State Party Constitution and Bylaws

Preamble

The Constitution Party gratefully acknowledges the blessing of Almighty God, Preserver and Ruler of the Universe and of these United States. We hereby appeal to Him for mercy, aid, comfort, guidance and the protection of His providence as we work to restore and preserve these United States.

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to a political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.” (from George Washington’s Farewell Address)

The goal of the Constitution Party is to restore the American system of law and justice to its Biblical foundations and to limit the federal government to its constitutional boundaries.

The U.S. Constitution established a Republic rooted in Biblical principles of governance, administered by representatives who are constitutionally elected by the citizens. In such a Republic all Life, Liberty and Property must be protected as unalienable rights from our Creator.

We support the restoration of the US Constitution according to the intentions of the Founders in drafting a document, guided by the hand of Providence, that strictly limits the law making and enforcement powers of the federal government. We also sustain the Bill of Rights which has served as the strongest bulwark against usurpation of the Constitution’s limitations by activist judges. We further support all of the principles of liberty embodied in the Declaration of Independence.

We affirm:

That each individual is endowed by his Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are the rights to life, liberty, property and the pursuit of happiness;
That the freedom to own, use, exchange, control, protect, and freely dispose of property is a natural, necessary and inseparable extension of the individual’s unalienable rights;
That the legitimate function of government is to secure these rights through the preservation of domestic tranquility, the maintenance of a strong national defense, and the promotion of equal justice for all;
That history makes clear that left unchecked, it is the nature of government to usurp the liberty of its citizens and eventually become a major violator of the people’s rights; and
That it is the right of the people and their respective states to resist the unconstitutional acts of tyrannical government;
That, therefore, it is essential to bind government with the chains of the Constitution and carefully divide and jealously limit government powers to those assigned by the consent of the governed.

The Constitution of the United States provides that “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.” We support the original intent of this language. Therefore, we call on all those who love liberty and value their inherent rights to join with us in the pursuit of these goals and in the restoration of these founding principles

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Constitution Party of Florida, “hereinafter” referred to as the Party. The Constitution Party of Florida is a state affiliate of the National Constitution Party.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

The purposes for which the Constitution Party of Florida is organized are:

to develop an informed, educated, energetic, and effective statewide political organization in order to support the principles, goals, and platforms of this party as adopted by its Convention and of the National Convention of the Constitution Party and to secure the election of all duly nominated candidates and electors thereof;
to promote allegiance to the principles and objectives of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States of America, the Bill of Rights and the recognition of our unalienable rights as endowed by our Creator and affirmed by our Founding Fathers in their establishment of our Republic;
to promote by all lawful, truthful, and honorable means the election of Constitution Party candidates, who have received a nomination from the National Convention of the Constitution Party, or the endorsement of the State Executive Committee and to conduct and coordinate campaigns in their behalf;
to provide services to member county organizations, including but not limited to, assistance in, organization, communications, education, and campaign support.

ARTICLE III – POLICY

The Preamble of the National Constitutional Party shall be adopted and made part of this Constitution and Bylaws.
All applicable provisions of the Florida Election law shall be part of this Constitution and Bylaws.
This Constitution and Bylaws document may simply be referred to as the Bylaws

ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP

Membership of the Party shall consist of all persons who are registered voters under the laws of the State of Florida who have declared their affiliation with the Party and who have taken an oath to defend the Constitution. Each member of the party has a fundamental right to fully and meaningfully participate in the business and affairs of the party without any monetary encumbrance.
The State Executive Committee may, by rule and at its discretion, establish membership incentives for active members who wish to contribute to the Party. These incentives shall be strictly voluntary and shall not affect any member’s fundamental right to fully and meaningfully participate in the business and affairs of the Party. Membership incentives for contributors shall not confer any additional voting or participation rights beyond those available to all members.

ARTICLE V – STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

SECTION A: Membership

The membership of the State Executive Committee shall be composed of the State Chairman, State Vice Chairman, State Secretary, State Treasurer, State Chaplain and two State Directors chosen from registered party members.
Vacancies shall not persist in the offices of Chairman and Treasurer.
No member may hold more than one office, except that one person may hold the offices of secretary and treasurer.
Any member elected or appointed to serve on the Executive Committee, or any other Party Standing or Select Committee, shall be a member of the Constitution Party, and shall, upon request, show proof of voter registration.

SECTION B: Election and Terms

The State Chairman, State Vice Chairman, State Secretary, State Treasurer, State Chaplain, and State Directors shall each be elected at the State Convention in the year of which the presidential election is to be held for a term of four years or until a successor is elected or appointed.

SECTION C: Vacancies

In the event of a vacancy in the office of State Chairman, the State Vice Chairman shall assume the office and serve the remainder of the unexpired term.
A vacancy in the office of State Vice Chairman shall be filled by appointment of the State Chairman and approved by the state executive committee. The nominee shall serve the remaining unexpired term of the vacating State Vice Chairman.
If both positions (State Chairman and State Vice Chairman) become vacant, a meeting of the Executive Committee shall be called by the Secretary or the next ranking office within 30 days to choose successors.
A vacancy in the office of State Secretary, State Treasurer, State Chaplain or the two State Directors shall be filled within 30 days by appointment of the State Chairman and upon the State Executive Committee approval; the new appointments shall serve the unexpired term of the vacating officer.

SECTION D: State Executive Committee Duties

The State Executive Committee of the Constitution Party of Florida:

shall formulate and provide for the execution of such policies, plans, and measures as it may deem conducive to the best interest of the Party, and in conformity with these Bylaws and the Rules and Procedures of the Party;
shall call all regular and special state conventions, committee meetings and special meetings and make arrangement therefore, including the basis of representation, the time and the place. To conduct its meetings according to generally accepted parliamentary practice;
shall have the power to adopt or amend these Bylaws by two-thirds vote of the full executive committee;
shall have the power to make nominations when required by state law;
shall have the power to design and enact Rules and Procedures;
shall have the power to conduct campaigns for party nominees;
shall have the power to raise and expend party funds. Such funds may not be expended or committed to be expended except after written authorization by the State Chairman;
by resolution, shall recommend candidates for presidential electors, equal to the size of the State of Florida’s delegation to the United States Congress plus two alternates, and deliver a certified copy of said resolution to the Governor no later than noon on August 24 of each presidential election year;
shall file with the Florida Division of Elections a certificate naming the candidates for President and Vice President and listing the required number of persons to serve as presidential electors. This notification shall be made no later than 5 p.m. on August 24 of the year in which the general election is held;
shall arrange to have the funds of the State Executive Committee publicly audited at the end of each calendar year and a copy of such an audit furnished to the Department of State for its examination prior to April 1 of the ensuing year;
shall receive all assessments authorized according to s. 103.121. All party assessments shall be 2 percent of the annual salary of the office sought by the respective candidate. All such committee assessments shall be remitted to the state treasurer for the Constitution Party of Florida. Authorization to disperse these and all funds must come from the State Chairman;
shall notify the Florida Division of Elections within five days of any changes in the officers, Bylaws, or Rules and Procedures, ensuring compliance with state election law.

SECTION E: Officer Duties

1. State Chairman

The Chairman of the Constitution Party of Florida Executive Committee:

shall be the chief executive officer of the Party and Chairman of the State Executive Committee;
shall issue the call and preside at all meetings of the executive committee, special meetings, and the State Convention, unless he/she is unable to do so, then the Vice Chairman shall perform this duty;
shall observe and enforce the United States Constitution, the Florida Constitution, the Bylaws, and Rules and Procedures of the Constitution Party of Florida;
shall appoint necessary staff members, all paid staff salaries must be approved by the executive committee;
shall appoint all standing and special committee members, such appointments shall be reported to the executive committee;
shall be ex officio a member of all committees;
shall act as necessary to promote the functions of the Party and at all times represent the party as an ambassador for the noble and paramount interest of the party;
along with the State Treasurer, shall be accountable for the funds of the Constitution Party of Florida Executive Committee and jointly liable for their proper expenditure for authorized purposes only;
shall be responsible for ensuring the filing with the Florida Department of State of any changes to the names and addresses of the members of the executive committee, as well as updates to the Bylaws, and Rules and Procedures within 5 days of such changes;
shall be responsible for ensuring the submission to the Governor a certified copy of the resolution to recommend candidates for presidential electors by August 24 of the year in which the presidential election is to be held;
is empowered to remove or suspend from an office within the chair’s political party any officer, state committeeman, state committeewoman, county committeeman, county committeewoman, precinct committeeman, precinct committeewoman, or other member of the state executive committee, county executive committee, political party club, or other chartered organization for a violation of the oath of office taken by such individual or for failing to fulfill the duties of their position as required or for engaging in other activities described in this section.

2. State Vice Chairman

The Vice Chairman of the Constitution Party of Florida Executive Committee:

shall perform duties as the State Chairman and/or the State Executive Committee may prescribe;
shall temporarily perform the duties of the State Chairman in the case the State Chairman is rendered incapacitated; defined as a case where the State Chairman is temporarily unable to perform his or her duties.

3. State Secretary

The Secretary of the Constitution Party of Florida Executive Committee:

shall be the chief clerical officer of the Party;
shall record all proceedings of the State Executive Committee, special meetings and the State Convention, which shall be the property of the State Executive Committee;
shall perform other duties that the State Chairman and/or the State Executive Committee may prescribe.

4. State Treasurer

The Treasurer of the Constitution Party of Florida Executive Committee:

shall keep the financial records of the Party;
shall be responsible for depositing all contributions in a timely manner;
shall be responsible for fulfilling federal, state, and local financial disclosure requirements, if applicable;
shall, at the direction of the State Chairman, issue all checks in payment of Party obligations, and be otherwise responsible, under the State Chairman, for the expenditure of all funds by the Party. The state Treasurer is not authorized to issue any funds to anyone without the approval of the State Chairman;
shall, if necessary, submit a recommendation of a person to act as an auditor of the state constitution party accounts;
along with the State Chairman, shall be accountable for the funds of the Constitution Party of Florida Executive Committee and jointly liable for their proper expenditure for authorized purposes only;
shall ensure compliance with Sections 103.121 and 106 of Florida Statutes by filing accurate and timely financial disclosures and campaign finance reports with the Florida Division of Elections.

5. State Chaplain

The Chaplain of the Constitution Party of Florida Executive Committee:

shall oversee the spiritual condition of the party, make recommendations from God’s Word to keep the values and ideals of the party within the boundaries of God’s Word;
shall administer oaths; provide counsel to the Executive Committee, all County Chairman, the party committees, and anyone in the party seeking his assistance;
shall open all State meetings, with prayer;
shall perform other duties the State Chairman and /or the State Executive committee may prescribe;
shall also be the chairman of the ethics committee and oversee its operation.

6. State Directors

The two state directors of the executive committee shall perform the duties give to them by the State Chairman and/or the State Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VI – VOTING AND MEETINGS

SECTION A: Voting

Voting at all meetings shall be by voice, hand count, or written ballot as determined by the Chair of that meeting.
No individual shall cast more than one vote, irrespective of the number of offices held. Proxy votes shall be permitted only as explicitly authorized in these Bylaws
Any voting member who wants to vote by proxy shall designate his proxy on a written form which shall be dated and signed.

SECTION B: Meetings

1. Executive Committee Meetings and Special Meetings

There shall be, at minimum, quarterly meetings of the State Executive Committee, held at such time and place as the State Chairman may determine.
Only members of the State Executive Committee shall be allowed to attend. State Chairman may invite others to attend as needed.
The form, date, location and time will be proposed by the State Chairman and approved by the State Executive Committee at the preceding quarterly State Executive Committee meeting.
Meetings may be conducted live online in a conference setting as established by the State Chairman or his assigns.
At all State Executive Committee meetings, a majority of the committee’s members shall constitute a quorum.
The State Chairman may call special meetings of the State Executive Committee on an as needed basis.

2. State Conventions and Special Conventions

State Conventions shall be held annually in the month of April.
Only Delegates shall be entitled to a vote.
Time and place shall be arranged by the State Chairman.
The Chairman may call special conventions on an as needed basis.

ARTICLE VII – STATE CONVENTION

The Call for the State Convention, to be held on a date and time, in April, to be determined by the State Chairman and must be held annually.
The State Secretary shall publish the time and date of such meeting to all party members.
Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the proceedings of the State Convention, and the rulings of the Chairman of the State Convention shall be the decision on the question before the body.
In the year of a presidential election nominees for the State Executive Committee officers, as put forth by the nominating committee or the State Chairman, shall be elected by majority vote of the delegates voting at the State Convention.
In the year of a presidential election candidates for United States President and Vice President, as put forth by the nominating committee or the State Chairman, will be nominated by majority vote of the delegates voting at the State Convention. Such nominations shall carry weight at the National Presidential Nominating Convention.
In the year of a presidential election National Committee Members, as put forth by the nominating committee or the State Chairman, will be elected by majority vote of the delegates voting at the State Convention.
The affirmative vote of the majority of the delegates present and voting at the State Convention shall be the act of the Convention.
In the year of a presidential election the Chairman pro tempore appointed by the State Executive Committee shall preside at the opening of the State Convention until a new State Chairman is elected.
The State Convention may, by the affirmative vote of the majority of delegates present and voting, amend these Bylaws and the Rules and Procedures.
The Convention may also transact any other appropriate business.

ARTICLE VIII – DELEGATES TO CONVENTIONS And NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS

SECTION A: Convention Delegates

Delegates to National Party Conventions will be appointed by the State Chairman subject to confirmation by majority vote of the State Executive Committee. The State Chairman shall certify the names of the duly elected delegates and alternate delegates from Florida and promptly forward said names to the Executive Director of the National Constitution Party.
Delegates to State Party Conventions will consist of:
1. all Executive Committee Members;
1. a Delegate from each County Party Organization to be determined by that organization;
1. or in the case of an unorganized County the Coordinator of an Unorganized County if one has been appointed.
County Party Organizations may prescribe their own rules for County Conventions in their Bylaws.

SECTION B: National Committee Members

National Committee members shall each be elected at the State Convention during the year of a presidential election for a term of four years or until a successor isappointed by the State Executive Committee.
National Committee Member vacancies may be filled by appointment of the State Chairman subject to confirmation by majority vote of the State Executive Committee.

ARTICLE IX – COUNTY PARTY ORGANIZATIONS

Prior to a county being formally organized the State Chairman may appoint a coordinator to oversee the development of a County Party Organization subject to the approval of the state executive committee.
When in the organizational stages a County Party Organization shall adopt the model County Bylaws.
The Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary of each organized County Executive Committee shall be elected in accordance with the Bylaws of the state constitution party and the respective county organizations.
The officers of the County Executive Committee shall hold office for a term of four years and may submit his/her name for re-election with the County election committee, at the time when the national presidential elections are held.

ARTICLE X – RULES FOR COUNTIES

County Executive Committees may adopt their own Bylaws, Rules and Procedures, subject to approval by the State Executive Committee and in compliance with the Florida Election Laws pertaining to County Executive Committees contained in Section 103.091-part 6a, and in Section 103.121, parts 5a, 5b and 6.
When the Party’s County Executive Committees are formed, the State Executive Committee will decide specifically whether the provisions of the Florida election law pertaining to the composition of the County Executive Committee’s as contained in Section 103.091 and part I shall obtain by default or whether other such provisions concerning said composition shall be substituted as allowed by immediately aforementioned part of the Florida Election laws.

ARTICLE XI – DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS OF MEMBERS

Any party member may be removed from his/her seat, position, or membership upon the vote of two thirds of the executive committee, for such violation which may include engaging in activities that have or could have injured the name or status of the political party, interfered with the activities of the political party, dereliction of duties, no longer agreeing with our platform, malfeasance, or immorality. The executive committee shall determine if a violation occurred.

Disciplinary Actions

Counseling Statement – Used as a warning.
Written Reprimand – Admonishment of unacceptable actions.
Definite Suspension – Continued unacceptable actions.
Removal – Failure to comply with disciplinary action.
Certified notice must be given to the member.
The member may address the Executive Committee at a special meeting.
One vote on the removal is all that is required of the Executive Committee.

Reinstatement may be granted at a meeting of the Executive Committee by 2/3 vote of approval.

ARTICLE XII – USE OF THE PARTY NAME

No person, group of persons, or organization shall use the name, address, or emblem of the Party in any manner, unless the State Chairman and/or the State Executive Committee grants permission. All state election laws will apply to the use of the name, Section 103.081 Florida election law.
Unauthorized use of the Party name, emblem, or address shall result in disciplinary action as outlined in Article XI. The State Executive Committee may pursue legal remedies if necessary.

ARTICLE XIII – CANDIDATE QUALIFYING FEES

The state party assessment on candidate qualifying fees is 2 percent of the annual salary of the office they are seeking, according to the provisions of s. 99.092 and s. 103.121, Florida Statutes.
The assessment fee collected by the State Division of Elections and remitted to the State Executive Committee is designated for the operational expenses of the committee, as provided in s. 99.103, Florida Statutes, and does not belong to the candidate’s campaign.
The State Executive Committee shall authorize the return of up to 20% of the assessment fee collected by the State Division of Elections to the candidate’s campaign if permitted by law. The State Chairman must provide written authorization for the Treasurer to issue the refund.
In accordance with s. 103.121(5), Florida Statutes, the State Chair may return the 2-percent committee assessment for county candidates to the appropriate County Executive Committees upon receipt of a written statement that the County Executive Committee chooses not to endorse, certify, screen, or otherwise recommend one or more candidates for the party’s nomination and upon verification that the committee is compliant with all Florida statutes, party rules, bylaws, and constitutions.

ARTICLE XIV – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Constitution Party of Florida in all cases where they are applicable and do not conflict with the Party’s Bylaws, or any Rules adopted by the State Executive Committee.
The State Executive Committee may adopt and enforce special rules of procedure as necessary to address unique situations, provided they are consistent with these Bylaws and applicable Florida laws.

ARTICLE XV – AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

These Bylaws may be amended at any meeting by a two-third vote of the Party State Executive Committee or by a two-third vote at the annual State Convention.
Proposed amendments must be distributed to all members of the State Executive Committee or Convention Delegates at least 45 days prior to the meeting or State Convention where they will be considered.

ARTICLE XVI – SEVERABILITY

If any provision or provisions of these Bylaws shall be held to be invalid, illegal, and unenforceable or in conflict with the law of any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and unenforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Adopted-2025_CPF_Constitution_And_Bylaws Download

The preceding Constitution and Bylaws were unanimously adopted by the delegates at the convention held on February 15, 2025.

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