Bylaw 200 - Central Committee
Section 1 (Elections)
In even numbered years, two representatives shall be elected from each U.S. Congressional district or State Senate district in the State to serve on the Central Committee for a term of two years or until a new Central Committee is elected. The retiring Central Committee shall determine whether U.S. Congressional districts shall be employed for electing the next Central Committee not later than Dec. 31 of the year preceding the new election, and unless otherwise determined shall be the U.S. Congressional district.
A. All Committee members must be members of the Party as defined in Bylaw 100.
B. All Committee members shall be a resident and qualified elector of the district from which they are elected.
C. The top two vote-earners in each race shall be elected. The top vote earner shall be assigned to “Seat A,” the other to “Seat B.”
D. Unless otherwise required by ORC 3517.03 due to the Party attaining major party status, any qualified elector who would otherwise qualify under the other parts of this section may be elected to the Central Committee, regardless of their sex or gender.
Section 2 (If Ballot Access is denied)
In the event the Secretary of State denies ballot access as a recognized party, Central Committee elections shall take place for each district, within a time period established by the Central Committee at a time and place agreed upon by the outgoing district representatives and certified to the Central Committee within the district, or if jointly held with another district, within five miles of the border of the district.
A. Elections shall be held in even-numbered years in the same month as the official State Primary Election.
a. The date period in which elections may be held may be changed via a resolution passed by the Central Committee, provided such resolution is passed no later than 120 days prior to the official Primary Election of the State of Ohio.
B. The date of the Election shall be chosen no later than 75 days prior to the official Primary Election of the State of Ohio. Announcement of each District election date, time, and location shall be communicated to the members of the Party in the respective Districts by reasonable and common methods no later than 60 days prior to the election.
a. In the event that provision A of this bylaw is changed by Central Committee Resolution, the date, time, and location of the Election for each district shall be set no later than 75 days prior to the first date on which such elections may be held.
C. Nominations or declarations of intent to run for office shall be received by the Central Committee Secretary no later than 45 days prior to election; the candidates’ names and addresses shall be communicated to the members of the Party by reasonable and common methods no later than 30 days prior to the election.
D. Only members who live in the District shall be eligible to vote for Central Committee members for that District.
E. Elections for Central Committee shall be conducted by secret ballot. The use of mail-in or absentee ballots shall not be denied, provided any such ballots are postmarked no later than five days prior to the election.
F. Election results shall be communicated and forwarded to the Central Committee Secretary no later than five business days after the last day on which elections may be held. Included with the results shall be a list of members who voted at each election. The Central Committee Secretary shall certify and communicate the results to the members of the Party by reasonable and common methods no later than the 10th day following the last day on which elections may be held.
G. If a district has no representation, the LPO State Central Committee Chair is permitted to manage or delegate the management of a district election for the LPO State Central Committee.
H. If the outgoing representatives fail to meet the requirements of Section 2.B., the LPO State Central Committee Chair is permitted to manage or delegate the management of a district election for the LPO State Central Committee.