Party Registration: The NEW Idaho GOP Rule, Platform and Resolution

The underlined text represents the new rules provision adopted on June 2, 2007 by the Idaho Republican Party State Central Committee. 

The resolution and the party platform (below) passed at the 2006 convention. 

Idaho Republican Party Rules

ARTICLE IX: CENTRAL COMMITTEE ENDORSEMENT AND REPUBLICAN PARTY REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO VOTE IN A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ELECTION

Section 1: County Central Committees may determine the political affiliation of candidates filing or declaring an intent to file as Republican candidates for county political offices and may endorse Republican candidates for their respective positions.

Section 2: The Legislative District Central Committees may determine the political affiliation of candidates filing or declaring an intent to file as Republican Party Candidates for the State Legislature, and the Committee may endorse Republican candidates for legislative positions.

Section 3: The State Central Committee may determine the political affiliation of candidates filing or declaring intent to file as Republican Party Candidates for state political offices and U.S. Congressional offices, and may endorse Republican Party candidates for the various positions. Endorsement of Congressional District Candidates shall be by voting members from the respective Congressional Districts.

Section 4: Only persons who have registered as a Republican prior to the Primary Election will be allowed to vote on an Idaho Republican Party ballot in that Primary Election.

Idaho Republican Party Platform (Passed at 2006 Convention)

XXIV. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT

The Idaho Republican Party believes that Primary elections in the Idaho Republican Party should be open to all people who have registered as a Republican prior to the Primary election and that the Idaho Legislature should pass legislation that would provide for the same.  To allow those who have no loyalty or allegiance to the Idaho Republican Party or its’ Platform and Resolutions to select our candidates is simply not proper. 

Idaho Republican Party Resolutions

Resolution to De-Regulate the Idaho Republican Party

(Passed at 2006 Convention)

Whereas, the Idaho Republican Party is a private political party and not an agent for the state of Idaho; and

Whereas, the State of Idaho has passed certain laws to regulate and dictate to the Idaho Republican Party the rules for candidate selection and other matters; and

Whereas, The Idaho Republican Party believes the best way to achieve its’ goals and objectives as represented by the Party Platform and Party Resolutions is to have as much self-determination as possible and the least amount of state interference and regulation as practicable; and

Whereas, recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings provide that state regulation of private political parties deprives such parties and their members of the rights of free speech and free association guaranteed by the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. constitution; NOW

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Idaho Republican Party petition the Governor of the State of Idaho and members of the Idaho Legislature to repeal laws that regulate political parties and enact such laws that will provide for maximum self-determination, including, but not limited to methods of candidate selection, and access to Republican Party primary ballots.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Idaho Republican Party should use all means available to provide for such maximum self-determination.