RNC delegate guidelines from Rhode Island, 2016

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2016 Republican National Convention

Date July 18-21, 2016 Location Cleveland, Ohio

Candidates President Donald Trump Vice President Mike Pence

Delegates

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This page provides known guidelines for Republican delegates representing Rhode Island at the 2016 Republican National Convention, as compiled from the "2016 Rhode Island Delegate Selection Plan." The full text of relevant regulations is reproduced below.

HIGHLIGHTS

Rhode Island sent 19 delegates to the Republican National Convention in 2016: three automatic delegates from the Republican National Committee, 6 congressional district delegates, and 10 at-large delegates.

Each presidential candidate was allowed a screening committee to interview delegate candidates who wished to appear on the ballot under that presidential candidate. Any delegate candidate who was not endorsed by his or her selected presidential candidate was recategorized as "Uncommitted" on the ballot.

At the national convention, delegates from Rhode Island were only bound on the first ballot.

2016 Rhode Island Delegate Selection Plan

The text below has been reproduced verbatim from: 2016 Rhode Island Delegate Selection Plan

Table of Contents

I. Introduction & Description of Delegate Selection Process

a. Introduction

b. Description of Delegate Selection Process

II. Presidential Candidates

a. Ballot Access

b. Other Requirements

III. Delegate Candidates

a. Ballot Access

b. Other Requirements

IV. Rules Pertaining to the Delegate Selection Process to the 2016 Republican National Convention

V. Convention Standing Committee Members

a. Introduction

b. Standing Committee Members

Vl. The Delegation

Section I

Introduction & Description of Delegate Selection Process

A. Introduction

1. The Republican National Committee (RNC) will determine the number of Delegates and Alternates to the National Convention allocated to the State of Rhode Island. All such Delegates and Alternates, except for the National Committee members from Rhode Island, shall be chosen by the voters in the Presidential Primary. For the 2016 Republican National Convention, Rhode Island has a total of 19 delegates: 3 RNC members, 10 At Large Delegates, and 3 Delegates per Congressional District and 16 alternates.

2. The delegate selection process is governed by the rules of the Republican National Committee; The Rules of the Republican Party adopted by the previous Republican National Convention; and the rules herein approved and adopted by the Rhode Republican Party State Central Committee. Delegate and Alternated to the National Convention of the Republican Party from the State of Rhode Island shall be selected and certified by the Secretary of State in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 12.1 of Title 17 of the Rhode Island General Laws as amended.

3. Following the adoption of this Delegate Selection Plan by the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee, it shall be submitted for review and approval by the Republican National Committee (RNC). The State Party Chair shall be empowered to make any technical revisions to this document as required by the RNC to correct any omissions and/or deficiencies as found by the RNC to ensure its full compliance with Party Rules.

B. Description of Delegate Selection Process

1. Rhode Island will use a proportional representation system based on the results of the Presidential Preference Primary for apportioning Congressional District and At Large Delegates to the 2016 Republican National Convention.

2. The "first determining step" of Rhode Island's delegate selection process will occur on 4/26/2016, with a Presidential Preference Primary.

3. Voter Participation in Rhode Island's delegate selection process is open to all voters who wish to participate as Republicans. Republicans are identified as those registered on the Rhode Island voter registration rolls as Republicans. Unaffiliated voters who wish to vote in the Republican Presidential Preference Primary may do so in accordance with Rhode Island election laws.

a. Unaffiliated registered voters are automatically affiliated with the Republican Party upon their Republican Primary vote in accordance with Rhode Island election laws. (R.LG.L. 517-9.1-23C)

Section II

Presidential Candidates

A. Ballot Access

1) A presidential candidate gains access to the Rhode Island presidential preference primary ballot by:

a) Submitting a statement of intent to the State Party; and the Secretary of State no earlier than January 21,2016 and no later than January 23,2016, 'The final day for statement of intent filings for Election Year 2016 falls on a Saturday. In this instance, potential presidential candidates must submit their statements of intent no later than noon (12:00 pm) on Saturday, petition papers will be prepared by 2 p.m. The filing must include the candidate's name, address, and statement affirming their eligibility to serve, as well as the name and contact information of the presidential candidate's authorized designee to act for them in Rhode Island. As designated by Rhode Island General Laws, Title 17, Section 17-12.1-4.

i) This statement of intent shall include the candidate's name, address, and a statement affirming their eligibility to fulfill the office of President of the United States. As designated by Rhode Island General Laws, Title 17, Section 17-12.1-4.

b) Upon the receipt of their statement of intent, a candidate for president (or their authorized representative) will be provided petition papers by the Rl Secretary of State Elections Division, 148 Wast River St., Providence, Rl 02904, by no later than 6 p.m. on the same day upon receipt of the statement of intent of those eligible to serve, 2 p.m. on Saturday. The petition paper of a candidate for president shall be signed, In the aggregate, by at least one thousand (1,000) eligible voters and shall be submitted on or before 4 p.m. on February 4, 2016 to the local city or town board of canvassers where the signers reside. As designated by Rhode Island General I.aws, Title 17, Section 1.7-12.1-4.

c) If any candidate whose name has bean announced as a presidential nominee does not thereafter wish his or her name to appear on the ballot, the candidate shall, at least sixty-three (63) days prior to the slate of the primary, February 23, 2016, file an affidavit with the Secretary of State stating his or her name may not be placed on the ballot and the Secretary of State shall not place the candidate's name on the ballot. Names of delegates committed to the withdrawn candidate, who are otherwise qualified, shall appear on the ballot as uncommitted.

Other Requirements

1) Each presidential candidate shell certify in writing to the Rhode Island Republican Party Chair, the name(s) of his or her authorized representative(s) simultaneously with submission of their notification to run: Prior to January 21, 2016.

Section III

Delegate Candidates

A. Ballot Access

1) Rhode Island voters interested in participating in the delegate selection process must register at least 30 days prior to the filing deadline. In the case of Election Year 2016, potential delegates would need to register by January 26, 2016 in order to participate. NOTE: this differs from the voter registration deadline which is 30 days prior to the primary date, or March 26, 2016.

2) An individual can qualify as a candidate for delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention by filling a statement of candidacy designating his or her singular presidential (or uncommitted) preference and a signed pledge of support for the presidential candidate (including uncommitted status) with the State Party by fulfiilling the requirements as outlined In the Rhode Island General Laws, Title 17, Section 12,1, as amended.

3) From February 24, 2016 until 4 p.m. on February 25, 2016, preceding the Presidential Preference Primary, each voter desiring to be a delegate at the forthcoming convention shalt file a declaration of candidacy with the Rhode Island Secretary of 5tate, Elections Division, 148 West River Stree, Providence, Rl 02904, Original signatures are required, so fax or email are not acceptable. Candidates for delegate positions are required to file a statement of candidacy designating their presidential or uncommitted preference and a signed pledge of support for the presidential candidate (including uncommitted status) with the Rhode Island Republican Party and the Rhode Island Secretary of State by 4 p.m. at the same time as the declaration of candidacy filing. (R.I.G.L §17-12.1-3).

4) Nomination Papers for Delegates are made available by 4:00 pm the day after the Declaration is received. Nomination papers of a candidate for delegate shall be signed, in the aggregate, by at least one hundred fifty (150) eligible Republican voters in their Congressional District for Congressional District Candidates or one hundred fifty (150) eligible Republican voters statewide for At-large Candidates. Deadline to turn in 150 valid signatures to local Boards of Canvassers of the city or town where the signers appear to be voters is on or before 4:00 pm on Tuesday, March 1, 2016. The nomination papers shall be checked, processed, and certified to the Secretary of State by the local boards before 4 p,m, on Friday, March 4, 2016. (R.I.G.L. §17-12.1-7)

5) Congressional District Candidates may run for election only within the district in which he or she Is registered to vote. Each presidential candidate, or that candidate's authorized representative(s), must then file with the Rhode Island Republican State Chair and the Secretary of State by March 7, 2016 at 4 p.m., a list of all such candidates he or she has approved. (R.I.G.L. §17-12.1-7) Deadline for Presidential candidates to authorize the Secretary of State to place Delegate candidates on the ballot, under his/her name, and pledged to support him/her is 4:00 pm on Tuesday, March 6, 2016.

Section IV

Rules Pertaining to the Delegate Selection Process to the 2016 Republican National Convention

ARTICLE I
GENERAL

Rule 1.01 – Delegate and Alternated to the National Convention of the Republican Party from the State of Rhode Island shall be selected and certified by the Secretary of State in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 12.1 of Title 17 of the Rhode Island General Laws as amended; the Rules of the Republican Party adopted by the previous Republican National Convention; and these rules.

Rule 1.02 – The purpose and intent of these Rules are to open participation in the Delegate selection process to members of the Rhode Island Republican Party and qualified Republican voters in the State of Rhode Island. These rules are to be construed in such manner as to achieve that purpose and intent.

ARTICLE II
NUMBER OF DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES

Rule 2.01 The Republican National Committee (RNC) will determine the number of Delegates and Alternates to the National Convention allocated to the State of Rhode Island. All such Delegates and Alternates, except for the National Committee members from Rhode Island, shall be chosen by the voters in the Presidential Primary.

ARTICLE III
MANNER OF SELECTION OF DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES

Rule 3.01 – At Large and Congressional District Delegates and Alternates shall be elected by the voters in the Republican Presidential Primary pursuant to these Rules and the general laws of the State of Rhode Island.

Rule 3.02 – In accordance with the rules of the Republican National Committee (RNC), three (3) Congressional District Delegates shall be elected for each RI Congressional District. Congressional District Candidates may run for election only within the district in which he or she ls registered to vote.

a) Each Presidential Candidate including the designation Uncommitted, pursuant to R.I.G.L. Title 17 Section 12, who attains at least ten percent (10%) of the vote in the respective congressional district shall qualify for delegates and alternates. Should more than three Presidential candidates reach the 10% threshold, one delegate each will be awarded to the three presidential candidates with the greatest percentage of votes in that congressional district. However, if a Presidential candidate should receive at least sixty-seven (67%) percent of the vote in the respective congressional district, then that Presidential candidate will qualify for at least two delegates.

b) Each Presidential candidate including the designation Uncommitted who qualifies for Delegates and Alternates under Rule 3.02(a) shall receive a proportional share of the Delegates and Alternates in each Congressional District. It shall be the responsibility of the Credentials Committee of the Rhode Island Republican Party to resolve any questions as to the number of Delegates qualified for any specific Presidential candidate.

Rule 3.03 – In accordance with the rules of the Republican National Committee (RNC), Ten (10) At Large Delegates shall be elected at large.

a) Each Presidential Candidate including the designation Uncommitted, pursuant to R.I.G.L Title 17 Section 12, who attains at least ten percent (10%) of the vote statewide shall qualify for delegates and alternates.

b) Each Presidential candidate including the designation Uncommitted who qualifies for Delegates and Alternates under Rule 3.02.a shall receive a proportional share of the Delegates and Alternates statewide. It shall be the responsibility of the Credentials Committee of the Rhode Island Republican Party to resolve any questions as to the number of Delegates qualified for any specific Presidential candidate.

Rule 3.04 – The Congressional District Delegates from qualifying Presidential candidates or running as Uncommitted shall be those persons who obtain the largest number of votes in the respective Congressional District up to the number of Delegates won by the Presidential candidate or running as Uncommitted pursuant to Rule 3.02.a and 3.02.b. The next highest vote-getters among such Congressional District Delegate candidates, up to the number of Delegates won by the Presidential candidate or running as Uncommitted, will be Alternates.

Rule 3.05 – The At Large Delegates from qualifying Presidential candidates or running as Uncommitted shall be those persons who obtain the largest number of votes at large up to the number of Delegates won by the Presidential candidate or running as Uncommitted pursuant to Rule 3.03.a and 3.03.b. The next highest vote-getters among such At Large Delegate candidates, up to the number of Delegates won by the Presidential candidate or running as Uncommitted, will be Alternates.

ARTICLE IV
COMMITMENT OF DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES

Rule 4.01 – Each Presidential candidate shall name a screening committee, of up to five (5) members, to interview Congressional' District and At Large Delegate Candidates who wish to appear on the ballot under the Presidential candidate, This committee will either endorse or not endorse candidates, Any Delegate candidate who is not endorsed by a Presidential candidate's Screening Committee or is running as Uncommitted shall be classified as "Uncommitted" on the ballot. The Credentials Committee of the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee may prescribe a written form for Delegate candidates to affirm his or her commitment to a particular Presidential candidate.

Rule 4.02 – All Delegates and Alternates elected under a Presidential candidate shall be required to vote for such Presidential candidate at the National Convention. Pledged Delegates and Alternates may only be released as follows:

A) By act of the Presidential candidate to whom such Delegate is committed; or

B) After the first ballot in which votes are cast for President at the National Convention.

ARTICLE V
VACANCIES

Rule 5.01 – Vacancies for elected Congressional District Delegates for a particular Presidential candidate shall be filled by the Alternate for that Presidential candidate who received the most votes in the Primary in that Congressional District but was not elected as a delegate. Vacancies for elected Congressional District Alternated for a particular Presidential candidate shall be filled by the Delegate candidate for that Presidential candidate who received the most votes in the Primary in that Congressional District, and was not elected in the Primary, as an Alternate. If there are still vacancies, after the list of all Congressional District Delegate candidates in the Primary has been exhausted, then the Screening Committee for the Presidential candidate shall select the person to Rill the vacancy.

Rule S.02 – Vacancies for elected At Large Delegates for a particular Presidential candidate shall be filled by the Alternate for that Presidential candidate who received the most votes in the Primary statewide but was not elected as a delegate. Vacancies for elected At Large Alternated for a particular Presidential candidate shall be filled by the Delegate candidate for that Presidential candidate, who received the most votes in the Primary statewide, and was not elected in the Primary, as an Alternate. If there are still vacancies, after the list of all At Large Delegate candidates in the Primary has been exhausted, then the Screening Committee for the Presidential candidate shall select the person to fill the vacancy.

Section V

Convention Standing Committee Members

A. Introduction

1. There shall be four (4) convention committees; the convention committees on the Platform, Credentials, Rules and Order of Business, and Permanent Organization of the convention, each of which shall have a chairman and a co-chairman appointed by the chairman of the Republi«an National Committee.

B. Standing Committee Members

1. The Chairman of the RNC shag declare each of the committees constituted when notice of election of at least fifty percent (S0%) of its members has been filled in accordance with the following sentence. The Delegates elected or selected to the convention from each state, promptly once all such Delegates are elected or selected, shag elect from the delegation a delegation chairman and their members of the convention committees on the Platform, Credentials, Rules and Order of Business, and Permanent Organization of the convention, consisting of one (1) man and one (1) woman for each committee. and shall file notice of such election with the secretary of the Republican National Committee under Rule No. 20(c); provided, however, that no delegate may serve on more than one (1) committee of the convention. Alternate delegates may not serve as delegation chairmen or as members of the convention committees, except when the number of delegates able to serve on convention committees is less than the number of committee positions to be filled, then an alternate delegate can serve, except that no alternate delegate may serve on more than one (1) committee. Delegations electing alternate delegates te serve on convention committees lin violation of the preceding sentence shall forfeit all positions on the committee(s) to which such alternate delegates were elected.

Section Vl

The Delegation

1. Rhode Island will select one (1) person to serve as Delegation Chair. The Delegation Chair shall be selected by a quorum of the state's National Convention Delegates, at a meeting te which all members of the delegation shall receive timely notice of the time, date and place. A quorum shall consist of no less than 40% of Rhode Island's delegates to the Republican National Convention. The Rhode Island Republican Party State Chair shall certify the Delegation Chair in writing to the Secretary of the Republican National Committee.

See also

• Republican National Committee
• Republican National Convention rules, 2012
• Republican National Convention, 2016
• Types of delegates
• Presidential election in Rhode Island, 2016