Tomorrow is the 2021 Organizational Meeting of the Colorado State Republican Central Committee (SCC). To say that there is a possibility for chaos at the meeting is an understatement. We could blame it on COVID, but I believe that the fault rests squarely on the current officers of the State Central Committee.
In the states where Republicans stood strong on the RNC Platform and trusted the people to make wise decisions regarding their health and businesses, life is returning to normal. Unfortunately, Colorado party leaders and elected officials have yet to take a stand for our rights, and as a result the people of Colorado are still walking around in masks and are fearful to operate their businesses at full capacity.
I have been standing with a group of friends to encourage the SCC to lead Colorado out from under the control of Dictator Polis and his minions. You can follow the saga at www.MyColoradoGOP.org.
We are down to the wire and our request for paper ballots to be used and hand counted for the Officer’s races is still being denied, with the GOP firmly intent on disenfranchising all voting members who plan to vote for Officers using the texting vote app. For me, this began as an election integrity issue but has ended up being much more serious. The GOP plans to go against their own bylaws, as they have before, and use “technology” for the election of officers. Some people are saying that it is allowed by the COVID laws and bylaw changes, but I contend it is not. Here’s a quick summary:
GOP Bylaws list the acceptable methods of voting, “except for the election of Officers.”
GOP Bylaws say Officers “shall be” elected by “secret ballot.”
COVID law put in place to allow remote participation in Party Committee Meetings and voting on rules or bylaws.
COVID restrictions state “Critical Government Function may continue to operate without capacity limitations,” to allow the SCC to meet to elect Officers.
Bylaws changes, such as changing the method of electing officers, could have taken place using technology, but did not, leaving the secret ballot mandate intact. Bylaws changes to be considered at the Organizational meeting were to be submitted 30 days prior to the meeting but were not, leaving the secret ballot mandate unchallenged.
HB21-1001
Remote Participation In Party Committee Meetings
Concerning authorization for remote participation in political party committee meetings.
Session:
2021 Regular Session
Subject:
Elections & Redistricting
Bill Summary
Through the end of 2021, the bill allows members of a party central committee or vacancy committee to participate in a committee meeting remotely, including by casting the member's vote by e-mail, mail, telephone, or through an internet-based application if allowed by the party's rules.
The bill permits a state party central committee or state party executive committee to adopt party rules or bylaws to implement the bill's remote participation provisions. The bill also permits a member of the state party central committee or state party executive committee considering such rules or bylaws to participate remotely in a meeting in which the rules or bylaws are being considered.
(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)
Members may participate in Central Committee Meetings remotely rather than in person. The law further allows for participants attending remotely to vote using technology on rules or bylaws which are being considered. This basically says that any business that could be conducted in-person using technology can be conducted during a remote meeting. This is for all voting “with the exception of the election of officers,” according to the bylaws Article VIII, Section A.
According to their bylaws, the Party is not able to vote using “technology” (either remotely or in-person) for the election of officers, because it is NOT allowed by the party's rules. CRC Bylaws, Article VI, Section B. 1. Says “Officers shall be elected by majority vote using a secret ballot…” Contrary to what the Party is trying to make us believe, texting is NOT a secret ballot. Nor is voting for officers using technology allowed, even under the emergency bylaws.
In the bill, Section 1. 1-3-103 (11) (a) is to allow remote PARTICIPATION, including voting by technology IF ALLOWED BY THE PARTY’S RULES.
Section 1. b allows the SCC or EC to adopt rules or bylaws to IMPLEMENT the participation in a remote meeting and waive notice and call requirements. Technology may be used at these remote meetings for the votes taken “in which the rules or bylaws are being considered.”
The bill goes on to allow in Section 1. (c) for the State Senate and State House or County Commissioners to conduct remote elections, including the election of their officers. The bill recognizes the differing organizations and their bylaws.
While the bill authorizes a Political Party Central Committee Meeting to be held remotely using technology for voting, it does not specify in either (a) or (b) that a vote may be taken using technology “for the election of officers.” Again, we point out that the bill states members may participate remotely “including casting the member’s vote by e-mail, mail, telephone, or through an internet-based application ‘if allowed by the party’s rules.’”
Our party’s rules specifically except the election of officers using technology and state that “Officers shall be elected by majority vote using a secret ballot.” The only exception for the use of a secret ballot is if there is only one Officer nominee, in which case the election shall be by voice vote.
In my discussions with the State Party, I was told that neither the Credentials Committee or the Teller Committee are planning to deal with proxies or paper ballots. In other words, they will be telling remote members to break the bylaws or be disenfranchised. My team has drafted a Proxy form for members to use, but we did not create paper ballots (even though we had an offer to pay for them.)
Proxy form: https://mycoloradogop.org/index.php/2-my-gop/128-scc-proxy-2021
The solution we offer is to repeal the Emergency Bylaws which deny the use of proxies at tomorrow’s meeting, and for all remote voters to send a proxy to a voting member in their district who plans to be present.
Guests may watch the meeting at: https://cologop.org/colorado-gop-2021-organizational-meeting-livestream.
Respectfully, Peg Cage