- 2020 « Conventions « DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee Approves Resolution on the Convention
Resolution as approved by the DNC Rules and Bylaws committee
in its telephonic meeting on May 12, 2020:
WHEREAS, pursuant to Article II.8.h of the Bylaws of the Democratic National Committee (the “DNC”), the Chair of the DNC may refer matters to DNC members for consideration and vote by mail;
WHEREAS, pursuant Article V.A of the Call for the 2020 Democratic National Convention, adopted by the DNC on August 25, 2018 (the “Call”), the DNC “has the authority to plan, arrange, manage and conduct the Democratic National Convention”;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Article V.B of the Call, the DNC, in its sole discretion, may establish and organize a 2020 Democratic National Convention Committee (the “DNCC”) to exercise that authority on behalf of the Democratic National Committee;
WHEREAS, the DNC established the DNCC on July 3, 2019;
WHEREAS, the United States is currently in the midst of one of the greatest public health threats it has ever faced: a dangerous and highly contagious novel coronavirus, which causes an illness called COVID-19;
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidelines recommending that, in order to protect themselves from the virus and prevent its spread, individuals remain home whenever possible and that they maintain at least six feet of distance from any other individual not living with them (“social distancing”);
WHEREAS, the DNC understands that encouraging and practicing social distancing is critical to minimizing the spread of COVID-19 and safeguarding the health and safety of all Americans;
WHEREAS, many states, including Wisconsin and Illinois, have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by instituting stay-at-home orders which may, until they expire or are lifted, prevent Convention delegates, personnel, invitees, and contractors from legally traveling to and physically congregating for the Convention;
WHEREAS, in light of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, on April 2, 2020, the DNCC announced that the Convention would be shifted from the week of July 13, 2020, to the week of August 17, 2020;
WHEREAS, on May 12, 2020, the Rules and Bylaws Committee of the DNC adopted this Resolution confirming that the DNC has delegated to the DNCC its authority to plan, arrange, manage and conduct the Convention;
WHEREAS, the Rules and Bylaws Committee has now confirmed through this Resolution that the DNCC’s delegated authority to plan, arrange, manage and conduct the Convention includes the ability to alter the date and other aspects of the Convention in order to protect the public safety and ensure compliance with applicable laws;
WHEREAS, the Rules and Bylaws Committee’s Resolution further recommends certain changes to the Call so as to safeguard the ability of all validly-elected Convention delegates to participate in the Convention in person or by means that allow for appropriate social distancing;
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the sake of establishing orderly procedures as early as possible in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic for the Convention’s Rules Committee to adopt the Permanent Rules for the Convention and address other business, and for the Convention’s Credentials Committee to consider and resolve questions concerning the seating of delegates and related issues, prior to delegates convening during the week of August 17, 2020;
WHEREAS, it is essential that there be a meaningful opportunity for the entire body of delegates participating in the Convention to consider and address any unresolved disputes from the Rules Committee and Credentials Committee;
WHEREAS, the DNC will always promote policies that ensure that participants in our democracy are able to exercise their right to vote, both in an election and at a Convention, safely and securely;
WHEREAS, the DNC is prepared to take any steps necessary in this constantly shifting public health crisis to protect the safety and wellbeing of its members, delegates to the Convention, the Convention’s diverse host community in Milwaukee, and the general public, while also ensuring that the Democratic Party is able to nominate its candidates for President and Vice President of the United States and support a robust program to elect those candidates;
NOW THEREFORE, the DNC hereby resolves that
Under the Call, the DNCC has the authority to plan, arrange, manage and conduct the Convention, including the authority to set and alter the date, timing, format, voting mechanisms, structure, and other logistical aspects of the Convention outlined in the Call. This authority includes, for example, changing the date from the week of July 13, 2020 to the week of August 17, 2020, and all other actions that must be taken in order to ensure the safety of Convention participants and the general public and compliance with any applicable laws, including, but not limited to, those concerning public health and ballot access.
The DNC further resolves that
Article VII.I.1 is hereby deleted and replaced with the following language: “The Rules Committee shall adopt the Permanent Rules of the Convention and the Convention agenda; select the permanent officers of the Convention; propose amendments, if any, to the Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States for the Convention’s consideration; and propose resolutions concerning any other matter not provided for in the Permanent Rules of the Convention and not contained in the reports of other standing committees for the Convention’s consideration. No amendment to the Charter of the Democratic Party shall be effective unless and until it is subsequently ratified by a vote of the majority of the entire membership of the Democratic National Committee. The adopted report of the Rules Committee may be amended upon the adoption by a majority of the Convention delegates present and voting of any minority report passed pursuant to Article VII.I.3.”
Article VII.J.1 is hereby deleted and replaced with the following language: “The Credentials Committee shall determine and resolve questions concerning the seating of delegates and alternates to the Convention pursuant to the resolution entitled the ‘Relationship Between the 2020 Rules of Procedure of the Credentials Committee and the 2020 Delegate Selection Rules,’ which includes the ‘Rules of Procedure of the Credentials Committee of the 2020 Democratic National Convention’ hereby approved and adopted by the Democratic National Committee, and set forth in full in the Appendix to this Call. The determinations of the Credentials Committee may be amended upon the adoption by a majority of the Convention delegates present and voting of any minority report passed pursuant to Article VII.J.3. The Credentials Committee does not have authority over the allocation and distribution of convention credentials, including passes for delegates, alternates, guests or press.”
RESOLUTION OF THE RULES AND BYLAWS COMMITTEE OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
Pursuant to its authority under Article II.10.d of the Bylaws of the Democratic National Committee (the “DNC”) to receive and consider all recommendations for amendments to the Rules and Bylaws of the DNC, the Rules and Bylaws Committee of the DNC hereby adopts the Resolution set forth below as its own and recommends that the Chair of the DNC refer the Resolution to the full DNC for consideration and adoption by mail ballot.##
RESOLUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
WHEREAS, the health, safety, and wellbeing of all Americans has been, and always will be, of the utmost importance to the Democratic Party of the United States;WHEREAS, pursuant to Article II.8.h of the Bylaws of the Democratic National Committee (the “DNC”), the Chair of the DNC may refer matters to DNC members for consideration and vote by mail;
WHEREAS, pursuant Article V.A of the Call for the 2020 Democratic National Convention, adopted by the DNC on August 25, 2018 (the “Call”), the DNC “has the authority to plan, arrange, manage and conduct the Democratic National Convention”;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Article V.B of the Call, the DNC, in its sole discretion, may establish and organize a 2020 Democratic National Convention Committee (the “DNCC”) to exercise that authority on behalf of the Democratic National Committee;
WHEREAS, the DNC established the DNCC on July 3, 2019;
WHEREAS, the United States is currently in the midst of one of the greatest public health threats it has ever faced: a dangerous and highly contagious novel coronavirus, which causes an illness called COVID-19;
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidelines recommending that, in order to protect themselves from the virus and prevent its spread, individuals remain home whenever possible and that they maintain at least six feet of distance from any other individual not living with them (“social distancing”);
WHEREAS, the DNC understands that encouraging and practicing social distancing is critical to minimizing the spread of COVID-19 and safeguarding the health and safety of all Americans;
WHEREAS, many states, including Wisconsin and Illinois, have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by instituting stay-at-home orders which may, until they expire or are lifted, prevent Convention delegates, personnel, invitees, and contractors from legally traveling to and physically congregating for the Convention;
WHEREAS, in light of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, on April 2, 2020, the DNCC announced that the Convention would be shifted from the week of July 13, 2020, to the week of August 17, 2020;
WHEREAS, on May 12, 2020, the Rules and Bylaws Committee of the DNC adopted this Resolution confirming that the DNC has delegated to the DNCC its authority to plan, arrange, manage and conduct the Convention;
WHEREAS, the Rules and Bylaws Committee has now confirmed through this Resolution that the DNCC’s delegated authority to plan, arrange, manage and conduct the Convention includes the ability to alter the date and other aspects of the Convention in order to protect the public safety and ensure compliance with applicable laws;
WHEREAS, the Rules and Bylaws Committee’s Resolution further recommends certain changes to the Call so as to safeguard the ability of all validly-elected Convention delegates to participate in the Convention in person or by means that allow for appropriate social distancing;
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the sake of establishing orderly procedures as early as possible in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic for the Convention’s Rules Committee to adopt the Permanent Rules for the Convention and address other business, and for the Convention’s Credentials Committee to consider and resolve questions concerning the seating of delegates and related issues, prior to delegates convening during the week of August 17, 2020;
WHEREAS, it is essential that there be a meaningful opportunity for the entire body of delegates participating in the Convention to consider and address any unresolved disputes from the Rules Committee and Credentials Committee;
WHEREAS, the DNC will always promote policies that ensure that participants in our democracy are able to exercise their right to vote, both in an election and at a Convention, safely and securely;
WHEREAS, the DNC is prepared to take any steps necessary in this constantly shifting public health crisis to protect the safety and wellbeing of its members, delegates to the Convention, the Convention’s diverse host community in Milwaukee, and the general public, while also ensuring that the Democratic Party is able to nominate its candidates for President and Vice President of the United States and support a robust program to elect those candidates;
NOW THEREFORE, the DNC hereby resolves that
Under the Call, the DNCC has the authority to plan, arrange, manage and conduct the Convention, including the authority to set and alter the date, timing, format, voting mechanisms, structure, and other logistical aspects of the Convention outlined in the Call. This authority includes, for example, changing the date from the week of July 13, 2020 to the week of August 17, 2020, and all other actions that must be taken in order to ensure the safety of Convention participants and the general public and compliance with any applicable laws, including, but not limited to, those concerning public health and ballot access.
The DNC further resolves that
Article VII.I.1 is hereby deleted and replaced with the following language: “The Rules Committee shall adopt the Permanent Rules of the Convention and the Convention agenda; select the permanent officers of the Convention; propose amendments, if any, to the Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States for the Convention’s consideration; and propose resolutions concerning any other matter not provided for in the Permanent Rules of the Convention and not contained in the reports of other standing committees for the Convention’s consideration. No amendment to the Charter of the Democratic Party shall be effective unless and until it is subsequently ratified by a vote of the majority of the entire membership of the Democratic National Committee. The adopted report of the Rules Committee may be amended upon the adoption by a majority of the Convention delegates present and voting of any minority report passed pursuant to Article VII.I.3.”
Article VII.J.1 is hereby deleted and replaced with the following language: “The Credentials Committee shall determine and resolve questions concerning the seating of delegates and alternates to the Convention pursuant to the resolution entitled the ‘Relationship Between the 2020 Rules of Procedure of the Credentials Committee and the 2020 Delegate Selection Rules,’ which includes the ‘Rules of Procedure of the Credentials Committee of the 2020 Democratic National Convention’ hereby approved and adopted by the Democratic National Committee, and set forth in full in the Appendix to this Call. The determinations of the Credentials Committee may be amended upon the adoption by a majority of the Convention delegates present and voting of any minority report passed pursuant to Article VII.J.3. The Credentials Committee does not have authority over the allocation and distribution of convention credentials, including passes for delegates, alternates, guests or press.”
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I. Rules Committee:
1. The Rules Committee shall issue a report to the Democratic National Convention recommending the Permanent Rules of the Convention, the Convention agenda, the permanent officers of the Democratic National Convention, amendments to the Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States, and resolutions providing for the consideration of any other matter not provided for in the Permanent Rules of the Convention and not contained in the reports of other standing committees. The foregoing notwithstanding, no amendment to the Charter of the Democratic Party shall be effective unless and until it is subsequently ratified by a vote of the majority of the entire membership of the Democratic National Committee. |
“The Rules Committee shall adopt the Permanent Rules of the Convention and the Convention agenda; select the permanent officers of the Convention; propose amendments, if any, to the Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States for the Convention’s consideration; and propose resolutions concerning any other matter not provided for in the Permanent Rules of the Convention and not contained in the reports of other standing committees for the Convention’s consideration. No amendment to the Charter of the Democratic Party shall be effective unless and until it is subsequently ratified by a vote of the majority of the entire membership of the Democratic National Committee. The adopted report of the Rules Committee may be amended upon the adoption by a majority of the Convention delegates present and voting of any minority report passed pursuant to Article VII.I.3.” |
J. Credentials Committee and
Procedures for
Challenging Delegates or State Delegations:
1. The Credentials Committee shall determine and resolve questions concerning the seating of delegates and alternates to the Convention pursuant to the resolution entitled the “Relationship Between the 2020 Rules of Procedure of the Credentials Committee and the 2020 Delegate Selection Rules,” which includes the “Rules of Procedure of the Credentials Committee of the 2020 Democratic National Convention” hereby approved and adopted by the Democratic National Committee, and set forth in full in the Appendix to this Call. The committee shall report to the Convention for final determination and resolution of all such questions. This committee does not have authority over the allocation and distribution of convention credentials, including passes for delegates, alternates, guests or press. |
“The Credentials Committee shall determine and resolve questions concerning the seating of delegates and alternates to the Convention pursuant to the resolution entitled the ‘Relationship Between the 2020 Rules of Procedure of the Credentials Committee and the 2020 Delegate Selection Rules,’ which includes the ‘Rules of Procedure of the Credentials Committee of the 2020 Democratic National Convention’ hereby approved and adopted by the Democratic National Committee, and set forth in full in the Appendix to this Call. The determinations of the Credentials Committee may be amended upon the adoption by a majority of the Convention delegates present and voting of any minority report passed pursuant to Article VII.J.3. The Credentials Committee does not have authority over the allocation and distribution of convention credentials, including passes for delegates, alternates, guests or press.” |