The continuation of the August 12 CFL statewide caucus was completed today (Sept. 13, 2010) as announced (see previous blog entry). Two items were concluded:
1. The 34th State Representative ballot line, vacated by John P. Kilian in August, was filled in a replacement election with the following results:
Earle Roberts 7 votes
Gail Hamm 2 votes
None of the above 2 votes
Only members who lived in the 34th district chose to vote. Congratulations to Earle!
2. Two changes to the party rules were approved with a 15-0 vote. The changes are in bold below:
CONNECTICUT FOR LIEBERMAN PARTY RULES (adopted at Sept. 13, 2010 continuation of August 12, 2010 statewide party caucus):
1. These party rules supersede any other party rules filed with the Secretary of the State’s office. All previous rules are null and void.
2. The Connecticut for Lieberman Party (CFL) rejects the fraud perpetrated on the members of this party and the citizens of Connecticut by Joe Lieberman when he used the creation of this party to get on the general election ballot in 2006. The CFL is an independent, anti-war, anti-corruption, pro-fiscal responsibility, pro-democracy party, that stands for individual liberties and real problem-solving in government. The CFL wants everyone to know that in the United States of America, voters are free to join any party they wish, and participate in the democratic process according to the laws of Connecticut and the United States.
3. Party officers and State Central Committee members must be registered members of the party.
4. Candidates for public office for the CFL may not be registered members of the Republican or Democratic parties, with the following exception: the CFL may cross-endorse candidates who will appear on the ballot for any other party.
5. Statewide party caucuses will be presided by the chair of the party. Party caucuses will follow Robert’s New Rules of Order, Revised.
6. One must be a registered member of the CFL for a minimum of 90 continuous days prior to a caucus to have voting rights at that caucus.
6.1) in addition to those above, members of the Realistic Balance Party of Middletown shall have voting privileges at a statewide party caucus.
6.2) in addition to those above, members of the Chatham Party of East Hampton shall have voting privileges at a statewide party caucus.
6.3) in addition to those above, candidates nominated by the CFL for public office shall have voting privileges at a statewide party caucus in perpetuity.
6.4) Members of other parties granted voting privileges in CFL (see 6.1,6.2) must be members of such party for 90 continuous days prior to a CFL caucus to have voting rights at that caucus.
7. A statewide party caucus will be held a minimum of once per calendar year. One caucus will be held no later than May 1. The date and place of the first caucus will be determined by the chair of the party. Additional meetings may only be called by a majority vote of the State Central Committee.
8. The time and place of statewide party caucuses will be announced by the chair of the party on the party website (www.ctforlieberman.org) a minimum of 30 days in advance. Notification will also be delivered to the Secretary of the State's office a minimum of 7 days in advance of the meeting.
9. The four officers of the party (chair, treasurer, secretary, parliamentarian) shall be elected at the first statewide caucus of each calendar year. All registered members of the party may vote for any and all nominated candidates. The top vote getters for each office will be elected. An individual can only hold one office at a time, with the exception of parliamentarian. Terms will last until the first statewide caucus of the following calendar year. Candidates may run for re-election.
10. The State Central Committee will be composed of the chair, secretary, and treasurer of the party, and two additional registered members of the party. The two additional members will be elected at the first statewide caucus of each calendar year. All registered members of the party may vote for any or all nominated candidates. The top two vote getters will be elected. Terms will last until the first statewide meeting of the following calendar year. Candidates may run for re-election.
11. Candidates for public office will be chosen at a statewide party caucus. All registered members of the party may vote for any and all nominated candidates. The candidate for each office who receives the most votes at the caucus will be the nominee. There will be no primary elections. All eligible members may vote for any nominated candidate for any office, regardless of the district of residency of the voting member of the party.
12. Nominations of candidates for public office chosen at a statewide party caucus can only be changed with permission of the nominated candidate. A request by a majority vote of the State Central Committee must be made in writing, with proof of delivery, to the candidate to step down. The candidate must respond in writing to the party chair within two weeks of the delivery of the request. If the candidate agrees to step down, the State Central Committee will call another statewide party caucus to nominate a new candidate. No written response from the candidate within two weeks of delivery of the request will be considered agreement of the candidate to step down, and gives the State Central Committee permission to call a statewide party caucus to replace the nominee.
13. Party members who meet the voting eligibility of (6) above may deliver proxy votes in writing to the party chair a minimum of 24 hours before the caucus.
14. Following any nominating party caucus, the chair of the CFL will file an endorsement letter for each nominated candidate with the Secretary of the State's office within 5 business days, and apply for all necessary paperwork (petitions, etc.) to get the candidate on the ballot in November.
15. Party Rules can only be changed by a majority vote at a statewide party caucus. The chair of the party will deliver any changes to the party rules to the Secretary of the State’s office within 5 business days.
16. Proposed amendments to party rules must be posted on the party website at least 10 days prior to a vote at a statewide caucus.The meeting was adjourned at 8:30pm, Sept. 13, 2010.
