As adopted by the State Convention on June 11, 2005
Also available in MS Word format.

Article I: Name, Purpose, And Membership

Section 1:

The name of this organization shall be GREEN PARTY OF TEXAS ("Party" or "GPTX").

Section 2:

The purpose of this organization shall be to work for peace, grassroots democracy, social and economic justice, and an ecologically sustainable society.  As part of our mission, we will nominate and endorse candidates for public office and engage in other political and educational activities in the State of Texas.

Section 3:

Membership is open to any person who supports the Party and who is in general agreement with the following 10 Key Values: Ecological Wisdom, Social Justice, Grassroots Democracy, Nonviolence, Decentralization, Community-based Economics, Feminist Values, Respect for Diversity, Personal and Global Responsibility, and Future Focus.

Section 4:

Membership with an affiliated county party shall be no more restrictive than the requirements for membership with the GPTX, except that county parties may limit voting privileges to those members who have achieved a minimum level of participation decided by the County parties, consistent with the Texas Election Code (Chapter 162).

Section 5:

Each Party member is entitled to participate in the official organization and activities of the Party to the full extent provided in these By-Laws and Rules.

Section 6:

These By-Laws and Rules shall govern the organization, operation, and functions of the Party.

Article II: Party Organization

Section 1: State Executive Committee

A) The State Executive Committee ("Committee" or "SEC") shall be elected at a State Party Convention and shall be the administrative body of the Party. The Committee shall have responsibility to manage and conduct the day-to-day business and operations of the Party between State Party Conventions. Committee members shall be Party members and shall serve without pay.
B) The State Executive Committee shall be composed of two Co-Chairs (one of each gender), a Treasurer, and five at-large members. The Co-Chair and Treasurer positions shall be filled by using instant runoff voting. The at-large members shall be elected by preference voting. Attempts shall be made to ensure that the Committee reflects the diversity of the population of the State of Texas. The Committee shall be considered the "officers" of the Party as those terms are used in the Texas Election Code.
C) Members of the Committee shall serve terms of two years, commencing the day after their election. The terms of the Co-Chairs shall be staggered. The terms of at-large members shall also be staggered, two being elected per year.
D) Any Party member who is in attendance at the State Convention or has declared her/his candidacy in writing may be nominated to serve on the Committee. All candidates are encouraged to submit brief personal statements for inclusion in the Convention agenda packet.
E) The number of full terms any Committee member may serve consecutively shall not exceed two.
F) Meetings of the Committee shall be held at least quarterly, or as necessary as determined by the Co-Chairs. In addition, a Committee meeting may be called by request of a majority of the Committee. The Committee shall strive to meet in person but may also meet by telephone or Internet. Co-Chairs shall notify all Committee members of all quarterly meetings at least one week in advance.
G) The presence in person or by telephone of at least a majority of Committee members shall constitute a quorum.
H) The Committee shall seek consensus on all decisions. In the event unanimous consensus is not reached, a 2/3 vote of those present is required for adoption of any proposal.
I) Minutes of the discussion and decisions made by the Committee shall be disseminated as widely as practicable to Party members. This shall include posting such minutes to the Texas Green Party listserve and ensuring that contact persons in all known Party local organizations receive copies by e-mail or regular mail. It is expected and encouraged that such contact persons will disseminate these Minutes to all known Party members.
J) In the event of a vacancy on the Committee, the Committee may fill the vacancy by instant runoff voting at its next scheduled meeting. The term of a Committee member appointed to fill a vacancy shall last until the next State Party Convention, at which point the Party membership shall elect a replacement. In the event the Convention elects the same person who was selected by the Committee, the partial term served shall not count as a "term" for purposes of the term-limit provisions of Article II, Section 1 (E).
K) The duties of the Committee shall be:

• to coordinate statewide actions;
• to carry out all responsibilities required by the Texas Election Code;
• to make public statements regarding the Party's position on issues;
• to respond to inquiries from the media and the public;
• to prepare for State Conventions and Assemblies;
• to create standing and ad hoc committees;
• to keep records and minutes of meetings;
• to maintain a database of all Party members and known local Party organizations;
• to create and direct a Green Party of Texas Political Action Committee (PAC);
• to prepare and present an annual budget to be approved by the annual Convention.

L) Any Committee member who is absent without prior notification, from more than two Committee meetings in a year, becomes unreachable after substantial attempts to contact, or does not take on any responsibility of the Committee, can be replaced by the Committee as with vacancies with a broad call to the state membership for candidates.

Section 2: County and Precinct Executive Committees

A) The Precinct Executive Committee shall consist of all Party members in such a precinct. Each precinct shall choose from among its members a Chairperson. The State Executive Committee may appoint an Acting Precinct Chairperson for any Precinct in which no Party member volunteers to act as Chairperson.
B) Each County Executive Committee of the Party shall consist of the Chairpersons of the Precinct Executive Committees within such a County. The County Executive Committee shall choose from among its members a Chairperson. The State Executive Committee may appoint an Acting County Chairperson for any County in which no Party member volunteers to act as Chairperson.
C) County Green Party Affiliation with Green Party of Texas:

1. To affiliate with the Green Party of Texas, County Green Party organizations shall make an application in writing to the State Executive Committee. The application shall include written democratic by-laws and a list of the County Officers or Executive Committee.
2. The State Executive Committee has the authority to accept or reject any application for membership, subject to review by the next convention.
3. County Green Party organizations that are accepted must pay a one-time fee of $100 to the Green Party of Texas. The State Executive Committee is authorized to reduce or waive this fee.

Article III: Affiliation

Affiliation with any national Green Party organization shall be specifically reserved to the membership of the State Party, and such a decision may only be made at a State Convention.

Article IV: Amendments

These By-laws and Electoral Rules may be amended by a 2/3 vote of Party members at a State Convention. For purposes of determining what constitutes a 2/3 vote for or against any proposal or amendment, abstentions shall not be counted as votes cast.

Article V: Party Conventions, Generally

Section 1:

Precinct, County, District and State Conventions shall be held on the date and manner prescribed by the Texas Election Code.

Section 2:

Upon admitting a person for participation in a convention, the Chairperson of the Convention shall administer the Affirmation of Affiliation to all attendees who have not previously taken the Affirmation for the election year, as follows: "I affirm that I have not voted in a primary election or participated in a convention of another party during the voting year. I hereby affiliate myself with the Green Party of Texas." After administering the Affirmation, the Convention Chairperson shall stamp each person's voter registration certificate "GREEN." If the person does not present a registration certificate, the Chairperson shall issue an affiliation certificate. (Election Code § 162.007)

Section 3:

An Affiliation Certificate shall include: the name of the person to whom the certificate is issued; the name "Green Party of Texas"; the name and position of the person issuing the certificate; the party function at which the affiliation occurred; the date. (Election Code § 162.09)

Section 4:

Any person who has not voted in another party's primary or participated in another party's convention is entitled to attend a Green Party Convention. There shall be no requirement that a person must attend a Precinct Convention to attend and vote in a County Convention or that a person must attend a County Convention to attend and vote in a District Convention. Only duly elected delegates from affiliated county parties who have been elected at a County Convention are entitled to vote at a State Convention. Other attendees at a State Convention may participate in discussion but may not vote. (Election Code § 181.061)

Section 5:

To participate in a convention, a person must affirm that they are in general agreement with the Green Party's 10 key values of: Ecological Wisdom, Social Justice, Grassroots Democracy, Nonviolence, Decentralization, Community-based Economics, Feminist Values, Respect for Diversity, Personal and Global Responsibility, and Future Focus.

Article VI: Precinct Conventions

Section 1:

Precinct Conventions shall be held in a public location to be determined by the Precinct Executive Committee on the date prescribed by the Texas Election Code. (Election Code §§ 181.064 through 181.067)

Section 2:

A list of all attendees at a Precinct Convention must be made and signed by the Precinct Chairperson. The original list and one copy shall be delivered within 3 days to the County Chair. An additional copy shall be delivered within 3 days after the precinct convention to one of the State Co-Chairs. (Election Code § 181.067)

Section 3:

The Precinct Executive Committee shall be selected at the Precinct Convention. The manner of selection and duties of the Precinct Executive Committee shall be decided by each Precinct Convention as each deems appropriate. (Election Code § 181.004)

Article VII: County Conventions

Section 1:

County Conventions shall be held in a public location to be determined by the County Executive Committee.

Section 2:

The County Chairperson must receive any potential candidate's application for nomination for county office or district-wide office wholly contained in that County, no later than the date prescribed in the Texas Election Code. Each application shall be preserved for 2 years after the Convention by the authority with whom it is filed (state or county chair). (Election Code § 181.034)

Section 3:

Each County Chair shall ensure that the hour and place for County and Precinct Conventions is posted in the manner prescribed by the Texas Election Code. (Election Code §§ 181.064 and 174.023)

Section 4:

Each County Convention shall vote on the candidates seeking the party's nomination using "Instant Runoff Voting." A binding "none of the above" option shall always be available, even if there is only one candidate seeking the nomination.

Section 5:

Each County Chairperson shall certify in writing the name, address and office sought of each candidate nominated at the Convention to the authority responsible for having the ballot prepared, no later than the 20th day after the Convention. (Election Code § 184.068)

Section 6:

The County Executive Committee shall be selected at the County Convention. The manner of selection and duties of the County Executive Committee shall be decided by each County Convention, as each deems appropriate. (Election Code § 181.004)

Article VIII: District Conventions

Section 1:

District Conventions shall be held in a public location to be determined by the District Executive Committee on the date prescribed by the Texas Election Code. If no person has filed a written application to seek the Green Party nomination for District-wide office in the manner prescribed by the Texas Election Code, no District Convention shall be held in that District. (Election Code § 181.061)

Section 2:

The District Executive Committee shall ensure that the hour and place of any District Convention is posted in the manner prescribed by the Texas Election Code. (Election Code § 181.064 and 174.023)

Section 3:

Each District Convention shall vote on the candidates seeking the party's nomination using "Instant Runoff Voting." A binding "none of the above" option shall always be available, even if there is only one candidate seeking the nomination.

Section 4:

Each District Convention Chairperson shall certify in writing the name, address and office sought of each candidate nominated at the Convention to the authority responsible for having the ballot prepared, no later than the 20th day after the Convention. (Election Code § 181.068)

Section 5:

The District Executive Committee shall be selected at the District Convention. The manner of selection and duties of the District Executive Committee shall be decided by each District Convention as each deems appropriate. (Election Code § 181.004)

Article IX: State Conventions

Section 1:

A State Convention shall be held every year between January 2 and July 1. State Nominating Conventions shall be held when and in the manner prescribed by the Texas Election Code. Non-nominating Conventions may be held as called by the State Executive Committee. (Election Code § 181.061)

Section 2:

The State Executive Committee shall be charged with planning the logistics of such a convention and preparing an agenda. Conventions shall utilize a facilitator, a process observer/parliamentarian, and a timekeeper.

Section 3:

The State Convention shall seek consensus on all decisions. In the event unanimous consensus is not reached, a 2/3 vote of members present is required for adoption of any proposal.

Section 4:

Any person seeking to be the Party nominee for statewide public office shall be nominated at a State Convention. Each potential nominee shall be selected by written ballot using instant runoff voting, with a valid and binding "none of the above" option available.

Section 5:

The State Co-Chairs are individually and jointly responsible for accepting applications from all candidates for statewide and district offices. Applications for all district offices shall be transmitted to the appropriate Convention Chairperson within 72 hours of receipt, to be returned within 10 days after the Convention. Each application shall be preserved for 2 years after the Convention by the authority with whom it was filed. (Election Code §§ 181.033 and 181.034)

Section 6:

Each State Convention shall vote on the candidates seeking the Party's nomination using "Instant Runoff Voting." A binding "none of the above" option shall always be available, even if there is only one candidate seeking the nomination for an office.

Section 7:

The State Co-Chairs shall be individually and jointly responsible for certifying in writing the name, address and office sought of each candidate nominated at the Convention to the authority responsible for having the ballot prepared. (Election Code § 181.068)

Section 8:

Delegates to the representative body of Green Party of the United States (GPUS) shall be chosen at a Statewide Convention using approval voting.
A) Any party member in attendance at the Convention or who has declared her/his candidacy in writing may be nominated to serve as a delegate to the representative body of GPUS.
B) Delegates to the representative body of GPUS shall serve a term of two years.
C) In the event of a vacancy regarding representation to GPUS, the State Executive Committee shall fill the vacancy using Instant Runoff Voting, or in the case of multiple vacancies approval voting, at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
D) Delegates to the representative body of GPUS shall disseminate the issues and decisions of GPUS as widely as practicable to all members.
E) Any delegate who does not participate in at least 50% of the online votes shall be replaced as a vacancy in a semi-annual performance review.

Section 9: Delegates

A) Only duly elected delegates of county Green Parties that have affiliated with the Green Party of Texas will have a vote at State Conventions. Other attendees may participate in discussion but may not vote.
B) Counties with 35,000 or fewer residents may choose either one delegate with a full vote, or one male and one female delegate with a half vote per person.
C) Counties with more than 35,000 residents and up to 100,000 may elect two delegates.
D) Counties with 100,001 residents or more may elect three delegates, plus one additional delegate for each additional 100,000 residents, up to 500,000.
E) Counties with 500,001 residents or more may elect one additional delegate for each additional 250,000 residents over 500,001.
F) Thus, delegates shall be apportioned according to county population as follows:

• 1 to 35,000 = 1 delegate
• 35,001 to 100,000 = 2 delegates
• 100,001 to 200,000 = 3 delegates
• 200,001 to 300,000 = 4 delegates
• 300,001 to 400,000 = 5 delegates
• 400,001 to 500,000 = 6 delegates
• 500,001 to 750,000 = 7 delegates
• 750,001 to 1,000,000 = 8 delegates
• 1,000,001 to 1,250,000 = 9 delegates
• 1,250,001 to 1,500,000 = 10 delegates
• 1,500,001 to 1,750,000 = 11 delegates
• 1,750,001 to 2,000,000 = 12 delegates
• 2,000,001 to 2,250,000 = 13 delegates
• 2,250,001 to 2,500,000 = 14 delegates
• 2,500,001 to 2,750,000 = 15 delegates
• 2,750,001 to 3,000,000 = 16 delegates
• 3,000,001 to 3,250,000 = 17 delegates
• 3,250,001 to 3,500,000 = 18 delegates

G) In determining the number of delegates allotted to each affiliated county, the State Executive Committee shall use the most recently published census data from the U.S. Census Bureau as of January 1st of the election year.
H) Publicly elected officials who are members of the Green Party will automatically become delegates, in addition to that county's total. Membership in the Green Party shall mean that the elected official publicly affirms his or her affiliation with the Green Party and has not affiliated with any other political party.
I) County Green Parties are encouraged to consider gender and ethnic diversity in selecting delegates to the State Convention. Counties are encouraged to use some form of cumulative voting in selecting delegates.
J) Counties may elect alternate delegates for State Conventions using the same method for selecting delegates. Alternate delegates shall serve in the place of delegates who are unable to attend the State Convention.
K) Each affiliated County Green Party shall submit to the State Executive Committee a list of elected county delegates and alternates and elected Green Party officials, including names, residential addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses (where available), no later than 30 days before a State Convention.

Section 10: Platform

A) The State Convention shall have the authority to consider the adoption of a Platform for the Green Party of Texas. Any proposed planks must be submitted to the State Executive Committee at least 45 days prior to the Convention. The SEC will inform all county parties, as widely as practicable, 120 days prior to the convention of this pending deadline.
B) The State Executive Committee shall be charged with disseminating all proposed planks to all County Co-Chairs within a week after the submission deadline.
C) The Convention shall seek consensus on each plank separately. In the event consensus cannot be reached, a 2/3 vote is required for adoption of the plank.

Section 11: By-Laws

A) The State Convention shall have the authority to consider the adoption of By-Laws for the Green Party of Texas. Any proposed amendements must be submitted to the State Executive Committee at least 45 days prior to the Convention. The SEC will inform all county parties, as widely as practicable, 120 days prior to the convention of this pending deadline.
B) The State Executive Committee shall be charged with disseminating all proposed amendments to all County Co-Chairs within a week after the submission deadline.
C) The Convention shall seek consensus on each amendment separately. In the event consensus cannot be reached, a 2/3 vote is required for adoption of the amendment.

Article X: Presidential Nominating Convention

Section 1:

In Presidential election years, the State Nominating Convention shall select delegates and alternates to the Green Party Presidential Nominating Convention. Delegates and alternates shall be chosen using approval voting. Delegates to the representative body of GPUS are automatically delegates to the Presidential Nominating Convention.

Section 2:

Each person who desires to be a delegate to the Presidential Nominating Convention must publicly state which of the presidential candidates she/he supports. If selected to be a delegate, the delegate must cast her/his first ballot at the Presidential Nominating Convention for the presidential candidate she/he supported.

Section 3:

The number of delegates shall be determined by the Credential Rules of the Presidential Nominating Convention.

Section 4:

In Presidential election years, the State Nominating Convention shall nominate Presidential electors and alternate electors. The electors and alternates shall be bound by the results of the Green Party Presidential Nominating Convention, provided that candidate has met the requirements of Article XI.

Section 5:

The State Co-Chairs are each individually and jointly responsible for ensuring that before 5:00 p.m. of the 60th day before presidential election day, the Party's Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates, and the names and addresses of the party's Presidential Elector candidates (in the number allocated by Federal Law) are delivered in writing to the Secretary of State. (Election Code § 192.031)

Article XI: Presidential Candidate

No presidential candidate may appear on the GPTX ballot line unless s/he meets the following minimum requirements:
1) If there is an official state Green Party in the state of her/his residence, s/he must be a "member" of the Green Party of as that term is defined by the respective state election laws. (E.g., if the candidate's state of residence allows for party registration as a Green, s/he must be registered as a Green.)
2) Publicly pledge to support the Platform as adopted at the Green Party national convention.
3) Publicly pledge that all volunteer lists created during her or his campaign will be shared with the respective state green party as soon as is practical during the election.
4) Publicly pledge that all donor lists created during her or his campaign be given at no charge to the Green Party National Committee as an "in-kind" donation by January 2nd of the year after the election.

Article XII: General Provisions

Section 1:

These By-Laws and Electoral Rules, in conjunction with the Texas Election Code, shall govern the organization and operation of the Party. These Rules are subject to the Texas Election Code. In the event any rule is deemed to be inconsistent with the Texas Election Code, Texas election law prevails.

Section 2:

Should any provision in any part of these Rules be deemed in conflict with the requirements of Texas law, the Rules are automatically amended so as to conform with the requirements of the law.

Section 3:

The filing deadline for all candidates to submit applications for nomination by convention is not later than 5:00 p.m. on January 2 preceding the convention. If a candidate who has filed an application on or before the deadline withdraws, dies, or is declared ineligible, another candidate may file an application for that same position, provided that the application is filed with the appropriate party official by 5:00 p.m. on the day before the nominating convention. (Election Code § 181.033)

Article XIII: Guidelines For Endorsement

Section 1: Endorsement

The Green Party of Texas (GPTX) reserves the right to offer support in the form of endorsement for Green Party candidates and for various issue or policy initiatives. Endorsement does not imply a commitment to provide resources or assistance but indicates the belief on the part of the GPTX that the individual or entity receiving the endorsement is working for the shared goals and aspirations embodied in the Ten Key Values. Those receiving the endorsement of the GPTX are free to publicly cite that endorsement. Endorsements by county Green Parties are the responsibility of those Parties and shall not imply endorsement by the GPTX.

Section 2: Green Candidates

All candidates who are members of the GPTX and are running for elected office as a Green may be endorsed by the GPTX. Such endorsements will be made for the GPTX on a case-by-case basis by the State Executive Committee (SEC) based on criteria developed by the SEC.

Section 3: Issues, Policies, Projects, or Legislation

Groups, organizations, or individuals may also request endorsement from the GPTX for their various issues, policy positions, projects, actions, initiatives, referendums, or legislative efforts. Such endorsement will be made for the GPTX on a case-by-case basis by the SEC based on criteria developed by the SEC. Those requesting an endorsement from the SEC should be prepared to provide information and documentation to support that for which they seeking endorsement.

Section 4: Withdrawal of Endorsement

The GPTX reserves the right to withdraw any endorsement at any time. The SEC is empowered to act for the GPTX in such matters if it finds that a candidate, group, or organization has:

• Misrepresented the decisions and policies of the GPTX;
• Failed to support the Ten Key Values; or
• Acted in a manner that jeopardizes the credibility and/or continuance of the GPTX (this to include illegal or unethical actions).

When any endorsement is withdrawn, a written, dated notice will be provided and no further citation of the GPTX endorsement will be permitted.

Article XIV: E-Mail Discussion Groups

No statewide, regional, or county e-mail discussion group or announcement list may use the name "Green Party of Texas" or "Texas Green Party" or any other name implying affiliation with the Green Party of Texas without the express permission of the State Executive Committee or the state convention as a whole.

Article XV: Database Privacy

The Green Party of Texas, its agents and the State Executive Committee of the Green Party of Texas will not share, sell, trade, donate or otherwise distribute to any other organization or person any of the contact information of individuals that has been provided to the Green Party of Texas, provided, however, that the information may be shared with the Green Party of the United States, but only if it agrees to the same standard of privacy protection.

Each affiliated county party is encouraged to adopt a similar policy and to exchange its updated contact information with the State Executive Committee or to the Green Party of Texas database coordinator at least annually. "Contact information" includes names, mailing addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses.

Copyright 1999-2006 Green Party of Texas. All Rights Reserved.