Article VIII Section V

Preparatory Informational Meetings and Straw Polls

The endorsement process for County, State or Congressional candidates, or for National Convention delegates and alternate delegates, shall begin early enough to allow for the timely and efficient conduct of preparatory informational and vetting meetings and straw polls by School District Area Committees, General Assembly District Committees, or Congressional District Committees.  No later than such date as set each year by the County Chairman, prospective Republican County, State or Congressional candidates, or National Convention delegates and alternate delegates, should file a letter with the County Chairman indicating their interest in being endorsed.

After such date as set by the County Chairman, each School District Area Committee, General Assembly District Committee, or Congressional District Committee shall hold informational and vetting meetings and straw polls with all Republican candidates who have requested endorsement.  The scheduling of these Committee meetings shall be coordinated between the County Chairman and the Chairmen of the School District Area Committees and shall be held in a sufficient period of time prior to the meeting of the applicable endorsing Committee.  Prior to the first informational and vetting meeting and straw poll, the County Chairman may establish uniform procedural rules for the conduct of such meetings, with the advice and consent of the Leadership Team. A straw poll shall be taken by secret ballot at the conclusion of each Committee informational and vetting meeting.  The results of the straw poll shall immediately be conveyed to the County Chairman who shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, announce the said results publicly.