Lancaster County Republican Party Constitution
Amended April 21, 2022 in Hickman, Nebraska
ARTICLE I
Name and Objectives
Section 1. Name. The name of this organization shall be THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF
LANCASTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA (herein referred to as the “Party”).
Section 2. Objectives. The objectives of the Party shall be the maintenance of government of, by
and for the people, according to the Constitution and laws of the United States and the State of
Nebraska, the expansion of membership, and the recruitment of individuals for elective and
appointive office.
ARTICLE II
Membership
The membership of the Party shall be composed of all registered Republican voters of Lancaster
County, Nebraska, who desire to support the objectives of the Party.
ARTICLE III
Organization and Government
The County Convention of the duly elected Delegates, when in session, shall be the governing
body of the Party and when such Convention is not in session, the County Central Committee
(hereinafter referred to as the “Central Committee”) shall be the governing body.
ARTICLE IV
Conventions
Section 1. Time, Place, and Purpose.
A. Spring Convention (Even Years). A Spring County Convention shall be held in Lincoln,
Nebraska in even numbered years. The Party will conduct a pre-primary County Conventions
between March 1st and April 10th at an hour and place to be designated by the County Chairman.
The convention shall proceed with its organization and the transaction of such business as shall
properly come before it. The voting delegates of the Spring Convention shall be:
Those persons who filed as candidates for delegate to the Spring Convention pursuant to
state law who are still living in the precinct that they were elected to represent at the time
the Spring Convention is held.
Those persons duly elected as delegates, who no longer live in the precinct they were
elected to represent, are eligible to register on a priority basis for an open slot in the precinct
in which they now live if there is an open slot.
B. Fall Convention (Odd Years) and Other Conventions. In addition to its first meeting at the
Spring Convention, the County Convention shall be convened during September in odd-numbered
years to elect a County Chairman, Secretary, and a Treasurer, and to conduct such other
business as may be properly placed before it. The County Convention may also be reconvened
upon the call of the County Chairman or the Executive Committee at any other time prior to the
date for the election of delegates to the next Spring convention to transact any business that may
properly come before it. The voting delegates of any reconvened convention shall be:
Those persons elected pursuant to state law for the Spring Convention who are still living
in the precinct that they were elected to represent.
Those persons duly elected as delegates who no longer live in the precinct they were elected
to represent are eligible to register on a first priority basis for an open slot in the precinct
in which they now live if there is an unfilled slot.
Section 2. Powers and Duties of Convention.
Delegates at a County Convention may formulate and promulgate a county platform declaring the
principles on which the Party stands, may adopt convention resolutions expressing the opinion,
will or intent of the Party, exercise such other powers as ordinarily vested in conventions, and
transact such business as may properly come before it. County platform changes and convention
resolutions may be adopted by a majority of delegates present and voting.
Section 3. Representation.
A. County Conventions. The Chairman, with the consent of the Executive Committee, shall fix
the representation in all County Conventions for the various Precincts of the County based on the
votes cast for the Republican Candidate for President of the United States at the last preceding
presidential election and shall make appropriate public announcement of such action at least thirty
days prior to the last day candidates for delegate are permitted to file applications for election as
provided by law. In cases of new precincts, the representation will be made based on the number
of registered Republican voters in the precinct. Each precinct shall be entitled to at least two
delegates regardless of the number of votes cast.
B. State and Congressional District Conventions. Upon receipt of the call for a State
Convention, the Central Committee shall apportion the delegates to be chosen from Lancaster
County among the legislative districts contained wholly or partially within Lancaster County upon
the basis of the votes cast for the Republican Candidate for President of the United States at the
last preceding presidential election and shall make appropriate announcement of such action at
least ten days before the time of holding the Spring County Convention. Each legislative district
shall be entitled to at least two delegates regardless of the number of votes cast. The Central
Committee may provide that not more than ten percent of the delegates to the State and
Congressional District Conventions shall be chosen at-large. The number of alternates and the
apportionment thereof shall be the same as delegates.
Section 4. Election of Delegates.
A. County Conventions. Delegates to the County Convention shall be elected by the qualified
Republican electors of the respective precincts, in the manner provided by law.
B. State and Congressional District Conventions. Delegates and alternates to the State and
Congressional District Conventions shall be elected at each caucus of delegates to the Spring
County Convention from the respective legislative districts within Lancaster County, to be held at
such County Convention. No delegates or alternates to the State or Congressional District
Convention shall be elected without having given an indication of willingness to attend said State
or Congressional District Conventions, but no such delegate or alternate need be in attendance at
the County Convention in order to be considered for election as a delegate or alternate to the State
or Congressional District Convention. In the event that delegates and alternates at-large are to be
elected, they shall be nominated from the floor of the convention.
Section 5. Election of State Central Committeemen and Committeewomen. The State
Committeemen and Committeewomen shall be elected by their respective state convention
delegates at the Spring Convention.
Section 6. Selection of County Chairman’s District Representatives to the State Central
Committee. Unless some other method of selection is specified in the Constitution of the Nebraska
Republican Party, all County Chairman’s District Representatives to the State Central Committee
shall be appointed by and serve at the discretion of the County Chairman. The County Chairman
shall be a voting member of the State Central Committee and if, upon election, the County
Chairman is not a voting member of the State Central Committee, the County Chairman shall
remove the District Representative from the State Central Committee district in which the County
Chairman resides and the County Chairman shall be appointed as the District Representative from
that State Central Committee district. District Representatives shall be appointed by the County
Chairman and shall serve until their successors have been appointed or until removed by the
County Chairman. If any vacancy, by removal or otherwise, shall occur in a State Central
Committee seat held by a District Representative, the County Chairman shall appoint a successor.
Section 7. Voting.
A. Unit Rule Abolished. At all conventions, each delegate thereto, shall be entitled to register his
or her individual vote, and it shall be unlawful to attempt to bind any delegate by any party or
convention rules requiring the delegates, from any political subdivision to such Convention, to
vote as a unit.
B. Proxies Abolished. The authority held by delegates to the County Convention, by reason of
their election, shall be deemed personal in its nature and no such delegate may, by power of
attorney, proxy or in any other way, authorize any other person in his or her name or on his or her
behalf to appear at such County Convention and cast ballots therein or participate in the
organization and transaction of any business at such Convention.
Section 8. Order of Business.
Except as otherwise provided herein, the order of business at all Conventions shall be determined
and announced by the County Chairman at the beginning of the Convention. The order of business
so announced may be altered by the vote of a majority of delegates voting thereon.
ARTICLE V
Party Administration
Section 1. General Management. The general management of the affairs and business of the
Party shall be fixed by the Executive Committee subject to the direction of the Central Committee.
In turn, the Central Committee shall be subject to the direction of the County Convention delegates.
Section 2. County Central Committee.
A. Membership. The Central Committee shall consist of the members of the Executive
Committee as defined in Article V Section 7A, State Central Committee members elected or
appointed to Legislative Districts either wholly or partially located within Lancaster County,
Auxiliary Group Representatives, Legal Counsel, and all other individuals appointed by the
County Chairman with approval of the Executive Committee.
B. Duties. The Central Committee shall be the general policy making body of the Party when a
convention is adjourned and shall meet at least semi-annually. The County Chairman, who shall
be the presiding officer of such meetings, shall call meetings of the Central Committee.
C. Auxiliary Group Representatives. The Executive Committee may approve the representation
of auxiliary groups within the county. Each approved auxiliary group shall be entitled to one
representative on the Central Committee to be selected by the organization. It is the responsibility
of the organization to notify the County Chairman as to the identity of their representative.
D. Vacancies. When the County Convention is not in session, any vacancy on the Central
Committee, arising from any cause, shall be filled in the following manner:
If the vacancy is for a regular Central Committee member, the County Chairman shall fill
the vacancy. If the vacancy is for the County Chairman, then the Vice Chairman shall serve
as acting County Chairman until a Central Committee meeting is convened no less than
thirty days after the vacancy has occurred. The vacancy of the County Chairman shall then
be filled by the Central Committee for the balance of the prior County Chairman’s term.
If the vacancy to be filled is for a representative of an affiliated organization, it shall be
filled by the members of the organization within thirty days after notice thereof is given to
the presiding officer of the organization. If the organization fails to fill the vacancy within
that time, it shall be deemed to have failed approval by the Executive Committee and the
vacancy shall cease to exist.
E. Meetings.
Required Meetings. After the adjournment of the Fall County Convention and as soon as
practical, the County Chairman shall call a meeting of the Central Committee to be held in
Lancaster County at a convenient time and place to be designated by the County Chairman. Such
meeting shall, as the first order of business, designate the organizations entitled to representation
upon the Central Committee, complete the required party organization, and take any other proper
action it deems necessary or convenient.
Other Meetings. Meetings of the Central Committee, in addition to the meeting otherwise
prescribed, may be called by the County Chairman, or shall be promptly called upon a written
request of not less than one-half of the Central Committee members.
Notices. The County Chairman, or some other person to be designated by the Chairman, shall
provide a written notice of the time, place and agenda of each meeting to each member of the
Central Committee at least five (5) days prior to the meeting, addressed to the last post office
address or email address of such members. Notice of special meetings shall set forth the purpose
and agenda of said special meeting.
Quorum and Attendance. The presence in person, by not less than a majority of the number of
duly elected members entitled to vote, shall be requisite for and shall constitute a quorum at all
meetings of the Central Committee for the transaction of official Party business. Duly elected
members shall be the County Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and the number of state central
committee members elected at the Spring Convention. All duly elected members of the Central
Committee shall attend all meetings. Central Committee members may request an excuse in
writing from the Chairman two (2) days prior to the scheduled meeting. The request shall include
the reason for the absence. The Chairman shall present the request to the Central Committee for
approval at the scheduled meeting. An unexcused absence from two or more meetings may result
in dismissal from membership of the Central Committee.
F. Disbursement of Funds.
The Central Committee shall have the power to approve the allocation, budgeting and
disbursement of such funds as shall come into its possession.
Section 3. Required Officers.
A. Titles. The Central Committee shall include the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, County
Chairman’s District Representatives, Secretary, Treasurer, Legal Counsel, and each shall be a
voting member of the Central Committee. A District Representative will be appointed by the
County Chairman for each Legislative District either wholly or partially located within Lancaster
County, pursuant to Article IV, Section 5.
B. Election. Such officers, other than the Chairman unless they have been previously elected by
the County Convention, shall be selected by the County Chairman subject to approval of the
Central Committee.
C. Powers. Such officers, as specified in this section, shall have the powers and duties usually
incident to their respective offices, subject to the direction of the Central Committee and County
Convention.
D. Personnel. The Chairman shall have authority to employ an Executive Director for the Party,
subject to the approval of the Central Committee, and to employ such assistants and office
personnel as may be required, subject to the budgetary requirements.
Section 4. Terms of Office. The terms of both the officers and members of the Central Committee,
other than those members elected at the Spring Convention, shall be approximately two years, and
said terms shall terminate upon the conclusion of the Fall County Convention.
Section 5. Vacancies Due to Announced Candidacy or Removal from Office.
A. When Occurring. The office of any officer shall become vacant immediately when an
incumbent shall be appointed to or shall become a candidate for a high elective public office, as
defined by state statute. Any officer or member of the Central Committee may be removed from
office upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee and concurrence therein by a
majority of the Central Committee for inadequate performance of duty or conduct detrimental to
the best interests of the Party.
B. How Filled. Except as otherwise specifically provided, the Central Committee shall fill any
vacancy for the balance of the prior officer’s term.
Section 6. Standing and Special Committees.
A. The Finance Committee shall be a Standing Committee. The County Chairman shall appoint
a Finance Chairman subject to the approval of the Central Committee.
B. The County Chairman shall have the authority, with the approval of the Executive Committee,
to appoint three additional standing committees, and the chairman thereof, from time to time as
circumstances may warrant.
C. As may be necessary, the County Chairman shall have the authority to appoint additional special
committees and chairman thereof, but such special committee chairmen shall not have additional
voting representation on either the Executive or Central Committees.
D. At the discretion of the Chairman, a Booster Club to support the activities of the Party may be
established.
Section 7. Executive Committee.
A. There shall be an Executive Committee, which shall consist of the County Chairman, Vice-
Chairman, County Chairman’s District Representatives from each Legislative District either
wholly or partially located within Lancaster County, Secretary, Treasurer, Legal Counsel, the
immediate past County Chairman, Auxiliary Group Representatives, and Chairmen of the
Standing Committees, not to exceed a total number of four standing committee chairmen as
selected by the County Chairman.
B. Duties. The duties of the Executive Committee shall be:
(1) To carry out the directive and policies of the County Convention and the County Central
Committee;
(2) To act as the governing body of the Party when neither the County Convention nor the
Central Committee are in session provided however, that any action taken by the Executive
Committee may be overruled by the Central Committee; and,
(3) To perform such duties and carry out those responsibilities as established by law, the
Constitution of the State Republican Party, or by this Constitution.
C. Meetings and Attendance. The Executive Committee shall meet at least once every two
months at a time and place directed by the Chairman. The Executive Committee shall meet at such
additional times as deemed necessary by the Chairman and shall also meet upon the written request
of not less than one-third of the members of the Executive Committee. A three (3) day notice in
writing shall be given of all Executive Committee meetings. All members of the Executive
Committee shall attend all meetings. Executive Committee members may request an excuse in
writing from the Chairman two (2) days prior to the scheduled meeting. The request shall include
the reason for the absence. The County Chairman shall present the request to the Executive
Committee for approval at the scheduled meeting. An unexcused absence from two or more
meetings may result in dismissal from membership of the Executive Committee.
Section 8. Finance Committee.
A. The Finance Committee shall consist of the County Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary,
Treasurer, Legal Counsel, the Finance Chairman, and additional members as selected by either the
Finance Chairman or the County Chairman.
B. The duties of the Finance Committee shall be:
To solicit and receive financial contributions for the use of the Party.
Prepare and keep detailed accounting records as may be required by state and federal law,
and prepare for a timely filing of all reports, receipts, and disbursements as also may be
required by state and federal law.
As soon as practical after the Fall Convention, the County Chairman shall call a meeting of the
Finance Committee to be held within Lancaster County at a time and place designated by the
County Chairman. Other meetings of the Finance Committee may be called by the Finance
Chairman as needed and shall also be called within seven days upon the written request of not less
than one-third of its members.
Section 9. Precinct Organization. As may be reasonably practical, there shall be one Precinct
Coordinator for each precinct, to be appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the County
Chairman. It is encouraged but not required for a Precinct Coordinator to reside in the Precinct he
or she represents. Duties of the Precinct Coordinators are those established and set forth by the
Executive Committee. The County Chairman may convene precinct Coordinators as a group at
least once a year.
Section 10. Endorsements.
A. The Party shall not endorse or financially support any candidate in a primary or general election
when there is more than one Republican candidate except as herein provided.
B. The Party may, at the request of the candidate and by two-thirds vote of the Central Committee,
endorse and financially support any incumbent Republican office holders in a contested primary.
In the absence of a request for endorsement by an incumbent candidate(s) or in the absence of two-
thirds vote of the Central Committee, the Party shall be prohibited from endorsing or financially supporting an elected incumbent candidate in a contested primary.
C. The Party may, at the request of the candidate and by two-thirds vote of the Central Committee,
endorse and financially support any Republican in a contested election. In the absence of a request
for endorsement or in the absence of two-thirds vote of the Central Committee, the Party shall be
prohibited from endorsing or financially supporting a candidate in a contested election.
D. No member of the Central Committee shall endorse a non-Republican candidate in any election.
Endorse, as used in this Section shall include: (1) a reported campaign contribution; or (2) a public
display of support, including but not limited to print, electronic media, or written statement.
E. Any member of the Central Committee found by a two-thirds vote of the Central Committee,
to have violated the endorsement policy after its enactment, shall be immediately expelled from
the Central Committee and a vacancy shall be automatically created. The Central Committee shall
have final authority to administer discipline.
F. Nothing in this section shall preclude the Party from endorsing a ballot measure or any
Republican candidate at any level in an uncontested primary or General Election.
G. In a contested election between two or more Republican candidates, a candidate is ineligible to
receive an endorsement if they switched registration from the Democratic Party to the Republican
Party within the five consecutive years preceding the election for which an endorsement is sought.
H. Nothing in this section shall permit an endorsement if such endorsement creates a conflict with
an endorsement made pursuant to the Nebraska State Republican Party Constitution.
ARTICLE VI
Vacancy on Ballot
Unless otherwise provided for by law, should a vacancy occur for any Republican candidate in
any Lancaster County office for any cause before any election, such vacancy shall be filled by a
majority vote of a quorum of the Central Committee. The County Chairman shall call a meeting
of the Central Committee to be held at a place designated by the County Chairman within such
time as to allow filling of the necessary certificates with the proper officers in the manner provided
by law, and the County Chairman shall cause such certificates to be properly filed.
ARTICLE VII
Nominations for Candidates—How Made
All nominations for Republican candidates in any Lancaster County office to be filled at a special
election, or any other office to be filled by the electors of Lancaster County, which are required by
the provisions of Chapter 32 of the Revised Statutes of Nebraska, as amended, shall be made by a
majority vote of a quorum of the Central Committee in the manner provided by law. The County
Chairman shall call a meeting of the Central Committee to be held at a place designated by the
County Chairman within such time and in the manner provided by law. The County Chairman
shall cause the certificates of such nominations to be properly filed.
ARTICLE VIII
Rules of Order
At all meetings provided for herein, the rules of order shall be Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly
Revised. Any proposed by-laws shall be adopted in accordance with the provisions of Robert’s
Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
ARTICLE IX
Amendments
A. This Constitution may be amended by any County Convention with a two-thirds (2/3) vote of
those present and voting.
B. This Constitution may also be amended by the Central Committee but only if a quorum is
present and at least three-fourths (3/4) of those present and voting vote in favor of the proposed
amendment. Such vote by the Central Committee shall be taken at a Central Committee meeting
called specifically to consider such amendments, and a written copy of the proposed amendments
together with any section proposed to be deleted, shall accompany the notice of such meeting. The
next subsequent County Convention may suspend such amendment if a motion is made and
adopted by a majority of the delegates present.
ARTICLE X
Repeal
All previous constitutions of the Republican Party of Lancaster County are hereby repealed.
(Approved at the Lancaster County Convention, September 3, 1981)
(Amended at the Lancaster County Convention, June 25, 1984)
(Amended by the Lancaster County Central Committee, July 25, 1991)
(Amended by the Lancaster County Central Committee, October 20, 1992)
(Amended at the Lancaster County Convention, June 27, 1994)
(Amended at the Lancaster County Convention, September 8, 2005)
(Amended at the Lancaster County Convention, September 8, 2011)
(Amended at the Lancaster County Convention, June 3, 2014)
(Amended at the Lancaster County Convention, April 7, 2016)
(Amended by the Lancaster County Central Committee, February 9, 2020)
(Amended at the Lancaster County Convention, September 22, 2021)
(Amended by the Lancaster County Central Committee, October 21, 2021)
(Amended by the Lancaster County Central Committee, April 21, 2022)