BYLAWS OF THE SUSSEX COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE

ARTICLE I. NAME AND PURPOSE

The name of this organization shall be the Sussex County Democratic Committee ("SCDC"). The

purposes of the SCDC are to:

• Elect Democratic candidates;

• Coordinate, encourage, and assist Democratic organizing at the municipal, county, and

state levels;

• Represent Sussex County Democrats before the New Jersey Democratic State

Committee and Democrats in other counties;

• Conduct fundraising to support its lawful activities; and

• Promote the interests of the Democratic Party in Sussex County.

ARTICLE II. AUTHORITY

The SCDC is the County Committee of the Democratic Party in Sussex County, New Jersey,

organized pursuant to Title 19 of the New Jersey Statutes, and shall exercise the powers and

duties granted to county committees by law.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Composition

Membership shall consist solely of persons elected or appointed pursuant to Title 19 of the New

Jersey Statutes.

Section 2. Qualifications

All members must be registered Democrats and eligible voters in the voting districts they

represent.

Section 3. Representation

There shall be two (2) members elected from each voting district in Sussex County, as provided

by law.

Section 4. Vacancies

Vacancies shall be filled in accordance with Title 19.

Section 5. Certification

The Chair shall certify and file membership lists and changes with the Sussex County Clerk as

required by law.

ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS

Section 1. Annual and Reorganization Meetings

Annual and Reorganization Meetings shall be held as required by law.

Section 2. General Meetings

The SCDC shall hold at least four (4) General Meetings each year.

Section 3. Special Meetings

Special Meetings may be called by the Chair or upon written request of thirty percent (30%) of

the members.

Section 4. Notice

Notice requirements shall be established in Standing Rules, consistent with law and these

Bylaws.

Section 5. Quorum

A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members eligible to vote.

ARTICLE V. OFFICERS

Section 1. Officers

The Officers of the SCDC shall be a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer, elected at the

Reorganization Meeting.

Section 2. Term

Officers shall serve four (4) year terms or until their successors are elected.

Section 3. Duties

The duties of officers shall be those customarily associated with their offices and such additional

duties as may be assigned by these Bylaws or by resolution of the SCDC.

Section 4. Removal

Officers may be removed for cause by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at a meeting called for that

purpose, provided that written notice and an opportunity to be heard are given.

Section 5. Vacancies

In the event that a vacancy is created in the office of the Chair, the Vice Chair shall succeed to

the office of Chair, and hold such office until the next reorganization meeting, unless the SCDC

shall thereafter, within thirty (30) days, convene a Special Meeting in accordance with a petition

signed by thirty percent (30%) of the members of the SCDC for the purpose of electing a Chair.

In the event of a vacancy in any other office, the Chair shall appoint a successor, who shall

serve until the next reorganization meeting.

ARTICLE VI. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of the officers and such additional members

as may be provided in Standing Rules. The Executive Committee shall serve in an advisory

capacity and shall not exercise the powers of the SCDC except as expressly authorized by these Bylaws.

ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES

Section 1. Establishment

Standing and special committees may be established as provided in Standing Rules.

Section 2. Authority

Committees shall be subject to the authority of the SCDC Executive Committee and shall report

to the Chair.

ARTICLE VIII. MUNICIPAL COMMITTEES

Municipal Committees shall be organized and shall function in accordance with Title 19.

ARTICLE IX. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the SCDC in all cases

where applicable and not inconsistent with law or these Bylaws.

ARTICLE X. PROXY VOTING

Section 1. Authorization

Proxy voting is expressly authorized for meetings of the SCDC, subject to the limitations set

forth in this Article and applicable law.

Section 2. Eligibility

Only members eligible to vote may grant or hold a proxy.

Section 3. Form and Validity

Proxy forms will be generated and disseminated by SCDC Executive Committee, shall designate

the meeting for which it is valid, and shall be delivered to the Secretary prior to the call to

order. A proxy shall be valid only for the meeting specified and shall expire at adjournment of

that meeting.

Section 4. Effect

A valid proxy shall be counted toward quorum and may be exercised on all matters properly

before the body at that meeting.

Section 5. Standing Rules

Procedures for submission of proxies shall be established in Standing Rules.

ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at a meeting of the SCDC, provided

that prior notice has been given as provided in Standing Rules.

STANDING RULES TO THE BYLAWS OF THE SUSSEX COUNTY DEMOCRATIC

COMMITTEE

These Standing Rules are adopted pursuant to the Bylaws of the Sussex County Democratic

Committee (SCDC) and Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (12th ed.). They govern

procedures and administration only and do not create or limit member rights beyond those

established in the Bylaws and applicable law.

STANDING RULE 1. ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT

1. These Standing Rules may be adopted or amended by a majority vote at any meeting of

the SCDC, provided the proposed rule or amendment is within the scope permitted by

the Bylaws.

2. No Standing Rule may conflict with the Bylaws, Title 19 of the New Jersey Statutes, or

Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised.

STANDING RULE 2. NOTICE OF MEETINGS

1. Notice of meetings shall be provided by electronic mail to all members at least seven (7)

days in advance for General Meetings and at least five (5) days in advance for Special

Meetings, unless a shorter period is required by law.

2. Emergency meetings may be called with not less than twenty-four (24) hours’ notice

when immediate action is required.

3. Notices shall state the type of meeting, date, time, location (or access information), and

the principal business to be considered.

STANDING RULE 3. AGENDA AND ORDER OF BUSINESS

1. The Chair shall prepare an agenda for each meeting, which shall be subject to

amendment by majority vote of the body.

2. The standard order of business shall be:

a. Call to Order

b. Pledge of Allegiance

c. Approval of Minutes

d. Reports of Officers

e. Reports of Committees

f. Unfinished Business

g. New Business

h. Public Session

i. Adjournment

STANDING RULE 4. VOTING AND ELECTION PROCEDURES

1. Except where the Bylaws require a different vote, all questions shall be decided by a

majority vote of members present and voting.

2. Voting may be conducted by voice vote, show of hands, roll call, or ballot, as

determined by the Chair.

3. Ballot votes shall be required for officer elections and for removal proceedings.

4. Credentials Committee may be appointed to distribute, collect, and count ballots.

STANDING RULE 5. PROXY VOTING

1. Proxy voting is permitted only as authorized in Article X of the Bylaws.

2. Proxies must be submitted, verified, and recorded in accordance with the proxy

procedures as per SCDC Bylaws.

STANDING RULE 6. QUORUM VERIFICATION AND CREDENTIALS

1. Prior to calling a meeting to order, the Secretary or a Credentials Committee shall verify

the presence of a quorum, including any valid proxies.

2. The Credentials Committee, if appointed, shall be responsible for verifying member

eligibility, proxies, and ballots.

STANDING RULE 7. COMMITTEES

1. Standing and special committees shall be constituted as provided in the Bylaws or by

resolution of the SCDC.

2. The Chair shall appoint committee members and designate committee chairs as

expressly authorized by the Bylaws.

3. Committee reports shall be presented in writing or orally as directed by the Chair.

STANDING RULE 8. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. The Executive Committee shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Chair as expressly

authorized by the Bylaws.

2. The Executive Committee may not act on behalf of the SCDC except as expressly

authorized by the Bylaws or by a vote of the SCDC.

STANDING RULE 9. DISCIPLINE AND REMOVAL PROCEDURES

1. Disciplinary proceedings shall be conducted only as authorized by the Bylaws and

consistent with due process requirements under Robert’s Rules.

2. Officers may be removed for cause, including violation of this constitution and by-laws,

or any lawful role or practice duly adopted by the SCDC. Non-performance, dereliction of

duty, actively working with or for adversarial political parties, and/or any other conduct

prejudicial to the interest of the SCDC shall be grounds for removal.

3. Procedure for removal from office:

a. To begin removal proceedings for an officer, a member must make a motion to

remove said officer and the motion must be seconded by another member.

The motion to remove an officer must be made before the membership of the committee at a regularly scheduled or special meeting.

b. Prior to the meeting, the moving party must provide the Secretary of the

committee with written notice of the motion to remove no less than fourteen

(14) days before the meeting. The Secretary shall then give notice to the

membership no less than ten (10) days before the meeting that the motion for

removal will be made.

c. After the motion to remove an officer is made, the member making the

motion must present facts supporting the contention that there is just cause

for removal of the officer in question. The officer subject to the removal

motion shall be given full opportunity to refute and respond to the stated

reasons for removal.

d. Prior to a vote on the motion, any member who wishes to be heard shall be

given the opportunity to speak on the pros or cons of the motion and/or to

question the officer and/or the moving party to clarify information relevant to

the motion.

e. At the conclusion of the discussion, the next ranking member of the Executive

Committee not subject to the motion shall call for a vote and preside over the

voting on the motion. Voting shall be by secret ballot. A tally of the votes shall

be made by the chair of the Credentials Committee and witnessed by the

officer subject to the motion and the moving party.

4. A two-thirds majority of the members present at the meeting shall be required for

removal. If passed, the removal shall take immediate effect. In the event an officer is

removed under this procedure, they shall be terminated from the position

STANDING RULE 10. EXAMINATION OF RECORDS

1. Any member may inspect the non-confidential records of the SCDC upon reasonable

notice to the Secretary.

2. Records shall be inspected at a reasonable time and place designated by the Treasurer

and Executive Director and in a manner that does not disrupt committee operations.

3. Financial records shall be made available for inspection as provided in the Records

Access and Inspection Policy, subject to applicable legal and reporting requirements.

STANDING RULE 11. ELECTRONIC MEETINGS AND PARTICIPATION

1. Meetings may be conducted by electronic means when authorized by the Chair and

consistent with the Bylaws.

2. Members participating electronically shall be deemed present for purposes of quorum

and voting.

3. Electronic voting shall be conducted in a manner that preserves member identity and

vote integrity.

STANDING RULE 12. CONVENTIONS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

1. Procedures for conventions, endorsements, and special events shall be governed by

guidelines adopted by the SCDC.

2. Such guidelines shall be consistent with the Bylaws, these Standing Rules, and Robert’s

Rules.

STANDING RULE 13. POLICIES AND APPENDICES

1. The SCDC may adopt policy appendices, including but not limited to social media,

communications, and event guidelines.

2. Policy appendices are advisory and do not supersede the Bylaws or Standing Rules.

Adopted 2/4/26