Bylaws
of the 
Independent American Party

(Established January 23, 1999; Amended July 17, 1999; January 27, 2001; August 3, 2002; January 18, 2003; August 2, 2003; January 17, 2004.)

SECTION 1.  NAME

Pursuant to Article I of the Constitution of the Independent American Party (herein "IAP Constitution"):

National Name. The official name of this national political party is "Independent American Party" (herein "IAP"). The IAP is also recognized by other names as set forth in the IAP Constitution.

SECTION 2.  OBJECT

Pursuant to Articles II and X of the IAP Constitution:

National Object. The object of the IAP and the purpose of these Bylaws are that set forth in the IAP Constitution.

SECTION 3.  MEMBERSHIP

Pursuant to Articles III and VI of the IAP Constitution:

A. Standards. The standards for initial and continued Official State Party recognition, where applicable, are as follows:

(1) Organization. The State Party shall be organized to the extent that it has elected officers; holds periodic meetings and conventions; has a Constitution, Bylaws, Charter and/or Rules, as applicable; conducts itself in a manner befitting a principled and organized political party.

(2) Activity. The State Party shall be deemed politically active in that it fields candidates for federal and/or state and/or local office; carries out a public relations or voter education campaign.

(3) Standing. The State Party shall be in good standing in that it desires membership in the IAP; provides timely documents and reports to the IAP; meets financial obligations to the IAP; sends representatives to national meetings; supports the IAP nominees for President and Vice President.

(4)Commitment. The State Party shall be committed to the Mission, Principles, Platform, Constitution and Bylaws of the IAP.

B. Official States. An Associate State Party or unaffiliated State Party that reasonably meets the Standards for Official State Party recognition may be granted Official State Party recognition by majority vote of the National Committee. The State Party shall be entitled to full representation on the National Committee and full proportionate representation on the National Convention.

C. Associate States. An unaffiliated State Party that meets a reasonable minimum of the Standards for Official State Party recognition as determined by the National Committee may be granted Associate State Party recognition by majority vote of the National Committee. The State Party shall be entitled to partial representation on the National Committee and National Convention. Such recognition and representation shall be determined by the National Committee.

D. Rescinding Recognition. Official recognition of a State Party may be rescinded, or changed to Associate recognition, by two-thirds vote of the National Committee. Associate recognition of a State Party may be rescinded by two-thirds vote of the National Committee or rescinded automatically in accordance with the provisional terms of the Associate State Party recognition.

E. General Members. Individual persons who support the U.S. Constitution and the IAP Mission and Principles may become general Members by application to the Membership Committee. Such membership may be rescinded by two-thirds vote of the National Committee. General Members shall have no official IAP voting representation in their capacity as individual Members.

F. Voting Restriction. Associate State Party Representatives on the National Committee shall have no vote on questions pertaining to the membership status of their own State Party.

SECTION 4.  STATE PARTIES

 Pursuant to Article IV of the IAP Constitution:

A. State Documents. Each State Party, in good standing, shall provide: current copies of its applicable Constitution, Bylaws, Charter and/or Rules; timely lists of current State Officers, National Committee Representatives and Alternates, National Convention Delegates and Alternates; notices of changes in its legal status in its home state. All documents, lists and notices shall be sent to the National Secretary within fifteen days of their effectiveness.

B. State Fees. Each State Party, in good standing, shall pay any dues, fees and assessments properly authorized by the National Committee. All payments shall be sent to the National Treasurer in a timely manner as determined by the National Committee.

SECTION 5.  NATIONAL CONVENTION

Pursuant to Article V of the IAP Constitution:

A. Membership. Initially, each Official State Party shall have a number of National Convention Delegates and a number of National Convention Alternates equal to its state's Electoral College apportionment. Each Associate State Party shall have a number of Delegates and Alternates as determined by the National Committee on a state-by-state basis. The National Officers shall be Delegates-at-Large. Honorary Alternates-at-Large may be appointed by majority vote of the National Convention.

B. Selection. Each State Party Delegate or Alternate must have been elected or appointed according to the Rules of his or her State Party, must be a Member of the State Party, and must be a resident of the same state as the State Party. Each State Party shall fill Delegate and Alternate vacancies when they occur. A State Party Alternate may serve temporarily as a voting Delegate in the absence of a regular Delegate from the same state. A Delegate or Alternate may be removed by two-thirds vote of the National Convention, or under the provisions of his or her State Party Rules.

C. Meetings. The National Convention shall convene every four years in Regular meeting for the primary purpose of nominating candidates for President and Vice President of the United States; for the secondary purpose of adopting, revising or reviewing the IAP Principles and Platform; for other business as deemed appropriate by the National Committee. The National Convention shall convene at other times in Special meeting, either in person or by suitable electronic means, if called by two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee or majority vote of the National Committee.

D. Notices. The National Secretary shall cause notices to be sent via postal or electronic means to the Chair of each recognized State Party, and to each Delegate and Alternate of record, no less than thirty days prior to any scheduled meeting. A quorum for National Convention meetings shall consist of all Delegates present at the scheduled meeting.

E. Duties. The National Officers shall preside over the meetings. Both Delegates and Alternates may make motions, participate in debates and discussions, and vote in straw votes during sessions of the National Convention. Only Delegates may vote in binding votes. Questions of adopting, amending or revising the IAP Principles and Platform shall require two-thirds vote of the National Convention.

SECTION 6.  NATIONAL COMMITTEE

Pursuant to Article VI of the IAP Constitution:

A. Membership. Initially, each Official State Party shall have five National Committee Representatives and five National Committee Alternates. Each Associate State Party shall have a number of Representatives and Alternates as determined by the National Committee on a state-by-state basis. The National Officers shall be Representatives-at-Large. Honorary Alternates-at-Large may be appointed by majority vote of the National Committee.

B. Selection. Each State Party Representative or Alternate must have been elected or appointed according to the Rules of his or her State Party, must be a Member of the State Party, and must be a resident of the same state as the State Party. Each State Party shall fill Representative and Alternate vacancies when they occur. A State Party Alternate may serve temporarily as a voting Representative in the absence of a regular Representative from the same state. A Representative or Alternate may be removed by two-thirds vote of the National Committee, or under the provisions of his or her State Party Rules.

C. Meetings. The National Committee shall meet twice annually in person at Regular meetings held four to eight months apart. The National Committee shall meet at other times in Special meetings, either in person or by suitable electronic means, if called by two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee, or by majority vote or petition of the National Committee.

D. Notices. The National Secretary shall cause notices to be sent via postal or electronic means to each recognized State Party, and to each Representative and Alternate of record, no less than thirty days prior to the scheduled meeting except in the case of a bonafide emergency.

E. Duties. The National Officers shall preside over the meetings. Both Representatives and Alternates may make motions, participate in debates and discussions, and vote in straw votes during sessions of the National Committee. Only Representatives may vote in binding votes.

F. Quorum. A quorum for all National Committee meetings shall consist of at least one-half of all Representatives of record, or else at least one-half of the National Officers plus a minimum of one Representative from at least one-half of the State Parties. If short of a Quorum, members in attendance may still conduct business, provided that any business not relevant to the time frame of the meeting must be ratified by a majority of the National Committee Representatives of record via postal or electronic communication before the business can take affect.

G. Convention Powers. The National Committee shall assume the powers of the National Convention if the Convention does not exist, or in the case of a bonafide emergency when there is insufficient time to convene the National Convention.

SECTION 7.  EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Pursuant to Article VII of the IAP Constitution:

A. Membership, Regions. The National Officers shall be Members-at-Large on the Executive Committee. State Parties shall be organized into geographical Regions, and shall caucus and elect additional Members to the Executive Committee. Region Members on the Executive Committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Region caucus that elected them. The National Officers may fill vacancies of Region Members by appointment, until a proper election can be held. Each Member of the Executive Committee must abide by the IAP Constitution, Bylaws and Executive Committee Rules.

B. Regions. There shall be four geographical Regions as follows:

(1) East. The Eastern States Region shall consist of Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia.

(2) Midwest. The Midwestern States Region shall consist of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin.

(3) South. The Southern States Region shall consist of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia.

(4) West. The Western States Region shall consist of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.

C. Meetings. The Executive Committee shall meet twice annually, in person, at Regular meetings for the purpose of conducting IAP business and affairs. It shall meet at other times in Special meetings, either in person or by suitable electronic means, when called by at least two of the National Officers, or by majority vote or petition of the Executive Committee.

D. Notices, Accountability. The National Secretary shall cause notices to be sent via postal or electronic means to all Members of the Executive Committee, no less than thirty days prior to the scheduled meeting except in the case of a bonafide emergency. All actions of the Executive Committee are subject to the approval of the National Committee.

SECTION 8.  OTHER COMMITTEES

Pursuant to Article VIII of the IAP Constitution:

A. General. The Standing Committees are continuous, and shall consist of the Rules Committee, Events Committee, Membership Committee, Issues Committee, and Media Committee. Special Committees may be created at the pleasure of the Executive Committee or National Committee. All actions of these Committees are subject to the approval of the Executive Committee and/or National Committee.

B. Rules. The Rules Committee shall review and develop proposed changes to the IAP Constitution and Bylaws; develop and propose procedural rules for the Executive Committee, National Committee and National Convention; assist State Parties in the development of their Constitutions, Bylaws and Rules; coordinate other related functions.

C. Events. The Events Committee shall develop plans and arrange for meetings of the National Committee and National Convention; coordinate ballot qualification efforts in various states; assist national and State Party candidates in their campaigns; plan and coordinate fund raising efforts and assist State Parties with fund raising; coordinate other related functions.

D. Membership. The Membership Committee shall coordinate the recruitment of State Parties; maintain communication and liaison between State Parties and general Members; oversee credentials at meetings of the National Committee and National Convention; assist State Parties in their recruitment of members; coordinate other related functions.

E. Issues. The Issues Committee shall review and develop proposed changes to the IAP Principles and Platform; conduct research and writing on national issues; establish a speakers bureau; conduct voter education and assist State Parties with voter education; assist national and State Party candidates with national issues; coordinate other related functions.

F. Media. The Media Committee shall conduct public relations; maintain positive relations with the news media; oversee the IAP web site and publications; design and provide IAP flyers, pamphlets, paraphernalia and other advertising; assist State Parties with public relations; coordinate other related functions.

G. Other Committees. Standing and Special Committee Chairs and Members shall be appointed or removed at the pleasure of the National Chair, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee and National Committee. Sub-Committee Chairs and Members shall be appointed or removed at the pleasure of the Chair of the parent Committee, subject to the approval of the Members of the parent Committee.

H. Meetings, Accountability. Meetings of the above Committees may be called by the Executive Committee, National Committee, parent Committee Chair, Committee Chair, or by majority vote or petition of the Committee Members. Such meetings may be held in person or by suitable electronic means. The Committee Chair or secretary shall provide adequate notification to all Committee Members prior to the scheduled meeting. All actions of a Committee are subject to the approval of the parent Committee, Executive Committee and National Committee.

SECTION 9.  NATIONAL OFFICERS

Pursuant to Article IX of the IAP Constitution:

A. Titles, Eligibility, Accountability. The National Officers shall consist of a Chair, and two or more Vice Chairs, ranked as 1st Vice Chair, 2nd Vice Chair, etc. All actions of the National Officers are subject to the approval of the Executive Committee and/or National Committee.

B. Duties of Chair. The National Chair shall administer the affairs of the IAP at the national level; preside over meetings of the Executive Committee, National Committee, National Convention; coordinate activities between State Parties and the IAP; coordinate efforts between Standing and Special Committees; perform other duties specified in these Bylaws; perform other related functions.

C. Duties of Vice Chairs. The National Vice Chairs shall assist the Chair in his or her duties; perform other appropriate duties assigned by the Chair; assume, according to rank, the duties of the Chair in the absence or incapacity of the Chair; perform other duties specified in these Bylaws; perform other related functions.

D. Auxiliary Officers. The National Secretary, National Treasurer, and other individuals, as needed, shall serve as ex-officio officers to the National Officers, Executive Committee, National Committee, and National Convention. They shall not have any vote nor be counted as part of a quorum in those bodies while acting solely in their capacity as auxiliary officers. They shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Executive Committee.

E. Duties of Secretary. The National Secretary shall notify Members of meetings; maintain minutes of meetings and other non-financial records; maintain a database of National Officers, National Committee Representatives and Alternates, National Convention Delegates and Alternates, other Committee Members, and State Party officers; perform other appropriate duties assigned by the Chair; perform other duties specified in these Bylaws; perform related functions.

F. Duties of Treasurer. The National Treasurer shall account for the receipt and expenditure of all IAP funds; meet requirements of the Federal Election Commission; maintain all financial records; perform other appropriate duties assigned by the Chair; perform other duties specified in these Bylaws; perform other related functions.

G. Term, Election, Removal. The National Officers (excluding auxiliary officers) shall serve for two-years or until their successors are elected. They shall be elected by the National Committee at its first Regular Committee meeting in odd-numbered years. They may be removed at any time by two-thirds vote of the National Committee.

H. Vacancies. Vacancies in the National Officer positions (excluding auxiliary officers) shall be filled by special election at the next meeting of the Executive Committee. Such election may be ratified or new elections held at the next meeting of the National Committee.

SECTION 10.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

Pursuant to Article X of the IAP Constitution:

A. Subordination, Severability, Constitution. These Bylaws shall be in harmony with, and subservient to, the IAP Constitution. They are severable in that if any portion hereof be declared void, all other portions shall remain binding and effective. All provisions of the IAP Constitution shall be considered a part of these Bylaws.

B. Notices. All notices for Regular and Special meetings of the National Convention or any Committee shall include the date, hour, location, proposed agenda, and purpose for which the meeting is called. Only the business stated in the call for a Special meeting shall be conducted at such meeting.

C. Parliamentary Rule. Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised, when not in contradiction to the IAP Constitution and Bylaws, shall be followed at all National Convention and all Committee meetings, unless suspended for the remainder of any such meeting by two-thirds vote of the voting Members present.

D. Quorums. Except where specified otherwise herein, a quorum for all Committee meetings shall consist of at least one-half of the Committee Members. If there is lack of a quorum, then all votes of an enduring nature must be submitted to all vote-entitled Committee Members either by mail, courier or electronic means for ratification by the same voting percentage that would have been required for the original vote.

E. Voting. All questions or issues before meetings of the National Convention or any Committee shall require a majority vote of those voting, except where specified otherwise in the IAP Constitution or Bylaws. No individual shall have more than one vote. There shall be no proxy voting.

SECTION 11.  AMENDMENTS

A. Proposing. Amendments or revisions to these Bylaws may be proposed by majority vote of the National Committee at any Regular or Special Committee meetings. Such amendments or revisions must be in harmony with the IAP Constitution.

B. Ratification. Proposed amendments or revisions to these Bylaws may be ratified by sixty percent vote of the National Committee at a Regular Committee meeting at any time after three months from the proposal date.

C. Waiver. The provisions of these Bylaws may be waived by three-fourths vote of the National Committee at any Regular or Special meeting for a period not to exceed six months or until the next National Committee meeting.

SECTION 12.  ADOPTION

Establishment. These Bylaws shall be established upon majority vote of the National Committee.