All of us who have engaged over the years in elections are familiar with the phrase October Surprise
That being something sprung at the last minute in October before an election with the intention that the opposition would have no time to respond,
Well it would appear that our Executive Committee has decided to spring a November Surprise on the Central Committee.
On the 10th of November after we were winding down from an exhausting election we got notification that they plan an Officer's election at the November meeting on the 15th.
It would appear they choose to justify the short notice because they found a sentence in the Constitution of the Republic Party of Iowa which says
Each member of the County Central Committee shall be given written notice at least five days in advance of the time and place of any meeting scheduled for the election of officers.
Before I go further into Constitutional Issues let me say. Never has the LCRCC Officers Elections to my knowledge been held in the Fall.
Never to My Knowledge has an Executive Committee given such short notice,
Yea I raalise tht Article VI Section 2 of the Constitution of the Republcan Party does say that is all that is REQUIRED
But it would appear that previous Administrations have been more considerate of the Central Committee.
Bear in mind we do NOT have an election until the COMMITTEE says so,
Our County Constitution reads "
The Executive Committee is subject to the orders of the Linn County Central Committee, and none of its acts shall conflict with actions of the Linn County Central Committee
In addition the notification quotes Article VI Paragraph 2 of the Republican Party of Iowa Constitution as justification for the 5 day notice
BUT they have over looked a following section which says
The term of office of an officer begins upon his or her election and continues until the organizational meeting two years later and until the officer's successor is elected and qualified, unless the officer dies, resigns, or is sooner removed by the County Central Committee for any
So HAS the 2 year period term of office been fulfilled?
Not hardly.
Now last Eelction was at its time unique too,.
It was the only one to my knowledge that had nominations and an election in the same meeting.
Upcoming LCRCC Nominations & Elections
Feb 3, 2015
Previously we had nominations in Feburary and Elections in March.
This was to give Members time to find out about the candidates and maybe launch their own campaigns
Something it seems our Exectutive Committte wishes to avoid,
I submit if they insist on using the Constitution to justify a short 5 day notice before the Election?
They are bound by the rest of the requirements of that Same Constitution.
Accordingly I would support a Motion to Remove the proposed Eelction from the Agenda and postpone it til Feburary with Nominations in January.
Five days IMO is not sufficient time particularly when it is being sprung on us 3 to 4 months before we have ever had these elections.
Call me cynical but this smacks of a power grab and quick and unethical practices,.
Some of us have been asked why there is such division and can we not work together?
I feel this is a perfect example of the main problem.
Updated: Friday, 11 November 2016 2:50 AM CST
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