Constitution
Constitution
of the Alaska Libertarian Party
Adopted at the May 12, 2018 Convention in Anchorage, Alaska.
Article I: Purposes
A. Encourage and support ALP candidates for political office.
B. Advancing public policy issues in keeping with liberty philosophy, including passing legislative initiatives and supporting legislation which advances our platform.
C. Supporting political education concerning free people and free markets.
D. Seeking publicity for liberty philosophy.
E. Maintaining and growing the Alaska Libertarian Party to achieve election of candidates to public office.
Article II: Membership
A person shall become a member of the ALP 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.
Article III: Party Organization
The ALP is governed by this Constitution, the ALP Bylaws, the Platform and membership as expressed at ALP conventions. This Constitution may be amended or dissolved only upon a vote of more than 75% of delegates at the biennial ALP Convention. There shall be an Executive Board of the ALP 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 ALP as well as managing Party initiatives and elective campaigns. The Chair of the board is recognized as the unitary public voice of the party, always reflecting the platform and constitution. Regular meetings of the Executive Board shall be held at a location and time established by the Chairman 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 ALP Executive Board through the ALP 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. Bylaws may cover any area of ALP operations the Executive Board chooses, but consistent with principles of necessity and brevity in rule-making and the creation of Party offices. Such bylaws shall not be in conflict with this Constitution. All Party conventions and formal meetings shall be conducted under “Robert’s Rules
of Order”.
Article IV: Convention
The ALP shall hold a Biennial Convention no later than September with the Chairman as the presiding officer. Upon a vote of 75% of the Executive Board or the petition of 75% of ALP members, the Chairman shall schedule a Special Party Convention on any matter where the voice of the Party membership is necessary or desirable. Notice of all Conventions shall be distributed as widely as possible, including a formal notice from the Chairman at least 30 days before the convention, in pen or electronic.
CONVENTION DELEGATES
ALP convention delegates shall be members of the ALP and 18 years of age. Delegates at a convention shall be determined and certified by the Chairman in consultation with the Membership Chairman. The Executive Board shall establish a method of remote participation of affiliates.
DUTIES OF THE ANNUAL CONVENTION
The Biennial ALP Convention shall elect the officers of the ALP 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 Party platform, determine how Party 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 ALP 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 ALP shall:
A. Direct all activities of the ALP consistent with this Constitution, Platform, the ALP Bylaws and directives from Party Conventions, including but not limited to:
1. Endorse or recommend ALP 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 ALP 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 ALP.
7. Establish ALP delegate and/or convention fees;
8. Create new temporary ALP 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 ALP 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 Committee meetings (without a recognized excuse) shall be grounds for removal from office.
Article VI: Procedure for Selection of Candidates for Political Office
The ALP 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 ALP will accept as party 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 ALP. The ALP is free to endorse and support Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates for selection by the National Libertarian Party Convention, though the ALP delegates to the national convention shall ultimately voice the ALP choice for nominees to national offices.
Selection of Electors for the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Candidates – The Executive Committee, or in exigent circumstances the Chair or the Vice- Chair or other party officer as necessary, may authorize and present to Alaska election authorities the list of ALP 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 party nominees to elective office is presently governed by Alaska election law, the ALP may always express its preference in prospective party candidates and support those candidates directly, whether the preference is made by a convention vote or by executive or affiliate committee vote.
The ALP 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.