Libertarian Party of West Virginia

Constitution and Bylaws

1997 July 26th

I. Name: The name of this organization shall be the Libertarian Party of West Virginia, hereafter referred to as "LPWV".

II. Purpose: The purpose of the LPWV shall be to give voice to the National Libertarian Party Statement of Principles in the State of West Virginia by:
A. Nominating and supporting candidates for public office;
B. Promoting, chartering and coordinating local Libertarian organizations;
C. Entering into political and/or educational activities to promote libertarianism;
D. Supporting activities of the National Libertarian Party.

III. Administrative:

Section 1. Executive Committee: The affairs of the LPWV shall be managed by the State Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall consist of the State Chair, State Vice Chair, State Secretary/Treasurer, and District Chairs for each United States Congressional District. The frequency, place, and time of Executive Committee meetings may be determined by act of the Committee or by call of the Chair. The Committee may conduct business by telephone or by mail. A quorom shall exist when a majority of the members of the Executive Committe are present, provided that one of the members is the State Chair or State Vice Chair. All members of the Committee must be notified of meetings.

Section 2. Officers: All officers of the LPWV shall be elected at a regular convention of the LPWV by attending delegates. The newly elected officers shall take office immediately upon close of the convention and serve until the final adjournment of the next regular convention. If the office of the State Chair becomes vacant, the office shall be filled by act of the State Executive Committee. If the entire Executive Committee becomes vacant, the National Chair of the Libertarian Party of the United States is empowered to appoint a State Chair. All officers must be dues-paying members.

Section 2a. Duties of Officers: The State Chair is to preside at all conventions and meetings of the Executive Committee, unless s/he has delegated that authority to the State Vice Chair. S/he is empowered to designate members of the Executive Committee to serve as project coordinators, and to establish any special committees deemed appropriate. If any LPWV office is determined to be vacant, the State Chair shall appoint a member of the LPWV to serve in the office for the remainder of the term.

The State Vice Chair shall act as an assistant to the chair and to each district chair. S/he shall also preside over conventions and meetings of the Executive Committee when the State Chair is absent.

The State Secretary/Treasurer shall be the recording officer of the party, and shall provide, or make provisions for legal services to the LPWV. S/he shall also receive, expend and account for the funds of the LPWV under supervision and direction of the Chair and Executive Committee.

District Chairs are responsible for activities of the LPWV in their congressional district and may perform duties of the State Chair if so directed by the Executive Committee.

In addition, Vice Chairs will be elected for each congressional district. They will not be members of the Executive Committee, but will serve as a resource for the District Chairs.

IV. Members:

  1. A member of the LPWV shall be any person whose dues are current and has signed a pledge required by this article.
  2. All LPWV members must certify that they "do not believe in or advocate the initiation of force as a means to achieve political or social goals."
  3. Every LPWV member shall be a state convention delegate if in attendance at a convention and may vote on any issue properly coming before a convention or any adjournment thereof and if the above two conditions have been met for thirty (30) days. Dues and pledge must be received by the State Chair or State Secretary/Treasurer.
  4. Only dues-paying members are entitled to hold party office or be nominated for public office.
  5. Only registered Libertarians may be nominated as candidates for public office.
  6. A membership may be suspended by an 80 percent vote of the Executive Committee.

V. Meetings and Conventions: The Executive Committee shall call a convention between general elections. The Committee may call a convention at any time it deems necessary. All members of the LPWV must be notified at least thirty (30) days before any such convention via regular first class mail. All conventions shall be conducted according to the latest edition of the Roberts Rules of Order.

VI. Amendments and Bylaws: This constitution may be amended by 75 percent vote of the members attending a convention. Bylaws, and operating policies, may be adopted by the Executive Committee between conventions, but will not continue beyond the next convention unless ratified by a majority of the members attending the convention. Any proposals to amend this consititution must be received by the State Secretary/Treasurer fourteen (14) days before the commencement of th convention.

(Ratified by the LPWV State Convention held in Clarksburg on September 30, 1994.)

Bylaws passed:

Web page last updated 1997-12-13.