Constitution
of the
Independent American Party

(Established January 23, 1999. Amended July 17, 1999; January 18, 2003; August 2, 2003.)

 ARTICLE I.  NAME

A. National Name. The official name of this national political party is "Independent American Party" (herein "IAP"). It may also be known as United States Independent American Party, National Independent American Party, Independent American Party of the United States, IAP or USIAP.

B. State Names. Each affiliated State Party is strongly encouraged to include "Independent American" in its name, except where prohibited by state law. "State Party" herein refers to an affiliated political party or organization for a state or the District of Columbia.

ARTICLE II.  OBJECT

A. Mission. The IAP mission is to promote respect for life liberty and property; strong traditional families; patriotism; and individual, state and national sovereignty -- with a strong reliance on the Declaration of Independence and allegiance to the Constitution for the United States of America -- by petition to God and by political and educational means.

B. Candidates. The function of the IAP is to find, nominate, assist and support candidates for President and Vice President of the United States, who are wise, moral and honest, and who will uphold and defend the Constitution for the United States. These candidates shall also adhere to the Mission, Principles and Platform of the IAP.

C. Assistance. The IAP shall function to assist State Parties with organization, voter education, ballot qualification, fund raising, communication, and other services. The IAP may assist candidates for federal, state and local office, who meet the same standards of character and principles expected of IAP presidential candidates.

ARTICLE III.  MEMBERSHIP

A. State Members. The IAP primary membership shall be limited to one State Party from each state of the United States and the District of Columbia. Each State Party shall be recognized as an Official or Associate State Party according to its degree of organization, political activity, good standing, and commitment to the IAP Object.

B. General Members. The IAP general membership shall consist of individuals who support the Constitution for the United States and agree to the Mission and Principles of the IAP. Such persons are encouraged to be active members in their IAP-affiliated State Party.

ARTICLE IV.  STATE PARTIES

A. State Rules. Each State Party shall establish and operate under a Charter, Constitution, Bylaws, and/or Rules in harmony with this Constitution and the IAP Object. They shall obey all federal, state and local laws applicable to them.

B. Representation. Each State Party shall elect or appoint Representatives and Alternates to the National Committee, elect or appoint Delegates and Alternates to the National Convention, and be represented at meetings of the National Committee and National Convention.

ARTICLE V.  NATIONAL CONVENTION

A. Membership. The National Convention shall consist of the National Officers, National Convention Delegates from each State Party, and non-voting National Convention Alternates from each State Party. Honorary non-voting National Convention Alternates may be appointed by the National Convention.

B. State Representation. Each Official State Party shall have proportionate representation on the National Convention based on its party membership as registered by its State Membership Committee and verified by the respective Regional Coordinator (at least 45 days prior to the National Convention) and accepted by the National Committee. Associate State Parties shall have lesser representation on the National Convention.

C. Functions. The National Convention shall function to nominate candidates for President and Vice President of the United States, adopt IAP Principles and Platforms, and conduct other appropriate business as determined by the National Committee.

ARTICLE VI.  NATIONAL COMMITTEE

A. Membership. The National Committee shall consist of the National Officers, National Committee Representatives from each State Party, and non-voting National Committee Alternates from each State Party. Honorary non-voting National Committee Alternates may be appointed by the National Committee.

B. State Representation. Each Official State Party shall have equal representation on the National Committee. Associate State Parties shall have lesser representation on the National Committee. No Associate State Party shall be entitled to vote on questions of State Party membership that pertain to itself.

C. Functions. The National Committee shall function to establish IAP Bylaws, set proper policies, issue proper directives, conduct the business and affairs of the IAP, and obey all applicable federal, state and local laws. The National Committee shall be the sole judge of State Party membership.

ARTICLE VII.  EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

A. Membership. The Executive Committee shall consist of the National Officers, National Committee Representatives and Alternates elected by the National Committee, and other individuals as determined by the National Committee.

B. Regional Representation. The National Committee shall assign State Parties to geographical Regions, with an approximately equal number of State Parties per Region. Each Region shall have near proportionate representation on the Executive Committee (excluding National Officers), based on the number of Official State Parties in the Region.

C. Functions. The Executive Committee shall function to set proper policies, issue proper directives, and conduct the business and affairs of the IAP between meetings of the National Committee.

ARTICLE VIII.  OTHER COMMITTEES

A. Standing Committees. The National Committee shall establish Standing Committees of continuous duration with specified functions. Such Committees may establish Sub-Committees of continuous or limited duration with specified functions that are within the scope of the Standing Committee.

B. Special Committees. The Executive Committee may establish Special Committees of limited duration with specified functions. Such Committees may establish Sub-Committees of the same or lesser duration with specified functions that are within the scope of the Special Committee.

ARTICLE IX.  NATIONAL OFFICERS

A. Titles. The National Officers shall consist of a National Chair, one or more National Vice Chairs, and other national officers as determined by the National Committee.

B. Functions. The National Officers shall function to issue proper directives, and conduct the day-to-day business and affairs of the IAP. They shall be Members of, and preside over, the Executive Committee, the National Committee and the National Convention.

ARTICLE X.  SUPREMACY

A. Supreme Document. This Constitution shall be the ruling document for the IAP. It is severable in that if any portion hereof be declared void, all other portions shall remain binding and effective.

B. Supreme Body. The National Committee shall be the supreme governing body of the IAP. It shall establish IAP Bylaws which shall provide rules of conduct and organization for the IAP in accordance with, and subordinate to, this Constitution.

C. Subordination. All Officers, all Committees, the National Convention, all State Parties, all individual members and other entities shall abide by this Constitution, the IAP Mission and Principles, the IAP Bylaws, and all proper policies and directives.

ARTICLE XI.  AMENDMENTS

A. Proposing. Amendments or revisions to this Constitution may be proposed by majority vote of the National Convention, or by majority votes of the separate State Conventions of at least one-half of the State Parties.

B. Ratification. Proposed amendments or revisions to this Constitution may be ratified by two-thirds vote of the National Committee at any time after three months from the proposal date.

ARTICLE XII.  ADOPTION

Establishment. This Constitution shall be established upon majority vote of the National Committee.