Chairman Lathan Shares Helpful Information on the Alabama Delegates and the RNC Convention Process

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 RNC Convention:

I am hearing a lot of confusion of “rules”. What does this mean?

The GOP presidential nomination is a 50 state contest. All 50 states have their own rules- and always have. There is no new process. The number of delegates are directly correlated by the strength of the candidates’ votes received. Delegates are chosen by 1 of 3 ways- on the ballot (like Alabama), at caucuses or party conventions, or directly by the presidential candidates. It is incumbent upon each presidential candidate to know the rules of the 50 states.
The RNC rules are found at: www.gop.com
The ALGOP rules are found at: www.algop.org under About
The ALGOP RNC delegates are found at: www.algop.org under Elections, Delegates
At the 2012 RNC Convention in Tampa, the convention rules expired as the convention was gaveled out of session. Each convention has its own new set of rules every 4 years. This year is no different from the past.

Who is on the RNC Convention rules committee?
One man and one woman are elected to represent their respective state or territory Republican party. This group will meet in Cleveland one week before the convention to write the new 2016 RNC Convention rules. At the end of our convention, the rules will expire as usual.

What role does the RNC play in this process?
The RNC is made up of 168 people: 50 states with 3 members each (Chairman, National Committee Man and National Committee Woman) and the 6 US territories with 3 members each. The RNC holds the convention as an administrative role. The voters pick the delegates to attend and speak for them. The RNC does not have any involvement in the state party elections of delegates regardless of what the media, social media opinions and others may say.

Will there be an ‘open’ convention in Cleveland?
Some say yes. Some say no. The candidate who gets the majority of the delegates, 1,237, will be our nominee. All elections in our nation are by majority, not plurality. It is the candidate’s responsibility to know the 50 state GOP party rules and follow those rules. The RNC is preparing for an open convention in case needed. We will be prepared to do so IF needed.

Can the Alabama delegation ‘unbind’ themselves from the original candidate they are pledged to, sent by our voters?
Yes, but only under two scenarios. First, if the presidential candidate writes a letter to the ALGOP and ‘releases’ his delegates. Then they are free to do what they please. Second, if the presidential candidate’s Alabama delegates get together and 2/3 of them vote to ‘release’ themselves they are then released as well. Alabama is very tightly bound. We are not released after a second, third, fourth, etc… ballot. We are bound all the way through the convention UNLESS one of the two things mentioned above takes place.

It is important to allow the states’ and territories’ Republican parties to manage themselves. If not, the RNC would be a centralized force mandating to us all – for example, the federal government mandating to the 50 states. It is always better to allow the states and territories to make their own party decisions and rules. The quote “one size fits all” does not apply.

Who pays for the delegates trips to Cleveland?
Each delegate pays for their own transportation and hotel. The ALGOP does not pay for delegate trips.

How can I keep up with the delegate count and find other convention information?
This website is a great help that keeps up to date information:
www.conventionfacts.gop

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