Constitution

Constitution

of the Alaska Libertarian Party
Adopted at the May 12, 2018 Convention in Anchorage, Alaska:
As amended 2024

Article I: Purposes

1. Encourage and support Alaska Libertarian Party (AKLP) candidates for political office.
2. Advancing public policy issues in keeping with liberty philosophy, including passing legislative initiatives and supporting legislation which advances our platform.
3. Supporting political education concerning free people and free markets.
4. Seeking publicity for liberty philosophy.
5. Maintaining and growing the Alaska Libertarian Party to achieve election of candidates to public office.

Article II: Membership

A. MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

A person shall become a member of the AKLP when the person has become a registered Libertarian voter in the State of Alaska or submits a membership application to the secretary, and pays an annual fee as enumerated in the bylaws.

B. NOTICE TO MEMBERS

The Executive Board shall establish and maintain an email list of AKLP members in good standing, excepting those members who have affirmatively opted-out or unsubscribed from the list. This email list shall be used exclusively for AKLP business.

All notices to members required in this Constitution or the AKLP Bylaws shall be satisfied by emailing such notice to the AKLP members email list in the specified timeframe. Members who have opted-out or unsubscribed from the list waive their right to notice.

Members who do not wish to, or are unable to receive email but still wish to receive notice may arrange with the secretary an alternative method provided it is deemed practicable and agreed to by both parties.

Article III: Alaska Libertarian Party Organization

The AKLP is governed by this Constitution, the AKLP Bylaws, the Platform and membership as expressed at AKLP conventions. This Constitution may be amended or dissolved only upon a vote of more than 75% of delegates at the biennial AKLP Convention. There shall be an Executive Board of the AKLP consisting of a minimum of five elective offices:

Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Chairperson

The Executive Board shall operate as the voice and conscience of the AKLP as well as managing AKLP initiatives and elective campaigns. The Chair of the board is recognized as the unitary public voice of the AKLP, always reflecting the platform and constitution. Regular meetings of the Executive Board shall be held at a location and time established by the Chairperson provided a quorum of 67% is achieved. Members may participate at meetings by audio or audiovisual means, if practical.

Other Executive Board Offices and sub-committees may be established by the AKLP Executive Board through the AKLP Bylaws the committee by this provision is hereby empowered to establish. Bylaws may be established or amended by a 67% vote of the Executive Board proceeded by at least a two week notice of the proposed motion to the membership. Bylaws may cover any area of AKLP operations the Executive Board chooses, but consistent with principles of necessity and brevity in rule-making and the creation of AKLP offices. Such bylaws shall not be in conflict with this Constitution. All AKLP conventions and formal meetings shall be conducted under “Robert’s Rules of Order”.

Article IV: Convention

The AKLP shall hold a Biennial Convention no later than September with the Chairperson as the presiding officer. Upon a vote of 75% of the Executive Board or the petition of 75% of AKLP members, the Chairperson shall schedule a Special AKLP Convention on any matter where the voice of the AKLP membership is necessary or desirable. Notice of all Conventions shall be distributed as widely as possible, including a formal notice from the Chairperson at least 30 days before the convention, in pen or electronic. 

CONVENTION DELEGATES

AKLP convention delegates shall be members of the AKLP and 18 years of age. Delegates at a convention shall be determined and certified by the Chairperson in consultation with the Membership Chairperson . The Executive Board shall establish a method of remote participation of affiliates.

DUTIES OF THE ANNUAL CONVENTION

The Biennial AKLP Convention shall elect the officers of the AKLP executive board every two years commencing with the 2018 convention. Additionally, any temporarily appointed elected position will be up for election as well. Nominate delegates to the National Libertarian Party Convention, review the AKLP platform, determine how AKLP elective candidates are chosen within the Alaska elections laws.

The Convention may issue directives to the Executive Board to carry out. All matters may also be considered for revision at Special AKLP Conventions. All Convention votes shall be by majority rule unless otherwise stated in this Constitution or Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article V: Executive Board Powers and Duties

The Executive Board of the AKLP shall:

1. Direct all activities of the AKLP consistent with this Constitution, Platform, the AKLP Bylaws and directives from AKLP Conventions, including but not limited to:
   1. Endorse or recommend AKLP candidates, issues, or projects that advance liberty.
   2. Score other liberty candidates of other parties if there is no libertarian candidate in the race.
   3. Fill by appointment any vacancies that occur. Such appointees will serve until the next convention.
   4. Hold Executive board meetings, open to registered Libertarians, every quarter of the calendar year proceeded by at least a 30 day notice to membership.
   5. Encourage and recognize the new local AKLP affiliates.
   6. The Chair acting on behalf of the executive board shall repudiate any statements by a person or group wrongly made publicly in the name of the AKLP.
   7. Establish AKLP delegate and/or convention fees.
   8. Create new temporary AKLP committees as necessary.
   9. Furnish the State of Alaska division of elections with the pertinent information of the candidates for U.S. President and Vice-President, as well as electors for these offices, in the manner specified by law.
   10. Perform all reporting to the Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) or other future agencies as the law requires.

All Executive votes shall be by majority rule unless otherwise stated in this Constitution or Robert’s Rules of Order.

Elected AKLP officers may be removed from office by a 75% vote of the Executive Board or a majority of Special Convention Delegates due to malfeasance or nonperformance. Missing three out of four consecutive Executive Board meetings (without a recognized excuse) shall be grounds for removal from office.

Article VI: Procedure for Selection of Candidates for Political Office

The AKLP shall participate as the statewide Alaska affiliate of the National Libertarian Party enjoying all of the privileges and responsibilities that come along. Selection of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Candidates – The AKLP will accept as AKLP nominees for President and Vice-President the two candidates chosen for those offices by the National Libertarian Party National Convention. No formal vote for the two offices is required of the AKLP. The AKLP is free to endorse and support Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates for selection by the National Libertarian Party Convention, though the AKLP delegates to the national convention shall ultimately voice the AKLP choice for nominees to national offices.

Selection of Electors for the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Candidates – The Executive Board, or in exigent circumstances the Chair or the Vice- Chair or other AKLP officer as necessary, may authorize and present to Alaska election authorities the list of AKLP candidates to serve as Electors of the Electoral College that ultimately determine the election of the President and Vice-President.

Selection of Candidates for State Elective Office – While the selection of AKLP nominees to elective office is presently governed by Alaska election law, the AKLP may always express its preference in prospective AKLP candidates and support those candidates directly, whether the preference is made by a convention vote or by executive or affiliate committee vote.

The AKLP will compete for elective office through the primary and general elections rules as set by the State of Alaska while advocating for a change from an elective system that primarily serves the interests of established political parties.