing
process to happen virtually, and that some of the technical specifies
of how to do that will be worked out by GPUS Committees, staff and
contractors.
Part
VIII:
Section 5-11 Nominating a Vice Presidential Candidate
The
process for Nominating a Vice Presidential Candidate is described in
the Convention Rules 5-11 calls for “a show of raised hands by the
delegates to approve the nomination of the proposed Vice Presidential
candidate.” This proposal would amend 5-11 on a one time basis to
provide for that part of the credentialing process to happen
virtually, and that some of the technical specifies of how to do that
will be worked out by GPUS Committees, staff and contractors.
This
proposal would also amend 5-11.2
to clarify that one a one-time basis, that the deadline to clarify in
writing that a vice-presidential nominee is willing to accept the
nomination, et. al, is noon Eastern Time on
Thursday, July 9.
Part
IX: Section 5-12 Appeals from a Decision of a Presiding
Officer
Still
examining how to address this section
Part
X: Section 5-13 Adjournment of the Convention
Convention
Rules 5-13 require a 2/3 vote to adjourn the convention. This
proposal will empower the presiding officers to declare the
convention adjourned after the conclusion of the scheduled agenda,
without requiring a vote.
=============================================================
PROPOSAL:
That the National Committee approve the following multi-part
proposal
Part
I: Proxies
On
a one-time basis for the 2020 Presidential Nomination Convention
only, that the Convention Rules will be amended so that Section 5-6.2
Proxies will be considered not in effect, and thereby no proxies will
be allowed for the 2020 Convention. That Convention Rules “Section
5-6.2 Proxies” be amended to read “Section 5-6.2 Proxies – Not
in Effect in 2020”
Part
II: Alternates – timing of
On
a one-time basis for the 2020 Presidential Nomination Convention
only, that the Convention Rules will be amended so that a
credentialed alternate may replace a credentialed delegate on a
person-for-person basis as long as their state party or caucus
reports to the Credentials Committee at delapp@gp.org
who the alternate is and for whom they will be substituting no later
than noon Eastern Time on Thursday, July 9, and preferably before.
Part
III: Alternates, correct number
That
Convention Rules 3-1.3(c) be amended from “2 delegates selected
by and from the ranks of each accredited GPUS caucus” to “four
delegates selected by and from the ranks of each accredited GPUS
caucus”
and
that Rules and Procedures 8-1.7
shall be amended to remove “Identity caucuses shall automatically
be apportioned four delegates and two alternates to the Presidential
Nominating Convention.”
Part
IV: Credentialing
On
a one-time basis for the 2020 Presidential Nomination Convention
only, that the Convention Rules Section 4-6 Preliminary Credentialing
of Delegates be amended with additions in green and cross-outs in
red:
4-6.1
Until the adoption of the Credentials Report, the Convention shall
consist of those applicants granted preliminary credentials by the
Credentials Committee.
4-6.2
Credentials shall be issued electronically before the Convention by the Credentials Committee.
4-6.3
Each applicant delegate or delegate-alternate must be a member of a
delegation that itself has been granted preliminary credentials by
the Credentials Committee and must identify themselves with a state
or school-issued picture ID or are identified by the chair or other officer of their state delegation or caucus.
4-6.4
To receive credentials, each delegate or delegate-alternate must also
sign electronically the Credentials Roll that pledges them to support the rules of the Convention.
4-6.5
“Credentials” shall mean an electronic receipt from the GPUS, together with a password to access the convention voting page a
color-coded, visible card which permits a delegate issued the
credentials, which permits a delegate issued the credentials – or an alternate bearing alternate credentials who is from the same state or caucus as the delegate issued the credentials – the right to vote on any matter before the convention.
4-6.6
The responsibility to creating and conducting the electronic
credentialing capability shall be delegated to the Credentials
Committee, Annual National Meeting Committee and GPUS staff and contractors.
Part
V: Credentialing Challenge Process
On
a one-time basis for the 2020 Presidential Nomination Convention
only, the Credentials Committee shall be empowered to adapt the
credentials challenges timeline and process; that Convention Rules
4-7 be amended to state in its introduction (before 4-7.1), that
“Notwithstanding
any other language in 4-7 through 4-15, the Credentials Committee
shall be empowered to propose an adapted credentials challenge
timeline and process that takes into account the number of
challenges, the reduced timeline and earlier deadline necessary to
accommodate a virtual convention, and shall submit their plan to the
Steering Committee for Review.”
Part
VI: Platform Process
5-8.2
Approval of the Platform shall be by the process as specified by the
Green National Committee in Article II. 2 Article
IX of the Bylaws and Article XII of the Rules and Procedures
of the Green Party of the United States and by this Section.
;and in accordance with the Platform Timeline & Process,
the process as established by the Green National Committee September 15, 2002.The voting threshold for approval shall be 2/3 as defined in Article V. Voting Rules of the Bylaws of the Green Party of the United States.
5-8.2(a)
The Platform Committee Co-Chairs or other spokespersons designated by the Platform Committee shall be afforded not more than ten minutes to present the report of the Platform Committee and proposed 2008
Platform to the Convention. The presenter(s) for the Platform Committee shall also be afforded the final ten minutes of debate or discussion for
closing remarks before the question of adoption of the Platform is
put to the Convention.
5-8.2(b)
Discussion on the proposed Platform shall be limited to one hour. No
delegate may address the Convention for longer than two minutes on
any provision of the draft Platform. To address the convention, a
delegate is required to register, with their name, delegation, draft
Platform provision to be addressed, and their position on such
provision with the Convention facilitation team not later than noon
Eastern Time on Thursday, July 9 the convening of the Convention plenary session scheduled to consider the Platform. A delegate may make a motion from the floor to strike a provision from the platform if they have also presented signatures of at least 10 percent of convention delegates in support of that motion at the time they register to speak. The responsibility for creating and conducting the registration-to-speak and the motion-to-strike-a-provision-from-the-platform capability shall be delegated to the Credentials Committee, Annual National Meeting Committee and GPUS staff and contractors. The
vote on a motion to strike a proposed amendment shall require a 2/3
threshold. Removal is limited to provisions amended in the current
cycle. No new provisions may be introduced from the floor.
5-8.2(c)
The voting threshold for the adoption of the Platform shall be 2/3 of
Convention Delegates, as defined in Article II. 2.
and Article V. Voting Rules of the Bylaws of the Green Party of the United States.
GPUS
Rules and Procedures 12-1.7 Presidential Nominating Convention
candidates passed in 2019, it references “The Platform Committee
will schedule platform hearings in a workshop format no
later than Thursday, July 9
at
least a day before the final vote,
for discussions, questions, and answers concerning changes and
additions to the platform.”
Part
VII: Presidential Candidate Speeches
5-9.2 Any candidate seeking the Presidential Nomination of the Convention who wishes to address the convention who does not have at least one delegate pledged to vote for them from each of three states, may alternatively submit a petition signed by a number of credentialed
Delegates equal to at least 3% of the total credentialed Delegates,
and coming from at least 7 states, declaring each signers’ intention
to vote for the candidate named in the petition in the first round of
voting. The responsibility for creating and conducting the electronic petition signing capability shall be delegated to the Credentials Committee, Annual National Meeting Committee and GPUS staff and contractors. Such petitions must be submitted to the Election Administrator by 6:00 pm noon Eastern Time on Thursday, July 9 the day immediately preceding the convening of the Convention;
and Delegate signatures that appear on more than one petition will be
disqualified on the petition of said delegate’s choice.
5-9.6
A caucus of the delegates who favor the no nominee position will
choose the No Nominee speaker and report the name to the Election
Administrator by 9:00 AM of the morning of day the Nomination is scheduled. noon Eastern Time on Thursday, July 9.
Part VIII: Section 5-10 Nominating a Presidential Candidate
5-10.3
Half-votes from delegates assigned with such will be counted in the
first round. Succeeding
rounds will count only whole votes.
5-10.5(a)
No candidate shall be eligible to receive votes who has failed to
declare in writing to the Election Administrator their intention to
accept the nomination if offered and to cooperate with each member
state party of the Green Party of the United States to have their
name placed on each ballot line to which a member State Party may be
eligible, and who has done so by noon Eastern Time, Thursday, June 9.
5-10.10
Should None of the Above (NOTA) receive the majority of votes in a
given round, the
Election Administrator shall permit a reasonable period of time
before the next round for new nominations to arise from the floor.
new
nominations may be made based upon an electronic petitions as
described below, received by noon Eastern Time, Thursday, June 9.
Any
such candidate nominated must be eligible as defined in 5-10.5(a)
and submit
a
an
electronic
petition
signed by a number of credentialed Delegates equal to at least 3% of
the total credentialed Delegates, and coming from at least 7 states,
declaring each signers’ intention to vote for the candidate named in
the petition in the next round of voting. The
responsibility for creating and conducting the electronic petition
signing capability shall be delegated to the Credentials Committee,
Annual National Meeting Committee and GPUS staff and contractors.
Part
VIII:
Section 5-11 Nominating a Vice Presidential Candidate
5-11.2
To be eligible for consideration for the Vice Presidential
nomination, a candidate must declare in writing to the Election
Administrator their intention to accept the nomination if offered and
to cooperate with each member state Green Party of the Green Party of
the United States to have their name placed on each ballot line to
which a member State Party may be eligible, and
must do so by noon Eastern Time on July 9.
(One time basis)
5-11.3
Once the Presidential nominee has proposed a Vice-Presidential
nominee, the Election Administrator shall call for a virtual
show of raised hands by the delegates to approve the nomination of
the proposed Vice Presidential candidate. The
manner in which there may be a virtual show of raised hands shall be
delegated to the Credentials Committee, Annual National Meeting
Committee and GPUS staff and contractors.
Part
IX: Section 5-12 (text not ready yet)
Part
X: Section 5-13 Adjournment of the Convention
On
the vote of a simple two-third majority, the Convention may recess
till a time certain, or adjourn.
The
presiding officers shall be empowered to declare the convention
adjourned after the conclusion the nominations of the presidential
and vice presidential candidates and any other scheduled agenda
items, without requiring a vote.
IMPLEMENTATION/TIMELINE/RESOURCES:
Effective
immediately, including applicable to the 2020 credentials process.
GPUS webmaster would archive existing Convention Rules, update
Convention Rules to reflect all changes in this proposal, then after
the Convention archive that version of the Convention Rules and
update the Convention Rules to show only the permanent amendments and
not the one-time ones.
REFERENCES: