2024 State Nominating Convention Proposed Rules

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Gina Worthen (Chair) - Cache County

Peter Greathouse - Millard County

Lesa Sandberg - Washington County

Gabriella Pucket - Utah County

Nate Brooksby - Washington County

A. PURPOSE

This 2024 Nominating Convention shall nominate Republican Party candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Auditor, Treasurer, United States Senate, First Congressional District, Second Congressional District, Third Congressional District, Fourth Congressional District, multi-county State Senate, multi-county State House of Representatives, and multi-county State School Board of Education.
The 2024 Nominating Convention shall also select a National Committeeman, a National Committeewoman, 37 National Delegates including 3 from each Congressional District, 40 Alternate National Delegates including three (3) from each Congressional District and 6 Presidential Electors including one (1) from each Congressional District.
In addition, the Nominating Convention shall conduct party business including amendments to the State Party Constitution, and State Party Bylaws. The Nominating Convention shall consider amendments to the standing State Party Platform.

B. CALL

The Utah Republican Party State Nominating Convention shall convene at 10:30 AM, Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Multi-county State Senate, multi-county State House of Representatives, and multi-county State School Board of Education races shall convene beginning at 8 AM Saturday, April 27, 2024.
Only properly credentialed state delegates shall vote in the elections.
Credentialing shall begin at 7 AM, Saturday, April 27, 2024.

C. RULES OF ORDER

The State Party Constitution and Bylaws, these Rules and the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern this Convention. These rules shall govern any conflict with Robert's Rules.
The applicable Convention Rules defined in the bylaws shall not be altered or suspended, save by properly noticed Constitution or Bylaw amendment, except the rules may be modified for the purpose of accommodating venue rules.

D. ORDER OF BUSINESS

The order of business of this convention shall follow the agenda adopted by the delegates.
All challenges to the qualifications of an individual delegate to serve must be received in writing by 5:00 p.m. At State Party Headquarters three days prior to the day of the Convention.
The Credentials Committee shall attempt to contact challenged delegates to resolve any disputes and shall make a report for Convention adoption.
The Credentials Committee shall report the number of delegates with proper credentials immediately preceding commencement of the voting.
Debate time for adopting the agenda shall be limited to 10 (ten) minutes.
Debate time for adopting the rules shall be limited to 10 (ten) minutes.

E. SEATING AND ADMISSION

Only state delegates may participate in the business of the Convention; however, the Convention Chair may invite any individual to address the Convention.
Members of the public and media will be admitted to the convention hall to view the proceedings, as long as they follow proper conduct and the directions of the chair and Sergeant-At-Arms.
In the hall, seating shall be organized by county, with a separate area for visitors and media. Only credentialed media members may sit in the media section. A media credential card is non-transferable and must be obtained from the Convention Chair’s appointed Media Coordinator.
Each delegate to this Convention will be issued a credential card that is non-transferable and must be displayed at the time of balloting and any voting. In the event the party provides devices for electronic voting, the device or scantron ballot is non-transferable. Each delegate who does not return their voting device will have to pay money to the Utah Republican Party to cover any and all costs and penalties associated with replacing the device.

F. RECOGNITION TO SPEAK

A delegate must state his/her name and county and be recognized by the Convention Chair before speaking on Convention business.
No delegate may speak more than once or longer than two (2) minutes upon the same question, unless allowed by a majority of the Convention.
The chair may invite other individuals to address the Convention.
If permitted, amendments to proposed Constitution, Bylaws, and Platform amendments, and resolutions must be delivered to the chair in writing at the time of or prior to making the motion.

G. PLATFORM AMENDMENTS AND RESOLUTIONS

Only amendments to the Platform and resolutions which have been submitted in writing with seconding endorsements from at least five (5) state delegates other than the sponsor and received at the Republican State Party Headquarters by 5:00 p.m., on the Thursday 28 days before the Convention shall be presented to the Platform/Resolutions Committee for review.
There shall be a limit of no more than two amendments or resolutions by any one delegate.
The Platform/Resolutions Committee will meet with amendment and resolution proponents to discuss the amendments and resolutions preceding the Convention at Republican Party Headquarters.
The Platform/Resolutions Committee shall forward non-redundant, significant amendments and resolutions to the Convention for consideration.
Amendments and resolutions may only be made during the time specified in the agenda approved by the Convention.
The Convention may determine, by a majority vote, the order in which resolutions shall be considered.
The debate and summation time for each amendment and resolution shall be determined by the convention agenda. Equal debate time shall be allowed for proponents and opponents of the motion.
Unless determined otherwise, the time deemed by the agenda for each separate amendment and resolution shall be no more than six (6) minutes of total debate time, unless extended by a majority of the Convention, as follows: One (1) minute introduction for the sponsor, then alternating periods of one (1) minute for each side with the 6th minute reserved for sponsor summation. The debate time shall be exclusive of the time required to move and read the amendment or resolution.
Amendments to, substitutions of, or any other changes to proposed Platform amendments and resolutions shall not be considered at the Convention.
Platform amendments shall be adopted by a 2/3 vote.

H. CONSTITUTION, BYLAWS, AND RULES AMENDMENTS

In order to be considered at the Convention, amendments to the Party Constitution, and proposed changes to the Bylaws and Convention Rules must be received in writing by 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday which occurs 28 days prior to the State Convention, at Republican State Party Headquarters.
The Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall forward those duly submitted Constitution and Bylaw amendments either to the Convention or to the State Central Committee for consideration, and shall forward those duly submitted other Rules amendments to the Convention.
The debate and summation time for each amendment and bylaw change shall be determined by the convention agenda. Equal debate time shall be allowed for proponents and opponents of the motion.
Unless determined otherwise the time deemed by the agenda for each separate amendment shall be no more than six (6) minutes of total debate time, unless extended by a majority of the Convention, as follows: One (1) minute introduction for the sponsor, then alternating periods of one minute for each side with the 6th minute reserved for sponsor summation. The debate time shall be exclusive of the time required to move and read the amendment or change.
Amendments to, substitutions of, or any other changes to proposed Constitution and Bylaw amendments shall not be considered at the Convention.

I. CANDIDATE RULES AND REQUIREMENTS

Only Republican candidates who have properly filed for elected public office as required by law, and who meet the requirements of Utah State Law, the Utah Republican Party Constitution, and the Utah Republican Party Bylaws, shall be considered by the Convention. In accordance with Party Bylaws, all Candidates, including those for the positions of National Committeeman, National Committeewoman, Presidential Elector, National Delegate, and Alternate National Delegate, shall have filed a letter of intent and disclosure at State Party Headquarters no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday which occurs 28 days prior to the State Convention.
Signage and distribution of literature rules shall be established by the rules committee, convention officers and the host facility.
The Candidate or his/her representative shall sign a document which states they have read and understand the CANDIDATE RULES AND REQUIREMENTS.
Candidates will observe proper decorum, subject to the ruling of the Convention Chair.
All candidates, special interest groups, and other organized groups shall pay a refundable cleaning deposit before the convention. The fee shall be $300.
Anyone distributing materials at the Convention shall be responsible to remove their materials after the Convention, from the facility and the parking area. Clean up is required in order to get the refundable cleaning fee returned.
Basic rules apply to all who have paid the refundable cleaning fee. (The intent is to have fairness, to treat all equally.)
Any and all literature distributed must prominently display the name and contact information of the group or person responsible for it. Any literature being distributed without this disclosure may be removed from the premises.

J. NOMINATIONS AND CANDIDATE PRESENTATIONS

Opposed candidates shall be allowed four (4) minutes for presentation.
Opposed candidates in multi-county legislative and state school board elections shall be allowed four (4) minutes for presentation.
Opposed candidates in the election for National Committeeman and Committeewoman shall have four (4) minutes for presentation.
Candidates for the position of National and Congressional Delegate, Alternate National and Congressional Delegate and Presidential Elector shall not have time allotted to address the Convention.
All other opposed candidates shall be allowed four (4) minutes for presentation.
An individual may not run for both the positions of National Delegate and Alternate National Delegate. An individual may run for both the positions of Presidential Elector and National Delegate or Alternate National Delegate.
Candidates are not required to have a nomination or second but may if they so desire. The total time limit remains the same regardless.
The order of presentation shall be decided by random drawing. Refer to Section M.2 below.
The intent is to have fairness, to treat all candidates equally.
In Multiple Round Balloting, prior to a second or subsequent round of balloting, remaining candidates shall be allowed one (1) minute each for additional presentation if they desire.
The gubernatorial candidates nominated by the state nominating convention shall nominate a candidate for lieutenant governor who meets the eligibility requirements of the statutes and constitution. If the Convention fails to affirmatively ratify the nominee for lieutenant governor, the gubernatorial nominee shall nominate other candidates until the Convention affirmatively ratifies a nominee. The governor and lieutenant governor candidates nominated by the State Nominating Convention shall run as a joint ticket in the primary and general elections.

K. PHYSICAL ARRANGEMENTS

Candidates and organizations are responsible for observance of these rules by their staff, campaigns, committees, supporters and delegates. Violations will result in forfeiture of deposits and removal of all signs and literature of the violating group or individual.
Each candidate or organization is responsible for the clean up of anything produced by, distributed by, or bearing the name of that candidate or organization.
Candidates and organizations will have access to the Convention hall for booth and signage set up as scheduled by the Utah Republican Party. The state party will make the schedule for set up available to candidates and organizations at least two weeks prior to the convention. The time may be extended for unforeseen circumstances at the discretion of the ranking Convention official in the hall at the scheduled time of ending access.
No campaigning or electioneering will be allowed within 10 feet of the credentialing, registration, or balloting areas.
Rules regarding signage and distribution of literature shall be established by the Rules Committee, Convention officers and the host facility. The Rules Committee may make adjustments, alterations or amendments to this section of the rules as needed to meet demands of the host facility, the Utah Republican Party, or for safety reasons.
The following are not allowed inside or outside the facility: helium balloons, glitter, confetti, hay/straw, drones, or animals (with the exception of service animals for disabled individuals.)
Nothing may be affixed to any interior or exterior surface at the convention center.
Decorations are not permitted on ceilings, painted surfaces, columns, fabric, decorative walls, or fire sprinklers. All decorative materials must be flame-proof and in accordance with fire regulations.
Projections (images projected electronically) are allowed only on surfaces directly above or immediately behind rented booth space by the candidate or organization that reserved that space, or as part of a media presentation if included in individual candidate’s speaking time by the candidate designated to speak.
No parking on sidewalks or blocking entrances.
Food: Distribution of all food must follow the rules of the host facility and be approved in advance by the State Republican Party Headquarters.
Signage
1. Schedule for setup and take down of signs will be available from the Utah Republican Party two weeks prior to the Convention. No signs shall be placed before the schedule allows.
2. Both indoor and outdoor signs must remain in designated areas only and must comply with facility rules as well as instructions from Utah Republican Party. The Utah Republican Party staff, the Rules Committee members, and the host facility staff may move or remove any signs that do not comply with the rules.
3. No signs are allowed in or around the staging area of the main assembly convention hall, or anywhere in the exhibit halls, including break-out areas for multi-county races, except for booth spaces rented by the candidate/group or as designated by the Rules Committee.
4. Signs and campaign materials may not block any exit, service outlet, or fire extinguisher. No signs may be placed within 10 feet of an exterior door. No signs may be affixed to or hang from the outside of the building, lamp posts, sign posts, fences or trees. No signs are allowed in the parking areas, on the sidewalks, in the center of the hallways or lobbies, or arranged around pillars.
5. Signs shall be allowed within 3 (three) feet from designated walls.
Booths
1. All booth and room space, including the setting up of any tables inside or outside the convention center, must be obtained from or approved by the Utah Republican Party.
2. Booths shall not be taken down until the Convention is officially adjourned on Saturday.
3. Booth space will be chosen by lottery on March 14, 2024. Booth prices shall range from $750 to $6,000 depending on size and location in the hall, as set by the Utah Republican Party.
4. Multi-county district elections will be held in separate rooms. Multi-county candidates who purchase booths will have an area for their table and signs near their breakout area. Multi-county candidate tables will cost $250 and must be purchased from the Utah Republican Party in advance of the Convention.
5. Candidates and organizations renting booth space shall sign the Convention Booth Rental Terms Agreement with the Utah Republican Party.
Distribution of Printed Material
1. There shall be no restrictions on the distribution of printed material, except that materials may not be pre-distributed on the chairs in the convention hall or any other areas prohibited in these rules.
2. Materials may only be distributed in areas designated by the facility and the Utah Republican Party.
3. No adhesive-backed decals, stickers, or signs may be distributed on the premises. Any organization or individual distributing decals of any kind will surrender their deposit and pay any additional direct costs incurred during cleanup.
4. For safety, individuals passing out printed material may not restrict the flow of people into or out of the facility, especially around the entrance/exit doors.
5. All printed material shall have a disclaimer identifying the responsible person or organization and phone number and be clearly printed on the material.
6. Only the Utah Republican Party may distribute materials in the Convention’s main assembly hall, including rooms used for breakout sessions, or in any area where voting occurs.
Candidates, organizations and individuals using the Convention for distribution, campaigning or any other promotional or reporting use shall be responsible to research and comply with the hosting facility’s policies and procedures and the Rules and Arrangements Committee’s requirements.
Any video or other recording and its purpose at the Convention shall be disclosed in advance to the Arrangements Committee or Convention Chair for approval.
The Utah Republican Party is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure any officer, delegate or member of the public that is disabled is provided with full and equal access and enjoyment in conventions. When provided sufficient advance notice, the Utah Republican Party will provide reasonable accommodations necessary to ensure equal opportunities for participation.

L. QUORUM

Any number of credentialed state delegates officially assembled shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting business except that a majority of those credentialed shall be required for considering Resolutions and changes to the Party Constitution, Bylaws, and Platform.

M. GENERAL VOTING RULES

Convention General Voting
1. Other than the election of candidates or other balloting as noticed in the convention call, voting shall be by voice, by a show of delegate credentials, paper ballot, or electronic device. Only ballots supplied by the Utah Republican Party shall be recognized and used as legitimate, official ballots for voting.
2. When it is clear that there has been a full vote and there can be no reasonable doubt as to which side prevailed, the Convention Chair may not recognize a call for division.
3. The first call for division shall be recognized if 25 delegates rise to support it. This first call shall be considered to be a call for a vote by show of credentials judged by the Convention Chair.
4. After the ruling on the vote by show of credentials, a second call for division shall be accepted if 50 delegates stand in support. This division shall be an actual count of the delegates.
5. Suspension of a Convention Rule shall be by a 2/3 vote with a quorum present.
6. There will be no absentee or proxy voting.
7. The Credentials Committee, directly after opening ceremonies, shall make a preliminary report, reporting the number of delegates registered as present with proper credentials. A final report shall be made immediately preceding candidate speeches.
8. Unopposed candidates shall be declared the party’s nominee by the Convention Chair.
9. After all properly nominated opposed candidate speeches, voting will be conducted in the designated locations when the Convention Chair calls for the vote.
10. It is the prerogative of the Convention Chair to open and close balloting at appropriate times.
11. In all races, the total number of ballots cast for each candidate shall be reported to the Convention.
12. No individual may tamper with, interfere with, impede, or in any way commit election fraud or election tampering. Testing of the election system may only be conducted by the Elections Committee or at its direction. Any individual who is found to have engaged in any of these prohibited activities or to have voted without credentials shall be removed from the Convention and referred to the SCC for disciplinary action.
13. Electronic Keypads: Delegates will be given the opportunity to verify their electronic keypad or device is working properly by conducting test votes. If an electronic keypad is deemed faulty the delegate will exchange it for one that works properly. Upon verification, delegates shall cast their ballots electronically in the contested races that are balloted through electronic voting.
14. The chosen system and method of voting for convention elections shall:
  1. Track and report on every ballot that is issued;
  2. Mark every ballot with a unique identifier that does not identify the voter, but can be recorded by the voter;
  3. Not associate, directly or indirectly, the voter with the unique identifier on the ballot;
  4. Detect and report fraudulent ballots;
  5. Report the vote(s) and unique identifier of every ballot;
  6. Be externally auditable, independent of the system.
15. Poll Watchers: Each opposed candidate for Federal, State, State Legislative and State School Board offices and for National Committeeman and National Committeewoman shall be permitted to have one poll watcher. This observer may not leave the ballot counting room before the vote tally for that office has been announced to the Convention. The Elections Committee Chair is responsible for any complaints and has the authority to take any concerns to the Convention Chair.
Federal, Statewide, State Legislative, State School Board of Education, Presidential Electors, National Committeeman and National Committeewoman, and National Delegate Races Balloting
1. In all races, names shall appear on the ballot according to the following system: Each letter of the alphabet shall be randomly drawn. The order in which the letters are drawn shall be the order in which they appear on the ballot. The names of the candidates shall be alphabetized within each individual letter group according to the random drawing. The result of this random alphabet drawing will also be used to determine speaking order.
2. The random alphabet drawing shall occur on March 14, 2024. The results of the random alphabet draw will be made available on the state party’s website. The results of the drawing are:
  
  E N H W Q X F G J R C P U V M A S K I YO Z T D L B
3. After candidate speeches, voting will be conducted in the designated area when the Convention Chair calls for the vote.
4. Ballots: (a) containing more than one (1) vote in a race unless instructed by the Chair to mark more than one candidate; or (b) which are not clearly marked; or (c) with a vote for any person who was not properly nominated; or (d) for a candidate who has withdrawn or been eliminated from the race; will be considered spoiled and will not be counted for that race, either for a candidate or in the calculation of a majority threshold. Spoiled paper ballots may be exchanged prior to deposit in the ballot box upon the showing of proper credentials and the surrendering of the spoiled ballot at the “Spoiled Ballot Desk(s)” where the spoiled ballot shall be exchanged and immediately destroyed in the presence of the requesting voter. Only State Delegates, upon presentation of proper credentials, will be allowed to deposit their own ballots in the designated ballot boxes when casting a paper ballot.
Presidential Electors and National Delegates
1. The Convention shall select 2 (two) At-Large Presidential Electors and one (1) Congressional District Presidential Elector per congressional district, for a total of six (6) Presidential Electors. When filing for the position of Presidential Elector, candidates shall specify for which type of Presidential Elector position (At-Large or Congressional District) he/she wishes to run.
2. The Convention shall select 37 National Delegates. Of these 37 National Delegates, 25 shall be elected At-Large National Delegates and 12 shall be elected Congressional District National Delegates, of which three (3) shall be elected from each congressional district.
3. Pursuant to national party rules, and in addition to the 37 National Delegates selected at Convention, the National Committeeman, the National Committeewoman, and the State Party Chair shall serve as at-large National Delegates to the national convention.
4. The Convention shall elect 40 Alternate National Delegates. Of these 40 Alternate National Delegates, 28 shall be elected at-large Alternate National Delegates and 12 shall be elected congressional district Alternate National Delegates, of which three (3) shall be elected from each congressional district.
5. When filing for the position of National Delegate, candidates shall specify for which type of National Delegate position (at-large National Delegate, at-large Alternate National Delegate, congressional district National Delegate or congressional district Alternate National Delegate) he/she wishes to run.
6. All National and Alternate Delegate candidates shall sign a pledge that they will abide by the state party and national party rules and cast their vote at the national convention according to whom they are bound.
7. All State Delegates at the Convention shall vote for the At-Large Presidential Electors, but only the State Delegates from each congressional district shall vote for their respective Congressional District Presidential Electors.
8. The two (2) At-Large Elector candidates with the highest vote totals shall be the At-Large Electors. The next six (6) At-Large Elector candidates with the highest vote totals shall be ordered as alternates. The Elector candidate from each congressional district with the highest vote total shall be the Elector for that congressional district. The next three (3) Elector candidates in each congressional district with the highest vote totals shall be ordered as the alternates Electors for that congressional district.
9. All State Delegates at the Convention shall vote for the At-Large National Delegates and Alternates, but only the State Delegates from each congressional district shall vote for their respective Congressional District National Delegates and Alternates.
10. The top 25 At-Large National Delegate candidates with the highest vote totals shall be the At-Large National Delegates. The top 28 At-Large Alternate National Delegate candidates with the highest vote totals shall be the At-Large Alternate National Delegates. The top 3 (three) Congressional District National Delegates and Alternates with the highest vote totals shall be the Congressional District National Delegates and Alternates for that congressional district.
11. Congressional District Presidential Electors, Congressional District National Delegates and Congressional District Alternate National Delegates to the national convention representing congressional districts shall be residents of and qualified voters in said districts respectively when elected and when serving.
12. Candidates for Presidential Elector, National Delegate, and Alternate National Delegate must have registered and participated, either in person, through allowed absentee procedures, or by administering or by administering the meetings, in the most recent caucus (neighborhood elections) meetings.
13. Any Republican Presidential Elector from the State of Utah that attempts to vote for a candidate other than the Republican Presidential Nominee in the Electoral College shall be automatically and immediately removed from the office of Presidential Elector by the Chair of the Utah Republican Party, and the Chair shall appoint another elector who shall vote for the Republican Presidential Nominee. Candidates who file with the Utah Republican Party to become Presidential Electors shall sign an agreement with the party stating they will cast their electoral vote for the Republican Presidential Nominee from the General Election. The agreement shall include language acknowledging that if an Elector attempts to vote for any candidate other than the Republican nominee, that vote will not be counted, the elector shall be deemed to have vacated their position and the Chair of the Utah Republican Party shall be obligated to immediately appoint another elector to fill the vacancy.
Counting Room and Results
1. The Elections Committee Chair is responsible for the ballot counting room and poll watchers.
2. The Elections Committee Chair shall be responsible for the security of the ballots, ballot boxes, the accuracy of the count, and directing the access and conduct of all persons within the ballot counting room.
3. Poll watchers’ belongings such as purses, wallets, and all forms of electronics must be stored in a secure area outside of the ballot counting room.
4. Poll watchers who bring electronics into the ballot counting room or break any other associated rule are immediately disqualified from the Convention and may be asked to leave.
5. The Elections Committee Chair is responsible to address any election related complaint and has the authority to take any election related complaint to the Convention Chair.
6. Each opposed candidate for federal, statewide, multi-county state legislative and state school board races shall be permitted to have one poll watcher. This poll watcher may not leave the ballot counting room before the vote tally for that office has been announced to the Convention.
7. Ballot counting shall not commence until after polls have been announced closed by the Convention Chair. Challenges to balloting must be made to the Convention Chair or Designee before that time expires.
8. For paper ballots, official tally sheets shall be used to record each counted vote, and shall be kept with the supporting ballots. These materials shall be preserved by the Party Officers in a secure location for at least five (5) business days following the Convention.
9. In the case of multiple ballots, more than one candidate may be eliminated in each round, provided that the sum of the votes received by the candidates to be eliminated does not exceed the number of votes received by the next highest candidate, and that at least two candidates remain on the ballot. The two top candidates shall participate in the final ballot.
10. A candidate for an office that receives 60% or more of the votes cast at any point in the balloting process at the state nominating conventions shall proceed to the general election.
11. Any challenges to the counting process must be made to the Elections Committee Chair before the election results of that race are announced.
12. Any candidate requesting a recount or challenging an election must file a request in writing to the Elections Committee Chair by 5:00 pm, two (2) business days following the Convention.
13. Recounts or challenges may only be brought if they might legitimately affect the outcome of the election.
14. In the event of a tie, to determine which candidate advances to a succeeding round of balloting, the candidates shall be called before the delegates voting in that race for a coin toss. The candidate further down the ballot shall call heads or tail while the coin is in the air. The winner advances to the next round of balloting. The individual conducting the coin toss shall first explain how the coin toss will occur.
15. If a coin toss was used to determine the winner, no challenge or recount request will be recognized.

N. CREDENTIALS

Challenges pertaining to state delegate credentials or eligibility must be received in writing at State Party Headquarters no later than 5 p.m. three days prior to the State Convention. The Credentials Committee report shall be the first order of business at the convention. Nothing in this provision shall prohibit any delegate from moving an amendment to the credentials report at the convention. No challenges will be sustained against delegates who were selected according to their county's rules.
Changes to the list of delegates must be submitted to the credentials committee by the respective county chair or their pre-designated representative by the deadline to change delegates.
The list of delegates maintained by the Credentials Committee is deemed to be the official list of delegates for the convention.
The personal information scanned for delegate check-in shall not be kept or used by a vendor, third-party or the Utah Republican Party for any purpose other than delegate check-in for the 2024 State Convention.